Grant Burton / Alamy Stock Picture
Track cycling is an incredible sport. Whether it’s the high-speed battle in sprint races or the calculated timing involved in the keirin, there are plenty of exciting moments. Cycling is also a sport that British athletes have won a mountain of medals in at recent Olympic Games.
This week you can see some of Britain’s top track cycling stars go head-to-head at the British National Track Championships. From 26 to 29 January at the Geraint Thomas National Velodrome of Wales, riders will compete to win the red, white and blue national champions’ jerseys.
Last year’s events were the rst to take place outside Manchester since 1994. During the 2022 Championships, Olympic silver medallist Jack Carlin, current World Hour Record holder Dan Bigham and quadruple Commonwealth medallist Neah Evans took home national titles.
Welsh riders also did particularly well in the 2022 events. Fans will surely be cheering on local legend Rhys Britton as he tries to claim another national champion’s jersey.
There will be plenty to ride for with individual races and team titles up for grabs, as well as para-cycling events.
You can watch coverage of the British National Track Championships on British Cycling’s YouTube channel. For more information about the British National Track Championships and to purchase tickets, visit britishcycling.org.uk
To find out more about getting into cycling yourself, check out KA! World on pages 12 and 13!
Watching experts do stuff brilliantly can send people one of two ways. You could watch cyclists at the British National help you too.
Bible to do your best to be more like him.
says Cara Mott
When I was walking my daughter to school recently
I got a bit of a fright. She ran behind a building, so she could jump out and say ‘Boo’ at me. Unfortunately I didn’t know what she was doing, so I ran after her and we both ended up on opposite sides of the building. I felt scared because I couldn’t see her, and she cried because she thought she’d lost me. It was only for a second, but I didn’t like the feeling at all. Thankfully, after a quick cuddle all was ne again.
So I can’t imagine how scared Jesus’ parents must have been when they lost Jesus for three whole days! Thankfully Jesus was safe at the Temple. His parents
might have been worried sick, but he was perfectly happy talking and learning all about God with the priests.
For Jesus, the Temple was such a special place. He obviously didn’t feel lost. He felt completely at home. Is there anywhere that feels like that to you? Hopefully if you go to a church you feel like that’s a home to you. Somewhere you feel happy and surrounded by love.
Church is the perfect place to learn more about being a Christian as there will be plenty of people to talk to and learn from. Just like Jesus did. Next time you’re at church, have a look around and see who might be able to help you on your journey with Jesus.
Name:
Did you know that when you become friends with Jesus he gives you a new identity? You’re a member of God’s Kingdom and with the help of the Holy Spirit, you now have the power to follow Jesus’ way of living.
We’ve all made mistakes. We’ve hurt others and we’ve hurt God by breaking his rules. But thanks to Jesus’ death on the cross, God has forgiven us. Jesus took our punishment for all the wrong things we’ve ever done or will ever do.
Jesus’ death also healed our relationship with God. This means that God does not hold grudges. When you say sorry to God, he accepts your apology straight away and forgets all about what you’ve done. So you don’t need to feel bad. God loves you and he’s forgiven you.
Now you know that God has completely forgiven you, try your best to do the same and forgive others too.
Every day this week, tell yourself ‘I am forgiven’. This will help God’s truth stay in your heart. Use the boxes below to help remind you and tick each day once you’re done.
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
KA! JAM is the coolest Bible activity club around. As a member you’ll go on amazing adventures through the Bible learning about Jesus. Each activity sheet is filled with lots of great stuff about being a Christian. You’ll also receive our mini-mag, Chatterbox, which is filled with jokes, games and much more. And to top it off, there are loads of awesome prizes to be won!
To join KA! JAM and complete the Bible activity courses online, go to salvationist.org.uk/kajam.
Or if you would like to receive the postal version, simply fill in the coupon below.
To join KA! JAM just ll in the application form and send it – along with two rst-class stamps – to: KA! JAM, 101 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BN. Applicants must be between 7 and 17 years old to join.
Date of birth: Address:
Postcode: Boy or girl: Do you attend a church, and if so, which one? apply for membership of Kids Alive! Jesus And Me. I understand that joining KA! JAM doesn’t mean I have joined The Salvation Army and that it is not a free subscription to Kids Alive!
I, (signature) PLEASE USE BLOCK CAPITALS.
Did you know that stars come in many different colours? You can only see these colours through a space telescope. Telescopes also show giant clouds of gas and dust. Our solar system started in one of these clouds.
When these clouds get too big, gravity causes them to collapse. When that happens, stars are formed. The light we see comes from a nuclear fusion of hydrogen, helium and carbon. When some of the largest stars run out of this fuel, they explode! These mega explosions are called supernovas. The material from exploding stars helps form new clouds and stars.
How did the hairdresser win the race?
By taking a shortcut!
Teacher: If you get £20 from each of five people, what do you get?
Student: A new bike!
Did you hear about the bike party? It was off the chain!
What’s the hardest thing about learning to ride a new bike? The pavement!
When is a bike not a bike?
When it turns into a driveway!
Why was the bike maker so bad?
He just couldn’t get a handle on it!
He he, he he!
Starting at row 1, use the letters from the row above to make a new word in each row until you arrive at the base of the pyramid with a six-letter word. Clue: member of the clergy.
