L A S C L Y AG M
THE
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Leek, Cheadle, Blythe Bridge, Werrington, Caverswall, Alton and surrounding Moorland areas
daily diaries
Pre-School and Out-of-School activities
News
Updates on local businesses and groups Laughter Therapy The Acoustic Festival, Uttoxeter
Out and about
Trentham Gardens Foxfield Railway
focus on Screen Time
greener lifestyle Wet Wipes
And much more! Spring 2017
Issue 5
For Local Parents, Carers & Kids
FREE
welcome CONTENTS
editorial Welcome to our fifth issue of The Scallywag, Leek and Cheadle. My aim with this magazine is to collate anything bump, baby, toddler and child so that you can find everything you need to know in one place - right here! If you’re wondering what to do with your little one, simply look at out diary pages which list all of the local play groups - you’ll find lots of options to choose from. It was through researching this magazine that I found some great play groups to attend with my little ones. I’ve met lots of new people and made new friends. In this issue, we go out and about to Trentham Gardens and Foxfield Railway. We’ve got Karen McCabe explaining all about laughter therapy. I have to admit to being really intrigued about this and after attending a laughter and relaxation session in Leek, I slept really soundly. If you’re thinking about having a spring clean, have a look at the information over the page about cleaning your carpets. We also have information about The Acoustic Festival of Britain. And finally, we’re focussing on ‘screen time’. How much time do let your child spend in front of a screen - a TV, mobile phone or tablet? Wishing you all a happy Easter and a wonderful spring!
Natalie
News
Updates on local businesses
Pages 3-5
The Acoustic Festival of Britain Focus On: Screen Time Greener Lifestyle: Baby Wipes
Page 6 Pages 12-13 Page 14
Trentham Gardens Foxfield Railway
Page 7 Page 15
Pre-school Out of School
Pages 8-9 Pages 10-11
Features
Out and About Diary Pages
front cover Thank you to
Elanore (5) and Holly (3)
for their lovely spring picture on the cover of the magazine. They made it using scrunched up tissue paper to make flowers. Would you like to see your child’s art work on the cover? Contact me to find out more.
CONTact Contact us us To discuss and book advertising space, ideas for future articles or just to let us know what you think of the magazine, please get in touch by any of the following means: 0 1 The Green, Caverswall, Stoke on Trent, Staffs ST11 9EQ 8 natalie@thescallywag.co.uk 07773 559634 R www.thescallywag.co.uk/leek/ The Scallywag Magazine - Leek and Cheadle @Scallywagleek
Whilst every care is taken to ensure the information contained in this magazine is true, accurate and fair, the publisher cannot take any responsibility for errors, inaccuracies or omissions, or for events arising from the use of this information. Any statements or opinions given in the magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher and no products and services mentioned in articles or adverts are officially endorsed by them. © 2017 All content of this magazine is copyright. No part of it may be reproduced by any means or in any form without written permission from the publisher.
page header news
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laughter and relaxation sessions in leek
e all know how much better we feel when we have had a good laugh. When was the last time you had a really good belly laugh? Karen McCabe of Kokoro is now offering laughter therapy at her laughter and relaxation sessions in Leek.
Laughter therapy is a set of exercises designed around laughing for no reason. It is based on the theory that your body will not know the difference between genuine or fake laughter, but you will still receive the benefits. During a session, fake laughter will turn into genuine laughter. Anyone can do it! A session starts with gentle stretching and laughing, followed by some activities and laughter exercises. The idea is that forced, fake laughter becomes natural laughter. As we all know laughter is infectious and contagious, so before you know it everyone is laughing! No one is singled out and exercises are carried out in a group. For the first few minutes you may feel a bit self-conscious but because everyone is doing it you quickly lose your inhibitions and enjoy the fun. In
Karen’s sessions nobody sits on the floor or does strenuous movements. You can do as much or as little as you feel comfortable with. A session ends with a laughing meditation to enable everyone to release the laughter, followed by a relaxing meditation. There are many benefits to laughter therapy. It is often said that laughter is the best medicine. Firstly, it is great for stress relief. It can improve health and fight illness as laughter reduces the stress hormones which supress the immune system. Negative emotions that are stored up are harmlessly released and endorphins are released which make us feel happy. You also get a workout and you can burn calories during a session! Karen can be booked for events and team building sessions for businesses.
The next session will be Monday 10 April 7pm - 8pm at The Red Lion, Leek. Karen is also doing a fundraiser for Mind on World Laughter day on Sunday 7th May - details to be confirmed.
Kokoro
Reiki Treatments & Training Meditation & Mindfulness Laughter Therapy
Karen McCabe 07415 536958 Find us on FaceBook Kokoro Reiki
Karenmc.kokoro@gmail.com
Get your advert seen by 7000 local families! Prices start at ÂŁ35 Book your space in the summer issue of the magazine by phoning Natalie now on 07773 559634 or emailing natalie@thescallywag.co.uk
Telephone: 01538 361697 Mobile: 07974 645147 Email: hello@jojohnsonfamilylaw.co.uk Website: www.jojohnsonfamilylaw.co.uk Jo Johnson Family Law offers families the opportunity to benefit from a simpler way to access legal advice for family issues such as divorce, separation and sorting out the arrangements for children. After more than 26 years in the legal profession, having worked in a variety of settings from small rural practices to large commercial offices, Jo has decided to use her expertise and experience to establish her own virtual practice specialising in family law. Jo understands that it can be very difficult to pluck up the courage to take legal advice and she wishes to provide an opportunity for people to take specialist family legal advice in less formal surroundings. She offers face to face meetings to suit each individual and can arrange appointments during the evenings or at the weekends either at your home, in your workplace or at a location to suit.
news
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new shoes!
id you know that Footprints, Leek, has been trading for almost 11 years? The owner, Emma Priestman, puts her success down to providing excellent customer service, a free fitting and measuring service along with high quality children’s shoes and clothes. Last year, Emma celebrated supplying the children of Leek with their shoes for a decade. She started the business from scratch in July 2006. Now, the business has grown to sell beautiful children’s clothes, drawing customers as far away as Cheshire and Derbyshire. Children grow at an incredible rate - and their feet do too! So it’s important
to get their feet measured properly. For children under four, it’s best to get them measured up every eight weeks. Once they’re four, aim for every three months to make sure that their shoes fit properly and are comfortable. The simplest way to get your little one’s shoe size right is to take them to a shop where there is a qualified shoe fitter. Emma is not only qualified but
is experienced and prides herself on providing a personal, friendly service. So, to put a spring in your step, visit Footprints in Leek to see their new range of shoes and clothes. 71 Derby St, Leek ST13 6JL Tel: 01538 382231 Footprints
young phoenix Inspiring and Engaging Children in Quality Choral Singing In this 2-hour Mini Me Yoga workshop, parents, grandparents, childcare providers and teachers learn simple techniques for introducing 15 minutes a day of yoga and positive thinking to children using games and exercises which are fun and engaging. No experience with yoga is necessary – anyone can join in the fun! Each participant receives a set of 14 Magick Yoga Cards and leaves with what they need to get started right away, with an easy 15 minute a day program designed to be used in your daily routine. Introducing these simple games to children significantly reduces stress, increases children’s capacity to learn, be gentle to one another, respect nature and grow strong mentally and physically. This is an opportunity to strengthen the bond with your child while improving their (and your) well-being in just 15 minutes a day.
