Summer 16 by The Scallywag Magazine Leek & Cheadle

L A S C L Y AG M

THE

Leek, Cheadle, Blythe Bridge, Werrington, Caverswall, Alton and surrounding Moorland areas

daily diaries

For Pre-School and Out of School Activities

news Out & about

Froghall Wharf Blue Planet Aquarium

Summer holiday ideas Boredom Busters Camping Arts & Crafts

greener lifestyle Plastic Waste

voucher

Half Price Admission for Leaps & Bounds, Leek

Summer 2016

Issue 3

For Local Parents, Carers & Kids

FREE

page header news

welcome Local Lifesavers

front cover

summer!

Betty (my 2 year old) and I had lots of fun creating our front cover. We used a painting technique which uses pieces of string or yarn. We covered pieces of yarn with paint, then pulled it through our fingers to remove the excess paint. Then we put the yarn on a piece of paper with one end coming off the edge. We folded the paper in half, put a book on it and pulled the yarn out. When we opened up the piece of paper we found lovely looping, swirly effects. Betty also liked putting the string in a straight line and exploring how this looked. If you use pastel colours, you can create lovely ethereal pieces of art. For more arts and crafts (or arts and craps as Betty likes to call it) ideas, check out our pinterest page: The Scallywag Leek.

Welcome to our 3rd issue! There is so much going on in Staffordshire this summer, but if you are stuck for ideas, we’ve got plenty. We go Out & About to Blue Planet Aquarium and enjoy walking around Froghall Wharf. We have included lots of indoor and outdoor activities so that you armed with ideas to avoid hearing those dreaded words: “I’m bored!” Again, I was overwhelmed with positive comments after the last issue. I’m so pleased that you are finding the magazine useful and enjoying the content. Have a wonderful summer!

Natalie

CONTENTS Diary Pages

Pre-School Diary Out-of-School Diary

Page 8 Page 10

Froghall Wharf Blue Planet Aquarium

Page 7 Page 15

Updates on Local Businesses

Page 3

Sewing Activity: Make a Teddy Bear Summer Boredom Busters Camping Greener Lifestyle - Plastic Waste

Page 4 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14

Out & About News

Features

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. © 2016 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.

hase Medics are offering a number of services in the local community to help people to know what to do in the event of an emergency. I went along to their Junior Lifesavers class which is held on Monday evenings at the Haregate Community Centre. The class is aimed at children aged 8 – 13 and meets every fortnight. The session costs £1 and runs from 17.00 to 18.00. Call 0800 38 999 12 or email info@ chasemedics.co.uk to find out when the next class will be. The children learn about first aid, how the body works and how to stay healthy. It is also a good opportunity for the youngsters

to make new friends and improve their confidence. The class that I went to was all about choking. The children learned about anatomy and the biology of swallowing and breathing before being shown what to do in an emergency situation. The kids said that they enjoyed the classes as they have fun whilst learning how to save lives. They are also building up their own first aid kits which they take home and keep after being shown how to use the equipment. The sessions are run by trained paramedics who are hoping to inspire the next generation of health care professionals. The team also offer first aid training for parents and carers of babies and toddlers. Please visit www.chasemedics. co.uk for more information.

new nursery

orton St Michael’s CE First School are pleased to confirm that they will be offering nursery places to children aged 3+ from September 2016.

Horton St Michael’s is a small rural village First School set in the heart of the Staffordshire Moorlands, close to Leek. One of the successes of Horton has been the availability of outdoor education. With trained Forest School practitioners and an impressive woodland, it is not unusual to see children being taught the art of den making, weaving willow, using sharp tools and heating their hot chocolate over fires which they have laid. Our three classrooms also have outdoor creative areas; the woodland contains an amphitheatre, a bird-hide, wild spaces and reflective areas.

