Primary Times West Midlands Easter Issue

for parents, teachers and children

EASTER ISSUE 2013

In The Mid lands & Black C ountry

See Mike the knight *

at Merry Hill See inside for details

© 2013 HIT (MTK) Limited

THEATRE, BOOKS AND MUCH MUCH MORE!

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04/03/2013 15:51

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2x3=6 4x8=32 Teaching & Learning 6x4=24 the Times Tables with 2x9=18 5x7=35 3x9=27 12x3=36

Fun Music & Performance Poetry Mr NK 2x3=6 2x3=6 2x3=6 2x3=6 nd the 3Ts s a 4x8=32 4x8=32le 4x8=32 4x8=32 Tunes TimesaTilaabble to ow av 6x4=24 6x4=24 6x4=24 album n6x4=24 CALL US 2x9=18 buy2x9=18 2x9=18 !

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“It’s marvello us children wan to see how the than being fo t to learn rather rced to wonderful sy learn. It’s a stem”.

Getting children to not only learn times tables, but also enjoy it, can be like ‘Mission Impossible’. However, Mr NK believes education works best when it involves having fun! This is a man who learned his times tables at the age of 29!

adults and children, yes I did say adults and children, learn their timetables with his unique successful programme.

This enables both adults and children to overcome difficulties through proven methods of rhymes, creative choreography, action and high energy and as Mr NK would say ‘a bit of umph’ to assist with the learning experience.

This programme is designed to:

• Are your children struggling with their times tables?

• Develop better behaviour

Achievement is at the core of the Tunes Times Tables.

In 2010 with the help of local schools, NK Kreations broke the Guiness World Record for the largest maths class using the Tunes Times Tables format.

Look out for the 2013 attempt.

The Tunes Times Tables (www.tunestimestables.com) is currently being delivered across the UK and has also been delivered in America.

This is the quickest, easiest, fun interactive way to learn times tables without pen, paper or desk. Now that’s a lesson you will not forget!

• Raise self esteem • Build confidence skills

• Assist with social

• Improve concentration • Find it hard to remember?

• Don’t know what to do?

We can help!

Mr NK is the man behind this innovative programme helping

This programme has been recommended by schools, play centres and other educational professionals. Mr NK has successfully delivered this programme at over 80 schools and other organisations.The feedback from parents and teachers has been extremely positive and they are very impressed with how quickly the children have learnt and remember their times tables.

• Support under achievers

For further details on one to one sessions, private tuition, whole school assemblies, classroom workshops, full yearly or termly contracts in schools or our Saturday community workshop or just to hire Mr NK for an event

Call us now on 0121 240 9363 or 07872 581 405 Email: info@tunestimestables.com Website: www.tunestimestables.com

TM & © 2013 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR.

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CHILDREN’S BOOK WEEK

Welcome

the latest issue of And welcome to are n you believe we Primary Times. Ca gh ou of the way thr already a quarter moving quickly on is ar ye e Th 2013? here, although is and finally Spring nk otherwise with March made us thi ow. biting cold and sn the Easter holidays, But now it is time for of ol holidays and lots which means scho out about nd fi n ca u Yo . joy chocolate to en out ties in our roundab lots of Easter activi to do nty ple nd fi l wil u section, ensuring yo can o in this issue, you during the break. Als me so of s ok bo rite favou find out about the about the re mo rn lea s, ritie well-known celeb eck Hoard finds and ch latest Staffordshire r ve ne u yo t tha ts fac out some amazing . gs Eg r ste knew about Ea enjoy entering our And Finally… If you . refully on each page ca k loo competitions, ter en to s mp at co There are some gre you gazine, make sure throughout the ma enter them all!

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Have a great Easte

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Don’t forget to check the website for more Primary Times news, lists and reviews at www.primarytimes.net/midlands_homepage

Primary Times in the West Midlands and the Black Country Publisher: Publishing Ink, Fifth Floor, White House, 111 New Street, Birmingham B2 4EU T: 0121 631 6101 F: 0121 336 1936 Managing Director: Andrew Riley Editorial: Emma Iannarilli E: emma@publishingink.co.uk T: 0121 631 6101 Advertising Dept: 0121 631 6101 Sales: E: sales@publishingink.co.uk Design: Damian Bennett, Mark Sargent You can now follow us on Twitter and Facebook! @PrimaryTimesMid Primary Times Midlands and The Black Country

Primary Times West Midlands and The Black Country is independently published and distributed free through primary schools in The West Midlands and The Black Country.

It is also available by subscription at £10 per year. It aims to inform families and children about 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. It is NOT our intention to publish any racist, sexist or politically-based 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. The copyright on all written material, logos and advertising artwork produced by our studio remains with Primary Times or the relevant contributor.

www.primarytimes.net

Don’t Bin It, Recycle It!

Times Team and the Primary

We would also like to thank all the advertisers who have supported this publication and therefore made it possible.

Primary Times is currently publishing over 2 million copies per issue under franchise licences throughout Britain. Primary Times in The West Midlands and The Black Country is operated under franchise licence.

Disclaimer: All reasonable efforts have been taken to give accurate information and any facts given are true to the best of our knowledge. However, you should rely wholly on your own enquiries and take advice where appropriate. Information is correct at time of going to press.

EASTER 2013 ISSUE

5

O O B E V O L E W Children’s book May sees the annual books and week, a celebration of Children’s the by sed ani reading org can based eri Book Council. This Am ce 1919 sin g nin run n event has bee biggest and and is one of the oldest the world, in nts eve g din children’s rea re mo ting and is dedicated to get re, asu ple for g din rea children into ool based sch a as t jus n tha her rat n of the week, activity. In celebratio Midlands also Primary Times West why books are all you w wants to sho p from some hel brilliant…with a little w. kno t jus ht mig friends you st important life Reading is one of the mo t think about Jus n. skills you will ever lear a normal day of rse cou the in all the times ing. This can eth som d when you need to rea rning post, mo the in ve arri t tha be letters es on your way street signs and shop nam s and games toy for s tion ruc inst to school, n those text Eve . with that you want to play ly spelt per pro use ’t don t tha messages se, only sen t fec per words, and yet make how to ned lear e hav you e aus work bec nds that make decode the letters and sou . rds wo up those

www.primarytimes.net 6

ly important.

So reading is most definite t it is fun tha et forg But we sometimes to imaginary you rts spo tran g din too. Rea that we have lands and faraway places d of Oz and lan the , ted visi ly ual never act tform 9 ¾. It Pla and Narnia, of Neverland , some just like ters rac cha to us ces introdu nothing like us, us, and some absolutely the BFG, Peter and hie Sop like ters charac t the Dog, and Spo r, Pan, Paddington Bea and Hermione. y asle We Ron ter, Pot Harry imagination to run And books just allow our tures in our minds pic al gic ma g ntin pai away, e or film could mm gra pro in a way that a TV and films paint these never do. For whilst TV g you just to watch, uirin pictures for you, req for yourself. books allow you to do this your favourite films Don’t forget that many of rks of fiction. wo us ulo started out as fab ep-pig’ by Dick She e ‘Th e onc s wa be’ ‘Ba n two film bee e hav re King Smith. The adventures in ’s ket Buc arlie Ch of s version Matilda was ilst wh , tory the Chocolate Fac let us not And sic. another Roald Dahl clas series. ter Pot rry Ha ’s forget JK Rowling d the story and vide pro t tha ks boo s It wa gical movies. inspiration for these ma get a quiet few So, this Easter, when you spend the time in minutes, why don’t you book! d goo a of the company

EASTER 2013 ISSUE

Did you know?

