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In this issue:
From your Editor… Welcome to our Christmas issue. We’ve got a variety articles and listings that will give you a taste of what’s happening around the county, plus some gift ideas that you may find appealing. If you are a competition addict, there are family panto tickets and entrance tickets to the highly popular Christmas Frost Fair at Hatfield House all to be won. They are super easy to enter so – no excuses - we want to see your email entries flowing in! Health expert, Radhika Holmstrom, looks at how to combat the tendency to hibernate when the nights draw in, the temperature drops and energy levels take a dive. In the Education section, Liat Hughes Joshi offers useful guidance if you are considering additional tutoring for your child as well as what to do if your youngster is not one of those who skips happily into school each day. It is hard to resist the temptations that are on offer at this time of year. And why should we? Let’s have a guilt free Christmas, there’ll be plenty of time to row back in the New Year. Now is the time to be with family and friends and to relish all that the season has to offer.
Where are we? Baldock, Bishops Stortford, Borehamwood, Chorleywood, Harpenden, Hatfield, Hemel Hempstead, Hertford, Hitchin, Kings Langley, Knebworth, Letchworth, Radlett, St Albans, Stevenage, Ware, Welwyn GC. Pick it up from cafes, playgroups, nurseries, schools, activity groups, selected shops, surgeries, leisure centres and libraries. Email or call to request copies for your venue.
Shelley
News & Views: 4 Christmas Competitions: 6 Time to Party: 7 Education: 8 Winter Health: 10 Christmas Gift Guide: 11 Christmas What’s On: 12 Next Issue: January/February Copy Deadline: 9th December
Image credit: © racorn
Families Herts, PO Box 434, Pinner, HA5 9AH Tel: 020 8428 6384 editor@familiesherts.co.uk www.familiesonline.co.uk
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News & Views Save Butterfly World - Butterflies land at local libraries Before its closure, Butterfly World St Albans was always buzzing with children. In 2015 alone, 12,000 primary school children from 200 primary schools enjoyed educational visits to the attraction. The play areas, sandpits and the wonderful themed gardens were always alive with the sound of toddlers having fun and the Butterfly House was often crowded by excited children entranced by the beautiful butterflies. The Save Butterfly World campaign was set up to reopen this important environmental project and to run it as a charity. To help raise awareness of its campaign, Save Butterfly World is calling on local children in Hertfordshire schools, nurseries and
playgroups to help by creating beautiful butterflies that will be exhibited in local children’s libraries around the county. The first colourful display ran during October at St Albans Library with work from schools, nurseries and playgroups. A second exhibition is scheduled for Rickmansworth Library in November with further exhibitions planned for 2017. To find out more about the Save Butterfly World Campaign or to organise a butterfly exhibition email contact@savebutterflyworld. com or go to www.savebutterflyworld.com
Stay safe this Christmas Whilst Christmas is a time of peace and goodwill, not everyone has good intentions and it is a time of year when you need to be particularly aware of safety both in and out of your home. Hertfordshire Constabulary has some sound advice to follow: • When you are out shopping watch out for pickpockets. Push your purse to the bottom of your bag and zip it securely. Don’t keep your wallet in a back pocket. • Remove shopping from your car. Don’t leave valuable items in your car and keep everything else out of sight. • Postcode mark your presents with a UV security property marker pen. You can also register valuable items for free on www. immobilise.com • Make sure that your garden shed is securely locked and that any tools or expensive equipment you use is locked away afterwards. • Invest in a time switch so that lamps will turn on when it gets dark and your home looks ‘lived-in’ whilst you are not there.
• If you are going out partying, pre-book a licensed taxi before you go out to ensure you get home safely. • Never drink and drive. Don’t try to calculate your limit - it’s not worth the risk of losing your license or someone’s life • Join your nearest Neighbourhood Watch scheme. You can get in touch with your Safer Neighbourhood Team by calling 101, go to www.owl.co.uk or email your local Watch Liaison Officer at wlo@herts.pnn.police.uk Check that all your doors and windows are securely locked before you leave home. Get more advice at www.herts.police.uk. Find them on Facebook @hertspolice
Send a message that makes a difference this Christmas Christmas is often a time to reflect on the significant people in our lives and a personal card or note is a thoughtful touch that will always be appreciated by the recipient. This season Brain Tumour Research (BTR) have a new range of Christmas cards. The cards are priced at £4 per pack and at least half of the proceeds will go towards funding the charity's aims.
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You can also help raise funds for BTR by selling their Christmas cards at your school, club, workplace or local Christmas fair. BTR will send you the cards on a sale-or-return basis so that any cards that are not sold can be returned to the charity along with any money raised. Find out more at www.braintumourresearch. org
Work with
online
Familiesonline is looking for a Manager for its St Albans Central Herts online area and another to run the Hemel Hempstead, Berkhamsted and Tring online area. This is a great opportunity to take on a fun and flexible role that fits around family life and that offers a bit of a challenge. Training will be provided and on-going support is available too. If you are someone who wants to find out what’s going on for families in your locality and who is a great communicator you may be the person we are looking for. Email Shelley at editor@familiesherts.co.uk for St Albans Central Herts or Chrissie at editor@familieschiltern.co.uk for Hemel Hempstead Berkhamsted and Tring.
