Local News

Lego City Adventures Follow the adventures of brave cops, crooks, dancing firemen, and one overly enthusiastic handyman. They’re ordinary joes and venture capitalists as well as garbage women and rocket scientists. They’ve even got themselves a mayor. The Lego City Adventures citizens all lead their lives filled with hopes and dreams, but, just like real life, their paths and stories zigzag and intertwine all over town whenever they meet, and we’re brought along for a rollercoaster ride of fantastic fun and absurd action. Lego City Adventures launches on 6 April on POPTV, Sony Pictures Entertainment’s new Kids’ TV channel, with episodes during Easter weekdays showing at 9.30am and 4.30pm. During the school term, episodes will air on weekdays at 4pm. POPTV is available on Freeview 206, Youview 206, Sky 616, Virgin 736 and Freesat 603.

Forest School Activity Cards As a parent, it is hard to ignore the statistics on growing obesity and mental health issues in children. With the omnipresence of social media and growing exam pressures adding new concerns in children’s physical and mental health, many parents are looking for new ways to raise children. Forest Schools actively combat the statistics, encouraging child-led, nature-centred activities to equip children with confidence, self-esteem, life and social skills. Qualified and experienced Forest School leaders, Jane Worroll and Peter Houghton, have created the first ever Forest School Activity Cards. These portable and robust cards are perfect for use in any weather, come rain or shine. Playing and learning are effortlessly combined in this set. The unique card deck combines all the favourite activities from the previous books, Play the Forest School Way and A Year of Forest School. For extra convenience and suggested structure, the deck is split into four suits - team games, forest craft, nature spotlight and survival skills. Whether you are new to Forest School activities or a long-time fan, these cards are the perfect addition to any family, classroom or group this Spring, offering endless outdoor fun that fits into your pocket. Forest School Activity Cards will be available on Amazon for £14.99 from 14 April. For more information, please visit www.theforestschoolway.com.

Zippo’s Circus back at Central Park Zippo’s Circus is back in town with a brand-new 2020 show, ‘Nomads’. Acrobats from the Mongolian steppe, astonishing aerialists, clever comics and daredevil bikers come together to excite and astound. Centre spot goes to the thrilling Lucius Team of five Brazilian motorcyclists in the famous Globe of Death. And back by popular demand is Paulo Dos Santos, a brilliant 3 foot 6 inches (107cm) tall showman, acrobat and physical comedian. Visit Zippo’s Circus at Central Park between Tuesday 28 April and Sunday 3 May. For times and discount tickets, visit www.zippos.co.uk. Photo credit: Piet-Hein Out

Big Pedal 2020 Schools are being invited to take part in Big Pedal 2020 – the UK’s largest cycling, walking and scooting competition for schools. This year’s competition is backed by Dame Sarah Storey, British Paralympian and 35-time world champion in cycling and swimming. The Big Pedal will run from 22 April to 5 May and will see young people across the UK compete with one another to make the most journeys by bike, foot or scooter. This year’s Big Pedal aims to build on the success of 2019, which saw a record 3.8 million journeys made by bike, foot and scooter and over 1,600 schools take part. The competition is open to individual classes and year groups as well as whole schools, with hundreds of thousands of pupils expected to take part. For schools unable to take part in the main challenge there is also a one-day version, which can include cycling, walking and scooting activities during the school day as well as on the journey to school. Schools will be entered into daily prize draws for rewards, including scooters, if more than 15% of a school cycle, walk or scoot on each day of the challenge. For more information, visit www.bigpedal.org.uk.

Happy Birthday Mog This year marks the fiftieth anniversary of Judith Kerr’s adored cat, Mog. A special anniversary edition of Mog the Forgetful Cat is out now and a ‘Summer of Mog’ will be heralded with a brand-new Audio Collection of eight Mog titles on CD and digital download. These titles will be read by actress and artist Tacy Kneale, Judith’s daughter, bringing her mother’s stories to a new generation of listeners. In September, a celebratory title, Mog’s Birthday, will launch in hardback. HarperCollins created this special birthday story in collaboration with Judith Kerr, using a selection of pictures from across fifty years of illustrating Mog to bring this delightful story to life.