NEW HORTON ST. MICHAEL’S NURSERY Rudyard, Leek, Staffordshire ST13 8RU Tel: 01538 306278 www.st-michaels-horton.staffs.sch.uk

Opens for 3+ year olds in September 2016. Morning, afternoon & all day sessions. Funded & paid hours available.

mum 2 mum market

verybody knows that having a family can be expensive. The list of things that this tiny newborn baby needs seems endless: clothes, furniture, a car seat, nappies, bottles, a baby carrier, toys, etc. Mum2Mum markets are on a mission to save mums a fortune! The business was set up by mother of 3, Cath Harrop. You might have seen her on Dragons’ Den! There are now sales running successfully up and down the country. Parents are able to sell their gently used outgrown baby clothes, toys and equipment directly to other parents. Buyers can save up to 90% off retail prices and kit their little ones out on a budget. The closest sale locally is at Bradwell Lodge, Newcastle under Lyme, ST5 8PN. They will be holding sales on the following dates: Sunday 24 July 2 -4 Saturday 24 September 2 - 4 Saturday 29 October 2 -4 Admission is £2 but children are free. There are 2 -4- 1 vouchers available on the website. There are also alternative dates and venues on the website which is http://www.mum2mummarket.co.uk/ You can book a stall on the website if you have things to sell. For more information, please contact Amy on 07875742334 or email stoke@mum2mummarket.co.uk.

craft activity

summer holiday ideas Make a teddy bear

ould you like to have a go at making this super cute little teddy bear? Here are step by step instructions to help you. Don’t forget to send your pictures to The Scallywag magazine or to Lorna Knight’s sewing academy.

You will need Materials: 1 piece of felt (approx A4 sized or two smaller ones) Tissue paper 2 small buttons or wobbly eyes Thread for sewing together and to make the nose and mouth Ribbon (approx. 40cm long)

Equipment: Pencil pins Fabric scissors Sewing machine or hand sewing needle Polyester stuffing

Instructions

Step 1 Trace the teddy outline onto tissue paper. Step 2 Cut the felt in half and place the tissue teddy outline on top. Pin these three layers together. Step 3 Sew round the teddy shape, through the tissue and the two layers of felt, leaving a small gap to fill with stuffing. You can either sew with a sewing machine or by hand with little running stitches. Step 4 Tear off the tissue paper then cut around the outside of your teddy shape about 4mm (1/4”) outside the stitching. Step 5 Stuff the teddy but don’t fill him too full as the felt will stretch out of shape. Use the blunt end of your pencil to get the stuffing into the ears and feet. Step 6 When teddy is full, sew up the gap with tiny running stitches. (If you want to use the sewing machine, fit the zip foot as this will let you get close to the edge without the stuffing getting in the way)

Have you got a Little Sewing Bee in your Family?

he Lorna Knight Sewing Academy will be running children’s classes during the summer holidays, for youngsters aged 8 and over. These ‘Sewing Together’ sessions, are designed for children and an accompanying adult to come along to sew and chat. Author and teacher, Lorna, tells us that ‘the sessions are a great way to get young people sewing as after making something in the studio they can go

away with new skills ready to sew more at home. Because they bring mum, dad or grandma with them they can do so much more at home afterwards because the adult knows how to encourage them. The adults are there to help when needed but they can relax and chat the rest of the time’. This summer the Sewing Together workshops on offer are, ‘Make a Reversible Skirt or a pair of Shorts’ and ‘Make and Chef’s Apron’ on the 25th July and ‘Learn about E-Textiles’ and ‘Make a Denim Patchwork Rug’ on the 1st September. Lorna also runs an after school sewing class at the studio once a month and a weekly class for teenagers who want to make clothes for themselves. She tells us, ‘the students who come along to the fashion class make skirts, tops and pyjamas when they start but progress to quite complicated things when they gain more confidence. One student made a Harris Tweed waistcoat with pockets and a collar recently and another made a prom style dress with boning.’

If you can’t get to the summer workshops but would still like to encourage your youngster to sew there is a template and brief instructions over the page. If you do have a go and make a little teddy, Lorna asks you to send in pictures to add to the gallery in the studio. For information about the Sewing Academy and the children’s sessions contact Lorna or Stephen 01538 371682 info@lornaknight.com www.lornaknight.com

HALF PRICE ENTRY One voucher per child Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer Please present this voucher upon arrival Expiry Date 31.08.2016 Terms & Conditions apply

Step 7 Sew the buttons in place and make a nose and mouth with stitches. Step 8 Tie your ribbon around teddy’s neck and make a pretty bow.