The Way to School The Way to School is a children’s book by Rosemary McCarney with Plan International. The book depicts the, sometimes precarious, journey that children across the world have to travel each day to get to school. It shows young readers that their own mundane daily event, can be a long, tiring, sometimes lonely and, possibly even dangerous for others. The book's stunning collection of photos will have children hooked from the first page. It shows children crossing broken bridges, walking along narrow mountain paths and carrying heavy basins of water with them to school. The book's positive message is that, however difficult the journey, going to school is always worth the effort. Plan International UK promotes the rights of girls across the world. To find out more about Plan International go to www.plan-uk.org The Way to School is available from Amazon and Waterstones. RRP £9.99
Recycling worry How do you know what to put in the green bin? Families in the UK are confused about which products they can and cannot recycle, say experts at waste company Viridor. Many people have no idea whether they can recycle coffee cups, plastic food wrapping, mobile phones and other items. 63% of adults are confused because different Councils collect recyclables in different coloured bins and 45% of people do not know which day their bins will be collected. UK consumers are currently recycling only around 44% of what they could, with most confusion around items like light bulbs and crisp packets. Better communication between councils and consumers could increase the levels of recycling. For advice on where and how to recycle your seasonal waste visit www.wasteaware.org.uk/hertfordshire click on ‘What can I recycle?’ and choose ‘Christmas Recycling’ for the menu.
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Christmas Competitions Win a Family Ticket* to see
Little Red Riding Hood Follow Little Red Riding Hood as she journeys into the heart of the Enchanted Wood to visit her Grandma. But why does Grandma look so strange? She has big eyes, big teeth and she’s hairy. Very hairy! And what are the three little pigs doing with all those building materials?! Bulging with brilliant songs, eye-popping dances and jam-packed with jokes, Little Red Riding Hood is a fantastic fairy-tale for the whole family. The team at Hertford Theatre are looking forward to welcoming you to this delicious Christmas treat. You’ll wolf it down! The show runs from 3rd December until 1st January. Times and prices of each performance will vary. *The family ticket is for four seats and will be for the performance on Saturday 3rd December at 1pm. If you’re not a winner you will get a promotional code for 10% off tickets for any 5pm show during the run, with the exception of Christmas Eve and Boxing Day. For your chance to win answer the question below:
Who does Little Red Riding Hood go to visit? To enter please email your answer to editor@familiesherts.co.uk with the subject line ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ Closing date: 25th November Find out more and book your tickets at www.hertfordtheatre.com
Win a ticket to the Christmas Frost Fair The Christmas Frost Fair is back for its seventh year at the historic Hatfield House. Clever Christmas shoppers will be able to pick that perfect gift for someone special and purchase all their seasonal necessities. Select from a huge choice of independent traders selling gifts for family and home; original crafts, beautiful jewellery and fine foods. Get into the Christmas spirit as you wander through the atmospheric Old Palace, the Riding School and Stable Yard. Browse at your leisure and imbibe the festive sights and sounds. When you need a break, The Coach House Restaurant will be open for morning coffee, lunch and afternoon tea. The fair will be open from 10am until 5pm daily from Thursday 17th November until Sunday 20th November. Entrance tickets: Adults £8, accompanied children aged 15 years and under are free. Find out more and book in advance at www.frostfair.co.uk for a 10% discount. For your chance to win one of ten entry tickets answer the question below:
How many years has the Christmas Frost Fair been held at Hatfield House? To enter please email your answer to editor@familiesherts.co.uk with the subject line ‘Frost Fair’. Closing date: 13th November
Win a Family Ticket* to see Jack and the Beanstalk
Upstage Productions have come up trumps with this giant of a pantomime, full of exciting adventures, dazzling costumes, stunning scenery, fabulous live music and lots of laughs. There's a host of characters including: a giant, a brave hero, a beautiful princess and Daisy the Cow. Plus, those special magic beans, without which the story would not get off the ground! The show runs from 10th December until 3rd January. *The family ticket (4 seats) will be for the 4.30pm performance on Monday 2nd January. For your chance to win answer the question below:
What does Jack have to climb to reach the giant? To enter please email your answer to editor@familiesherts.co.uk with the subject line ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’. Closing date: 12th December Find out more and book your tickets at www.radlettcentre.co.uk Terms & Conditions: Only one entrant from same e-mail address or household will be accepted. Under 16’s must obtain parental consent before entering. Entries must be received by the closing date and proof of sending cannot be taken as proof of receipt. Winning entries will be randomly drawn from all correct entries at the closing date. All decisions of Families Magazine are final and no correspondence will be entered into. No prize is exchangeable for cash or any other prize. Winners’ details will be supplied to the Promoter of the competition. Families Magazine is not liable for any delay or failure by the Promoter to deliver any prize or for the quality of the prize or for any loss or damage arising in connection with the competition. By entering the competition, entrants will be deemed to have accepted and agreed to these terms and conditions. The winner will be contacted via the email address provided by the entrant. If the promoter does not obtain a response from the winner within 21 days, we reserve the right to select another winner at random. Automated/bulk entries and entries from third parties will be disqualified. This competition is restricted to UK residents only.
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Time to Party How to create a family Christmas party to remember By Sally J Hall The thought of planning a Christmas party for family and friends can send us into a spin – especially if you’re fitting it in around your busy work and family life. But there’s no need to get hot under the collar if you follow our tips and advice for the best party ever!
1. Start early It’s never too early to start planning. Keep lists of ideas, inspirations and recipes. As the date gets nearer, hone the list down so that you know exactly what you want and need. Practice cooking any new dishes and order any hard to get items in advance. Don’t forget to book your grocery delivery too!
