Primary Times in Hereford & Worcester - October Half Term 2018

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E UID G ON S ’ AT WH

for parents, teachers and children

in Hereford & Worcester October Half Term 2018

October 15th - November 26th 2018

Plus

Education, Roundabout, Bookstore and more!

Education

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In Hereford & Worcester

Second Floor, Richardson House, 21/24 New St, Worcester. WR1 2DP. Tel: 01905 723011 Fax: 01905 780103 Publishing Editor: Dawn Pardoe - 01905 727909 Design and Production: Paul Blyth Sales & PR Rachel Seabright - 01905 727900 rachel@pw-media.co.uk Primary Times is independently published and distributed free through Infant and Junior Schools throughout Hereford & Worcester. It is also available by subscription at £50 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 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. Primary Times would like to thank all the schools for their assistance in distributing the magazine and for 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 Primary Times or the relevant contributor. Primary Times is currently publishing over 1,900,000 copies per issue throughout the counties of: Avon, Beds & Luton, Berkshire, Black Country, Bucks & Milton Keynes, Cambridge, Cardiff and S E Wales, Cornwall, Derbyshire, Devon, Dorset, Edinburgh, Essex, Fife, Tayside and Central Scotland, Glasgow & Central Scotland, Gloucester, Hampshire, Hereford and Worcester, Hertfordshire, Ireland (Kildare, Meath, Wicklow, South Dublin, Cork & Waterford), Kent, Leicester, Lincolnshire, East, West, South & North London, Newcastle & North Tyneside, Norfolk, Northampton, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Staffordshire, Surrey, Sussex, Tees Valley, West Midlands, Wiltshire, South & West Yorkshire. For further details contact The Primary Times Team on 01905 723011

Bookstore 6 New Books For October

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Roundabout

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What’s on

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Theatre 20 Who’s treading the boards?

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For great days out listings, visit www.primarytimes.co.uk

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WORCESTERSHIRE WRITER

LAUNCHES NEW BOOK

Worcestershire writer Helen Wendy Cooper is hoping for a berry merry response to her new book release, The Kissing Tree, written for (and sponsored by) Tenbury Mistletoe Association, the UK capitol of Mistletoe!

The book launched on the 1st of October, which started off a busy tour of primary schools for Helen and an opening workshop at Kidderminster Library on the 6th of October (Helen’s home town). The book will feature as part of the celebrations for Tenbury Wells Mistletoe festival, on the 1st of December, with a Christmas workshop from Helen.

series and Shape Land. She was a judge for CITV Share a Story 2017 and BBC Radio 2’s 500 words 2018.

The Kissing Tree tells a rhyming story of Jack the Jackdaw, who is searching for love! He finds the perfect tree for Mistletoe to grow on but a Robin eats all his berries! Will Jack ever find his true love and share a mistletoe kiss?

The former military musician, PCSO and nursery nurse lives in Kidderminster with her fiancé, daughter, two cats and two tortoises. n

The Kissing Tree is Helen’s sixth children’s book to be published, her other titles include Rudy the Reindeer, The Vegetarian Vampire

Helen says, “I absolutely love writing and illustrating for children. I started writing children’s books when I was 14 years old for my GCSEs and I hope all children enjoy reading my stories.”

The Kissing Tree (paperback £5.99 ISBN 978-178456-579-4) is available to order at S.E.N.S.E in Tenbury Wells, all good book shops and internet retailers or directly from www.helenwendycooper.co.uk

OPEN MORNINGS

Monday 22nd & Wednesday 24th October 2018 9:00am – 12:00pm We offer a Catholic Education for Pre-school to 11 year olds and seek to build an environment in which Christian values guide all children, giving a secure foundation to their future lives. Come and share in the life of our lively and vibrant school. All are most welcome!

Chedworth Drive, Warndon, Worcester WR4 9PG

Tel: 01905 452772 office@st-josephs-pri.worcs.sch.uk

www.stjosephsworcester.co.uk 4

Primary Times October Half Term 2018

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Primary Times October Half Term 2018

For great days out listings, visit www.primarytimes.co.uk

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Eastnor Pottery & The Flying Potter, Home Farm, Eastnor, Ledbury, HR8 1RD. Tues-Sat 10am-4pm. Simply email admin@eastnorpottery.co.uk or tel 01531 633886 to book a session, turn up and choose from an exciting menu of pottery projects using real clay. No minimum order of participants required and projects start at just £5.

Excellent & creative indoor activity.

OCTOBER Saturday 20th

HEREFORD CIDER MUSEUM APPLE CELEBRATION DAY Cider Museum, Pomona Place, Hereford HR4 0EF. 10.30am – 4,30pm. It’s all about the apples!

Hereford Cider Museum Apple Celebration Day is a one-day event packed full of fun things all to do with apples. Treat your taste buds to some wonderful samples of Herefordshire cider and apple juice.

You can meet the cider producers and ask them how their products are made, everyone has their favourite ciders, find yours. Did you know that there are over 100 heritage apple varieties? It’s a great opportunity to find out about the history of apple varieties and why they have the names that they do. Tickets: Adults: £5.50 Concessions: £5 Children/ Students: £3 Family: £16.