Cross St Mill, Cross St, Leek, ST13 6BL 01538 382333

out and about

froghall wharf

Foxt Lane, Froghall, ST10 2HJ By Natalie Brown

roghall Wharf is a great place to start exploring the beautiful Churnet Valley. There are lots of walks that start from here for all different abilities. There is a visitor centre but this is only open when there are staff available. There is ample parking which is free and there are toilets. There are picnic benches and nearby, a couple of pubs. use in industry or building. We often bring the dog here for a walk. There are lots of waymarked walks and these are shown on a map in the car park. Our favourite way to go is along the Caldon Canal as there is a tow path making it accessible for wheel chairs and push chairs. The wildlife is abundant and you might see a steam train passing by. You can follow the red route which takes you down by the canal but we’ve never walked the whole five miles. We usually follow the canal for a couple of miles and then turn around and walk back which is very pleasant. Recently, we decided to try the ‘blue walk’ which is the shortest of the waymarked walks at 2.5 miles. We discovered that, despite being the shortest walk, it is not for the faint hearted! The walk starts with a steady climb through the woods. Unfortunately, we picked a day when there had been a lot of rain so it was very muddy. It became quite steep in places so my two year old found it quite tiring. We were glad that we were wearing suitable footwear. There were some stunning rock formations on the walk and some small caves which were great for little

imaginations. We enjoyed looking for familiar shapes in the rocks and some of them looked eerily like faces. The path then comes back through farmland so it is important to keep dogs on leads. We found it a little more difficult to spot the way markers but we found our way. We followed them back to a very steep path down to the car park. I wouldn’t recommend this walk if it has been raining as the steep path gets very muddy and is quite treacherous. We slid most of our way down! We probably won’t try the blue walk again for a while but wandering along the canal is the perfect Sunday afternoon activity.

Photos: Natalie Brown

Churnet Valley is part of one of the largest sites of special scientific interest. As it is the largest area of unbroken semi-natural woodland in Staffordshire, anyone with an interest in nature will particularly enjoy the area. It is also a fascinating place for youngsters that are budding historians or for anyone that is interested in the local area. Although the wharf is a quiet, tranquil place now, in the mid nineteenth century it would have been a hive of industrial activity. Wagons filled with limestone from the Cauldon Low quarries would have travelled to and from the canal and from there narrow canal boats were loaded to the brim with limestone destined for

Pre-school diary

Stay & Play 09.30 - 11.30 Blythe Bridge Library, Uttoxeter Road, Blythe Bridge, ST11 9JR 01782 296400 £1 for up to 2 children. Refreshments provided for children.

Parent & Toddler Group 09.30 - 11.30 Salvation Army, Salisbury Street, Leek 01538 384211

Little Doves Baby & Toddler Group 09.30 - 11.30 The Bungalow Hub in Waterhouses, Waterfall Lane ST10 3HT Victoria 07968 275170 £2 per family inc. refreshments

Baby Bounce & Rhyme 11.00 - 11.30 (Term-time only) 0 - 4 years Leek Library, Nicholson Institute, Stockwell Street, Leek, ST13 6DW 01538 483209 Free

Baby Bounce & Rhyme 14.00 - 14.30 (Term-time only) 0 - 4 years Leek Library, Nicholson Institute, Stockwell Street, Leek, ST13 6DW 01538 483209 Free

Baby Sensory 10.00 - 10.45 7 - 13 months Vivienne Shelley Dance Studio, 28 Bank Street, Cheadle, ST10 1NT Laura 07887 744876 Taster sessions available

Pre-school Children’s Craft Workshops 10.30 - 12.00 Cabbage Rose, 37 St Edward St, Leek, ST13 5DJ 07772 484268 £4 includes 2 crafts, juice, snack and tea/coffee

Baby Sensory 11.00 - 11.45 0 - 6 months Vivienne Shelley Dance Studio, 28 Bank Street, Cheadle, ST10 1NT Laura 07887 744876 Taster sessions available

Baby Sensory 12.00 - 12.45 0 - 13 months Vivienne Shelley Dance Studio, 28 Bank Street, Cheadle, ST10 1NT Laura 07887 744876 Taster sessions available

Parent & Toddler Group 14.00 - 15.15 (Term-time only) 18 months + The Valley Primary School, Oakamoor, ST10 3DQ 01538 702355 £2 per family