2. Set the date – and tell people It pays to set the date early and let others know, so send ‘save the date’ notices on Facebook and follow up with a more formal invitation – make sure you include the start and end times and details the guests need to know such as “it’s fancy dress”. Find out if there are dates your party might clash with - such as a work party. You could even consider that quieter period between Christmas and New Year!
3. Set a budget Costs can get out of hand, so think about ways you can cut back. Doing a shop at a budget supermarket, making food and freezing it is much more cost-effective than leaving it to the last minute and grabbing whatever you can from the ready-made aisles. Make a few simple dishes ahead and get decorations and napkins from a 99p store. If you like fresh flowers, avoid red - the cost of red flowers soars at Christmas! Choose another colour or gather evergreens from the garden. Drinks can also be very expensive, so ask everyone to bring a bottle while you provide a welcome cocktail or glass of fizz – plus soft drinks for the kids of course.
4. Think about who to invite Write down the names of people you’d like to invite as you think of them – you can always narrow it down later if you have too many. And think about who gets on with whom – you may decide that two parties are necessary if you have factions of your family or friends who don’t get on with each other!
5. Creating the mood
6. Making guests feel welcome As your guests arrive, make them feel welcome. Designate one of the kids to take coats to a bedroom, have some welcoming drinks on a tray ready to be handed out as people arrive and make sure there are enough seats. Have some canapés prepared and some simple snacks for the children too, so that you don’t have to be in the kitchen rather than mingling with your guests.
7. Get your house – and yourself – ready About a week before, give your home a good clean, so that on the day you can just run the hoover around quickly. Put away breakables and have a count up – do you have enough plates, cutlery and so on? Buy more or arrange to borrow some. Think about what you’re going to wear and try it on, so you’re not still in your underwear as guests are knocking at the door. On the day, enlist the help of your family to get everything done and save yourself enough time for a relaxing bath and time to get ready so you can enjoy the party too!
And finally… If your guests will be drinking, think about how they will get home (they can of course choose designated drivers) and organise local taxis for those who would rather leave their car at home. You may want to offer a bed to a few people overnight. Also, think about giving them a party bag with a small bottle of mineral water and a piece of Christmas cake or a biscotti in it. They will thank you in the morning! Get more fantastic party ideas from Families Online: www.familiesonline.co.uk/party Sally J. Hall is a writer and editor who has written for all the main parenting titles as well as The Independent and The Mail.
Think about how your home will appear to guests. Make it smell nice with flowers, coffee and scented candles (out of the reach of kids of course). Don’t forget the bathrooms – there should be toilet paper, a bin, hand soap and clean towels. Make it warm enough for comfort (but not stifling) and have a play list on your MP3 player. Just remember that everyone may be sick of Slade’s Merry Christmas Everyone by now, so perhaps go for something a little different. Frank Sinatra anyone?
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Education
Tutoring: What you need to know By Liat Hughes Joshi
Whether it’s to prepare for exams or improve a struggling child’s confidence, a tutor can provide a significant boost to learning. Yet finding a decent one can be a test in itself. Here’s how to find the best one for your child…
Plan ahead where possible The best tutors may well have waiting lists, so if you know your child will need support for exams or perhaps before moving to secondary school, begin your search well in advance. In very competitive 11+ areas for example, you may have to register interest with the most in-demand tutors 18 months ahead.
Ask around Word-of-mouth is often the most effective way to find a good tutor. Ask parents you know and trust for recommendations. For the 11+ or public exams, speak to those with kids a year or two older, who’ve been there and done that recently.
Group tutoring reduces costs but probably won’t be as tailored There are increasing numbers of tuition centres offering group classes, both independent companies and chains. These can work out cheaper per hour but your child won’t get the same one-on-one attention, and it’s vital to check that those in the group need to work on the same things at roughly the same level.
Consider agencies
Anyone can become a tutor so do your homework
If your requests for recommendations draw a blank, a well-established tutoring agency could be the answer. Reputable agencies will vet tutors’ credentials and should match you and your child to someone with a similar style. Another upside of an agency is that if your usual tutor is ill or away for a long period, they should be able to send someone else.
Anybody can set up as and call themselves a tutor, even if they’ve never taught anyone anything - there’s no regulation, which means checking credentials and qualifications is vital. One-on-one tutors should be Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checked (formerly known as CRB checking) – if they aren’t, then be wary.
My child hates school: what can I do? By Liat Hughes Joshi
How to cope with school refuseniks
Fake illnesses can be a headache…
Not all children skip happily through the school gates every day. Here’s what you can do to help…
Mysterious maladies are common when kids don’t want to go to school, although it can be difficult to decipher whether they’re crying wolf or actually ill. Threatening a trip/ call to the doctors will usually get illness fibbers miraculously cured.
Keep calm (not easy we know but do try…) If your little one starts to associate mornings with being told off and feeling stressed, it could add to their anxieties.
It might just be a phase Many children have a phase when they’re not keen on school; this might resolve itself within a few days. Meanwhile if you’re sure they’re just ‘trying it on’, stand firm and make it clear that school is non-negotiable.
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Consider potential causes Work on getting your child to open up when it’s not the ‘heat of the moment’, so not when you’re late for school and they’re in tears. Common reasons for school aversion include bullying/ friendship problems, boredom, learning difficulties, a tricky relationship with a teacher or a major family event, such as divorce or bereavement.