& RE

• Green Ham & Eggs by Dr Seuss contains only 50 different words in the whole of the book. (Go on – count them!). Moreover, only one word contains more than one syllable – ‘Anywhere’.

• Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone had its title changed to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in America.

• Where the Wild Things are by Maurice Sendak has been both a film and an opera.

Celebrity favourite children’s stories

We asked lots of celebrities what their favourite story book was when they were young. Here are some of the answers…it seems that Roald Dahl was a popular choice.

• Frank L Baum who wrote ‘The Wizard of Oz’ also wrote a sequel called ‘Ozma of Oz’. Billini the chicken was one of the stars of this story!

• A chapter was removed from Roald Dahl’s ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ for being too gruesome.

A character called Miranda Piker, a headmaster’s daughter got rather upset about a special sweet that instantly gave you spots. This allowed you to get a day off from school by fooling your parents you had measles. Miranda, who had never had a day off from school decided to ruin this recipe…and met rather a sticky end… If you want to read it, visit http://doodleda.wordpress. com/tag/charlie-and-the-chocolatefactory/ • JK Rowling found all those witchy sounding names (Toadflax, goutwort, grommel amongst others) from a very old book called ‘Culpeppers complete Herbal’, a famous book of herbal lore from the 1600s.

“Black Beauty, What Katy Did, Ballet Shoes and The Flower Fairies.”

Author Jacqueline Wilson

• Roger Hargreaves created his first Mr Men character after his son Adam asked him what a tickle looked like – he drew Mr Tickle and the Mr Men were born.

• Mr Cheeky was created by an 8 year old girl called Gemma Almond after a competition in The Sunday Times in 2001.

• E L Stine wrote an incredible 62 books for the original Goosebumps collection between 1992 – 1997. Perfect if you like a spooky story about all those things that go bump in the night!

“Hi there, I was and still am a devotee of Dr Seuss” Matthew Ward, Actor – Horrible Histories BBC and Historian

OKS

ADING “George’s Marvellous Medicine. Sam x” Sam Nixon, from CBBC duo Sam and Mark

“The Twits by Roald Dahl was my favourite” Kate Lawler, DJ and presenter

James Phelps – Fred Weasley from the Harry Potter series of films

Jane Deane – Dee Livery in Justin’s House Cbeebies

“What was my favourite childhood book? Tales of the faraway tree!”

Lucy Kite, ITV Central Weather Presenter www.primarytimes.net

“Going Solo by Roald Dahl Or Wind In The Willows”

“I reckon mine was “Where The Wild Things Are” & “Charlie & Chocolate Factory”

“Hey Primary Times, well with BookWeek coming up I would pick the BFG by RoaldDahl” Lloyd Warbey – Children’s TV Presenter of Art Attack, The Disney Chanel

“My favourite was The Twits by Roald Dahl. Mark” Mark Rhodes, from CBBC duo Sam and Mark

EASTER 2013 ISSUE

7

d a r b o n i p k l Wee o o h to Sc k l a W 4 Mayrents to 2 0 - 2 treets is urging itpha their children

gS gw l ity Livin nd try walkin Schoo al char a Walk to ortunity e . m k o e h Nation e t lW n opp e car a Schoo n ay) is a leave th y’s Walk to childre ing 0-24 M (2 a n k a M e e ts d lk n W a e r w a during y p for to tr the UK with Walk to s s o r c a ng ool. Alo 17 May), Walk to sch 3(1 k e e a part Work W Week forms l o nth, a o o h M c to S alking W l a brating n le o of Nati dicated to ce de ing. month of walk nefits e b e ational th ns the n and they ru ts e e tr n, Living S hool campaig them Sc ave told h ts n Walk to re e a th p l d o n o ta ch say tha they walk to s petrol n e e th h that w orm tressful, is less s ir children perf e journey d th n , a n s dow t they, bill goe and tha and fitter. l o o h c ts hier better a el healt ildren, fe alking their ch n o al W . for Nati n n www o o ti l a 1 Apri Registr m o fr s n ope Month .uk. eets.org tr s g in liv

The Theatre Work shop is coming to the Wes t Midlands The Theatre Workshop established in Susse x

for 10 years and acknow as one of the country’s ledged leading performing art s schools, is now com the WEST MIDLANDS, ing to launching in May wit h a Saturday Morning 10am – 1pm at The Pri class from ory School, Edgbaston for ages 6 – 18 years.

The Theatre Workshop has already launched the careers of notable young including Oscar Lloyd, performers star of ‘Emmerdale’ and the ‘4’O’Clock Club’, He who is currently playing tti Bywater, Lucy Beale in Eastender s and Brennock O’Conn Hickman who are both er and Sam currently doing a UK Tou r of ‘Oliver’ playing the role of Dodger.

Alongside the exciting we ekly classes, there are ma ny performance opportu offer. If you want your chi nities on ld to secure the most inn ovative and professional training on offer, please performing contact The Thatre Wo rks hop for more information thetheatreworkshop.co . www. m Please call 0121 474 318 2 to BOOK YOUR FRE E TRIAL NOW!! Mentio Times for a free t.shirt vou n Primary cher worth £20 on joining !

11+ Tuition

rm Rays Fa

stle and bustle of can leave the hu Rays Farm? You d ite vis u yo ve .

Ha ily fun for countryside fam bits and an the town behind eeky pigs, cute rab ch ing lud inc s nd frie ard my Fairytale Forest Get close to far and legends in the ny; explore myths po e tur e latest addition to nia Th mi ls. ble adora er and wide eyed ow de of t tes cu to let off steam. the and say hello to at for the little ones oden play area, gre wo a o als is ys, you’ll rm Fa Rays d and school holida tivities every weeken ac feed of to le r du me he far sc ily the With a da m following ng new to do. Fro ol holidays to ho sc st gu Au always find somethi the ilding during the deer and den bu ays of the year, this session most Sund ter un co en l ow special e. aims to pleas 14th family run business rts 30th March until ster Trail which sta Ea ster the Ea for on dy en rea t ildr Ge ties for ch o Easter craft activi ting children an ch en April. There are als be l wil r g ay, A local storytelle ni beast hunts durin Sunday and Mond n, and there are mi oo ern aft ay nd Su on Easter t the holiday break. d have a fun day ou shire countryside an rop Sh tly en the rec joy en iew n rev You ca trip advisor try Matters. As one at Rays Farm Coun t”. ou y da said “A simply lovely

Finalist 2012

Is your child in year 4?

Start your 11+ tuition now Enrolling now for September 2013 www.primarytimes.net

Personalised Tuition Course Very small groups Allocated Tutor Pay As You Go Award winning courses at KSOL centres Locations: Sutton, Solihull,Warwick & Handsworth

www.ksol.co.uk 0121 733 6558 8

EASTER 2013 ISSUE

Raise your p aw for Aco rns

Make your dog a superhero and join a fabulous sponsored walk to raise funds for your loca l Children’s Hospice. Take part in the annual Acorns Dog Walk during Children’s Hospice Week and show your support for the vital work Acorns does with local life limited and life thre atened children.