Baby Bounce & Rhyme 9.30 - 10.00 (Term-time only) 0 - 4 years Werrington Library, Ash Bank Road, Werrington, ST9 0JS 01782 302706 Free

Little Fishes Toddler Group 09.30 - 11.30 (Term-time only) All Saints’ Church Parish Room, Compton, Leek, ST13 5PT Pat 01538 385191 Free Entry, 50p donation to cover refreshments

Soccer Lions Play Together 9:30 - 11.30 0 - 5 years Beresford Family Hub, Novi Lane, Leek, ST13 6NR Netty 07747 867745 £1.50 per family

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 To start in September

Parent & Toddler Swimming 10.00 - 10.30 South Moorlands Leisure Centre, Allen St, Cheadle, ST10 1HJ 01538 753 883

FAB Mums (Friendly About Breastfeeding) 9.30 - 11.00 Cheadle Fire Station Community Room, Ashbourne Road, Cheadle, ST10 1HG Health Visitor available

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.

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

Pre-school Children’s Craft Workshops 10.30 - 12.00 Cabbage Rose, 37 St Edward St, Leek, ST13 5DJ 07772 484268 £4 includes 2 crafts, juice, snack and tea/coffee

Tinkerbell Tots 09.00 - 11.00 Blackshaw Moor 1st School, Nr Leek 01298 83123

Rudyard Toddler Group 09.30 - 11.45 The Methodist Chapel Hall, Lake Road, Rudard Janine Dow 07877129362

Soccer Lions 9.30 - 10.15 Walking - 3 years + Cheadle Primary Children’s Learning Centre, The Avenue, Cheadle, ST10 1EG Netty 07747 867745 £1.50 per child

Play Cafe 9.30 - 11.30 0 - 5 years Cheddleton Community Cntr, Hollow Lane, ST13 7HP www.playcafe.org.uk 07830 382219 £2.50

Stay & Play 09.30 - 11.30 Blythe Bridge Library, Uttoxeter Road, Blythe Bridge, ST11 9JR 01782 296400 Free Drinks machine available

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

Soccer Lions 09.00 - 09.45 16 - 29 months (approx.) Beresford Family Hub, Novi Lane, Leek, ST13 6NR Netty 07747 867745 £2.50

Krafty Kids Craft Workshops 10.30 - 12.30 Cabbage Rose, 37 St Edward St, Leek, ST13 5DJ 07772 484268

Baby Sensory 10.00 - 10.45 7 - 13 months St Pauls Church Centre, Novi Lane, ST13 6NR Laura 07887 744876 Taster sessions available 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 Massage & Yoga 12.00 - 15.00 Werrington Library, Ash Bank Road, Werrington, ST9 0JS Contact Kate on 0300 124 0099 Ext. 1338

Little Treasures Toddler Group 10.00 - 11.30 Pentecostal Church, West St, Leek 01538 384152

Mum & Tots Group 10.00 - 12.00 (Term-time only) 0 - 4 years Werrington Library, Ash Bank Road, Werrington, ST9 0JS 01782 302706 Free Soccer Lions Stay & Play 09.30 - 10.15 Walking - 3 years + Beresford Family Hub, Novi Lane, Leek, ST13 6NR Netty 07747 867745 £1.50 per child

Mums & Tots Group 10.00 - 11.45 Leek Baptist Church, Rosebank St, Leek

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 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 To start in September 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

Soccer Lions Play Together 13.00 - 14.30 0 - 5 years Cheddleton Community Centre, Hollow Lane, ST13 7HP Netty 07747 867745 £1.50 per child

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

Mum & Tots Group 10.00 - 12.00 (Term-time only) 0 - 4 years Werrington Library, Ash Bank Road, Werrington, ST9 0JS 01782 302706 Free

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

Soccer Lions Play Together 10.30 - 12.00 0 - 5 years Cheadle Primary Children’s Learning Centre, The Avenue, Cheadle, ST10 1EG Netty 07747 867745 £1.50 per child

Puddle Ducks Swimming 11.00 - 13.00 0 - 5 years Waterhouses CofE Community School, Waterfall Lane, ST10 3HY Cate 01332 605729 derbyshire@puddleducks.com