POTTER’S WHEEL WORKSHOPS FOR ADULTS Eastnor Pottery & The Flying Potter, Home Farm, Eastnor, Ledbury, HR8

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POTTERY FUN FOR FAMILIES

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Throughout the Autumn

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1RD Spend the day or weekend relaxing and creating pots on the potter’s wheel. £130 day £240 weekend. Includes materials

Wednesday 24th CHOCTOBERFEST

Eastnor Pottery & The Flying Potter, Home Farm, Eastnor, Ledbury, HR8 1RD. Come and make a hot chocolate & marshmallow mug. Places cost £15 per child with a 10% discount for x3 or more places booked. Telephone or email booking essential. 01531 633886 admin@eastnorpottery.co.uk

Saturday 27th

ANIMAL CHARITY FUNDRAISER St Stephens Church Hall, Droitwich Road, Worcester WR3 7HU. 10 am - 2 pm. Fundraiser for Malvern Hedgehog Rescue & Hillfields Animal Sanctuary. All money raised will be split 50/50 between these 2 charities. There will be lots of homemade cakes (including gluten free & vegan), a tombola (1 for adults and 1 for kids) and a raffle with some great prizes including a hand painted portrait of your pet – worth £250.

Dogs welcome in the church hall.

Free doggy goody bags.

Saturday 27th Wednesday 31st PUMPKIN PARLOUR

Becketts Farm, Heath Farm, Alcester Road, Wythall, West Midlands, B47 6AJ. Time: 10 am – 3 pm. Join the Becketts Farm witches in their Pumpkin Parlour over the half term holidays for a ghoulish gathering of pumpkin carving! Your little monsters will be responsible for scooping out the pumpkin brains, choosing their pumpkin face and pinning out the

Primary Times October Half Term 2018

template and then finally covering in skeleton dust so that the masters (that’s you Mum & Dad) can do the carving. Fancy dress is optional, but there will be an extra treat for any little goblins, ghosts & witches that make a ghastly effort! Buy a pumpkin in our Farm Shop, where our gremlin Greengrocers have pumpkins in all shapes and sizes and carve it here with us, meaning no mess in your kitchen at home! All children require adult supervision whilst carving pumpkins (At least 1 guardian per 2 children). Booking is essential.

Phone: 01564 823402

SPOOKY ROOT HOUSE TRAIL The Estate Office, Spetchley, WR5 1RS. Time: 11am - 4pm. The Gardens will be getting their annual Halloween makeover, children can follow the trail to solve the puzzle then claim a yummy treat. Garden admission plus trail map is just £1 for children. Normal admission applies for adults.

Saturday 27th October – Sunday 4th November SPOOKY HALLOWEEN FAMILY TRAIL

Brockhampton Estate, Bringsty, near Bromyard, Herefordshire, WR6 5TB. Time: 11am – 4pm. If you are looking for something spooky to do this Hallowe’en then why not visit Brockhampton Estate, Near Bromyard? Explore the ruined chapel, orchards and around the manor house to discover the spooky hidden clues and discover the history behind Hallowe’en. Tickets: £2.50 per trail, includes and prize. Normal admission applies.

HALLOWEEN AT CROFT CASTLE Croft Castle, Yarpole, Nr Leominster HR6 9PW. Time: 10am – 4pm. Join Willow the witch for some spooky adventures on the half term trail.

Willow the witch wants to see if you can follow the family trail through the gardens, deciphering the clues and discovering different spells and potion ingredients as you go. Cast the incantation at the end to claim your prize. The trail is running daily throughout the half term holiday, from Saturday 27th October to Sunday 4th November.

Then on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th October, don your scariest fancy dress and grab your trusty broomstick for Croft’s spooktacular weekend. Dress up and play games in

the castle and go wild in our natural and mini-castle play areas. Autumn is also the perfect month to tick off some of your ’50 things to do’ in our 1500 acre parkland. Play conkers, climb a tree, catch a falling leaf and go bird watching in our bird-hide in Fishpool Valley. Tickets: £6 per child, for pumpkin carving, crafts, storytelling, broomstick racing and more. £2.50 per trail, includes prize.

Normal admission fees apply.

HALLOWEEN SPOOKY FUN AT HAMPTON COURT CASTLE Hampton Court Estate, Hope-UnderDinmore, Leominster, Herefordshire, HR6 0PN. Time: 10.30am – 5pm. For nine days only, you can experience Halloween Spooky Fun at Hampton Court Castle. This is the only time in the year when the cellars are open to the public. Do you have the nerve to go past the ‘Beware of the Bats’ sign and down the steps to see what lies beneath the MediEvil Castle where scary cobwebs and screaming ghouls await you? It’s creepy, it’s crawly, it’s cool, but it’s fun. The Bats have left the Cellars. Ghosts are in the Corridors. There’s Pumpkins in the Fireplace. Whilst witches sweep the flagstone floors. Not for the feint hearted – come along if you dare!

Fancy dress optional. Normal opening times and admission prices apply. www.hamptoncourtcastle.co.uk

HALLOWEEN AT RALPH COURT GARDENS Ralph Court Gardens, Edwyn Ralph, HR7 4LU. Time: 6 pm - 9 pm. Once again, Ralph Court Gardens will be transformed into a horrific Halloween venue with hundreds of glowing pumpkins interspersed with smoke and creatures of the night will fill the gardens creating a memorable visit. Using a clever mix of sounds and light effects the event held over nine days from 27th October through to 4th November will be a ‘must see’ for the region. Animated characters have been imported from the USA and special visual effects combine to make this a memorable and unique Halloween experience.