The sponsored walk will take place on Sunday 28th April, at 10am in Sutton Park. Owners have a choic e to participate in a scenic 3km or 6km walk and entries cost £5 per dog with proceeds going to Acorns Children’s Hospice.

For more information or to register your dog today please visit www.acorns.org.uk/dogwalk. Com panies or organisations interested in sponsorship opportuni ties should contact the Events Team on 0844 984 0405 or events@a corns.org.uk.

k i d s C e nt r a l

@

M ER RY HI LL

U K ’ s h i g h e st rse indoor ropes cou a N e r f c o m b at a r e n a n d ta r g e t r a n g e u n d e r 7 ’ s s o f t p l ay and ropes course crazy golf O p e n d a ily www.thequest.co.uk

01384 261425

P r o b a b ly t h e b e st p l ace f o r a P a rt y in t h e W e s t M id l a n d s !

Brierley Hill, Dudley, West Midlands, DY5 1QX

The

e r i h s d r o f f a St more treasure Hoard uncovered

The Staffordshire Hoard is growing! In November last year another 91 pieces of gold and silver were found in the same field in Hammerwich where the Hoard was discovered in 2009. These pieces have recently been examined by coroner Andrew Haigh, and the great news for Hoard fans is that 81 of the 91 pieces have been declared as ‘treasure’.

This means that it has been recognised that the pieces are more than 300 years old and have a precious metal content of more than 10%. The British museum will now value the treasure to decide just how much the new pieces are worth. The original Staffordshire Hoard was valued at a whopping £3.3million pounds!

Why is the hoard so important? www.primarytimes.net 10

The Staffordshire Hoard is a huge collection of Anglo Saxon artefacts, the original find uncovered 3,900 pieces that contained large amounts of gold and silver, along with a great many garnets. But the collection is important for far more than the value of its precious metals and stones. The history of England is well documented from 1066 onwards, but the period before this time, known as ‘The

EASTER 2013 ISSUE

Dark Ages’ is a time we know far less about.

This was the era of the Anglo Saxons, and it is from this time, more specifically the 7th Century, that the Hoard dates from.

Anglo Saxon England During the Anglo Saxon era, England didn’t exist. Our island was divided into lots of smaller kingdoms, each with their own king or leader. Hammerwich, where the hoard was discovered, was located in the Kingdom of Mercia, one of the largest, and most violent of the Anglo Saxon kingdoms.

So, who did the hoard belong to, and why did they leave it behind?

The truth is that nobody really knows the answer to this question, but there are lots of ideas and speculation. The most common theory is that the pieces of gold were the spoils of a battle. The Hoard contains lots of pieces that came from swords and shields, but there are no pieces that belonged to women – no jewellery, no dress fittings, no brooches –in short nothing feminine. Instead there are lots of very beautiful pieces that seemed to have been ripped from battle dress, torn from shields and armour, a prize for the victor of an important battle.

So, who won the battle?

The Hoard dates from the 7th century. There were three important kings in Mercia at that time, Penda, Wulfhere and Ethelred. Did one of these men win the hoard in battle, and then bury it, maybe as a tribute to a Pagan God. Or maybe they hid the treasure in a hurry, intending to come back and retrieve it at a later date. If this is the case, why didn’t they come back? Why was all that treasure just left in a field, to sit, undiscovered, until a sunny day 1400 years later? We will never know the answers to these questions, the Hoard is beautiful and full of mystery, there to tantalise us with a glimpse into a time we know so little about. But it is there to be enjoyed by all, and that is what makes the new findings all the more exciting.

Where to see the hoard The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery in Stoke-on-Trent is currently displaying the largest exhibition of the Staffordshire Hoard to date. Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery also has a permanent exhibition of the treasure. Exhibitions including pieces of the treasure are also on display at Tamworth Castle and Lichfield Cathedral, along with other exquisite local Anglo Saxon treasures.

EASTER FUN

AT MERRy Hill

There’s plenty of FREE entertainment to keep over 1,000 families entertained this Easter.

SEE ThE * pipliNgS

in their Wayabuloo yogo mini shows

TuEsdAy 2nd ApRil

At intervals throughout the day Waybuloo TM & © 2013 The Foundation TV Productions Limited/Decode/Blue Entertainment. Licensed by Zodiak Rights www.wayabuloo.com

SEE mikE * ThE kNighT

and his Quest for Adventure

TuEsdAy 9TH ApRil

At intervals throughout the day

© 2013 HIT (MTK) Limited

*Entry into the appearance area will be by FREE wrist band only. These can be collected at the ticket desk on the upper mall near Oasis from 9am on the day of the show. Arrive early to avoid disappointment. All events are subject to change or cancellation. The centre opens from approximately 8am. Visit westfield.com/merryhill for further details.

theatre In the Midlands and Black Country

Wednesday 22nd - Thursday 23rd May

Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom

Belgrade Theatre Box Office: 024 7684 6738 Belgrade Square, Coventry www.belgrade.co.uk

Tuesday 2nd – Saturday 6th April

Horrible Histories Terrible Tudors and Vile Victorians

Monday 20th May 2013

Shaolin Warriors “The Master Returns” The internationally acclaimed Shaolin Warriors are back at the Belgrade with their new show Return of the Master. With a fully choreographed spectacular production that features 22 professionally trained Kung Fu Masters, they vividly depict rarelyseen feats of agility, strength and skill. Tickets: From £16 - £22.50 Concessions: £14 - £20.50

WIN! WIN! WIN! www.primarytimes.net

In conjunction with the Coventry Belgrade theatre Primary Times are offering you the opportunity to win one of two family tickets of the Shaolin Warriors up for grabs to see this fantastic show on May 20th just answer the following question –

Q. How many Kung Fu Masters are featured in this production?

Terrible Tudors - Tuesday 2nd, Thursday 4th and Saturday 6th April Vile Victorians - Wednesday 3rd and Friday 5th April.

We all want to meet people from history. The trouble is everyone is dead! So it’s time to prepare yourselves for Horrible Histories, Terrible Tudors live on stage! Using actors and ground-breaking 3D special effects, the Terrible Tudors and Vile Victorians are guaranteed to thrill you and your children. Historical figures and events will come alive on stage and hover at your fingertips. From the horrible Henries to the end of evil Elizabeth, hear the legends (and the lies!) about the torturing Tudors. Find out the fate of Henry’s headless wives and his punch up with the Pope.

Survive the Spanish Armada as it sails into the audience! In Vile Victorians you can find out exactly what a baby farmer did? Can you escape the misery of the mines or the filth of the factories? Do your best to dodge the rotten railway and prepare for the Charge of the Light Brigade! Tickets cost from £9 - £17.50 when booked online. Family tickets Available.

“Somewhere, hidden amongst the thorny brambles is a little kingdom where everyone is very very small...”

From the makers of Peppa Pig comes this BAFTA award-winning television animation for the first time ever live on stage!

Holly is a young Fairy Princess, who is still learning how to fly and her magic doesn’t always go quite according to plan. Her best friend, Ben the Elf, doesn’t have wings and he doesn’t do magic, but he runs very fast and flies on the back of Gaston the Ladybird.

They live in the Little Kingdom, a tiny land where flowers and grass rise high above them and every day is an adventure.

Ben and Holly have fun and games helping Gaston the Ladybird clean up his messy cave, they go on a trip into The Big World with tooth-fairy Nanny Plum, even plan a surprise birthday party for King Thistle, and oops, let’s hope there’s not another jelly flood!