Upcoming workshops: 31 March - Cheadle 12 April - Uttoxeter Visit my FaceBook page for information
Young Phoenix is for boys and girls aged 7 and over (Y3 upwards) who want to sing. The young singers are encouraged to develop their voice, experience the joys of singing in a group and, above all, have fun. There is no audition. The group gives local children the chance to learn some great music and develop some essential life skills - choral singing is a fantastic arena to learn to work with and trust one another. They sing lots of different types of songs... pop and chart songs, songs from the musicals, traditional songs from around the world, silly songs; the list just keeps on growing! They practise every Monday night during term time from 6-7pm at Leek First School, East Street, Leek. To find out more, go along at 6pm on any Monday evening (during term time) to East Street First School, Leek. Our email address is: youngphoenix@phoenixsingersleekco.uk.
Meeting every Monday 6pm - 7pm Leek First School, East Street
news attenshun! Why you should insist on a retired Royal Marines Commando to clean your carpets Your home is your castle. You should keep it clean and safe by only allowing over your threshold, a tradesman that you can trust & has a background to be proud of. It is common knowledge that the Royal Marines, proud wearers of the coveted Green Berets, are a force to be reckoned with which means the days of dirty carpets and upholstery are numbered. The Commando ethos, held close to every Commando’s heart are; courage, determination, unselfishness, cheerfulness in the face of adversity. This means that you can call Zero Dry Time safe in the knowledge that the job will be done well, cost effectively and with the minimum of fuss.
a job on, I’ll not leave until it can’t get any cleaner.’ ‘I am acutely aware of the notion of being in someone’s home and treat it accordingly. I focus on the job in hand until it is completed. My results are constant and exceptional with no drying time - it is walk dry almost immediately,’ explains Ian. So let the draw bridge down and call a carpet cleaner you can trust: Ian, the Commando Carpet Cleaner from Barlaston, for a clean castle. But don’t just take our word for it. To see what our customers say about us go to www.facebook.com/ZDTStaffordshire.
‘I am rightly proud of my military background and I put to work the Commando ethos,’ said Ian who is from Barlaston near Stone. ‘My work is second to none, and each time I take
calling all budding actors and actresses!
T
he Helen O’Grady Drama Academy is a worldwide, international drama and performance school. Staffordshire has been running successful drama classes for children and young adults aged 5 to 20 years old since 1994. We run our fantastic classes in Cheadle and are currently looking for young people to participate in our summer shows, which are happening in July at the Cheadle Academy Theatre. Why participate in drama classes? Our classes help young people to develop confidence, self-esteem, communication and social skills. In the summer term all the students begin work on a scripted play, which is performed at the Rugeley Rose Theatre, the Cheadle Academy Theatre and the Hippodrome Theatre. This is the highlight of the Academy’s year and reflects the talents and the skills of the students and their teachers. We have a specially written curriculum which uses a wide range of creative activities such as speech, movement, and improvisation. Students
are encouraged to ask questions, seek answers and share information with others. Dress up days, along with the use of props and make up, add an extra dimension and excitement to these fast-paced, stimulating classes. We teach LAMDA exams, which for the last two years all our students have gained the highest grade – Distinction! In April, we are offering all children a trial lesson at one of our unique classes. All you have to do is book their place by calling our office
on 01889802376. All children aged 5 years to 20 years are accepted. We pride ourselves on welcoming a diverse range of students, including those with complex learning needs.
Through the programme, thousands and thousands of young people find their voice, generate self-belief, become generous participants in life and experience much fun and fulfilment along the way. Helen O’Grady, Founder
The acoustic festival The acoustic festival of britain A Family Festival with a Difference
T
he festival season is upon us with a multitude of events, each getting bigger, more outlandish and dearer every year. But one festival does stand out as a clean, green and awe inspiring olde-world festival of yesteryear: The Acoustic Festival of Britain. In its 12th year now, the festival is held on the gentle slopes and tree lined lawns of Uttoxeter Racecourse in middle England. A festival of un-plugged music, scores of dance troupes and comedy, workshops, crafts and lots of children’s fun.
This small friendly event of 2000 people over the spring bank holiday break can boast solar power lighting, posh flushing loos thoughout the site and its reputation of the cleanest, safest event site in the country. The festival also has a demographic of 50% men and women. It is a very affordable weekend break for adults from £95 and children at £10 inclusive of camping, where you can park next to your tent. We have 4 stages and huge tents, afternoon comedy and several café tents serve til curfew at an early 12 midnight. For the children, there’s a huge big top and lots of workshops and play areas. Mike Stephens, the organiser, has over 30 years experience in running festivals. He states that this is his choice of a festival: “It’s ideal - no nonsense, no late night boom boom, no litter scattered, no toilet queuing. I’m proud that this is not an expensive rip off festival. It attracts the music lovers, similar people who respect one another and their environment.” The festival is held on a well drained site which has no puddles and no mud, even if it rains. It has a caravan site and all the facilities required. The site is a 10 minute walk from the town centre and there is a train station in the car park. The festival attracts huge artists and moves through folk-rock-pop-blues and all the genres in between suiting a mix of ages from grandparents to grandchildren. See www.acousticfestival.co.uk for tickets and information, or call the office on 0333 9000 919.
out and about Trentham gardens
I
always thought that Trentham Gardens was probably going to be quite a boring place to visit and certainly not something that the children would enjoy. It’s just a posh garden with some pretty flowers, isn’t it? How wrong I was! I had been put off by the pricey entrance fee. It is £8.70 for an adult’s admission (although you can make a saving if you book online or you can get a discount if you are with an annual pass holder). However, a friend told me that you can get an annual pass by exchanging Tesco ClubCard vouchers so I got myself one. My children are both under five so they enter free of charge. The parking is free and there are lots of toilets and baby changing facilities dotted around the estate. There are also lots of places to eat, suiting various budgets. We bought our ticket in the summer and have been almost every other week as the children don’t seem to get bored and we have all enjoyed watching the seasonal changes when we visit. In the summer, the first thing my daughter liked to do was to run around like a wild thing on the grass. It was as though seeing all that space touched upon a primal instinct to run with her arms in the air. We also love to visit the Italian Gardens and look at the fountains. I’ve been really lucky that my children haven’t actually climbed into
them (yet!). Then, we like to walk up to the play area where we spend a couple of hours in the sand pit. (What is it about babies wanting to eat sand?! Last year, my son ate pretty much a whole sand pit!) There is a huge play area with swings, slides and climbing nets. There is also a great little car track with cars and ride-ons. The bare-foot walk is a lot of fun, although I still haven’t managed to walk through the really deep muddy bit – mud between my toes? Yeurk! And of course, there’s ice cream! There’s lots of different flavours to choose from and they’re all delicious. I tried a few - all in the name of research, of course! We’ve yet to buy food from the café yet as we always take a picnic, spread a blanket out under one of the massive trees and sit looking at the wonderful view of the lake. Bliss! We had just as much fun visiting in the autumn. Near to the park there is a huge horse chestnut tree – we must have collected about twenty conkers, some of them were huge. Once we’d played on the park and run around for a while, I put the children into their pushchair and walked around the lake. It is about two miles and is fairly flat making it easy to push wheel chairs and prams. But if you get tired, you can walk half way and then get the little boat back which costs £2 per person (£1.50 for annual ticket holders). We have continued to visit in the winter too, getting the children wrapped up really warm and stopping at the café for hot drinks to warm up our fingers. I did some of my Christmas shopping in the shopping village and garden centre
Photos: Natalie Brown
Stone Road, Trentham, ST4 8JG By Natalie Brown
where there are lots of small businesses and unusual gift shops making it easy to find unique and interesting presents. This spring, there have been lots of changes made over the winter. The play area is much bigger and includes more sand (at least my youngest won’t be going hungry!), more swings and lots of lovely play boats and shelters for the children. We spent hours here on our last visit as there was so much to explore. We were also lucky to see two black swans and an abundance of wildlife waking up for the spring. There were some massive bumblebees - they were roughly the size of a child’s hand. Whilst walking around the lake, we have spotted the monkeys from the monkey forest who come quite close to the perimeter fence. We are certainly making use of our annual pass this year. It’s so lovely to be able to let the children play freely and with so much to do, they won’t get bored and they are learning so much about nature.