Don’t be shy about checking how they work Ask questions even if you’ve had a recommendation from other parents - what suits their child may not suit yours. Are they a teacher/ former teacher and if so where did they work? How long have they been tutoring for and what is their track record like?
Find out the local going rate Expect to pay anything between £20 and £65 an hour, depending on where you live and how in demand a particular tutor is. However, more expensive doesn’t necessarily mean better.
Arrange a trial lesson Many tutors will offer your child a trial lesson - this lets you get a feel for whether the tutor and your child gel and whether their teaching style is going to work for you both. Get more information about tutoring from Families Online: www.familiesonline.co.uk/ tutoring
Meet with their teacher Have a chat with their teacher to identify and work on any underlying issues going on in the classroom, playground or at home so you can carve out an action plan together.
Still struggling? Support for severe cases should be available via your GP who might make a referral to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) or a private child psychologist.
Liat Hughes Joshi is a parenting journalist and the author of four books including 'New Old-fashioned Parenting' and 'How to Unplug Your Child' (both published by Summersdale) and Raising Children: The Primary Years (Pearson).
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Winter Health
Feeling S.A.D? By Radhika Holmstrom
How to cope with winter tiredness and Seasonal Affective Disorder Most of us find the winter months hard to handle so, here are our tips about how to help your little ones. It’s not surprising that as the year comes to an end, most children start flagging. Not only is this a monstrously long term for those of school age, but there are lots of good reasons why, as the days get darker, our energies dip even if we don’t end up with full-scale Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). It’s cold, dark and depressing. Add in the winter coughs and colds that lay everyone low at some point, and you’ve got a recipe for exhaustion. So what can you do?
Light up One simple thing you can do is make sure you are getting enough natural light. We need daylight to regulate our body clocks; without a shot of it in the morning, in particular, we end up feeling constantly jetlagged. And yes, it does have to be outdoor light – glass filters out quite a lot of brightness. On the other hand, even on a gloomy day, 10 minutes or so of outdoor light should be enough to get you back on track. Indoors, it may be worth getting a light-up alarm clock too, in order to ease the kids into the day rather than jerking them out of sleep and leaving them tired (and cranky) from the start. And if you feel that the kids – or you! – are constantly exhausted and weepy, think about upgrading to one of the ‘dawn simulators’ that get to the brightness of natural daylight.
Feed up It’s really tempting, at this time of year, to hit the comfort food. And certainly, kids need calories! However, don’t forget that stodge
alone won’t do it. You don’t have to go the full trendy high-protein route but do try in particular to get some iron-rich foods into them because iron helps make red blood cells, which carry oxygen around the body – and therefore gives us energy.
Get up (and down) Don’t give in completely to the temptation to let them veg on the sofa. Exercise, especially outdoors, will lift their (and your!) mood and will also wear them out sufficiently to get a better night’s sleep. On that same note, don’t forget that even when you’re all worn out, a decent wind-down routine – and in particular a screen-free couple of hours before bed helps too.
Quick tips to combat S.A.D Make sure you’re getting at least 10 minutes of natural daylight every day – even on a gloomy day, it’s still bright enough to ‘reset’ your body clock and stop the wintry feeling of constant jetlag. • A light-up alarm clock is a gentler way to ease everyone into the day. • If you or your kids just can’t get moving, and
are feeling weepy, think about upgrading to a full-scale ‘dawn simulator’ which radiates intense light because that is the best way of tackling Seasonal Affective Depression. • Make sure they’re eating properly, and in particular getting enough iron because that helps give them more energy. • Outdoor exercise will also help lift their mood and make them feel less sluggish. • Exercise (indoor or outdoor) will also help tire them out physically. Even if they already seem tired, their bodies need the workout! • A good bedtime routine isn’t just for toddlers – we all need to wind down before bed. Find brilliant brain-food breakfast ideas at Families Online: www.familiesonline.co.uk/ breakfast Radhika Holmstrom has a strong background in health journalism. She has also written for many consumer and specialist magazines. Whilst she focuses on health, parenting and learning issues, she has also written widely on environmental and ethical issues.
Dental problems being lined up for the future The British Dental Association (BDA) says that the number of children having annual dental checkups has fallen to an all time low. They also said that 40% of children did not have a checkup last year. Checkups are a vital way to prevent tooth decay. Poor dental health can lead to children needing fillings and extractions and tooth decay is one of the main reasons children need to visit the hospital. The BDA suggests that children
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should see a dentist at least once a year. Between 2014 and 2015, there was a 10% increase in children needing hospital admission. The BDA’s chair, Henrik Overgaard-Nielsen, said: “"It's clear we have a problem when one in three children are missing out on free dental treatment. "NHS dentistry has been left to fend for itself, without investment, a strategy, or any attempt at public education". He also commented: "We need a concerted effort to get parents, health professionals and government on the same page."
Christmas Gift Guide
The twelve toys of Christmas When it comes to choosing gifts for the kids at Christmas, we all want to make sure we give them something they will absolutely love. Here’s what’s on the best lists this Christmas…
For baby and toddler
5-8 years
9-12 years
Personalised music box
SmartMax
Chip the robot dog
£17 Not On The High Street
From £8.99 Amazon
£199.99 Amazon
This is a gift that your little one can use and enjoy for years to come. Inside the wooden box is a musical mechanism that plays You Are My Sunshine and can be operated by turning the handle. Personalise it with your little one’s name and a message on the top.