Ho ho, ha ha, he he!
by Neil Locker
These cyclists are competing in a race. Work out which one won the gold medal.
SuperThings are everyday objects transformed into superheroes or supervillains. They live in Kaboom City and every SuperThing has its rival. Look out for rival pairs to complete your teams and once you’ve collected them all, get ready to ght for control of Kaboom City!
Now the latest series is here – SuperThings Neon Power! There are more than 80 new SuperThings to collect, along with more Kazoom Kidz and new vehicles, called Exoskeletons. There are individual packs, six-packs, ten-packs and more! Will you nd the ultra-rare ones?
We’re giving away a SuperThings Neon Power bundle, which includes a starter pack, ten-pack, Exoskeleton and Kazoom Kid. To enter this competition, answer the question below and email your full name, age, address and answer to kidsalive@salvationarmy.org.uk
Remember to put ‘SuperThings Competition’ in the subject box. Your entry needs to reach us by Friday 17 February when the winners will be chosen. You can also enter by lling in the details on the coupon below and posting it to: SuperThings Competition, Kids Alive! 101 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BN.
SuperThings are available at TheWorks.co.uk.
Cycling is awesome! Not only is it good for your health and well-being, it’s great for the environment too. Here’s a picture of a cyclist enjoying the great outdoors for you to colour in. Add plenty of colour to the design below and if you’d like to share your artwork with other readers, email your colourings to: kidsalive@salvationarmy.org.uk. Make sure you write ‘Brilliant Bicycle Colouring’ in the subject box and give us your full name, age and address. Alternatively you can post your colourings to: Your Space, Kids Alive! 101 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BN. One last reminder, if you’re sending by post remember to ll in the details below so we know who you are. We send a gift to everyone whose colouring we publish, so don’t miss out!
Cycling is brilliant for many reasons. We all know that exercise helps our bodies to be physically strong and healthy, and cycling is no exception. Some experts have even suggested that cycling can help improve our immune systems because it strengthens our lungs.
Obviously the rst thing you need to start cycling is a bike. If you don’t already have one, there are cheap ways to get hold of one. First, you could ask friends and family whether they have a bike that they’re not using that you can have. Or ask your parents or carers to look online for second-hand bikes to buy. Another option is bike rental services where you can borrow bikes for a monthly fee.
If you’re planning to go cycling, it’s also really important to get hold of a helmet that is a good t for your head. It’s crucial for keeping you safe. Knee and elbow pads are also good ideas for protecting you if you have a few tumbles.
Once you’ve got all the equipment you need the possibilities for exploring with your family are endless! Fancy learning some bike tricks? See if there’s a bike or skate park near you. Want to explore more of nature? Find bike-friendly trails and tracks that allow you to see fabulous elds, cool canals, beautiful beaches or wonderful woods.
If you’re already a bike rider and want to take your riding to the next level, check out Bikeability. It’s the government’s national cycle training programme. It helps people learn practical skills and understand how to cycle on roads. Although the programme is aimed primarily at children, they also offer adult and family courses.
Many children will take part in Bikeability at school when they’re between seven and twelve years old. Ask your school to see if this is something they offer. If it’s not available or you don’t want to wait, you can book a course at bikeability.org.uk
This Christmastime Colouring was sent to us by Lottie, age 8. It’s great that she used so many different colours. It makes it beautiful and bright.
Erik, age 6, has created something really cool – this is his Describe Your Own Superhero. We wonder what incredible powers this superhero has.
We received this fantastic Fly With Me Colouring from Robyn, age 5. It looks like she really enjoyed colouring this – those kites look beautiful in the big, blue sky.
Check out this lovely Pinocchio Colouring from Amelia, age 8. It looks so colourful – we love his matching hat and shoes!
A junior soldier is a young member of The Salvation Army Connor, Melissa, Penny, Batley.
Noah, age 7, sent this super Street Dancer Colouring. The dancer must be going for a gold medal in that out t!
At the pop-up Nativity at Bognor Regis Salvation Army, everyone was delighted to watch Major Sarah Butler and Riley playing the bells to the tune of ‘Silent Night’. Here’s a photo of them in action.
The Kids Alive! team loves to hear from its readers. And guess what –other readers love reading your news! So why not get in touch?
You can email or post your own colourings, drawings and letters. Or you could ask your Sunday school, church or corps leaders to email us or write to us with any news about the fun stuff you’ve been doing at your church or corps.
Email: kidsalive@salvationarmy.org.uk
Post: Kids Alive! 101 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BN
Age? 6.
Favourite colour? I like red best.
Favourite food? I like to eat fish and chips.
Favourite sport? I like football and support Barnsley.
Favourite bit of Kids Alive! I love competitions.
Favourite Bible story and why? I like Noah’s ark, because of all the animals being saved. Favourite TV programme? I like to see Steve and Maggie.
What do you want to be when you’re older? I want to be a window cleaner when I grow up.
Pets? I have a pet dog called Coco. He’s a springador, because he’s a Labrador and a springer spaniel. Hobbies? I enjoy Lego. Tell us a joke. Knock, knock! Who’s there? Abbie! Abbie who? Abbie birthday!
Tell us something interesting about yourself. I have a poorly foot and keep having to have a pot (plaster cast) on my foot.