This year, a ‘Spooky Hollow’ themed section is being created complete with bandstand where the resident skeleton band will be playing their ragtime music. Of course, the graveyard would not be complete without a visit from the headless horseman! The displays will be created to ensure they are suitable for all age groups and our ‘Horror Tunnel’ will be accessible for those

Unlock your child’s potential with Stagecoach Performing Arts Singing, dancing and acting classes for 4 - 18 year olds, where students learn to embrace life with creativity and courage

CWMBRAN & MONMOUTH 01633 662283 cwmbran@stagecoach.co.uk KIDDERMINSTER 01562 66194 kidderminster@stagecoach.co.uk LEDBURY & MALVERN 01684 439452 malvern@stagecoach.co.uk

For great days out listings, visit www.primarytimes.co.uk

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R who like a fright! In addition, from Thursday 1st November – Sunday 4th November we will be presenting a performance of ‘The Canterville Ghost’. Halloween themed food served in the restaurant from 5pm – 7pm (booking essential) Event opens at 6pm. Pre- booked tickets £10 per person on the night £12 per person.

Sunday 28th

LEDBURY AUTUMN FORAGING COURSE Eastnor Castle, Ledbury HR8 1RL. Time: 12 noon – 3.30pm. The Ledbury Autumn Foraging Course is a simple foraging walk where you can identify several edible and poisonous wild mushrooms, fruits and plants. On the outskirts

of Ledbury, by kind permission of Eastnor Castle, this beautiful, well situated venue is within easy reach of Malvern, Bromyard, Hereford, Worcester, Ross-on-wye, Cheltenham and Gloucester. Meet in the parking area along the road opposite to the main entrance to the Castle grounds at 12pm. The course starts there with a 20-minute introduction on how to forage safely and sustainably, and a brief of the general countryside codes where they relate to foragers. Following this there be a roughly 2.5 hour walk around the area identifying the different edible and poisonous plants, fruits and mushrooms.

Finally, there will be discussion and tasting the finds over a light lunch.

Ideal for both the total novice and the intermediate forager looking to improve their knowledge, it is also an ideal family outing! Tickets: £45 per adult, £22.50 under 16’s, under 12’s free.

Families are invited to the Autumn Waterworks Museum Family Day where the museum will be open with activities for the whole family.

There are trails for the children and interactive devices across the Museum which visitors are encouraged to touch and use. This includes the Heritage Water Park (a children’s play ’n’ learn zone) in which there are nine life size devices for pumping, moving and filtering water. Inside the Visitor Centre there is a play area for younger children.

Home to a permanent exhibition about Hereford in WW2 the museum is generally seen as a time capsule of social history for Herefordshire, the Marches and parts of Wales. With one of the widest ranges of working steam, oil, gas and hot air engines in the UK, many of which can be seen doing what they were intended for – pumping water, this will be a fantastic day out. Tickets: Adults £6, Seniors £5 and Children £2.

AUTUMN WATERWORKS MUSEUM FAMILY DAY

Monday 29th

Waterworks Museum - Hereford Broomy Hill Hereford Herefordshire HR4 0LJ. Time: 12noon – 4pm.

ADDAMS FAMILY MUSICAL TRICK OR TREAT WORKSHOP Malvern Theatres, Grange Road, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR14

3HB. Time: 10am-12:30pm: 5-8 year olds and 1:30pm-4pm: 9-15 year olds. Come and join Faith Bradley, Choreographer and Director of Company Theatre Academy and explore the kooky, upside-down world of the Addams Family. Now the Addams Family children are all grown up, jump on board their exciting journey with Wednesday Addams and her crazy brother Pugsley in this adventurous, funfilled workshop. Filled with lots of singing and dancing, this entertaining Halloween workshop will be perfect for anyone! Price: £15 (inclusive of 12% booking fee)

Monday 29th Wednesday 31st

HALLOWEEN KITCHEN Becketts Farm, Heath Farm, Alcester Road, Wythall, Birmingham, West Midlands, B476AJ. Time: Sessions between 10 am – 2 pm. Cauldrons at the Ready for Halloween Kitchen. Join us for a spooky session of pumpkin carving and muffin making over the half term holidays with our Head’less’ Chef.

Your little monsters will be provided with their own pumpkin to create the spookiest jack o’lantern and afterwards,

Take a LOOK at our

WEBSITE!

Open Event:

Saturday 20th October, 10am-12 at The Salvation Army Church Hall, Ombersley Way, Droitwich, Worcestershire, WR9 0AB

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Primary Times October Half Term 2018

Hunters Moon, Bransford www.littlegrowbagsnursery.co.uk

Nurturing your child through play to reach their full potential From 3 months to 5 years • OFSTED registered for 37 places Open 7.45am-6.00pm, Monday-Friday

Small holiday club • Home cooked food Woodland Garden Friendly, caring and flexible • Safe dropping off and parking Helping your child to care Phone us on 01886 833379

SITUATIONS VACANT

Little Growbags are looking to recruit a full-time member of staff to join our small, friendly team. Ideally the successful candidate will have a full and relevant early years qualification but we would consider offering further training/an apprenticeship. Interested? Please phone or email for more information.

Email: info@littlegrowbagsnursery.co.uk

Let us help YOUR family to improve themselves!

For great days out listings, visit www.primarytimes.co.uk

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R will learn what to do with its insides, making delicious, decorated pumpkin muffins in our cookery school. Dressing up is optional but there will be prizes for the scariest characters! Suitable for children aged 6+ although younger children are welcome if supervised throughout the whole session. All children require adult supervision whilst carving pumpkins (At least 1 guardian per 2 children). Booking is essential due to the popularity of the event. Tickets: £18 per child.