SmartMax is an amazing range of magnetic construction toys that kids will love. Featuring magnets that can hold 60 times their own weight, your little one can have endless fun constructing different toys from this set. It allows your child to explore their creativity whilst learning about magnetism and, as the sets are made from safe and high quality materials, they will last for years too.
It's not cheap but Chip is the toy they’re all talking about this Christmas. It's smart and does it's own thing, or your child can train it using voice commands and a remote control, giving it a unique personality - and it’s just like a real dog. Roll it's ball and it'll bring it back to you, pick up its front legs and it dances. You can also use an app on your smart phone or tablet..
Cosmo teepee
Minions Pie Face
£149 MyWeeTeePee
£19.99 Toys Are Us
A bit pricey but this will be the ideal location for games, dreams and dramas for years to come. Use it in the house or in the garden, take it to the park for some shade and put it in the bedroom for a quiet story corner, this teepee is made from strong wooden poles and thick, quality canvas.
The toy that everyone wanted last year is back – and it makes you into a Minion! Pop some whipped cream or a wet sponge on the arm (cold mashed potato’s good too), then a player puts their chin on the chin rest. Spin the dial to see how many clicks you must turn the handles by – then watch out! Unlucky players get a face full of goo!
Wheelybug ride-on toy £69.95 Hippychick Your toddler will love zooming around on a Wheelybug. Sturdy and comfortable, with a big handle to grasp, these can zip around in any direction and there are so many loveable characters to choose from, it’s hard to pick a favourite. Ours is the pig. Or maybe the bee. Or the ladybird… But if you buy the mouse this Christmas, the company will donate money to help the endangered dormouse.
Orange monster hand puppet £19.99 Puppets By Post
VTech light up night light soft toy This sweet little character is suitable for a boy or a girl from birth and as well as being a little friend to play with, it’s a night light too. It has soft glowing lights that help your baby drift off to sleep, plus there is a white noise setting and nature sounds too.
A favourite of our childhoods; hand puppets are making a massive comeback and this bright orange monster will be a great friend for your child to play with. It can be a friendly monster or a naughty monster, depending on what your child decides and it can help your child learn the art of drama and role play.
Frugi soft toy
BeatBo
£25 Frugi
£29.99 Tesco
Organic kids’ clothing brand Frugi has extended its range to include soft, cuddly toys. Choose from Doodle the Crocodile, Dash the Leopard or Giggles the Giraffe. They have been lovingly made from velour and corduroy and this gives them lots of textures for little hands to feel.
This large and friendly toy will get your little one moving and grooving. Children can press it's tummy or the buttons on it's feet to activate tunes and songs. It will help kids get to learn their colours, numbers and letter and they can even sing along.
£10.99 John Lewis
Who Tooted £19.99 Toys R Us This is a hilarious board game for all the family to play together. With integral sounds and whoopee cushions that – um – toot for you, everyone has to guess who tooted!
Mickey Mouse Boot Toppers £7.95 Disney Store
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Even too kool for skool teenagers still love their soft toys, and these boot toppers are a fun way for them to embrace their love for all things Disney when out and about in autumn leaves and winter snow. Pop these knitted toppers on a pair of boots and the friendly face with pom pom ears will make everyone smile.
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Christmas What's On Where’s Santa? VAN HAGE GARDEN CENTRE Pepper Hill, Great Amwell, SG12 9RP www.vanhage.co.uk Santa’s Grotto 5 Nov - 24 Dec – 10am-5pm Book in advance for weekends and the week before Christmas. First come first served other times. 10% discount for schools, free for special schools. Tickets: £7.50 WILLOWS ACTIVITY FARM Coursers Road, London Colney, St Albans AL4 0PF 0870 129 9718 www.willowsactivityfarm.com Santa Spectacular 23 Nov 2016 to 24 Dec Children can sign up to the new Elf School and be taught the ‘elf-a-bet’ from real Lapland elves, explore the snowy skies with Santa with a 3D sleigh ride film, create a cosy companion at Create-A-Cuddle. This Christmas, Star, the reindeer, and Benjy, the donkey, are joined by Mischka, the Alaskan Malamute. And don’t forget your meeting with Santa! HERTFORD MUSEUM 18 Bull Plain, Hertford, SG14 1DT 01992 582686 www.hertfordmuseum.org Christmas Extravaganza 25 Nov - 4-8pm Santa’s Grotto, carol singing, a Christmas make and a story. Tickets: Free but any donations welcome. Small charge for the Grotto WATFORD COLOSSEUM The Colosseum, Rickmansworth Road, Watford, WD17 3JN. 0845 0753993 www.watfordcolosseum.co.uk Santa Claus and the Night Before Christmas 1-24 Dec - Various times:10am, 11:30am, 2pm, 4pm Songs, stories, a meet and greet with Santa and a gift. Ages 2+ Tickets: £13 and £16. LOWEWOOD MUSEUM High Street, Hoddesdon, EN11 8BH. 01992 445596 www.broxbourne.gov.uk Christmas Event 03 Dec Christmas craft and Santa’s grotto. Tickets: £5 per visit to Father Christmas
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ST FRANCIS CHURCH Church Road, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6HH www.stfranciswgc.org.uk Christmas Tree Festival 3-4 Dec - Sat 12-6pm. Sun 12-5pm Decorated trees. Games, tombola and Santa's Grotto. Refreshments. Charity event. SANTA RUN
Santa and the Pirates that don’t want Christmas 18 Dec - 2pm Santa is having trouble as somebody has stolen his naughty list! See Santa and an array of pirates with songs the kids will love. Plus a giftt from Santa. Tickets: £8. (£11 with a gift) SANTA TO YOUR DOOR Call 0208 959 1045 / 07969 121094 info@adamantsparties.co.uk A visit from Santa on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or any other time. He will deliver your presents and chat to the children. He may sing a few festive songs before he says goodbye!