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Pre-school diary
Yoga Kidz 10.30 - 11.30 Foxlowe Arts Centre, Leek, ST13 6AD Deborah - 07709 625273 Age 2+ £5 1st child + adult, £3 additional children Little Doves Playgroup 9.30 - 11.30 (Term-Time only) The Hub Community Bungalow, Waterfall Lane, Waterhouses, ST10 3HT £2 per family Parent & Toddler ‘Splash Time’ Swimming Session 09.00 - 09.30 Moorville Hall Hotel, Leek Rd, Weston Coyney, ST9 0DG Julie Hancock - 07814 532792 Baby Bounce & Rhyme 09.30 - 10.00 Werrington Library, Ash Bank Road, Werrington, ST9 0JS 01782 302706 Free
Soccer Lions 9:30 - 10.15 Beresford Family Hub, Novi Lane, Leek, ST13 6NR Michelle Kennedy
FAB Mums (Friendly About Breastfeeding) 9.30 - 11.00 Cheadle Fire Station Community Room, Ashbourne Road, Cheadle, ST10 1HG Health Visitor available
Baby Massage by Melissa’s Massage and Movement 12.45 - 13.45 Beresford Family Hub, Novi Lane, Leek, ST13 6NR Melissa - 07715 304842 0 - crawling, £5 Stay and Play 9.30 - 11.30 (Term-Time only) Blythe Bridge Library, Uttoxeter, Blythe Bridge, ST11 9JR £1 for up to 2 children, refreshments provided for children.
Baby Yoga by Melissa’s Massage and Movement 13.45 - 14.45 Beresford Family Hub, Novi Lane, Leek, ST13 6NR Melissa - 07715 304842 From crawling to walking, £5
Parent & Toddler Group 9.30 - 11.30 Salvation Army, Salisbury St, Leek 01538 384211
Baby Bounce & Rhyme 11.00 - 11.30 (Term-Time only) Leek Library, Nicholson Institute, Stockwell St, Leek, ST13 6DW Free
Pre-school Children’s Craft Sessions 13.00 - 14.30 Cabbage Rose, 6 Stanley Street, Leek, ST13 5HG 01538 529522 £4 includes refreshments
Baby Bounce & Rhyme 14.00 - 14.30 (Term-Time only) Leek Library, Nicholson Institute, Stockwell St, Leek, ST13 6DW Free
Toddler Sense 11.30 - 12.30 Cheadle Guildhall, Tape St, Cheadle, ST10 1BG Katie - 07909 550296 Age 18 months to 4 years Taster Sessions Available
Baby Sensory 11.30 - 12.30 Cheadle Cricket Club, Tean Road, Cheadle Laura - 07887 744876 Birth - 6 months
Beaver Hall Toddler Group 10.00 - 12.00 Beaver Hall Farm Park, Bradnop, Nr Leek, ST13 7EZ Anne 01538 304433 £5.00 includes entry for 2 toddlers and free hot drink
Pre-school Children’s Craft Sessions 10.30 - 12.00 Cabbage Rose, 6 Stanley Street, Leek, ST13 5HG 01538 529522 £4 includes refreshments
Movement, Music and Sensory Play Session 10.45 - 11.30 0 - 18 months St Luke’s Church, Fountain St, Leek, ST13 6JS £3 per child
Baby Sensory 11.30 - 12.30 St Paul’s Church Centre, Novi Lane, Leek, ST13 6NR Laura - 07887 744876 Birth - 6 months
Beaver Hall Toddler Group 10.00 - 12.00 Beaver Hall Farm Park, Bradnop, Nr Leek, ST13 7EZ Anne 01538 304433 £5.00 includes entry for 2 toddlers and free hot drink
Pre-school Children’s Craft Sessions 10.30 - 12.00 Cabbage Rose, 6 Stanley Street, Leek, ST13 5HG 01538 529522 £4 includes refreshments
Toddler Sense 10.00 - 11.00 Cheadle Guildhall, Tape St, Cheadle, ST10 1BG Katie - 07909 550296 Age 13 months to 2 years Taster Sessions Available
Baby Sensory 10.00 - 11.00 Cheadle Cricket Club, Tean Road, Cheadle Laura - 07887 744876 7 - 13 months
Tiny Bee People 10.00 - 11.30 Friends Meeting House, Overton Bank, Leek Lorna - 07801 655272 Gardening activities for 3 - 6 year olds. £5. Starts 21.02.17
Soccer Lions Play Together 9:30 - 11.00 0 - 5 years Beresford Family Hub, Novi Lane, Leek, ST13 6NR Michelle Kennedy
Little Saints Toddler Group 09.30 - 11.30 (Term-time only) All Saints’ Church Parish Room, Compton, Leek, ST13 5PT Felicity 07528 914226 50p per family
Mum & Tots Group 10.00 - 12.00 (Term-time only) 0 - 4 years Werrington Library, Ash Bank Road, Werrington, ST9 0JS 01782 302706 Free
Movement, Music and Sensory Play Session 09.45 - 10.30 18 months - 4 years St Luke’s Church, Fountain St, Leek, ST13 6JS £3 per child Stay & Play 09.30 - 11.00 Blythe Bridge Library, Uttoxeter Road, Blythe Bridge, ST11 9JR 01782 296400 £1 for up to 2 children. Refreshments provided for children.