Join Ben and Holly, and their friends on this exciting musical adventure packed full of games, songs and laughter on an enchanting journey through the Magical Kingdom.

With actors, masks and colourful costumes this beautiful story of elves, princesses and childhood innocence will delight all the family.

Tickets £11.50 - £13.50 Visit the official website at www. benandhollylive.com

WIN! WIN! We have two family tickets (Seating 4 people) for the Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom show at the Wolverhampton Grand theatre for Wednesday 22nd May at 1pm. To enter, simply answer the following question

What sort of creature is Gaston?

Closing Date: Friday 3rd May

Closing Date Friday 3rd May

To enter visit www.primarytimes.net/competitions

12

EASTER 2013 ISSUE

NIA Birmingham Box Office: 0844 338 8000 King Edwards Road, Birmingham www.thenia.co.uk

Wednesday 10th April – Sunday 14th April

Walking With Dinosaurs - The Arena Spectacular Based on the award-winning BBC television series Walking with Dinosaurs – The Arena Spectacular will be coming to the NIA, Birmingham from 10 – 14 April 2013. The show will see Tyrannosaurus Rex and his awe-inspiring life-size pals return to stalk UK shores once

more, a whole 65 million years on.

The production includes dinosaurs of unprecedented size and quality, which will guarantee to thrill and educate a brand new generation of budding palaeontologists, as prehistoric beasts of unmatched realism roam the stage and capture the imaginations of young and old alike. Watch the story of their 200 million year domination unfold as you see them walk, hear them roar and come face to face as they fight for survival and supremacy. From the ripple of their skin to the glint in their eye, you will know the dinosaurs really have returned!

Walking with Dinosaurs - The Arena Spectacular is brought to the U.K. by Global Creatures, headed by CEO Carmen Pavlovic, in association with BBC Worldwide. Pavlovic said, “The BBC Series was a brilliant blend of special effects, escapism, excitement and information. In order to bring this TV event into the third dimension on stage with life-size dinosaurs, we created a £12.5 million spectacle so immense that it can only fit into arenas.”

A landmark in family entertainment, Walking with Dinosaurs has been seen by over 7m people in a staggering 206 cities across the world. Ranked No.4 in Pollstar’s Top 100 Worldwide Tours, their phenomenal global success is credited to the pioneering work of its long-serving and passionate production team. Bringing to life 20 to-scale dinosaurs night after night, this technological feat is of epic proportions.

Tickets priced from £25-£45.

To find out more about the show, and for everything else that’s coming up at the NIA, visit www.thenia.co.uk.

Wolverhampton Grand Box Office: 01902 429212 Lichfield Street, Wolverhampton www.grandtheatre.info

Monday 8th April

The CHUCKLE BROTHERS meet ‘The Phantom of the Theatre’ In this new adventure Paul and Barry come to the aid of a theatre manager who is having trouble attracting audiences because a ghostly presence is scaring all the people away!

The boys promise to put a show on to help bring in the crowds - but will the ghostly phantom let them? Don’t miss this rip-roaring comedy featuring songs, slap-stick, spectacular magic, puppets and crazy CHUCKLE BROTHERS fun for all the family! Tickets cost from £9.50 - £14.50.

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• Eastbourne • Brighton • Hove • Chichester • Birmingham Bexhill •Bexhill Eastbourne • Brighton • Hove • Chichester • Birmingham suzy@thetheatreworkshop.com www.thetheatreworkshop.com Theatre_Workshop_A5_Leaflet_Birmingham.indd 2 Theatre_Workshop_A5_Leaflet_Birmingham.indd Theatre_Workshop_A5_Leaflet_Birmingham.indd 1

21/01/2013 09:57

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EASTER 2013 ISSUE

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Birmingham Town Hall

LG ARENA

Box Office: 0121 345 0600 Broad Street, Birmingham

Box Office: 0121 780 4141 NEC, Birmingham B40 1NT

www.thsh.co.uk

www.lgarena.co.uk

Thursday 11 April 2013 at 1.30pm & 4.30pm

Alexandra Theatre Box Office: 0844 871 3011 Station Street, Birmingham www.alexandratheatre.org.uk

Tuesday 9th – Saturday13th April Thursday 11th April - Wednesday 17th April 2013

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt Adapted from the award-winning picture book written by Michael Rosen and illustrated by Helen Oxenbury. We’re Going On A Bear Hunt is brought vividly and noisily to the stage in director Sally Cookson’s fun-filled adaptation set to Benji Bower’s versatile lively score. Join our intrepid adventurers on their quest to find a bear; as they wade through the gigantic swishy, swashy grass, the splishy, splashy river and the thick, oozy, squelchy mud. Expect catchy songs, interactive scenes and plenty of hands-on adventure- plus a few special surprises. For children aged 3 and above. Tickets £11.50

WIN! WIN! WIN!

To be in with the chance of winning a family ticket (seating 4 people) to see We’re Going On A Bear Hunt at Birmingham Town Hall on Saturday 13th April at 1.30pm, just answer the following question…

Which of these well-known characters is NOT a bear?

Closing Date: a. Winnie the Pooh Tuesday 2nd April b. Paddington c. Eeyore To enter visit www.primarytimes.net/competitions

Goodnight Mr Tom Set during the dark and dangerous build up to the Second World War, Goodnight Mister Tom follows sad William Beech, who is evacuated to the idyllic English countryside and builds a remarkable and moving friendship with the elderly recluse Tom Oakley. All seems perfect until William is devastatingly summoned by his mother back to London.

Winner of the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize and commended for the Carnegie Medal, this brand new production marks the 30th Anniversary of the publication of the novel. Now a world-wide literary favourite and BAFTA award-winning TV film (starring John Thaw), Goodnight Mister Tom continues to inspire audiences and bring generations together.

Tickets cost from £10 - £28.50 There will be a free post show Q&A session after the 1pm performance of Goodnight Mister Tom on Thu 11 April.

Monday 6th May

The Elephant Bridesmaid by Steven Lee “There are no elephants in Australia. Well, no elephants except this one...”

Written especially for parents to enjoy with their children THE ELEPHANT BRIDESMAID is a magical musical about weddings and wombats and the loveliest elephant the world has ever known.

Based on a story from the best-selling book How The Koala Learnt To Hug and Other Australian Fairytales this delightful show has just the right balance of games, songs and heart-warming elephant antics to make any day feel like your special day. So join Nessie the Elephant and her fantastic animal friends and help them as they go in search of an outfit fancy enough (and large enough) to make her the Australian jungle’s first and most beautiful Elephant Bridesmaid. Make your day even more special and come to the theatre wearing your own fancy clothes (or fancy dress) for the chance to take part in a fabulous fashion show live on stage with the actors! For ages 4 – 104. As an extra treat popular children’s author Steven Lee will be available to sign copies of his book How The Koala Learnt To Hug and Other Australian Fairytales which will be on sale at a specially reduced rate after the show.

“A trunkload of fun that will leave you and your children feeling warm and snuggly all over.”

Tickets £8.50 - £9.50

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EASTER 2013 ISSUE

CBeebies Live! presents Justin & Friends This April, the LG Arena will be taken over by everyone’s favourite CBeebies characters as part of the CBeebies Live! presents Justin & Friends tour.