Hatfield House, Hatfield, AL9 5NQ, www.santa.hatfieldrotary.org.uk 4 Dec Join the fun of dressing as Santa (adults/teens) or Rudolph (kids) and run, trot or just walk the course. Shorter route for youngsters and people with disabilities. Cost: Adults £15. 9-14s £10. Under 9s £5.
Fairs, Festivals & Carols
STEVENAGE MUSEUM
KNEBWORTH HOUSE
St Georges Way, Stevenage, SG1 1XX. 01438 218881 www.stevenage.gov.uk Super Saturday 10 Dec - 11am-4pm Visit Santa. Make retro Christmas decorations. Craft fair. Under 11 yrs. Tickets: £5 to visit Santa
Knebworth SG3 6PY (Sat Nav: SG1 2AX) 01438 812661 www.knebworthhouse.com Christmas Fair 11-13 Nov - 10am – 4pm Craft and gift stalls. Food and drink. Reindeer and Santa in his Grotto. No dogs allowed.. Entry: Adult £5. Child 2-14 yrs £5 (Child entry includes Santa visit and gift).
STOCKWOOD DISCOVERY CENTRE London Road, Luton LU1 4LX 01582 548600 www.lutonculture.com Christmas at Stockwood 10-11 Dec - 10am-4pm 17-23 Dec - 10am-4pm Create-and-make, bubble disco, festive magic show & Christmas tales. Visit Santa and his elves. Advance booking essential. Child £6 (activities only); £10 including Santa. Adult £1.. LEE VALLEY BOAT CENTRE
HATFIELD HOUSE Hatfield, AL9 5NQ 01707 287101 www.hatfield-house.co.uk Frost Fair 17-20 Nov - 10am-5pm Gifts, crafts, fine foods, entertainment & Father Christmas. Entry: £8. Accompanied children aged 15 and under free. Buy tickets online before 17 Nov to save 10%. See competition on page 6
Old Nazeing Road, Broxbourne, EN10 6LX. 01992 462085 www.riverleecruises.co.uk Santa Cruise 17-18 Dec - 10.30am, 12.30, 2.30pm Enjoy a cruise for one hour. Includes mulled wine and mince pie for adults and a visit to Santa with a gift for children. Tickets: £9.50
APPLECROFT PRIMARY SCHOOL
UNIVERSITY OF HERTFORDSHIRE
Sandon JMI school Rushden Road, Sandon, SG9 0QS 17 Dec – 9.30-11.30am Local produce, cakes, crafts, jewellery and books. Santa’s Grotto. Refreshments.
De Havilland Campus, Hatfield, AL10 9AB. 01707 285000 www.uharts.co.uk
Applecroft Road, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6JZ www.applecroft.herts.sch.uk/pta Winter Bazaar 19 Nov - 11am-3pm Craft stalls, children's games, Santa's grotto, refreshments. Entry: £1. Children & Seniors free SANDON VILLAGE CHRISTMAS MARKET
ST ALBANS CHRISTMAS MARKET Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Alban, Sumpter Yard, St Albans, AL1 1BY 01727 860780 www.enjoystalbans.com 24 Nov-18 Dec Opening times: 11am–6pm - Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri 11am–8pm - Thurs 10am–6pm – Sat, Sun High quality produce sold from 60 traditional wooden chalets. Open ‘til 8pm on 27th November CATHEDRAL AND ABBEY CHURCH OF ST ALBAN The Abbey, Sumpter Yard, St Albans, AL1 1BY 01727 860780 www.stalbanscathedral.org Advent Procession 27 Nov - 6.30pm A candlelit service of readings and music, at the start of Advent. Christingle Service 4 Dec - 3pm A service for Children and adults that ends in candlelight. Willow Carol Concert 6 Dec - Doors open 7pm. Performance 7.30pm, ends 9.30pm Hertfordshire Chorus conducted by David Temple. Tickets: £13-£16. Children aged under 18 years £6. Family Carol Concert 10 Dec - Doors open 2.15pm. Performance at 3pm. Christmas music and readings by the St Albans Bach Choir. Suitable for children. Tickets: £7 (£6 for advance bookings). Child £1. Evening Carol Concert 10 Dec – 7pm Christmas music and readings by the St Albans Bach Choir. Suitable for older children. Tickets: Adults £13 Children £6 Carols on the Hour 17 Dec - 11am-4pm 30 minutes of carols. Sing carols in this atmospheric Cathedral. No tickets required. MILL GREEN MILL & MUSEUM Bush Hall Lane, Mill Green, Hatfield, AL9 5PD 01707 357850 www.welhat.gov.uk/familyfun Victorian Christmas Fair 27 Nov - 12-5pm Santa's grotto. Victorian street sellers and food. Free children’s activities. Entry: Adults £5. Children under 16 free. Grotto £5 (including gift).