Parent & Toddler Swimming 10.00 - 10.30 South Moorlands Leisure Centre, Allen St, Cheadle, ST10 1HJ 01538 753 883
NCT Bumps & Babes and TAMBA Twins and Multiples 9.30 - 11.30 Endon Scout Hut, Station Rd, Endon, ST9 9DR Debbie Jackson 07729 616522 £2 / 50p for siblings
Baby Sensory 10.00 - 11.00 St Paul’s Church Centre, Novi Lane, Leek, ST13 6NR Laura - 07887 744876 7 - 13 months
Mums & Tots Group 10.00 - 11.45 Leek Baptist Church, Rosebank St, Leek
M.A.M. (Mum Art Makers) 09.30 - 11.30 Greatwood Hall, Hollington Road, Upper Tean 07928 556 552 £5 for craft activity £1 per child in the creche
Baby Massage & Yoga 12.00 - 15.00 Werrington Library, Ash Bank Road, Werrington, ST9 0JS Contact Kate on 0300 124 0099 Ext. 1338
Tinkerbell Tots 09.00 - 11.00 Blackshaw Moor 1st School, Nr Leek 01298 83123
Stay & Play 9.15 - 11.15 (Term-time only) Community Building, All Saints’ First School, Cheadle Road, Leek Suzanne 01538 483241 £2 includes drinks & snacks
Rudyard Play Group 09.30 - 11.45 The Methodist Chapel Hall, Lake Road, Rudard Janine Dow 07877129362
Toddler Sense 10.00 - 11.00 St Paul’s Church Centre, Novi Lane, Leek, ST13 6NR Katie - 07909 550296 Age 13 months to 2 years Taster Sessions Available
Little Leeks Messy Play Session 10.30 - 11.30 Beresford Family Hub, Novi Lane, Leek, ST13 6NR Contact Charlotte via FaceBook 0 - 5 £5
Puddle Ducks Swimming 11.00 - 13.00 0 - 5 years Waterhouses CofE Community School, Waterfall Lane, ST10 3HY Cate 01332 605729 derbyshire@puddleducks.com
Toddler Sense 11.30 - 12.30 St Paul’s Church Centre, Novi Lane, Leek, ST13 6NR Katie - 07909 550296 Age 18 months to 4 years Taster Sessions Available
Beaver Hall Toddler Group 10.00 - 12.00 Beaver Hall Farm Park, Bradnop, Nr Leek, ST13 7EZ Anne 01538 304433 £5.00 includes entry for 2 toddlers and free hot drink
My BabyTime Social Morning 10.00 - 12.00 16 weeks - 4 years Endon Village Hall, Station Street, ST9 9DR 07917 015565 £5 per family
Musical Tots 11.00 - 11.30 (Term-time only) 0 - 4 years Leek Library, Nicholson Institute, Stockwell Street, Leek, ST13 6DW 01538 483209 Free
Toddler Group 10.00 - 11.30 Trinity Church, Russell St, Leek
Come Dance With Me Pre-School Ballet Class 09.00 - 09.30 From Walking Vivienne Shelley Dance Studio, 28 Bank Street, Cheadle, ST10 1NT 01538 754414 Saturday Craft Club 10.45 - 11.45 3 - 10 years (under 8s must be accompanied by an adult) Leek Library, Stockwell Street, Leek, ST13 6DW Fiona Fowler 01538 483211 50p per child
Pre-School Dance Class 09.30 - 10.00 3 years + Vivienne Shelley Dance Studio, 28 Bank Street, Cheadle, ST10 1NT 01538 754414
Yoga Kidz 15.45 - 16.45 Foxlowe Arts Centre, Leek, ST13 6AD Deborah - 07709 625273 Age 2+ £5 1st child + adult, £3 additional children
Little Leeks Messy Play 13.30 - 14.30 All Saints Church Hall, Compton, Leek, ST13 5PT Charlotte - 07813 538090 Babies who can sit up - 4 years old. £5
Tiny Bee 12.00 - 1 Friends M Overton Lorna Gardenin year olds
Endon T 10.00 - 1 0 - 4 yea Endon V ST9 9DR £2 (unde
Soccer Baby Tim 13.00 - 1 Beresfor Lane, Le Michelle
Soccer 10.30 - 1 0 - 5 yea Beresfor Lane, Le Michelle
Dance with Me Mother & Toddler Dance Class 14.15 - 14.45 From Walking Vivienne Shelley Dance Studio, 28 Bank Street, Cheadle, ST10 1NT 01538 754414 Little Treasures Toddler Group 10.00 - 11.30 Pentecostal Church, West St, Leek 01538 384152
Breast Babies 10.00 - 11.30 (Term-time only) Werrington Library, Ash Bank Road, Werrington, ST9 0JS 01782 302706
Buzzabout Stay & Play 13.00 - 14.30 2 - 5 years Beresford Family Hub, Novi Lane, Leek, ST13 6NR £2.50 per family + 50p for siblings
Seedlings Baby & Toddler Group 10.00 - 11.30 (Term-time only) St Lukes Church Centre, Fountain St, Leek Jane 01538 387144 Free Entry, 50p donation to cover refreshments
Pre-sch Session 10.30 - 1 Cabbage Street, L 01538 5 £4 includ
T
he heart of The Scallywag are the indispensible diary pages.
The centre spread is the Pre-school Diary. Shaded background is for drop-in sessions. White background is for activities where booking is essential. All sessions will require an adult to remain with the child at all times. Most activities charge a small fee. Please phone ahead before setting out as details can change at any time. Finally the second spread shows the many different activities available for school age children, from Chess to Dancing, Karate to Brass bands! Again, please use the contact details provided to check details before setting out.
e People 13.30 Meeting House, Bank, Leek 07801 655272 ng activities for 3 - 6 s. £5.
Baby Sensory 13.00 - 14.00 Cheadle Cricket Club, Tean Road, Cheadle Laura - 07887 744876 Birth - 13 months
Tots 12.00 ars Village Hall, Station Rd, R er 6 months 50p)
Baby Bounce & Rhyme 10.30 - 11.00 (Term-time only) 0 - 4 years Blythe Bridge Library, Uttoxeter Road, Blythe Bridge, ST11 9JR 01782 296400 Free
Little Leeks Messy Play Session 13.00 - 14.00 Beresford Family Hub, Novi Lane, Leek, ST13 6NR Contact Charlotte via FaceBook 0 - 5 £5 Healthy Tots 10.30 - 12.00 Werrington Library, Ash Bank Road, Werrington, ST9 0JS Kate & Nicky 0300 124 0099 Information on a wide range of topics for new parents
If you are involved in any group aimed at pre-school or primary school age children and would like to see it listed in these pages, please get in touch. All listings in these pages are FREE. If you have any new or up-dated information that should be included here, please let us know – contact details are on page 2.