Get ready to bring the house down as Justin Fletcher MBE brings his favourite CBeebies characters together on stage for the very first time in this brand new Easter 2013 eggtravaganza. Joining Justin in his adventures will be his chums Robert the Robot and Little Monster from Justin’s House, as Justin prepares to put on a spectacular rock and roly-poly show for a very special visitor.

Justin is on the look out to find everyone’s special talents and needs you. Nina from Nina and the Neurons will be there, to make sure everything goes according to plan, the adventurous Andy Day will leave no stone unturned and Katy Ashworth will cook up a storm.

But as Robert’s enthusiasm for tidying up threatens Justin’s plans to stage the most amazing show ever, he’ll need your help to keep things on track.

With megastars from Gigglebiz including Nana Knickerbocker, Lost Pirate, Arthur Sleep and Keith Fit all joining in the fun, get ready to search high and low, sing and dance and prepare for a fantastic fun filled finale!

There’s also a host of Tumbles from Something Special, including Lord Tumble, Grandad Tumble and Cliff Tumble, as well as an hilarious appearance

by Mr Tumble. Prepare to be thrilled, excited and spectacularly entertained. You too will discover your special talents, dance and sing along with Justin Fletcher and all his friends. Tickets for the show are on sale now, priced from £16.00 for adults, children from £13.00, and family tickets from £52.00 (plus booking & transaction fees) and are available from The Ticket Factory: www.theticketfactory. com or 0844 338 8000

FUN FOR KIDS AT THE GRAND! WED 22 - THU 23 MAY

Live on stage foimre! the very fi rst t www.benandhollylive.com

WED 19 - SAT 22 JUNE Nottingham Playhouse Theatre Company present

Adapted from the book written by Michael Rosen and illustrated by Helen Oxenbury

‘Enchanting’ BBC Radio Bristol

‘Simply the best’

‘Ingenious’ Daily Mail

‘Fun filled’ Guardian

Sky Arts

THU 11 - WED 17 APRIL Thu 1.30pm & 3.30pm, Fri – Sun 11am & 1.30pm, Tue – Wed 10.30am & 1pm

0121 345 0603

www.thsh.co.uk

R E T N S EA FU

! k r o w m Tea

by Mellie Buse and Jan Page

Box Office 01902

42 92 12

BOOK ONLINE www.grandtheatre.co.uk

bclm.com

BCLM Primary Times 90x135_Layout 1 15/03/2013 12:33 Page 1

Wolves Museum Easter Offers Special family price of £14 for 2 adults and 2 juniors Include a tour on certain days and pay just £22 for a family of 4 For more details including opening times visit wolvesmuseum.co.uk or call 0871 222 1877 wolvesmuseum.co.uk

Museum

0121 557 9643

OPEN DAILY

West Midlands DY1 4SQ

book a day visit online

save 10%

Family fun at Mary Arden’s Farm • Fun Tudor events all year round • Baby animals • Falconry displays • Nature trails and NEW playground • Under 5s go FREE Mary Arden’s Farm, Wilmcote, Nr Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 9UN

2 for1 entry

plus unlimited entry for 12 months*

www.shakespeare.co.uk *Buy any adult ticket, get any other up to the same value free with this advert. Unlimited entry for 12 months from date of purchase.

Exp 31/12/13. BGF1, BGF5. Farm open 18 Mar – 4 Nov 2013.

Registered Charity Number 209302

S I N N E T e e Fr or all! f

The Edgbaston Priory club is increasing access to tennis in the community, with the community tennis programme continuing to thrive thanks to support from The Tennis Foundation, ‘Give it your Max’ and Handelsbanken. Now, a full time coach, Stu Seery, has been appointed to help deliver the programme.

In 2013, new coaching programmes have been launched at Cannon Hill Park and Queens Park, which have attracted over 60 budding new players to the game. Links have also been forged with 2 0 Midlands schools, with new coaching schemes and after-school clubs established.

PLUS!

mini tennis

So come and Join in the free tennis!

• All equipment is provided for you.

• Suitable for all ages • Get the chance to Play tennis, receive coaching and practise your skills • Find out how you can play more locally • Adult coaching is also available • No need to book – just turn up and play!

• Great fun!!

• For more details contact Stu Maidment on 07930 404 565

So come and join in the free tennis!

WIN!!! One of 3 Babolat Tennis Rackets!

All completed forms will be en tered into a prize draw to win one of three Babolat Te nnis Rackets, to be drawn at 3.45pm on each op en day!! All sections must be completed and bro ught along on the day.

CHILD’S NAME:.................... ...............................................

DOB: ........................................ .............................................

EMAIL ADDRESS: ............... ................................................

NOTE: EMAIL ADDRESS

MUST BE FROM PAREN

T OR GUARDIAN

EASTER 2013 ISSUE

17

IRONBRIDGE GORGE MUSEUMS

www.solihullartscomplex.co.uk

SCHOOL HOLIDAY FUN

01952 433424 www.ironbridge.org.uk

Easter Holiday Fun 29 March - 1st April

Weds 3 April Alice in Wonderland 2.30/7.30pm

Celebrate Easter Victorian style at Blists Hill Victorian Town. Come wearing your finest bonnet, join the local residents in their egg dancing antics and hunt the chick on the Easter trail.

Beautifully performed by Ballet Theatre UK. Age 3-adult.

LOLIHULL! Solihull’s Comedy Festival - Family events Tues 9 April 12-1.30pm The Comedy Academy £5 15 places.

Fun workshops for age 7-13 to learn comedy tips, hints ideas & coaching live on stage.

Tues 9 April 2.30pm Comedy Club 4 Kids £6 age 6-11.

Authentic family comedy club experience with live comedians... but no naughty bits!

Thurs 11 April 10am/1.30pm Jester Academy £7.50 age 5-11.

Circus thrills & spills - plate-spinning, diablo, juggling and much more. 2.5 hr workshop.

Sat 27 April CBeebies - Sid’s Show 11am/2pm Ages 3-7

£11

Ages 4+

£6

Sat 27 July Chris & Pui Roadshow 11am/2pm Performing Show Me Show Me live on stage. Age 3-6 £12/£10 DISTRICT 12 Theatre Summer School (Age 9-18) on sale now!

www.solihullartscomplex.co.uk

Box Office: 0121 704 6962

Free

Assessments for Grammar School 11+ All children in Year 3 and Year 4 should apply

0121 709 1200 www.advantage11plus.com email: info@advantage11plus.com

40 Years

19

7 3-2013

N TOW

Fun show by the team who toured The Gruffalo.

VICTORIA ill

N

Weds 29 May My Brother the Robot 1.30/4pm

Blists H

Two fun interactive shows with games & songs.

40th Anniversary Day - 1st April 2013 New exhibition and special tours. Free Admission for this day only to Blists Hill for visitors born on 1st April (ID required)

t o n o b r u da u FRIDAY 29TH MARCH

Easter Eggstravaganza Hatton Farm Village, Warwick Lots of events for the Easter holiday including a ‘Bunny Hunt’ and Easter Egg Hunt with free chocolates for all children who take part. Call 01926 843 411 or visit http://www.hattonworld.com/farmvillage/ hattonactivities/holidayevents.html for more information.

SATURDAY 23RD MARCH TO FRIDAY 14TH APRIL

Friday 22nd March to Sunday 16th June

Horrible Histories Awesome Easter Warwick Castle

999

COVENTRY TRANSPORT MUSEUM Coventry Transport Museum will be alive with the sights and sounds of the ‘blues and twos’, as the exciting exhibition ‘999’ showcases a variety of historical vehicles from all three of Britain’s emergency services. Admission is free.