Tuesday 30th October - Friday 2nd November AUTUMN MAGIC

Worcestershire County Museum, Hartlebury Castle, Worcestershire, Dy11 7XZ. Time: 10:30 am - 4 pm

Four fun family days of autumn themed craft activities. You can also carve a pumpkin for your Halloween celebrations. An additional charge of £2 per child applies for the day’s activities, plus a small charge for your pumpkin. Normal admission applies

Wednesday 31st CHOCTOBERFEST

Eastnor Pottery & The Flying Potter, Home Farm, Eastnor, Ledbury, HR8 1RD. Come and make a hot chocolate & marshmallow mug. Places cost £15 per child with a 10% discount for x3 or more places booked. Telephone or email booking essential. 01531 633886 admin@eastnorpottery.co.uk

OAKER WOOD ACTIVITIES Oaker Wood Leisure, Kingsland, Lugg Green Rd, Leominster HR6 9PT. Take advantage of the last few rays of Autumn sunshine and encourage your children and teens out into the fresh air. Oaker Wood Leisure near Leominster have a full day of Activities on offer for children aged 7-12 years.

Activities will include a range from Climbing, Low Ropes, Fire Building, Target Shooting, Outdoor Pizza Making together with some special

Halloween Woodland activities. A full day of activities costs £24.50.

accompanied by an adult. Free event but normal admission charges apply.

PAINTBALL FOR TEENAGERS

HEY DIDDLE DIDDLE

Oaker Wood Leisure, Kingsland, Lugg Green Rd, Leominster HR6 9PT. Paintball session for 11-16 year olds. Full day costs £15. For more information and to book: www.oakerwoodleisure.co.uk/ holiday or call 01568 780111.

The Courtyard, Edgar Street, Hereford, HR4 9JR. Time: 11am. A hilarious adventure filled with music and puppetry, for ages 3+. When the full moon shines bright there’s magic in the air, and all the animals come out to play. Stay up late with flying cows, jazzy cats and runaway crockery and as we jump and jive to the music in a brilliant new take on the classic nursery rhyme.

Ever wondered how a cow jumped over the moon? Or why the dish ran away with the spoon? With original songs played live on stage, brilliant puppetry and lots of laughter, this new show is a wild and musical celebration of imagination. Tickets: £7.50 (includes free pre-activity from 10.30am)

NOVEMBER Friday 2nd

HAMPTON COURT LASER & FIREWORK SPECTACULAR Hampton Court Estate, Hope-UnderDinmore, Leominster, Herefordshire, HR6 0PN. Time: Gates open at 6pm.

Lighting the bonfire at 6:30pm.

Firework and Laser display at 7:30pm. Beautiful Hampton Court Castle near Leominster ends the season with their Amazing Laser Show and Spectacular Firework Display. Throughout the evening see the Castle, woodland and skies above transformed with the amazing laser show. Food and refreshments will be available. Children must be

Saturday 3rd

BONFIRE, FAIRGROUND, FOOD STALLS AND FIREWORKS FOR CHARITY! Worcester Racecourse, Grand Stand Road, Worcester, Worcestershire, WR1 3EJ. Time: 5:30pm - 8:30pm.

Worcester Round Table organises the biggest local bonfire, fairground,

Venues in Gloucester Tel: 07971 584901 Cheltenham Tel 07971 584901 Tewkesbury Tel 07926 312645 Ross on Wye Tel 07725 228016

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Primary Times October Half Term 2018

For great days out listings, visit www.primarytimes.co.uk

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R food stalls and fireworks to raise funds for local good causes once more! With the great display from Temple Fireworks we will aim to support Worcestershire charities like New Hope, West Mercia Search & Rescue, New College Worcester and Fort Royal school again. Tickets: Prepurchased online (min. 24 hours) £ 2 for a child under 18, £ 5 for an adult or £ 12 for a family of 4. Tickets and more information available at www. worcester.roundtable.co.uk

CASTLE GREEN FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR Castle Green Hereford HR1 2NX. Time: From 6.45pm. Castle Green Fireworks Spectacular is held in conjunction with St. James’s School

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PTFA. Lantern procession, music, bar and good food, not to mention a great firework display. Gates open at 5.45pm, strictly no entry after 7.15pm and Fireworks are at 7.30pm.

Tickets: Adults £6 in advance, £8 on the gate, Children £4 in advance, £6 on the gate.

Sunday 4th

BUBBLE DISCO - HALLOWEEN Atrix, Slideslow Drive, Bromsgrove B60 1GN. Time:11am – 12pm For 5-10 year olds. DJ, Dancing, Glow Sticks, Games and BUBBLES! Join us for our next Artrix Bubble Disco! There will be a DJ playing your favourite songs, dancing, glow sticks, games and, best of all, bubbles! Bubble Discos now take place in our Auditorium with a full flat floor and plenty of room for dancing! Suitable for ages 5-10!

Tickets: Children: £5, Adults are free and don’t need a ticket

BABY RAVE IX - HALLOWEEN Atrix, Slideslow Drive, Bromsgrove B60 1GN. Time: 2pm - 4pm. 90s Rave culture meets CBeebies, Join us for our NINTH Baby Rave!! Jessie DJ will play a selection of CBeebies and 90s dance with a sprinkling of

Primary Times October Half Term 2018

spooky tunes. Sound and light levels will be suitable for young children and families can relax in the chill out area available in the Studio.0-3 year olds will be able to try out the Soft Play area and there will be drinks, snacks and ice creams available to buy at the Artrix Café. There may even be a spooky guest star (or two!)