Parent & Toddler Group 14.00 - 15.15 (Term time only) The Valley Primary School, Oakamoor, ST10 3DQ 01538 702355 18 months + £2 per family Apple Pips & Seedlings 13.00 - 15.00 Alton Village Hall, Hurstons Ln, Alton, ST10 4AP £2 (£1 for babies) includes refreshments
Baby Clinic 13.30 - 15.30 Cheadle Health Centre, Well Street, ST10 1EY 01538 487570 Weigh-in and discuss minor parental concerns with Health Visitor
Lions Play Together me 14.30 rd Family Hub, Novi eek, ST13 6NR e Kennedy Post Natal Group 11.15 - 12.15 Cheadle Fire Station Community Room, Ashbourne Road, Cheadle, ST10 1HG Contact the Health Centre on 01538 487 570
Greatwood BBs (Breastfed Babies) 13.00 - 14.30 Greatwood Hall, Hollington Road, Upper Tean Call Jemma on 07754442903
hool Children’s Craft ns 12.00 e Rose, 6 Stanley Leek, ST13 5HG 529522 des refreshments
FAB Cafe 10.30 - 12.00 Werrington Library, Ash Bank Road, Werrington, ST9 0JS Kate & Nicky 0300 124 0099 Support for parents to be or those already breastfeeding
Baby Bounce & Rhyme 11.00 - 11.30 (Term-time only) 0 - 4 years Leek Library, Nicholson Institute, Stockwell Street, Leek, ST13 6DW 01538 483207 Free
SUNDAY
Lions Play Together 12.00 ars rd Family Hub, Novi eek, ST13 6NR e Kennedy
First Kickers at The Phil Bruce Soccer School 09.00 - 10.00 Leek High School, Springfield Rd, Leek ST13 6EU Age 2 - 4 years
StoryFinders Baby & Toddler Group 13.30 - 15.30 (Term-time only) 0 - 4 years St Johns Church, Belle Vue, Leek, ST13 8EP Sheila 01538 373793 £1 (50p siblings)
Boogie Beats 11.15 - 11.45 Leaps & Bounds, Cross St Mill, Leek, ST13 6BL Caroline 07912441254
Baby Bounce & Rhyme 14.00 - 14.30 (Term-time only) 0 - 4 years Cheadle Library, 15A-17 High Street, Cheadle, ST10 1AA 01538 483864 Free
Breastfeeding Support Group 12.00 - 13.30 Beresford Family Hub, Novi Lane, Leek, ST13 6NR
Little Doves Baby & Toddler Group 13.00 - 15.00 The Bungalow Hub in Waterhouses, Waterfall Lane ST10 3HT Victoria 07968 275170 £2 per family inc. refreshments
Don’t forget: if it has a white background, it means that booking is essential. A shaded background indicates that it is a drop-in session. Please check the details before setting out as sometimes the timings of activities change.
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out of school diary
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Beginners Street Dance 16.00 - 17.00 Vivienne Shelley Dance Studio, 28 Bank Street, Cheadle, ST10 1NT 01538 754414 5 yrs +
Trampolining Course 16.30 - 17.30 South Moorlands Leisure Centre, Allen St, Cheadle, ST10 1HJ. 01538 753 883 £22.50 for 6 weeks
Rainbows 17.00 - 18.00 (Term-time only) St Pauls Church Hall, Novi Lane, Leek 5 - 7 yrs
Trampolining Course 17.30 - 18.30 South Moorlands Leisure Centre, Allen St, Cheadle, ST10 1HJ. 01538 753 883 £22.50 for 6 weeks
2nd Leek Beavers 17.45 - 19.00 The Olde Grammar School, Clerk Bank, ST13 5HB 6 - 8 yrs 2ndLeek@moorlandsscouts. org
Leek Kempo Ju-jitsu 18.00 - 19.00 Brough Park Leisure Centre, Leek, ST13 6AT 5 yrs+ Gene 07792 013962
Young P Singing 18.00 - 1 Leek 1s Leek, 7 - 13 yr Claire 07
Brownies 18.15 - 19.30 (Term-time only) St Pauls Church Hall, Novi Lane, Leek 7 - 10 yrs
Trampolining Course 18.30 - 19.30 South Moorlands Leisure Centre, Allen St, Cheadle, ST10 1HJ. 01538 753 883 £22.50 for 6 weeks
18th Blythe Bridge Cubs 18.30 - 20.00 The Scout Hut, Off the Avenue, Blythe Bridge 8 - 10 yrs blythebridge@3towns.org.uk
3rd Cheadle Scouts 19.00 - 21.00 The Monkhouse School Room, Prince George St, ST10 1HX 10.5 - 14 yrs 3rdCheadle@ moorlandsscouts.org
5th Leek Cubs 19.00 - 20.30 HQ, Fowlchurch Rd, Leek, ST13 6AT 8 - 10.5 yrs 5thLeek@moorlandsscouts.org
2nd Leek Cubs 19.15 - 20.30 The Olde Grammar School, Clerk Bank, ST13 5HB 8 - 10.5 yrs 2ndLeek@moorlandsscouts. org
18th Bly 20.00 - 2 The Sco Blythe B 10 - 14 y blythebr
Sway Cheerleading 17.00 - 17.45 Brough Park Leisure Centre, Leek, ST13 6AT 01538 373 603 Booking Essential
2nd Cheadle Beavers 17.00 - 18.00 Cheadle Methodist Hall, Cheadle, ST10 1EE 6 - 8 yrs 2ndCheadle@ moorlandsscouts.org
Musical Theatre 17.30 - 19.45 Vivienne Shelley Dance Studio, 28 Bank Street, Cheadle, ST10 1NT 01538 754414
Little Pumas Taekwon-Do 18.00 - 18.30 South Moorlands Leisure Centre, Allen St, Cheadle, ST10 1HJ. Stacey 07966 706791 4 - 6 yrs
Leek Town U11 Girls Football 18.00 - 19.30 Westwood High, Westwood Park, Leek, ST13 8NP 01538 399278
St John Ambulance Badgers 18.00 - 19.00 (Term-time only) St John Ambulance Training Centre, Ashbourne Rd, Cheadle, ST10 1HF 7 - 10 yrs tracey.alkins@sja.org.uk
Warham 18.00 - 2 Blythe B Road, B 01782 2 8+ yrs F and brin
New Century Taekwon-Do 18.30 - 19.30 South Moorlands Leisure Centre, Allen St, Cheadle, ST10 1HJ. Stacey 07966 706791
5th Leek Beavers 18.30 - 19.30 HQ, Fowlchurch Rd, Leek, ST13 6AT 6 - 8 yrs 5thLeek@moorlandsscouts.org
Cheadle Dolphins ASC 18.30 - 19.30 (Term Time Only) South Moorlands Leisure Centre, Allen St, Cheadle, ST10 1HJ. Karen 01538 757375 4+ years
2nd Cheadle Cubs 18.30 - 20.00 Cheadle Methodist Hall, Cheadle, ST10 1EE 8 - 10.5 yrs 2ndCheadle@ moorlandsscouts.org
New Century Taekwon-Do 19.00 - 20.00 Leek High School, Springfield Rd, Leek, ST13 6EU Dennis 07850 585148
St John Ambulance Cadets 19.00 - 20.00 (Term-time only) St John Ambulance Training Centre, Ashbourne Rd, Cheadle, ST10 1HF 10 - 17 yrs tracey.alkins@sja.org.uk