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 Musical Tots 11.00 - 11.30 (Term-time only) 10.00 - 12.00 0 - 4 years 16 weeks - 4 years Leek Library, Nicholson Endon Village Hall, Station Institute, Stockwell Street, Street, ST9 9DR Leek, ST13 6DW 07917 015565 01538 483209 £5 per family Free

Pre-School Dance Class 09.30 - 10.00 3 years + Vivienne Shelley Dance Studio, 28 Bank Street, Cheadle, ST10 1NT 01538 754414 Fox Cubs Art & Gardening Workshops 11.00 - 12.00 Every other week) Foxlowe Arts Centre, Stockwell St, Leek, ST13 6AD 07971 810946 £2.50 per child

Soccer Lions 09.45 - 10.30 40 - 60 months (approx.) Beresford Family Hub, Novi Lane, Leek, ST13 6NR Netty 07747 867745 £2.50

Soccer Lions 10.30 - 11.15 22 - 39 months (approx.) Beresford Family Hub, Novi Lane, Leek, ST13 6NR Netty 07747 867745 £2.50

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. 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.

Pre-school Children’s Craft Workshops 13.00 - 14.30 Cabbage Rose, 37 St Edward St, Leek, ST13 5DJ 07772 484268 £4 includes 2 crafts, juice, snack and tea/coffee Endon Tots 10.00 - 12.00 0 - 4 years Endon Village Hall, Station Rd, ST9 9DR £2 (under 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

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

Apple Pips & Seedlings 13.30 - 15.00 Alton Village Hall, Hurstons Ln, Alton, ST10 4AP For pre-school children, their parents or carers and pregnant mummies too! £2 + 50p for additional children

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

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

Baby Sensory 11.30 - 12.15 0 - 6 months St Pauls Church Centre, Novi Lane, ST13 6NR Laura 07887 744876 Taster sessions available 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

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)

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

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

SATURDAY

FRIDAY

THURSDAY

WEDNESDAY

TUESDAY

MONDAY

he heart of The Scallywag are the indispensible diary pages.

Breastfeeding Support Group 12.00 - 13.30 Beresford Family Hub, Novi Lane, Leek, ST13 6NR

Natural Parenting & Sling Group 13.00 - 15.00 3rd Thursday of every month Endon Scout Hut, Station Rd, Endon, ST9 9DR

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.

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.

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 Phoenix Choral Singing 18.00 - 19.00 (Term-time only) Leek 1st School, East St, Leek, 7 - 13 yrs Claire 07756 710784

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 Blythe Bridge Scouts 20.00 - 21.30 The Scout Hut, Off the Avenue, Blythe Bridge 10 - 14 yrs blythebridge@3towns.org.uk

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

Warhammer Games Club 18.00 - 21.00 Blythe Bridge Library, Uttoxeter Road, Blythe Bridge, ST11 9JR 01782 296400 8+ yrs Free, just come along and bring your own Armies

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

1st Endon Beavers 18.15 - 19.30 Scout HQ, Station Rd, Endon, ST9 9DR 6 - 8 yrs 1stEndon@moorlandsscouts. org

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

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

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

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)

Listings on these pages are FREE! If you notice that any of the times or locations are incorrect, please let us know. Always check that the details are correct before setting out.

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

SUNDAY

SATURDAY

FRIDAY

THURSDAY

WEDNESDAY

TUESDAY

MONDAY

out of school diary

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

summer holiday ideas

summer boredom busters

Camping

By Muddy Puddles

re you taking your children on holiday this year? Many families are finding it too expensive to take their children on holidays to different countries. And many are put off as they no longer think that foreign travel is safe. We have a perfect solution: camping!

t Muddy Puddles we believe there is no such thing as bad weather... just the wrong kit! But with longer and warmer days on the way, you and the family may want to take a trip into the great outdoors for some light-hearted, family fun. If you need some inspiration, we’re here to help. Den building

As lovers of all things outdoors, den building is an old favourite of ours. It’s a fun, excellent team building activity which can be enjoyed pretty much anywhere at any time. Planning is everything! Think carefully about where you can build your den. We love an adventure so why not try and find a space in a forest clearing? Look for flat, grassy land and avoid slopes – we find this works best. Create your den using fallen natural materials from the area. Look out for living Y shaped trees– these can work wonders. Use long and strong branches to structure your den, and ferns and moss for your roof and walls. Lean and weave your collected items into the tree, but try to fill as much of the space as possible. This will ensure that your shelter is strong and won’t be damaged in any blustery British weather!