Tickets: £6 – adults, FREE entry for 0 - 6 months (requires a ticket), £5 - 6 months to 12 years. Please note all children MUST be accompanied by an adult.

Thursday 8th

ANIMAL FAMILIES AND ME WITH GORDON BUCHANAN Huntingdon Hall, Crowngate, WR1 3LD. Time: 7pm - 10pm. Have you got any burning wildlife questions?

BBC TV wildlife presenter and cameraman Gordon Buchanan has travelled the planet and will have some interesting answers! This is a show for any wildlife enthusiast who wants to enjoy the spell-binding stories of the natural world from a man who has experienced danger face to face. Animal Families and Me promises a unique opportunity to hear personal recollections of

his globetrotting travels, as Gordon Buchanan delves into his world of weird, wild and wonderful wildlife all illustrated with his own film footage and photography. With a reputation for relishing dangerous and tough assignments, his tales of challenging expeditions make for a thrilling evening not to be missed.

See website for tickets.

Wednesday 14th TABBY MCTAT

The Swan Theatre, The Moors, WR1 3ED. Time: 4:30pm – 5:30pm.

Interwoven with original songs, Tabby McTat is the heart-warming tale of friendship and loyalty from the team behind Stick Man Live and Tiddler and Other Terrific Tales. Tabby McTat is a cat with the loudest of meee-ews and a best friend with a guitar. Together they sing their favourite songs delighting the crowds, until one day Fred disappears. Separated and alone, Tabby finds shelter and a new life with all the home comforts that any cat could dream of. However, memories of his life with Fred haunt him, and he sets off to search the streets for his long-lost friend.

STUNNING THEMED BOUNCY CASTLES AND SOFT PLAY

Sealife

urs

Dinosa

Superhero

es

Princess

Cars

Amazonian

Farmyard

Unicorns

OTHER THEMES AVAILABLE

Worcestershire’s largest selection of inflatable entertainment

t: 01905 841902 m: 07765 000777 For great days out listings, visit www.primarytimes.co.uk

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R Suitable for children and families of all ages. See website for tickets.

Thursday 15th CURATORS TALKS

Worcestershire County Museum, Hartlebury Castle, Worcestershire, DY11 7XZ. Time: 1 pm – 2 pm. A programme of fascinating talks by our team of Museum Curators, including a chance to get up close to some of our collection. ‘A Happy Convalescence: Uncovering Hartlebury’s history as a World War One recovery hospital’. Tickets are £4 and must be pre-booked. For full details visit our website.

Saturday 17th

LITTLE RED ROBIN HOOD

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Henry Sandon Hall, The Royal Porcelain Works, Severn Street, WR1 2NE. Time: 2 pm – 3 pm. A merry mix up in the forest when Little Red Riding Hood cannot be found. Luckily Robin Hood agrees to go on a quest to take some cakes and flowers to Grandma. Will he stay on the path or will he discover the big bad wolf who looks a bit like the Sheriff of Nottingham? Garlic theatre presents a funny, slapstick, glove puppet show with beautifully crafted puppets, clowning and gentle humour. Ideal for ages 4 to 8 years

BROMYARD CHRISTMAS LIGHTS Bromyard, Herefordshire HR7. Time: 10am – 5pm. Bromyard is a very special place all year round but never more so than at Christmas when the main streets are festooned with strings of lights for the town’s fabled Christmas Illuminations as Bromyard Christmas Lights come to life and are reputed to be the best display in Herefordshire. This event brings around 2500 people to the town centre. Crowds can visit several local Christmas Fairs, enjoy the arrival of Father Christmas in his sleigh, and

Primary Times October Half Term 2018

visit him at home in his Grotto where children receive a Christmas gift. www.bromyardchristmaslights.co.uk Free event.

Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th HEREFORD CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

Hereford Old Market & High Town. Time: 2pm – 7pm. Hereford Christmas Lights switch on heralds the start of the Christmas season with a weekend of treats and lighting up the city. Saturday 17th November -The Old Market Shopping Centre will switch their lights on at 5:30pm. Sunday 18th November -Sunshine Radio will be dazzling the city centre with entertainment, live music and much more. Live music and entertainment will start at 3pm before the lights are switched on at 5pm. And don’t forget…. there will be late night shopping across the city with FREE parking from 4-8pm at the Old Market and Herefordshire Council car parks from 4 pm every Wednesday from mid-November.

Free event

Saturday 17th November – Christmas Eve

HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS Maylord Shopping Centre, Maylord Street, Hereford, HR1 2DT. Time: 10am – 4pm. Take a snowy footstep into the Enchanted Kingdom’s brandnew Christmas Grotto, Hereford’s best Christmas attraction. After two extremely successful years at Maylord Shopping Centre Hereford, they have very own permanent premises there. In addition to their new Christmas experience, they will be bringing numerous other live, interactive experiences throughout the year. Surround yourself in the magic of one of the worlds most beloved Christmas tales… How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Upon entering the Enchanted Kingdom, you will be swept away to Whoville to watch a LIVE performance featuring Cindy-Lou Who and the mean one himself…THE GRINCH! After the show, take a walk into the Winter Wonderland in preparation for your moment with Santa Claus in the Enchanted Forrest. Each child will be presented with a special gift.