SATURDAY MARCH 23RD TO SATURDAY 30TH MARCH

Eggciting Trail Kenilworth Castle

Enjoy a day cracking the ‘eggciting’ trail at Kenilworth Castle & Elizabethan Garden.

Search for the clues around the grounds to be rewarded with a special Easter prize.

This event is suitable for all ages, and takes place daily from 10am until 5pm. Tickets will be available to purchase at the event site on the day. Ticket price includes entry to event & Kenilworth Castle. English Heritage Members free, adult £8.20, child, 5-15 years £4.90, concession £7.40, family £21.30. For more information, visit the official website http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/ events/easter-family-fun-trail-kc-23-mar/

The foulest and funniest moments from history are being brought to life at Warwick Castle! Experience history through five different eras in Horrible Histories® Foul Fayres, from the punishment and excess of the Terrible Tudors to the industry and poverty of the Vile Victorians, no century from history is left unturned. This Easter, Warwick Castle plays host to the first ever Horrible Histories® Foul Fayre. Visit five interactive areas around the Castle from Vicious Vikings to the Measly Middle Ages... it’s history with the nasty bits left in! Visit http://www.warwick-castle.com/whats-on/ horrible-histories.aspx to find out more.

SUNDAY 24TH MARCH

The Adventures Of Prince Achmed FlatPack Festival, Birmingham Created by Lotte Reiniger and a small team using scissors and card over the course of three years, The Adventures of Prince Achmed is the oldest surviving animated feature film and still captivates all ages today. Freely adapted from the Tales of 1001 Nights, the quest for a magic lamp takes us across oceans and down into volcanoes, battling with dragons, demons and witches along the way. This very special event at the University of Birmingham’s new Bramall Music Building will include a live score composed and performed by Geoff Smith. A specialist in hammered dulcimers, Smith will be using a range of rare and wonderful instruments including one which he has developed himself, the ‘Fluid Dulcimer.’ Tickets cost from £9 - £12.

Visit www.flatpackfestival.org.uk / www. twitter.com/flatpack / www.facebook.com/ flatpackfestival for more information.

A chance to make your very own anim ated film with Peter Millard and Ben Cad y, who will be delivering workshops in the art of handdrawn animation. Workshops last just under a couple of hours and those involved will need to produce at least 20 drawings. Work shops are free, but advanced booking is advised.

Recommended ages 6+, all abilities welcome.

There’ll be a sound effects workshop at 11am the following day for budding filmm akers who want to complete their masterpieces . For more information visit www.flatpackfestiva l.org.uk / www.twitter.com/flatpack / www.face book.com/ flatpackfestival FRIDAY 29TH MARCH TO WEDNESD AY 3RD

APRIL

Eggstreme Easter Fun Selly Manor in Bournville.

Friday, Tuesday, Wednesday 10am to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday 2pm to 5pm .

Hop on down to the manor for a crac king Easter and create a chick pompom a brillia nt bunny masks and daffodil windmill. Take part in the Easter Hunt and play eggcellent gam es ! Adults £3.50, Children £2, Family £11.

FRIDAY 29TH MARCH

COLOUR BOX - Moomins and the Comet Chase Flatpack Festival, Birmingham A 2010 stop-motion film compiled from the Come In Moominland episodes of the 1977 1982 Moomins TV series animated in Poland, re-stored and re-soundtracked with multiple voice actors replacing the single narra tor.

Tickets cost £3 - £5.For more infor mation visit www.flatpackfestival.org.uk / www .twitter.com/ flatpack / www.facebook.com/flatpa ckfestival FRIDAY MARCH 29TH TO MONDAY APRIL 1ST

White Rabbit Easter Hunt Wonderland, Telford

White Rabbit Easter Hunt around the Fairytale Houses to find a free Easter gift. Child ren can take part in a range of games, race s and enjoy storytelling with the Mad Hatter. The Alice theme continues as you get the chan ce to play crocquet with Alice herself and Bunn y Hop with the White Rabbit. Events run from 11.30 3.30pm. Visit the Wonderland Web site to find out more. http://www.wonderlandmidl ands.com/#/ easter/4553598841

EASTER 2013 ISSUE

www.primarytimes.net

SATURDAY MARCH 23RD TO SUNDAY APRIL 14TH

COLOUR BOX Animation Station: Make Some Movies Flatpack Festival, Birmingham

19

A WORLD OF WONDER BENEATH YOUR FEET

n o r u da

An opportunity to visit the network of underground tunnels and famous Limestone Mines.

Sit back and enjoy the skipper guided tour as our experienced boatmen take you on a magical journey.

Booking Hotline:

T: 0121 557 6265 e: enquiries@dudleycanaltrust.org.uk Dudley Canal Trust (Trips) Ltd. Dudley Canal & Limestone Mines A4123 Birmingham New Road Dudley DY1 4SB

FRIDAY MARCH 29TH TO MONDAY APRIL 1ST

CADBURY EASTER EGG TRAILS SELECTED LOCATIONS IN E BIRMINGHAM AND TH BLACK COUNTRY WITH THE NATIONAL TRUST Cadbury and the National Trust are teaming up to help families celebrate Easter weekend (29 March – 1 April) together by offering fun Easter Egg Trails throughout Birmingham and the Black Country.

Taking place in some of the Midlands’ most beautiful outdoor spaces, the Cadbury and National Trust Easter Egg Trails add an element of joy to the traditional egg hunt in the region, with plenty to see, do and learn. Whether you’re a child or simply young at heart, adventure is sure to lie ahead. Follow cryptic clues, complete fun-filled challenges and explore the beauty of the Midlands most spectacular places to hunt down a delicious Cadbury prize.

• Find all the Easter bunnies and eggs at the Birmingham Back to Backs to win a yummy chocolate egg. Friday 29 March to Monday 1 April. A cost of £2.50 per trail applies and booking is essential, please call 0121 666 7671 for more information.

www.primarytimes.net

• Search for the Easter bunny or follow the egg trail at the Clent Hills and collect a chocolate treat. Little Chicks trail available for under 5s. Friday 29 to Saturday 30 March. The trail costs £2 and there is no need to book.

• Join the Easter trail at Kinver Edge and the Rock Houses. Find the Easter Bunny and collect a chocolate treat. Little Chicks trail available for under 5s. Sunday 31 March to Monday 1 April. The trail cost £2 and there is no need to book.

To join in with the Easter fun, simply visit www.eastereggtrail.com or www.nationaltrust.org.uk where you can find your nearest Cadbury and National Trust Easter Egg Trail and Egg and Spoon race, along with tips on how to make the most of the Easter weekend at home.

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EASTER 2013 ISSUE

t o b da u FRIDAY 29TH MARCH TO MONDAY 1ST APRIL

Easter Fun and Egg Dancing Blists Hill Victorian Town

Join the residents at Blists Hill Victorian Town, near Ironbridge in Shropshire as they celebrate Easter over the Bank holiday.