Fun Study Camp at Leaders are Readers Summer School Over the past 10 years, the Leaders are Readers Summer Schools have become established as London and the surrounding area’s academic camp for children aged 3 to 11. Their summer school is designed to be challenging yet fun, and children develop strategies and skills in critical thinking, comprehension reading, creative writing, language and vocabulary, mathematical reasoning and verbal and non-verbal reasoning. They also prepare for 11+, 10+, 8+, 7+, 5+, 4+ and excel in these assessments. Ninety-five percent of parents have said that their child has gained self-confidence at the Leaders are Readers summer school and that they have learnt how to read in a short period. Their aim at the summer school is to cover a year’s essential work in 3 weeks. 90% of children who attend the Saturday and Summer schools, who sit various competitive entrance exams to independent schools, pass, with some even being awarded scholarships. The Saturday school also keeps children ahead of their peers. The experience of success during the summer school can provide a long-term boost to children’s self-esteem and confidence. Call to book a trial day and free assessment at Leaders are Readers setting at Raphael Independent School, Hornchurch Park Lane, RM11 1XY. For more information, call 01992 651 300 or visit www. leadersarereaders.co.uk.

An International Dining Experience Make the most of the long weekend and spend this Easter with the family enjoying a wonderful feast at JRC Global Buffet. If you love great food and don’t want to spend a fortune, JRC Buffet is the perfect place for an Egg-citing Easter. With hundreds of freshly prepared dishes from all over the world, you’ll find all your old favourites as well as new dishes for you to enjoy. Families love visiting JRC Buffet as there’s something for everyone – it’s also a great opportunity for parents to encourage their children to be adventurous and try new flavours. Even the fussiest eater will find new dishes they’ll love. With a wide selection of Live Cooking Stations, where expert chefs prepare dishes right in front of your eyes, it’s a dining experience like no other. If you aren’t too full from trying all the main dishes, you’ll love the wide selection of mouth-watering desserts, all beautifully presented. Visitors, young and old, love dipping marshmallows and fresh fruit into the Chocolate Fountain and Easter’s the perfect excuse to overindulge. As a special Easter treat, kids can eat for £1 at JRC all through the Easter holidays. The offer is valid from 5.30 to 8.30pm, Monday to Thursday from Monday 6 April to Thursday 16 April. Terms and conditions apply. To hear about the latest news and offers, visit www.jrc-globalbuffet.com and sign up to the newsletter.

Prue Leith’s Simnel Cake Prue Leith’s Simnel Cake

Ingredients Large pinch each of salt and baking powder 225g plain fl our 55g rice fl our 110g glacé cherries 225g butter 225g caster sugar 1 lemon, zest only 4 eggs, separated 225g sultanas 110g currants 30g candied peel, chopped 340g marzipan 1 tbsp apricot jam 110g icing sugar, sifted

Method 1. Set the oven to 180˚C/Fan 160˚C/gas mark 4. Prepare a 20cm cake tin with a double lining of greased and fl oured greaseproof paper. Wrap the outside of the cake tin with a double thickness of brown paper to insulate the cake from direct heat. 2. Sift the salt, baking powder and fl ours. Cut the cherries in half. 3. Cream the butter until soft. Add the sugar and beat until light and fl uffy. Add the lemon rind. 4. Beat in the egg yolks. Whisk the whites until stiff.

5. Fold 1/3 of the sifted fl our into the mixture. Fold in the egg whites by degrees, alternating with the remaining fl our and the fruit peel. 6. Put 1/2 the mixture into the tin, spreading fl at. 7. Take just over 1/3 of the marzipan. Roll it into a smooth round. Place it on the cake mixture in the tin and cover with the remaining mixture. 8. With a palette knife make a dip in the centre of the cake to counteract any tendency to rise in the middle. 9. Bake for 1¾ hours, then stick a skewer into the cake. If it comes out clean, the cake is done. If sticky cake mixture adheres to it, reduce the oven heat to 150˚C/Fan 130˚C/gas mark 2 and bake for a further 30 mins. 10. Roll the remaining marzipan into a circle the same size as the top of the cake. Cut a piece from the centre about 12.5cm in diameter and shape into 11 balls. 11. Thinly spread the apricot jam round a 1cm margin of the cake top. Lay the ring of marzipan on top of the cake. Arrange the marzipan balls on top of the ring. 12. When the cake is cold mix the icing sugar with a teaspoon or two of boiling-hot water and mix to a smooth, just liquid consistency. Pour the icing into the centre of the cake. Tie a ribbon around the outside.

Baking with Mrs Bun the Baker is available for £12.99 online and from all good book stores. For more information, please visit www.mrsbunthebaker.net Prue Leith’s new book, The Vegetarian Kitchen, written with her niece Peta Leith, is available from online and high street retailers at a RRP of £25.