Football Coaching 16.30 - 17.30 South Moorlands Leisure Centre, Allen St, Cheadle, ST10 1HJ 01538 753 883 5 - 8 yrs £2.90 Booking Essential
Trampolining Course 16.30 - 17.30 South Moorlands Leisure Centre, Allen St, Cheadle, ST10 1HJ. 01538 753 883 £22.50 for 6 weeks
Sway Street Dance 17.00 - 17.45 South Moorlands Leisure Centre, Allen St, Cheadle, ST10 1HJ 01538 753 883 Booking Essential
Football Coaching 17.30 - 18.30 South Moorlands Leisure Centre, Allen St, Cheadle, ST10 1HJ 01538 753 883 9 - 12 yrs £2.90 Booking Essential
Trampolining Course 17.30 - 18.30 South Moorlands Leisure Centre, Allen St, Cheadle, ST10 1HJ. 01538 753 883 £22.50 for 6 weeks
Leek Kempo Ju-jitsu 18.00 - 19.00 Brough Park Leisure Centre, Leek, ST13 6AT 5 yrs+ Gene 07792 013962
Trampolining Course 18.30 - 19.30 South Moorlands Leisure Centre, Allen St, Cheadle, ST10 1HJ. 01538 753 883 £22.50 for 6 weeks
3rd Cheadle Cubs 18.30 - 19.45 The Monkhouse School Room, Prince George St, ST10 1HX 8 - 10.5 yrs 3rdCheadle@ moorlandsscouts.org
4th Leek Cubs 18.30 - 20.00 4th Leek Scout Hut, Pump St, Leek, ST13 6BJ 8 - 10.5 yrs 4thLeek@moorlandsscouts.org
Leek Kempo Ju-jitsu 19.00 - 20.00 Brough Park Leisure Centre, Leek, ST13 6AT 5 yrs+ Gene 07792 013962
Little Otters Swimming 19.00 - 20.00 South Moorlands Leisure Centre, Allen St, Cheadle, ST10 1HJ. information@ cheadleasc.org.uk Age 4+ £4 per session
5th Leek Scout and Guide Band 19.00 - 20.30 HQ, Fowlchurch Rd, Leek, ST13 6AT 5thLeek@moorlandsscouts.org
1st Cheddleton Beavers 17.45 - 19.00 St Edwards 1st School, Hollow Lane, ST13 7HP 6 - 8 yrs 1stCheddleton@ moorlandsscouts.org
18th Blythe Bridge Beavers 18.00 - 19.30 The Scout Hut, Off the Avenue, Blythe Bridge 6 - 8 yrs blythebridge@3towns.org.uk
Leek Town U11 Football 18.00 - 19.30 Westwood College, Westwood Park, Leek, ST13 8NP 01538 399278
Leek Town U9 Football 18.00 - 19.30 Westwood College, Westwood Park, Leek, ST13 8NP 01538 399278
3rd Cheadle Beavers 18.15 - 19.30 The Monkhouse School Room, Prince George St, ST10 1HX 6 - 8 yrs 3rdCheadle@ moorlandsscouts.org
4th Leek Beavers 18.30 - 19.45 4th Leek Scout Hut, Pump St, Leek, ST13 6BJ 6 - 8 yrs 4thLeek@moorlandsscouts.org
1st Endon Cubs 18.45 - 20.15 Scout HQ, Station Rd, Endon, ST9 9DR 8 - 10.5 yrs endoncubs@hotmail.com
5th Leek Scouts 19.00 - 21.00 HQ, Fowlchurch Rd, Leek, ST13 6AT 10.5 - 14 yrs 5thLeek@moorlandsscouts.org
1st Cheddleton Cubs 19.15 - 20.45 St Edwards 1st School, Hollow Lane, ST13 7HP 8 - 10.5 yrs 1stCheddleton@ moorlandsscouts.org
Children’s Reading Group 15.45 - 16.45 Alternate Fridays Werrington Library, Ash Bank Rd, ST9 0JS 8 - 11 yrs 01782 302706 Please call to check availability
Gymnastic Dance Class: Beginners/Improvers 16.00 - 17.00 Vivienne Shelley Dance Studio, 28 Bank Street, Cheadle, ST10 1NT 01538 754414
Gymnastic Dance Class: Inter/Advanced 17.00 - 18.00 Vivienne Shelley Dance Studio, 28 Bank Street, Cheadle, ST10 1NT 01538 754414
Little Pumas Taekwon-Do 18.00 - 18.30 Brough Park Leisure Centre, Leek, ST13 6AT 4-6 yrs Dennis 07850 585148
Under 9s Cricket 18.00 - 19.30 Leek Cricket Club, Highfield, Macclesfield Rd, ST13 8SG 01538 382636
Dual-Run Inflatables 18.15 - 19.45 South Moorlands Leisure Centre, Allen St, Cheadle, ST10 1HJ. 01538 753 883 5 - 14 yrs £2.60
New Century Taekwon-Do 18.30 - 19.30 Brough Park Leisure Centre, Leek, ST13 6AT Dennis 07850 585148
Friday Club 18.30 - 20.00 (Term-time only) Blythe Bridge Methodist Church, Uttoxeter Road, Blythe Bridge 7 - 12 yrs 50p
1st Endon Scouts 19.00 - 21.00 Scout HQ, Station Rd, Endon, ST9 9DR 10.5 - 14 yrs 1stEndon@moorlandsscouts. org
4th Leek Scouts 19.00 - 21.00 4th Leek Scout Hut, Pump St, Leek, ST13 6BJ 10.5 - 14 yrs 4thLeek@moorlandsscouts.org
Badminton Club 09.00 - 10.30 South Moorlands Leisure Centre, Allen St, Cheadle, ST10 1HJ 01538 753 883 £3.80 per session
Football Coaching 09.30 - 10.30 South Moorlands Leisure Centre, Allen St, Cheadle, ST10 1HJ 01538 753 883 9 - 12 yrs £2.90 Booking Essential
Warhammer Games Club 09.30 - 12.30 Blythe Bridge Library, Uttoxeter Road, Blythe Bridge, ST11 9JR 01782 296400 8+ yrs Free, just come along and bring your own Armies
Football Coaching 10.30 - 11.30 South Moorlands Leisure Centre, Allen St, Cheadle, ST10 1HJ 01538 753 883 5 - 8 yrs £2.90 Booking Essential
Warhammer Games Club 13.00 - 15.45 Leek Library, Stockwell Street, Leek, ST13 6DW 8+ yrs Free, just come along and bring your own Armies
Sway Street Dance 16.00 - 16.45 South Moorlands Leisure Centre, Allen St, Cheadle, ST10 1HJ 01538 753 883 5 - 14 yrs Booking Essential
Sway Cheerleading 16.45 - 17.30 South Moorlands Leisure Centre, Allen St, Cheadle, ST10 1HJ 01538 753 883 Booking Essential
Skaters Club Family Session 17.00 - 18.25 South Moorlands Leisure Centre, Allen St, Cheadle, ST10 1HJ 01538 753 883 £4 (Skate hire £2)
Krafty Kids Craft Workshops 10.30 - 12.30 Cabbage Rose, 37 St Edward St, Leek, ST13 5DJ 07772 484268
Skaters Club Roller Disco 18.35 - 20.00 South Moorlands Leisure Centre, Allen St, Cheadle, ST10 1HJ 01538 753 883 £4 (Skate hire £2)
2nd Cheadle Scouts 18.00 - 20.00 Cheadle Methodist Hall, Cheadle, ST10 1EE 10.5 - 14 yrs 2ndCheadle@ moorlandsscouts.org
Saturday Craft Club 10.45 - 11.45 Leek Library, Stockwell Street, Leek, ST13 6DW Fiona 01538 483211 3 - 10 yrs (under 8s must be accompanied by adults) 50p
Please help me to fill these pages in! If you know of any after school clubs, please get in touch. Our contact details are on page 3.