Scavenger Hunt

We all have a bit of an adventurous side in us and what better than a scavenger hunt to tap into and test out your explorer skills? Download one of our free activity sheets from Muddy Puddles’ blog (http://blog. muddypuddles.com) and step foot into your local park for an excellent afternoon searching through the wildlife and learning about nature. The kids will love it!

Skipping

That’s right! Skipping: it isn’t just for boxers, it’s a very traditional British pastime. Skipping is a really cheap activity for your little ones - a skipping rope costs next to nothing. There are also several benefits to skipping; it can improve balance, reduce obesity and even aids brain development. Fun fact: skipping dates back all the way to the early 1900s where girls use to jump over their household washing, not that that desperately impressed their mothers!

Feed the Ducks

Yes they do like bread but that isn’t all. Improve the health of ducks and their habits with these super snacks, some you might not have thought of! Feed them some corn, tinned or frozen- it all seems to do the trick. Or give them their greens and throw them in a little bit of lettuce. Save that bit of leftover mixed leaf salad for the Sunday afternoon walk in the park. Oats! Sprinkle some porridge oats over the pond, break up some flapjacks or rolled up oats, all will go down rather ‘swimmingly’ with your local ducks. Even a handful of simple supermarket seeds, these are also a hit with our ducks. They will thank you later!

Build an Elf House

This is a lovely activity for your young ones to take part in and something which you can do in your very own back garden - simple fun which can be enjoyed any time of the year. Find an old hollow tree and then collect twigs, acorns lids, pebbles, flowers and grass. Build a roof and path out of twigs and pebbles and decorate however you like. This is one for really creative explorers, they will adore personalising and creating a home out of natural materials. www.muddypuddles.com/schools

Many people think that camping with children is hard work, but it really doesn’t have to be and the benefits really outweigh any of the downsides. It is also much cheaper than staying in hotels, and family car trips are usually cheaper than airfares. It’s a good way to see much of the world without blowing the bank account. Although buying good equipment is a large upfront cost, it will pay off over the years if you can avoid staying in hotels. We’ve put together a list of five reasons why you should take your children camping this summer. 1. Camping can be an educational experience. Children can learn a lot whilst camping; by teaching them to camp, you are equipping them with skills that they might need in later life, such as living frugally, creating fires and building shelters. They will also learn to appreciate the small things. It’s easy

to take things for granted at home, but after a long day spent outdoors, there’s nothing quite as wonderful as a campfire, a hot dinner made in a single pot, a marshmallow on a stick, and a dry sleeping bed. 2. It helps children to reconnect with nature. The more time spent outdoors, the more comfortable kids become with nature. Children should not fear nature, but rather develop a healthy respect and love for it. There are also many spectacular sights that can only be seen by venturing off the beaten track, and camping allows families to do that. 3. Families reconnect and bond by spending quality time together. It can be easy to get stuck in a rut at home following your typical daily routine. There’s nothing quite like a family camping trip to shake things up, trigger new conversations, and create wonderful lifelong memories. It adds an element of adventure to life, and kids thrive on that, as do adults (even though we often forget it). 4. Your family will meet new people and make new friends. There is something about camping that fosters a rare sense of camaraderie among travellers. It’s easy to strike up impromptu friendships with people in a campground that, under normal circumstances, you might never speak to. It shows kids that most strangers are interesting people with unique backgrounds and fascinating stories that only seem to come out around a campfire. 5. Camping is good for your health. There are many ways that camping can make you healthier. By being outdoors, you will increase your vitamin D intake as you spend more time in the sun’s rays. You will get more exercise as you will probably take part in activities such as walking and playing, which you might not normally do at home. Camping is also good for your mental health as there are lots of things that you do when you are camping that make you produce serotonin which in turn makes you happier: more sunlight, more oxygen and increased physical activity.

Where to Camp

There are lots of excellent camp sites around the Staffordshire Moorlnads so you really don’t need to travel far to find the perfect spot!