Highlights will include the unusual pastime of egg dancing, which sees the blindfolded townsfolk dance across the street trying not to step on eggs that are carefully placed along their route. After the demonstration, visitors are invited to have-a-go with mini Easter eggs and lollies as rewards for all who complete the course without stepping on an egg! You can also take part in the ‘hunt-the-chick’ competition, following a trail of clues around the recreated Victorian town; join a sing-along in the New Inn Public House and try handson workshops as well as watch open-air performances by the Prince Albert Players and Kaleidoscope Theatre. Families should come wearing their best Easter Bonnets, as the Town’s Milliner will be judging the finest creations at 2pm in the Pleasure Gardens; there will be a prize for the winner and every youngster taking part receives a small Easter egg. Open 10am to 5pm, Blists Hill is one of the Ironbridge Gorge Museums. A great value Annual Passport Ticket allowing entry into all ten museums, valid for twelve months and unlimited return visits, costs £24 per adult, £19 for the 60 plus, £15.25 for students and children and £65 for a family of two adults and all their children aged up to 18 years in full time education (terms and conditions apply); under 5s free. Activities and workshops vary day-to-day and some carry an extra charge in addition to the museum admission fee. Individual museum entry tickets are also available. For further information, contact the Ironbridge Tourist Information Centre on Tel: 01952 433 424 or visit http://www. ironbridge.org.uk/

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FRIDAY 29TH MARCH TO SUNDAY 14TH APRIL

Easter Holiday Activities Coventry Transport Museum A wide range of activities taking place each day during the Easter Holiday, including fire, police and ambulance-themed trails and crafts, to tie in with the Museum’s ‘999’ exhibition of emergency vehicles through the ages. Different events taking place daily, some incur a small charge. Visit www.transport-museum.com or call 024 7623 4270 for more information.

FRIDAY 29TH MARCH TO MONDAY 1ST APRIL

Packwood’s Easter Family Fun Days Packwood House Packwood House is hosting a very special Easter weekend opening that will see the Easter Bunny paying a visit. There will be a woodland family trail in the Welly Walk with all sorts of activities from den building to hop along logs, and the chance to tick off some more items from the list of 50 things to do before you’re 11¾. Kids will love trying to find where the Easter Bunny has hidden those colourful eggs too. Packwood’s Easter Family Fun Days will be in the parkland from Friday 29 March-Monday 1 April, 11-5pm. Find out more at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/packwood SUNDAY MARCH 31ST

Easter Funday Birmingham Botanical Gardens An action-packed day full of Easter fun, activities including a petting farm with rabbits, guinea pigs, chicks and ducklings. Have your photograph taken with the animals for a small fee. Plus lots more Easter fun including children’s trail, egg hunt, crafts and face painting. The Easter Funday lasts from 11-3pm. All under 16s are admitted free. For more information visit the website http://www.birminghambotanicalgardens.org.uk/ events2/80-march/998-easter-funday EASTER 2013 ISSUE

21

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t o n o b r u da u TUESDAY 2ND APRIL

Easter Fun Craft Activity Blakesley Hall

Make a bird gift box. Fun creative make and take activity for families.

No need to book, activities are drop-in, so just turn up! Children must be accompanied at all times. Sessions run from 12.00-3.00pm and cost £1 per child.

WEDNESDAY 3RD APRIL

Easter Egg Hunt Weoley Castle Ruins

A fun afternoon exploring this site in the hunt of eggs! Sessions run from 12 – 3pm and cost £1 per child/person.

THURSDAY 4TH APRIL

Easter Fun Craft Activity Blakesley Hall

Make a flapping bird puppet. Fun creative make and take activity for families. No need to book, activities are drop-in, so just turn up!

Children must be accompanied at all times. Sessions run from 12 – 3pm and cost £1 per child.

FRIDAY 5TH APRIL

Faberge Easter Craft Activity Weoley Castle Ruins

MONDAY 21ST AP RIL

St George’s Da y Weoley Castle Event Ruins

Sword fighting de monstrations and medieval mummers This event lasts fro play. m 1-4pm and is su itable for all the fam event. ily. Free SUNDAY, 21ST AP RIL

Free! Mini tenn is festival Come

along to the Mini Tennis Festival at the Edgbaston Pr Club for FREE ten iory nis, coaching and lots of fun! Suitable child in Reception for any , Year 1, Year 2 an d Year 3. All equip provided, just em ment is ail the club to book your space. The fes takes place on Su tival nday 21st April. Re gistration is at 9.3 activities take pla 0am, ce from 10.00am – 12.30pm. To res space email your erve your name, date of bir th, school and co to sue.harris@edgb ntact details: astonpriory.com or call 0121 440 24 92.

SATURDAY 11TH MAY

Family Saturda y Selly Manor in Bournville

Dressing up, Tudo r games, a Family Trial and a chance and-take a poma to makender. Sessions las t from 2pm – 5pm £1.50 per child. and cost

Drop in craft activity running from 12-3pm. No need to book.

Sessions run from 12 – 3pm. Sessions cost £1 per child/person.

FRIDAY 5TH APRIL

Learn how to felt a sheep New Walsall Art Gallery Learn about how wool is processed, how to felt some fleece, and make a picture of a sheep using real sheeps wool. Sessions run twice daily at the New Walsall Art Gallery, 11-12.30pm and 1-2.30pm, and to are for children 4 years and over. Each session costs £2 and needs be booked in advance. Call 01922 654 400.

SATURDAY 6 APRIL 2013

Handmade Scrapbooks Bilston Craft Gallery

Use pressed flowers and leaves and recycled materials to make your own scrapbook. Sessions cost £2 per child. There are two sessions on the day, running from 11-12.30pm & 2 –3.30pm. This activity is suitable for children 5-12 years and booking is essential. Call 01902 552507 for more information.

SATURDAY 13TH APRIL

Family Saturday Selly Manor in Bournville.

Dressing up, Tudor games, a Family Trail and a chance to make-andtake a set of juggling balls. Sessions last from 2pm to 5pm. Cost Adults £3.50 Children £1.

SATURDAY 13TH APRIL

Saturday Arts Club Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery Inspired by the Metropolis exhibition artist Ruth Radcliffe will work with the participants to create their own mini city in a shoe box. All materials are supplied and children will be able to take home their own mini city. The session lasts from 10.30 am – 12.30pm and is suitable for children aged 7 – 11 years. The session costs £3.

From Saturday 23rd March

GASTRONAUTS NATIONAL SPACE CENTRE LEICESTER This Easter holiday the National Space Centre is dedicating three whole weeks to a celebration of all things tasty, yummy, weird and wonderful. Gastronauts have landed at the Centre and brought with them a display kitchen and a cookery book full of food science for you to enjoy. They are joined by the best producers, suppliers, restaurants and chefs in the East Midlands, as each day the kitchen is turned over to demonstrations from the region. Learn how to make scones, jam and cream in just 30 minutes thanks to Sandra at Whetstone Pastures, watch Dickinson and Morris hand raise a real Melton Mowbray pork pie, kids get involved in making Rocket Road Refrigerator cakes with Church Farmhouse Cakes or even a great tasting 30 minute curry with Little Turban. So that is the tasty and the yummy, but how about the weird and the wonderful? How about liquid nitrogen bacon and eggs ice cream, or a berry that makes lemons taste sweet, we even have some future foods for you to taste and a great all comers egg drop challenge, well it is Easter.

The holiday period kicks off on 23 March, with Sam and Amy from GEM 106 taking on each other in the Egg-stra Special Easter Egg Challenge Egg-stravaganza, so come along and support Team Sam or Team Amy. Check www.spacecentre.co.uk for full details of each day over Easter.