Phoenix Choral g 19.00 (Term-time only) st School, East St,
Listings on these pages are FREE!
rs 7756 710784
If you notice that any of the times or locations are incorrect, please let us know.
ythe Bridge Scouts 21.30 out Hut, Off the Avenue, Bridge yrs ridge@3towns.org.uk
Always check that the details are correct before setting out.
mmer Games Club 21.00 Bridge Library, Uttoxeter Blythe Bridge, ST11 9JR 296400 Free, just come along ng your own Armies
Ju-jitsu at Tatsu Dojo 18.30 - 19.30 Tatsu Dojo, Unit 27 Blythe Business Park, Cresswell, ST11 9RD Tara 07742 240973
Cheadle Ju-jitsu 18.30 - 19.30 South Moorlands Leisure Centre, Allen St, Cheadle, ST10 1HJ 07813 612024
2nd Leek Scouts 19.15 - 20.30 The Olde Grammar School, Clerk Bank, ST13 5HB 10.5 - 14 yrs 2ndLeek@moorlandsscouts. org
Trampolining Course 19.30 - 20.30 South Moorlands Leisure Centre, Allen St, Cheadle, ST10 1HJ. 01538 753 883 £22.50 for 6 weeks
1st Cheddleton Scouts 19.30 - 21.00 St Edwards 1st School, Hollow Lane, ST13 7HP 10.5 - 14 yrs 1stCheddleton@ moorlandsscouts.org
SUNDAY
1st Endon Beavers 18.15 - 19.30 Scout HQ, Station Rd, Endon, ST9 9DR 6 - 8 yrs 1stEndon@moorlandsscouts. org
St Paul’s Kid’s Club 11.00 St Paul’s Church, Novi Lane, Leek, ST13 6NR 01538 386109 Little Otters Swimming 13.00 - 14.00 South Moorlands Leisure Centre, Allen St, Cheadle, ST10 1HJ. information@ cheadleasc.org.uk Age 4+ £4 per session
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focus on
are you switching off?
H
ow much time do you spend looking at a screen? For many of us, a large proportion of our day is spent in front of one: a PC screen at work, using our smart phones to access the internet during our lunch break and then relaxing in the evening watching the television. The average person checks their phone every six and a half minutes. That’s two hundred times a day! And what about your children? Many people allow children to watch television or use gadgets for convenience or to aid education and development. We want our children to be techsavvy. After all, technology is the future. I read a statistic recently that said that by the time a child is seven, they will have spent the equivalent of a year in front of a screen. We read these scary statistics and alarming headlines, but should we be worried? Does screen time really do us and our children any harm? To put it bluntly: yes.
Mental Health
A recent report by Public Health England found that children who spent more than four hours a day in front of a screen were more likely to experience anxiety and depression. Conversely, face to face conversations and interactions were shown to reduce anxiety. Technology is now a recognised addiction. The Nightingale Hospital has launched the first Technology Addiction Service which aims to increase offscreen social activities and develop strategies to deal with online problems, especially cyber-bullying. They say that: ‘unfortunately unhealthy relationships with technology such as phones, computers and games can cause destructive consequences; physically and psychologically. Lives can be impaired by extensive and unregulated time online’. Screen time creates significant changes in brain chemistry by releasing dopamine, the pleasure chemical, which is produced whenever we
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see something interesting or new. Worryingly, it is this chemical which is central to addictions – it is also released when people eat sugar or use cocaine and it is why there are concerns amongst neuroscientists that dopamine being produced every day can change the reward circuitry in our brains making us more dependent on screen media. There are also concerns that sensory overload from gadgets and media can cause migraines, mood swings, irritability and an inability to focus.
Obesity
It is obvious that if children are in front of screen, they are probably sedentary which is why an increase in screen-time is linked to an increase in childhood obesity. Research shows that the earlier children are watching TV, the higher their BMI is likely to be as they get older. It is not just because they are sitting still. People that play video games or watch
television are more likely to choose high sugar, low nutrient snacks so we are not only using less calories, we are ingesting more, causing the imbalance which causes us to gain weight.
Sleep
Our eyes detect light and dark which signals to the brain the status of the world – whether it is night or day. This helps us to align our circadian rhythm with the day/night cycle. Our body knows when to get up in the morning and when it is appropriate to go to sleep. If we are looking at a screen in bed, the blue light emitted from a tablet or smartphone can confuse our circadian rhythms, causing us to be more wakeful. This has a negative impact on our quality of sleep which in turn impacts on how we are feeling the next day. By not fulfilling basic sleep requirements, you are more at risk of being overweight, under-achieving and suffering from low moods.
Academic Achievement
The more time children are distracted by screens, the less time they spend engaging in creative play, problem solving, reading or developing language and social skills. Studies have found that screen-time for children under three causes delayed language acquisition – they are not interacting with their parents which is essential for their linguistic development. Cambridge University researchers studied over 800 children for two years, looking at the effect screen-time had on their GCSE results. They found that screen-time did have a significant negative effect on the children’s results. Each additional hour spent in front of the TV or online per day was associated with a drop of two grades in a subject (for example from a B to a D) or one grade in each of two subjects, for example. It could be argued that when we are using gadgets, we might be simultaneously playing games, watching television, catching up with friends and googling information. We are doing all of this at once, putting more demand on our brains. We are doing everything at once but none of it is being embedded in our long term memories because we are so distracted. This may have serious consequences for learning.