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Christmas What's On THE SPOTLIGHT High Street, Hoddesdon, EN11 8BE 01992441946 www.broxbourne.gov.uk Christmas Fair 27 Nov - 11am-3.30pm Seasonal gifts, crafts, decorations, jewellery, food and cards. Santa’s grotto with a gift. Refreshements. Free parking. Entry: £1.50. Children and over 63s £1 RADLETT CENTRE 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett, WD7 8HL. 01923 857546 www.aldenham-pc.gov.uk Winter Fair 27 Nov - 1.30-5pm Santa's Grotto, reindeer rodeo, inflatable helter- skelter, bouncy castle, craft market, food & drink. Christmas lights switch-on. Free entry WATFORD GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS Lady's Close, Watford WD18 0AE Christmas Fair 4 Dec 11am-4pm Buy beautiful gifts. Draw to win an Apple MacBook Air or iPad Mini. Refreshments. Contact wggspa@gmail.com
Christmas Lights Switch Ons HARPENDEN Harpenden High Street, High Street, Harpenden, AL5 2RS, www.harpenden.gov.uk Harpenden Christmas Carnival 27 Nov - 12-6pm. Lights at 5pm. Santa's Grotto. Carnival procession at 3pm. Rides. Live music from 1pm. Farmers market, festive shopping. Christmas lights at 5pm. Free parking at Harpenden Station from 12 noon. HATFIELD Hatfield Town Centre, White Lion Square, Hatfield, AL10 0JJ. 01707 357567 www.hatfieldtown.co.uk Christmas Lights Switch On 19 Nov – 1-5pm Santa, reindeers and husky fun. Live music, stalls, food, rides, lantern parade. Hagrid and Harry Potter lookalikes from 1.30pm. Santa from 1pm. Some activities incur a charge. HERTFORD Hertford Town Centre, Parliament Square, Hertford, SG14 1EX, 01992 552885 www.hertford.gov.uk
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Hertford Christmas Gala 25 Nov - 3.30-8PM Meet Santa and his reindeer. Christmas markets. Funfair rides. Live music. The Mayor will switch on the Christmas tree lights. LETCHWORTH GARDEN CITY Town Centre SG6 3EA www.loveletchworth.com Letchworth Christmas Lights Switch On 26 Nov – 3-8pm Local acts on stage and around town. Stalls selling quality gifts, festive food and treats. Santa plus a firework display. REDBOURN Redbourn Village Hall, 63 High Street, Redbourn, St Albans, AL3 7LW 01582 792822 www.redbournchristmasmarket. com Redbourn Christmas Market 27 Nov - 11am-5pm Stalls selling local produce, gifts and decorations. Dancing, singing, story telling. Santa's grotto. Christmas lights switch on at 4pm.
EastEnders and the hilarious Dame, Bob Golding. Snow White has stunning costumes and scenery and a really funny script. A spectacular, fun-packed, pantomime. Tickets: Various prices, see website. s. GORDON CRAIG THEATRE Stevenage Arts & Leisure Centre, Lytton Way, Stevenage, SG1 1LZ 01438 363200 www.gordon-craig.co.uk Peter Pan Pantomime 25 Nov-18 Dec Take to the skies with Peter, Wendy and Tinker Bell. Tickets: From £16 HARPENDEN PUBLIC HALLS Southdown Road, Harpenden AL5 1PD 01582 767525 www.harpendenpublichalls.co.uk Cinderella 10-22 Dec – various days and times A show full of singing, dancing and jokes. No show on 12 Dec. Tickets: £14. Conc £12. Lap seat £5
ST ALBANS
HAWTHORNE THEATRE
St Peter's Street, St Albans, AL3 5DJ www.enjoystalbans.com St Albans Christmas Lights Switch On 27 Nov Choose from one of four switchon events: Panto stars at the Alban Arena, music on the St Peter’s Street stage, festive brass at the Clock Tower or entertainment at the Christmas Market.
Campus West, Welwyn Garden City AL8 6BX 01707 357117 www.hawthornetheatre.co.uk Dick Whittington 17 Dec-4 Jan Dick arrives in the city with his cat to make his fortune. Will Dick achieve his destiny, to become the Lord Mayor of London? No show on 21 or 25 Dec or 1 Jan. Tickets: £14-£18. 20% discount if booked before 30 Nov. Family tickets available
WELWYN GARDEN CITY Welwyn Garden City Town Centre, Howardsgate, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6BP www.welwyngarden.co.uk Christmas Lights Switch On 17 Nov – 3-7pm. Switch on 6.30pm Meet Father Christmas, his reindeer, the elves and huskies. Fun fair rides. Live music. Life sized roaming polar bear at intervals from 1-5.30pm.