360 PLAY 360 Play isn’t just a place where kids can have fun, it’s also designed for them to be able to learn through play in a safe and secure environment, whatever the weather, and the perfect place to wear them out.

360 Street is somewhere children of all abilities and interests can play together in a fantastic imaginary world of role play. They can stock up on groceries at the supermarket, help tend to sick animals at the vets or dress up in Twirl’s boutique.

Messy Play is an area to head to for a whole host of creative activities. There are sessions running throughout the week for preschoolers and during school holidays for all. Most of the activities are included in the entry fee (a small cost of £1 applies for the cooking activities) and anyone is welcome to join in the fun!

Look at the timetable on facebook to see what’s coming up.

Outside Play areas are a great place to continue the adventure with sandpits, climbing, play houses and boats (please note that attractions vary at each location).

Dodgems and Carousels are there when kids are ready to take a break from soft play. With trains, fire engines,

planes, horses and many more characters there is something everyone to enjoy and every go is free so they can enjoy as many rides as they like.

Cafe Bar - The cafe bar makes for a great pit-stop and serves a wide selection of snacks, beverages and family favourite meal options. Your family could join 360 for a weekend brunch or enjoy a coffee and slice of cake.

Parties - Parties have been designed to give you time to enjoy the experience while 360 do the work.

There is a range of hot and cold food options and a dedicated party host is available to make sure everything runs smoothly. There are 5 different party packages to suit everyone’s needs.

Each package has been carefully developed to cater for different requirements and you can personalise your party with optional extras.

One of the best things about 360 is that there’s no limit on play time so you can stay as long as you like! The registration system means that no unaccompanied children can leave the centre so you can enjoy your visit knowing that your little ones are safe.

If you’re a frequent visitor the Play Passes offer great value for money and also make for great gifts.

For great days out listings, visit www.primarytimes.co.uk

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R Tickets: Child Ticket £9.95, Adult £3.95, Under 12 months FREE

Wednesday 21st

PETER RABBIT – CERT PG The Norbury Theatre, Friar Street, WR8 8ED. Time: 7:30 pm – 9 pm.

In Peter Rabbit, the mischievous and adventurous hero who has captivated generations of readers now takes on the starring role of his own contemporary comedy. In the film, Peter’s feud with Mr. McGregor escalates to greater heights than ever before as their fight to gain control of McGregor’s coveted vegetable garden and the affections of the warm-hearted animal lover who lives next door, extends to the Lake District and London. Tickets £5

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Thursday 22nd Sunday 25th HAY FESTIVAL WINTER WEEKEND

Hay on Wye, Herefordshire. Time: 9am – 6pm. Festival magic for all the family at Hay Festival Winter Weekend and celebrate the start of Advent in Hay on Wye. An annual festival of ideas just before Christmas in Hay-on-Wye. Events take place at venues around the town, and include a wide range of author conversations, music, comedy and performance, as well as workshops for young people. The programme also includes: The switching on of Hay Christmas Lights where local choirs will sing and there will be mince pies and mulled wine. Hay Winter Food Festival is on Saturday in the Market Square with over 40 local exhibitors. Hay Does Vintage on Sunday in the Market Square, Cheese market and Butter Market. All this and a spectacular line up of talks and music and poetry, visit the website for more information on all this and to book tickets. Tickets for different events vary in price.

Primary Times October Half Term 2018

Saturday 24th

LEDBURY CHRISTMAS LIGHTS Ledbury, Herefordshire. Time: 1pm – 6pm. Christmas Lights Switch On starts with the arrival of Santa at The Market House an you can visit him in his grotto and have your photograph taken with him! During the afternoon there will be entertainment and the afternoon culminates in the switching on of Ledbury’s Christmas Lights.

There is free parking all day in the town’s car parks. This annual event is organised by Ledbury Town Council. www.ledburytowncouncil.gov.uk

Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th

Sunday 25th

CHRISTMAS FAIR ON CASTLE GREEN Castle Green Hereford HR1 2NX. Time: 10am – 4pm. The Christmas Fair on Castle Green in Hereford is a wonderful family event with a great Christmas market showcasing all you need for those very special presents & stocking fillers. Enjoy live festive music and plenty of free activities for children as well as a choice of street food plus the Friends of Castle Green serving Mulled wine and Cake. www.friendsofcastlegreen.org.uk Free event

CHRISTMAS AT RALPH COURT GARDENS

ROSS CHRISTMAS FAYRE AND LIGHT SWITCH ON

Ralph Court Gardens, Edwyn Ralph, HR7 4LU. Time: 10am – 5pm. We will have an exciting variety of highquality, unique gifts, decorations, crafts and festive foods to delight you and your loved ones. Access to the fair is free, but charges apply to visit the gardens please see web site. If you would like more information regarding visiting or exhibiting at the Fair then contact us at ralphcourtgardens@aol.com

The Market House, High Street Ross on Wye. Time: 11am – 5pm. The Christmas lights will be switched on and there will be the annual Christmas fayre in Ross on Wye on.

A Christmas fayre with lots to offer: There will be 40 stalls including The Beefy Boys and Father Christmas in his Grotto. Lights switch on at 4pm at the Market House with singing around the town Christmas tree with Ross Town Band. Free event.