A Digital Detox
The evidence is overwhelming – we need a digital detox. Children learn by example. This means that we need to reduce our amount of screen times as adults before we can expect our children to do the same. Children often look to their parents for reassurance or to engage with us, and may find it disheartening if they see us distracted by our mobile phones. Adults should be setting good examples and less screen time is good for us too! Some families have started committing to one day each week when no screens are not allowed – ‘Screen Free Sundays’. Or, you could set rules or a timetable, ensuring that you and your children are not exceeding the amount of screentime that you think is appropriate. Set rules such as banning TV dinners. Shared meal times have a range of other benefits, such as building better relationships and there is research that shows that family meal times can have a positive effect on academic achievement. Make sure that your family do not have screen based devices in your bedrooms. If you have already allowed this, you might find it difficult to remove them but if you don’t, you are putting your child’s cognitive and physical health at risk. So what should you do instead? There is nothing wrong with letting your child be bored. Children need to learn how to cope with boredom. Sometimes, I pretend that we have lost the remote control. My daughter (who is three) will spend a few minutes looking for it. The she’ll spend some time asking me what she should do or if she can eat something. But then, she will go and find a toy to play with or a book to look at (or a wall to write on!) and she will entertain herself. But we do need to give children the opportunity to be more self-sufficient. Otherwise, you could use it as an opportunity to get them playing outside and engaging in physical activity. Even when it is cold, children benefit from being wrapped up warm and spending time outdoors exploring and engaging with nature. Going for a walk or playing at the park will get their blood pumping and help them to strengthen their bodies. You could all try something new. Brough Park, Leek organise a
weekly 5K park run which is noncompetitive; you could try tubing, skiing or snowboarding at the ski centre in Hanley; or have a look at the businesses that advertise with us – there’s a huge range of different activities going on, ranging from yoga to drama to dance. You could explain to your children that they should match the amount of time that they have spent looking at a screen with some physical activity. For example, if they spend an hour watching television when they get home from school, they should match this with an hour of playing football or an hour of drama. You may also find that your children will develop fulfilling hobbies to fill their time. Encourage them to try a range of different things to see if anything takes their fancy, such as fishing, arts, crafts, Lego, bird-watching, visiting museums, jigsaws, cooking, gardening, dancing – the list is endless!
How much is too much? There is a lack of clarity in the advice given so it is difficult to decide how much time is too much. However, it might be helpful if families establish rules early on in order to reduce the risk of physical and psychological problems. The UK government backtracked on guidance that children should be exposed to technology and computers from a very young age, but there is currently no medical or governmental guidelines on screen time in the UK. The advice from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) is that children should have TV-free days, or have two-hour limits on the time spent in front of screens. In 2013 the US Department of Health recommended that children under two years of age should not be in front of a screen at all, and over that age the maximum amount of recreational screen time should be no more than two hours a day.
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Greener lifestyle wet wipes
W
et wipes – they’re an essential product once you’ve got children. We use them for everything, not just during nappy changes. They’re great to put in your handbag to wipe noses, clean up sticky messes, wipe down high chairs. When you suddenly realise, half-way through the day that in the morning, you were so tired, you forgot to put deodorant on – a wet wipe will do it! I even started to clean our house with them – who needs polish and a duster when you can quickly wipe things with a wet wipe?! That was until I realised the havoc the seemingly innocuous wet wipe is wreaking on the environment.
Wet wipes do not dissolve. Even the ones that say ‘flushable’ on them should not be flushed down the toilet as they are causing blockages in our sewer systems. Water companies spend millions clearing hundreds of thousands of obstructions and wet wipes are contributing to the problem. They can coagulate down the toilet, causing blockages that lead to build-ups of fat – known as fatbergs. Last year an enormous fatberg caused by baby wipes, nappies and fats was found in Oxford, flooding houses with raw sewage. According to Water UK, the average cost to sorting out a wet wipe blockage is around £66. Water companies say there are over 366,000 sewer blockages throughout the UK every year, of which between 50% and 80% are caused by fats, oils and grease, wipes, sanitary waste and other unflushable items. Those figures have resulted in about £88 million being spent annually on sorting out the blockages - costs that will be paid for through higher customer bills. In addition, many wipes contain plastics so by flushing them, we could be contributing to micro-plastics being found in the oceans which we are now
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aware has consequences for the human food chain. We have all recognised the impact that micro-beads in beauty products is having on the environment, now we need to look at how we can limit other forms of micro-plastics getting into our seas. The Marine Conservation Society have reported a 400% rise in wipes on the beaches, which is putting marine wildlife at risk. In 2015, during the MCS Great British Beach Clean, volunteers found nearly 4,000 wet wipes around the UK coastline – that’s roughly 50 for every kilometre cleaned – a 30% rise on the previous year and a 400% rise in a decade. Dr Laura Foster, MCS Head of Pollution, says, “Our sewerage systems weren’t built to cope with wet wipes. When flushed they don’t disintegrate like toilet paper, and they typically contain plastic so once they reach the sea, they last for a very long time. They can cause blockages in our sewers, and then, everything else that has been flushed down the loo can either back up into people’s homes, or overflow into rivers and seas.”
Water UK has the following guidance: only the 3 Ps should be flushed; Pee, Poo and toilet Paper. Anything else should be bagged (preferably in degradable bags) and binned. There are eco-wipes available which are compostable; however, these should be used sparingly as they still take a long time to break down and you don’t want to overload your compost bin. And they’re expensive! Really, the most sensible solution is to stop using disposable wipes. Not only are they becoming a problem to dispose of, many contain chemicals with can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions. Use washable wipes during nappy changes, carry paper tissues to wipe runny noses and dampen to clean up sticky messes, and use good old soapy water and a cloth to clean your home. Not only will this save money and help to protect the environment, lots of studies show that the safest and most effective answer to dangerous dirt is simple soap and water.
out and about Foxfield Railway Foxfield Railway, Caverswall Road, Blythe Bridge, Staffordshire, ST11 9BG www.foxfieldrailway.co.uk By Natalie Brown
We checked the website to see what times the trains were running and then headed up to the station. You will need to check the website where there is a timetable as this will also tell you if there are special events happening on that day. Built in the 1890s the Foxfield Railway provided a link to the national railway network for the Foxfield Colliery. There is a range of steam and diesel locomotives for you to ride. There is also a miniature gauge railway line running miniature engines for public passengers; but if you want to ride this, do check that it is running as it’s not on every day. There are lots of events happening through the year, and there is a Drive a Train package available so if you are particularly interested in trains or you know someone that is, this might make a unique gift opportunity. We paid £8 each for a return trip and £3.50 for our two year old. Under twos are free. I had noticed that you can pick up flyers from other tourist attractions which have vouchers saving families some money, so watch out for them if you are interested in a visit. At the station there are toilets and baby changing facilities available. There is also a licensed bar and a gift shop selling all manner of train related merchandise. There is a hot and cold buffet available if you really wanted to make a day of it. We took our baby but I carried him in a sling as I wasn’t sure how accessible the train would be for a pushchair. Have a look at their website for detailed information about accessibility if you
are a wheelchair user. It might be an idea to get in touch with them to discuss your particular needs as I found the staff very helpful on our visit. The trip to Dilhorne Park takes about twenty minutes, passing lovely, scenic countryside. The children enjoyed spotting horses and other animals out of the window. Once at Dilhorne Park, you can get off the train and wait for the next one. There isn’t much to do at Dilhorne Park except for wander around the woodlands. As it was raining so we waited five minutes and set off back on the return journey on the same train. The chugging sound of the train and the tranquil views were very peaceful – it was so calming that it sent both of our kids to sleep! It was nice to do something different but I think our two children were a little bit too young to really appreciate it. For train enthusiasts, it is well worth a visit as the staff are friendly, knowledgeable and smart and the trains have all been lovingly restored with great care and attention.
Photos: Natalie Brown
W
e live really close to Foxfield Railway and often hear the train whistle on Sunday afternoons. So one rainy day, when it was too wet to go for a walk, we decided to go for a train ride instead.
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