EASTER 2013 ISSUE

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Sandwell Valley Riding Centre

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THINGS YOU NEVER KNEW ABOUT EASTER EGGS

Easter is here again, and very soon you will be tucking into a yummy chocolate egg (or 3). But here are some fun facts that you may not know about our favourite Easter Treat.

• The tallest chocolate Easter egg ever was made in Italy in 2011. At 10.39 metres in height and 7,200 kg in weight, it was taller than a giraffe and heavier than an elephant! More than enough to share with your whole street.

• 43% of kids say they eat their first chocolate egg before Easter Sunday, but the average time for children to eat their first Easter egg is 11 o’clock on Easter Sunday morning – a chocolate themed breakfast maybe?

• In the UK alone, a whopping 90 million chocolate eggs are sold each year?

• Thirteenth-century Macedonians were the first Christians known to use coloured eggs in their Easter celebrations. Crusaders returning from the Middle East spread the custom of colouring eggs, and Europeans then began to use coloured eggs to celebrate Easter and other holidays.

• Medieval Easter eggs were boiled

with onions to give them a golden sheen. Edward I, however, went one better and in 1290 he ordered 450 eggs to be covered in gold leaf and given as Easter gifts. Very generous!

• John Cadbury made his first Cadbury Easter egg in 1875. By 1892 the company was producing 19 different lines, all made from dark chocolate. But Cadbury didn‘t create the first chocolate Easter Egg – that was created by Fry’s in 1873.

• According to goodnessdirect. co.uk 80 million chocolate Easter eggs are sold each year. This accounts for 10% of Britain’s annual spending on chocolate!

• In medieval times, a festival of egg throwing was held in church, during which the priest would throw a hardboiled egg to one of the choirboys. It was then tossed from one choirboy to the next and whoever held the egg when the clock struck 12 was the winner and retained the egg.

Win £100 Vouchers for at Charles Clinkard Charles Clinkard are giving away 3 prizes of gift vouchers for Startrite shoes, to the value of £100, £75 and £50.

For a chance to win, either enter online or fill in this form and return to: The Clinkard Group Ltd, Eveline House, Preston Farm Business Park, Stockton, TS18 3TA Title:

First name:

Surname: Email: Postcode:

D.O.B (optional)

I’m interested in shoes for:

Women

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Kids

• In the UK, children receive on average 8.8 chocolate Easter eggs every year.

• One in five children (19%) have made themselves ill because they have eaten too much chocolate during the holidays. Yuck!

To enter online and for full T&Cs go to www.charlesclinkard.co.uk/primarytimes 08450 515 885

EASTER 2013 ISSUE

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r m k w o boo aves latest must-hders e th f o k ic p a r -re Ou kshelf and e for your boo

Guest Reviewer

Olivia Hammond - Aged 8 , Hednesford St Peter’s Primary School

‘Vanessa the Dance Steps Fairy’ by Daisy Meadows (Orchard Books) Vanessa the Dance Steps Fairy is a story from the collection of the ‘Pop Star Fairy’ Rainbow Magic books.

This story tells of the adventures of Kirsty and Rachel’s journey to find Vanessa’s magic clef which was stolen by Jack Frost. Will Kirsty and Rachel find the stolen clef and help the performers at the Fairyspell Music festival, who have completely lost their rhythm?

I have read most of the Rainbow Magic books, which were all great fun, but I particularly like this book because it is very tense and exciting. I really thought the fairies would fail to find the clef and save the day because of the mean and scary goblins who try very hard to stop the fairies with their troublesome ways.

I would definitely recommend this book to girls my age – but beware of the scary goblins and Jack Frost.

Rating: ★★★★★ Moon Bear (9+)

Wendy Quill is a Crocodile’s Bottom Oxford (7+) Wendy Meddour,, £5.99

Gill Lewis, Oxford University Press, £8.99

University Press

Wendy Quill would love to be a little bit famous, but when she fails to land a lead role in the school production of Peter Pan (even though she is a real-life Wendy) she has to settle on making her theatrical debut as a crocodile’s bottom. Fortunately, it’s not long before Wendy is dragged along to her best friend Florence’s tap-dancing class, where she manages to land a part in The Wizard of Oz thanks to her amazingly sensible shoes, but there is an incident with some face paint, and things don’t exactly go to plan. Wendy FINALLY gets the taste of fame she’s been craving when she dresses up for a school project and has her picture taken for the local paper (but that’s all thanks to Kevin, the school rat).

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We wan your favou t to hear about ri at Primary te books! Write to us Times, Pub lishing Ink, Fifth Floor, Wh New Stree ite House, 111 t, Birmingh am, B2 4EU or email us at emma@pu bli tell us abou shingink.co.uk and t your and why yo favourite books You might e u love them. ven see you r name here in the next issue!

EASTER 2013 ISSUE

When a sick cub arrives at the cruel bear farm, no one expects it to survive. But twelve year old Tam refuses to give up hope – he nurses the bear back to health and they form an unbreakable bond.

Tam swears to return his bear to the wild – but in a world torn apart by indifference and greed will Tam ever be able to keep his promise?

WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN A COPY OF WENDY QUILL IS A CROCODILE’S BOTTOM Wendy Quill would love to be a little bit famous, but when she fails to land a lead role in the school production of Peter Pan (even though she is a reallife Wendy) she has to settle on making her theatrical debut as a crocodile’s bottom. All manner of crazy mishaps ensue and YOU can win a copy so you can find out more. But you have to answer the following question: In what production does Wendy make her debut?

Closing Date: May 10 2013

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Celebrity football match launched by Harry charity

From Clockwise; James Phelps, Joe Calzaghe, Oliver Phelps and Matt Lapinskas

of 18 celebrities from the entertainment and sporting world including Joe Calzaghe (World Champion Boxer) and Nathan Cleverley (Current World Champion Boxer), James and Oliver Phelps (Fred and George Weasley from the Harry Potter series of films), as well as reality television favourites Mario Falcone and Little Chris (TOWIE) and Jamie Laing and Spencer Matthews (Made in Chelsea).

www.primarytimes.net 28

Footy4Harry promises to be one of the biggest celebrity charity football events this year, raising vital funds for the HelpHarryHelpOthers charity which was launched in September 2012 in order to continue the vital work of Harry, who passed away aged 11 in October 2011 from an inoperable brain cancer.

In conjunction with Birmingham FC, the celebrity football match will feature two teams

EASTER 2013 ISSUE

Under the guidance of ex-Birmingham City ace Michael Johnson and former Aston Villa favourite Ian Taylor, the teams will battle it out on the field to be crowned champion of the 2013 Footy4Harry match.

Kicking off at 3pm, tickets are available for children from just £1 and adults £10, with all proceeds going to continue HelpHarryHelpOthers’ fantastic work. There will also be a family fun fair on site, held in St. Andrews away supporters’ car park. This will be free admission to all, with some tasty food stalls serving up delicious culinary treats, and adrenaline filled rides.

This part of the event will be free admission to members of the public and their families and will play host to a multitude of expo displays, fairground rides, food stalls and family entertainment.

Harry’s mum Georgie Mosley adds: “Harry would have been very proud of the Footy4Harry match, combining his love of football and fundraising to help raise money for the benefit of others.

We wanted to make this event a fun day out for all the family, as well as football fans, so with tickets available from £1 this really is a great and affordable way to enjoy a summer’s day with your friends and family.”

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