HERTFORD THEATRE
Pantos
Sun Street, Hitchin, SG5 1AE 01462 433553 www.markettheatre.co.uk Sleeping Beauty 3, 10-11, 17-18, 22-23, 28-30 Dec A play with lots of fun and audience participation. Tickets: £10
ALBAN ARENA Civic Centre, St Albans AL1 3LD 01727 844488 www.alban-arena.co.uk Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs 8 Dec-8 Jan – various times Starring Rita Simons from
The Wash, Hertford SG14 1PS 01992 531500 www.hertfordtheatre.com Little Red Riding Hood 3 Dec-1 Jan Join Little Red Riding Hood as she visits her Grandma. Ages 3+. No shows on 4th or 25th December Tickets: Various prices, see website for details. THE MARKET THEATRE
THE RADLETT CENTRE 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett WD7 8HL 01923 859291 www.radlettcentre.co.uk Jack and the Beanstalk 10 Dec-3 Jan – various times A traditional pantomime, with dazzling costumes, scenery, live music and laughs. Tickets: Various prices, see website. THE RHODES ARTS COMPLEX 1-3 South Road, Bishops Stortford, CM23 3JG 01279 651746 www.rhodesbishopsstortford. org.uk Cinderella 10 Dec-7 Jan – various days and times A feast of family fun as Cinderella starts her quest to find her Prince. Tickets: Various prices, see website. THE SPOTLIGHT High Street, Hoddesdon EN11 8BE 01992 441946 www.broxbourne.gov.uk/ whatson Cinderella Pantomime 14-30 Dec The rags to riches tale of a downtrodden girl. No show on 15 Dec and 25 Dec. Tickets: From £14 WATERSMEET THEATRE High Street, Rickmansworth, WD3 1EH 01923 711063 www.watersmeet.co.uk Jack and the Beanstalk 8-31 Dec – various times Traditional panto slap-sick and audience participation. Tickets: Various prices, see website for details. WATFORD PALACE THEATRE 20 Clarendon Road, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD17 1JZ. 01923 225671 www.watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk Beauty and The Beast 2-31 Dec Can the Beast find true love? Musicians onstage, dazzling dances and hilarious slapstick. Tickets: Various prices, see website for details. WYLLYOTTS THEATRE Wyllyotts Place, Darkes Lane, Potters Bar EN6 2HN 01707 645005 www.wyllyottstheatre.co.uk
Dick Whittington 17 Dec-04 Jan Full of show-stopping songs, dazzling dance routines, knockabout comedy and bags of audience participation. No shows on 20, 21, 25 or 30 Dec. Tickets: Various prices, see website for details.
Family Shows ALBAN ARENA Civic Centre, St Albans AL1 3LD 01727 844488 www.alban-arena.co.uk The Nutcracker 26 Nov - 2.30pm The enchanting tale of Clara and her nutcracker doll that changes into a princely soldier. Tickets: £23. Conc. £19. Under 16 £15 ARTSDEPOT 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley N12 0GA 020 8369 5454 www.artsdepot.co.uk We’re Going on a Bear Hunt 7 Dec –2 Jan - Various times BSL interpreted perf: 13 Dec, 1.30pm; 28 Dec, 2pm Relaxed perf:: 20 Dec - 10am, 4.30pm Michael Rosen’s We’re Going on a Bear Hunt is brought vividly (and noisily!) to the stage. Expect catchy songs, interactive scenes and plenty of hands-on adventure! Ages 3+ Tickets: £14.50 / £12.50 / £8 See website for other seasonal shows.
SANDPIT THEATRE Sandringham School, The Ridgeway, St. Albans AL4 9NX 01727 370067 www.sandpittheatre.co.uk Santas Little Helper 26 Nov - 11.30am, 2.30pm Albert Tuttle is too old to believe in Santa! How does a big man wearing bright red pyjamas fit down the chimney? Music, puppetry and storytelling. Plus, a chance to meet Santa. Ages 3-7. Tickets: £8. Conc £6 Goldilocks and the Three Bears Plus 4 Dec - 11am This comical story is retold through a 6ft tall book complete with pop ups and props. Tickets: £5. Conc £3 THE OLD TOWN HALL High Street, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 3AE. 01442 228091 www.toth.dacorum.gov.uk A Real Fairy Story 10 Dec - 2.30pm Amerlia Buttersnap is an expert on fairies but has never seen one. Ages 4+. Tickets: £6. Dacorum Card £4.50 Lily & the Little Snow Bear 22 Dec - 11am, 2pm, 4.30pm Lily finds a lost snow bear. Can she get him back to his mum? Ages 3+. Tickets: £6. Dacorum Card £4.50
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe 9-18 Dec Four children discover a gateway to magical world. Tickets: £10. Conc £8
Children's Christmas Craft 19-23 Dec - 10am to 3pm Make a woodland themed tree decoration. Cost: £2
Other seasonal things to do
18 Bull Plain, Hertford, SG14 1DT 01992 582686 www.hertfordmuseum.org A Victorian Spectacle 22 Dec - 2.30-4pm A Victorian Christmas. Make presents, play parlour games. Ages 6-10. Booking essential, max 20 spaces. Cost: £4.50 per child.
VAN HAGE GARDEN CENTRE Pepper Hill, Great Amwell, SG12 9RP www.vanhage.co.uk Skate Van Hage 2016 17 Nov-9 Jan A real ice rink for all ages and abiliies. ASHRIDGE ESTATE Visitor Centre, Moneybury Hill, Berkhamsted, HP4 1LX. 01494 755557 www.chilternsaonb.org Children's Christmas Trail Every weekend during December - 10am- 3pm Find out how the woodland creatures get ready for Christmas. Cost: £3
HERTFORD MUSEUM
ST ALBANS MUMMERS: George and the Dragon St Albans Clock Tower, Market Place, High Street, St Albans, AL3 4EL. www.stalbansmummers.org.uk 26 Dec The Town Hall 11.30am; The White Hart Hotel 12.15pm; West End, St Albans Abbey 1pm; The Fighting Cocks 1.45pm; The Clock Tower 2.30pm, 11.30am-2.30pm. The Mummers perform their adaptation of George & The Dragon at locations in St Albans.
THE QUEEN MOTHER THEATRE Woodside, Walsworth Road, Hitchin, SG4 9SP. 01462 455166 www.queenmothertheatre.org.uk
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Christmas What's On
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