Normal Admission prices apply Come for the return of our fantastic Firework spectacular on Friday 2nd November Please see website for times and prices

For great days out listings, visit www.primarytimes.co.uk

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e r t a e Th S W O H S ’S N E R D L I H C FAMILY &

The Artrix Tel: 01527 577330 NICK SHARRATT’S DRAWALONG Wednesday 31st October, 2pm.

Join acclaimed children’s writer and illustrator Nick Sharratt to find out how he creates his picture books.

He’ll show you how to draw Tracy Beaker and Timothy Pope, kings and cats and all kinds of crazy creatures.

Plus he’ll share some of his very best drawing tips. Bring pencils, paper and something to lean on and expect plenty of chances to join in! Bring pencils, paper and something to lean on. Nick Sharratt’s Drawalong is suitable for everyone aged 4 years and above. Tickets: £12.

MARK THOMPSON’S SPECTACCULAR SCIENCE SHOW Thursday 1st November, 2pm.

You think Science is boring? Think again; this is science like you have never seen it before. Explore the strange and magical properties of matter with fireballs, fire tornadoes and explosive chemical reactions.

Mark Thompson has been enthralling audiences for over 20 years with his fascinating journeys around the Universe. He is now turning his attention to things a little closer to home. Suitable for children from 4 years upwards. Tickets: £12, £10 under 16s, £40 Family.

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CRAFTY’S HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR Saturday 3rd November, 2pm. The show where every child receives a Trick Or Treat present!

Each Halloween, Crafty the Crow invites all his friends to see the treasured Golden Pumpkin at his Halloween Spooktacular – the biggest Halloween party in town!

But this year someone is up to no good, because the Golden Pumpkin has been stolen… but who by?

Surely not Pongo the Pig? Or Sheena the Sheep? Or maybe Barry the Butler did it! Come in your scariest Halloween costume and help Sally the Scarecrow solve the ghostly goings-on at…Crafty’s Halloween Spooktacular…then play Trick Or Treat with Crafty after and receive a special Halloween present! Perfect for 2-7 year olds. Tickets: £11, £10 - under 16s, £40 - Family

The courtyard Tel: 01432 340555 THE FROG & THE PRINCESS Monday 29th October, 11am.

The Frog & The Princess is a poignant re-telling of the Brothers Grimm tale that will entertain and delight family audiences. This exquisitely manipulated and humorous puppetry performance explores the meeting of cultures and what happens when a Princess deems a Frog unworthy of being her friend, just because of what he is. As the

Primary Times October Half Term 2018

Frog and the Princess undergo an emotional journey from rejection to friendship they discover that deep down they are not so very different after all. Tickets: £7.50 (includes free pre-activity from 10.30am).

Tickets: £7.50 (includes free pre-activity from 10.30am).

WONKY!

MY FAIR LADY

Tuesday 30th October, 11am.

Cooking up a storm with their new show – Really Big Pants are back!

Take a large handful of nutrition, a healthy dash of PE, a hearty portion of PSHE, and mix them together with (clean) green fingers. Bake for 50 minutes against a glittering backdrop of a dance competition. Add a dollop of peer pressure, serve with some celebrity culture and a garnish of gender equality… et voilà! Can you help Olive and Messy Jesse save the day as they encounter top chef Monsieur Nincompoop, cool rapper Rapper Cool Yo, and the enigmatic pop star Solar Pa’nelle – as Olive’s so-called best friend Trixie tries to thwart them at every turn? Plant a seed… and see what grows. There’s cooking! There’s dancing! There’s rapping! Not all at the same time.

Tickets: £7.50 (includes free pre-activity from 10.30am).

Friday 26th October - Saturday 3rd November, 7.30pm. This much-loved family musical for all ages is a Conquest Theatre own production directed by Sylvia Silver.

Lerner & Loewe’s My Fair Lady, based on George Bernard Shaw’s play ‘Pygmalion’, is the winner of a host of Tony and Olivier awards and includes memorable classics such as ‘I could have danced all night’, ‘On the street where you live’ and ‘Get me to the church on Time’. In a beautiful Edwardian setting, follow the highs and lows of Eliza’s remarkable transformation alongside Professor Higgins, which is guaranteed to leave you with a smile on your face and humming the tunes all the way home. Tickets: £15.

THE CHILDREN IN THE MOON Thursday 1st November, 11am. Telling the story of Zack and Lil using beautifully hand-crafted puppets and a wonderful teapot of tales, The Children in the Moon is a wonderfully visual and original take on centuries old children’s verse, packed with enchanting live music.

The conquest Tel: 01885 488575

evesham arts Tel: 01386 446944 PIRATE PEARL AND THE BIG BLUE MONSTER Sunday 21st October. 2.30pm.

Pirate Pearl lives aboard the good ship Mirabel with her crusty old shipmate - grandpa Bert! She’s not a real pirate - but Pearl loves to imagine she’s sailing the seven seas on a swashbuckling pirate adventure!

For great days out listings, visit www.primarytimes.co.uk

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Theatre OWS FAMILY & CHILDREN’S SH

280,000 people throughout the UK and beyond. This year the theme is PLAY…Plays performed on the stage need designs for sets and costumes, such designs start with a drawing.

Enter your drawing and you could be the very lucky winner of some tickets …Sessions will take place here at Malvern Theatres in the Foyer. Free event.

PEPPA PIG’S ADVENTURE One day, Pearl finds a stowaway aboard ship. It’s a little blue monster.

But little monsters grow into big greedy monsters - and there’s trouble ahead for Pirate Pearl!

Suitable for little pirates & monsters aged 3 to 93! Tickets: £10, £36 Family (2A+2C).

STICK MAN Saturday 24th November 1.30pm & 4.30pm. Sunday 25th November, 11am & 2pm. Touching, funny and utterly original, Scamp Theatre’s delightful adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s STICK MAN is coming to Evesham Arts Centre! What starts off as a morning jog becomes quite the misadventure for Stick Man: a dog wants to play fetch with him, a swan builds a nest with him, and he even ends up on a fire! How will Stick Man ever get back to the family tree?

This award-winning production, from the team behind The Scarecrows’ Wedding, features a trio of top actors and is packed full of puppetry, songs, live music and funky moves. Most suitable for all aged 3+ but all ages welcome. Tickets: £13.

ludlowassemblyrooms Tel: 01584 873229 FINDING JOY Saturday October 27th, 8pm.

The funny and fearless sell-out mask production from the UK’s leading full mask company. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll find joy! Joy is 83 today: she’s feisty, loves to dance, and is losing her memory. Her grandson Danny is rebellious, bright and always getting into trouble. When Danny decides to look after Joy, they discover a shared playfulness and growing love. But is that enough to face the challenges ahead?

Approaching the subject of dementia with humour and humanity, awardwinning Finding Joy has performed to audiences across Europe and

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the UK, including a successful run at Assembly for Edinburgh Fringe 2016. Praised by press and public alike for its consummate full mask skills, engaging storytelling, physical dexterity and emotional insight, the company continues to involve and engage audiences across borders and boundaries with its wordless theatre.

Tickets: £14.50.

malvern theatre Tel: 0845 287 2146 HOW TO HIDE A LION Wednesday 17th October, 4.30pm. When a lion is chased out of town, a little girl, Iris, helps him to find somewhere to hide. Iris embarks on a mission to squash her new friend into a variety of sneaky tight spots, as the misinformed town folk try and track him down.

Pigtails Productions, Polka Theatre and Oxford Playhouse present How to Hide a Lion based on the book

by Helen Stephens. Adapted and directed by Peter Glanville and with music and songs by Barb Jungr, Helen Stephen’s magical book comes to life with playful humour, dazzling puppets and jazz. Tickets: £11.20 (Price includes 12% booking fee).

THE BIG DRAW FESTIVAL Monday 29th October and Thursday 1st November, 10:30am-12:30pm. For kids and big kids alike, The Big Draw Festival 2018 is all about letting loose, embracing happy accidents, discovery, experimentation and most importantly having fun with those HB pencils! You are in exactly the right place to kick-start your drawing adventure, so whether this is your 15th year or your first, come and PLAY and be part of this wonderful FREE Festival. Come along and participate in this massive event; The Big Draw attracts over

Primary Times October Half Term 2018

Wednesday 14th, 1pm & 4pm -Thursday 15th November 10am & 4pm. Peppa Pig, George and their friends are back in the brand-new live show Peppa Pig’s Adventure! Join Peppa as she gets ready to go on an exciting camping trip to the woods with George and her school friends, including Pedro Pony, Suzy Sheep and Gerald Giraffe. With lunch-boxes packed and Daddy Pig driving the bus, Peppa and friends are excited about their outdoor adventure, full of games, laughter and live music! The happy campers soon settle down to sleep and listen to the gentle pitter patter of rain. Safe and warm inside their tents the excited group can look forward to morning time, when there

will be lots of muddy puddles to play in! Tickets: £23.52, £20.16 and £17.92, Family of 4 £71.68, £2 off for Under 16’s.

Number 8 Tel: 01386 555488 LUIS & THE ALIENS (U) Tuesday 30th October – 11am, Thursday 1st November 1.30pm. Luis is twelve and lonely until three loveable little aliens crash land on their UFO on his doorstep.

When his friends from outer space try to contact their mothership so they can be rescued, a wild adventure begins. Tickets: £5

norbury theatre Tel: 01905 770154 CHILDREN’S THEATRE Saturday 17th November, 2.30pm. A short play performed by adults especially for children aged 3 years plus. They make a fun birthday treat! The Norbury Players present an amateur production. Tickets £2.

SPOOKY CINEMA,

SPECTACULAR SCIENCE AND SINGING SCARECROWS -

ARTRIX HAS YOUR

HALF TERM FUN SORTED! October family fun at Artrix kicks off with the spellbinding Vienna Festival Ballet production of The Nutcracker on 14th October.

returns with Crafty’s Halloween Spooktacular on 3rd November – including a trick or treat for every child!

During half-term week there will be cinema screenings of Jack Black’s blockbuster film The House With A Clock In Its Walls (12A) on 30th & 31st October and 2nd November.

Tickets for Artrix family films are just £5 per person!

Fancy a Halloween party? Then come along to Artrix’s Halloween Bubble Disco (age 5-10 years) and Halloween Baby Rave (age 0+) on 4th November.

Drawalong with Tracy Beaker illustrator Nick Sharratt on 31st October and explore chemical reactions and fire tornadoes with Mark Thompson’s Spectacular Science Show on 1st November.

Looking ahead to Christmas time, tickets are selling fast for Santa In Love on 1st December, The Little Match Girl on 8th December and All & Sundry’s pantomime Jack & The Beanstalk 15th-23rd December. For further information or tickets visit www.artrix.co.uk or call Box Office on 01527 577330. n

Sing the Monster Mash with Crafty the Crow as he returns to Artrix

For great days out listings, visit www.primarytimes.co.uk

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