Beaver Hall

Beaver Hall Equestrian Centre, Bradnop, Near Leek, ST13 7EZ Tel: 01538 304433 Beaver Hall is perfect for families with footpaths that crisscross over 80 acres, a nature trail and a pets corner where children can meet friendly farm animals. There is a play area and plenty of open space. Facilities include toilets and a shower. For more information, visit their website at www.beaverhall.co.uk.

Beechcroft Farm

Blackwell in the Peak, Taddington, Near Buxton, Derbyshire SK17 9TQ Tel: 01298 85330 Beechcroft Farm is a family run camping and caravan site located between Buxton and Bakewell. It has a heated shower and toilet block, an on-site shop and wi-fi. Their website is hwww.beechcroftfarm.co.uk.

Leek Camping Barns

Padwick Farm, Lowe Hill, Leek, ST13 7LY Tel: 01538 372015 If you would prefer not to have to pitch a tent, try Leek Camping Barns where you can enjoy a camping experience in more comfort. Here you can rent out the barns which have eco toilets and cooking facilities. The website is www.leekcampingbarns.co.uk By Natalie Brown

greener lifestyle

he amount of plastic that is being dumped in the sea is increasing at an alarming rate. Recently, it was predicted by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation that by 2050, there will be more plastic in the sea than fish. I don’t know if this will come true but I do know that this is a problem that really exists and we must do something about it.

You might have heard about The Great Pacific Garbage Patch – a huge expanse of plastic debris floating in the ocean. The name might conjure up the image of a vast floating landfill but, in reality, it is more like a soup of small bits of plastic suspended in the water. There are many of these patches in the oceans, where rubbish which is not degradable congregates because of the currents. Unless we reduce the amount of disposable plastics we use and throw away, these areas in the ocean will only get bigger. And it’s already having an impact on marine life. Animals washed ashore have stomachs full of plastic carrier bags. According to some environmentalists, plastic debris causes the deaths of a 14 of seabirds every year, huge amount as well marine mammals. Syringes, cigarette lighters and toothbrushes have A typical plastic bin bag will be around for about 400 - 1000 years! To buy degradable bags which will completely degrade to H2O and CO2 within a period of 12 - 18 months, please visit http://greenerlifestyle.wikaniko. com. You will find a huge range of environmentally friendly products at affordable prices. There is free delivery for orders over £19.99.

been found inside the stomachs of dead seabirds, which mistake them for food. And of course, this huge mass of rubbish-laden water poses a risk to human health too. Micro plastics enter the food chain when they are ingested by fish which could end up on our plate. So what can we do? The first step is to reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in our home. We’ve put together a list of ten easy ways to do this. Try to reuse any plastic that you do have. Could those bottle tops be used for an art project? Have a look on Pinterest for some ways to reuse plastic bottles, yoghurt pots and more. Make sure that you recycle whatever you can. According to www.recycling-guide. org.uk, most families throw away about 40kg of plastic per year, which could otherwise be recycled.

Ten Easy Ways to Reduce Plastic Waste 1 Stop using plastic straws – they are a single use item that are just not necessary! 2 Avoid using disposable cups. Always have a refillable, stainless steel bottle handy to fill with water and take your own thermos to the coffee shop. Disposable coffee cups might look like paper but they’re usually lined with polyethylene, a type of plastic resin. 3 Don’t use sandwich bags in your packed lunch and avoid buying readymade sandwiches as all that packaging adds up. 4 Use degradable bin bags and freezer bags. 5 Cut back on processed foods as they are usually packaged in plastic. Cooking fresh food will also be beneficial on your health. 6 Think about what’s in your bathroom. Check that your toothpaste and face washes don’t contain micro-beads, which are tiny pieces of plastic that are impossible to filter out of water. Consider switching to razors that allow you to replace the blades so that you are not throwing away a disposable razor each month. 7 Think about switching to cloth nappies. They could work out cheaper in the long run too. 8 Try to be aware of the packaging of products when you do your shopping. Have a look to see if there is pasta in a cardboard box rather than plastic. Not only are you reducing the amount of plastic that you take home to throw away, you are sending a message to the makers of products that use plastic packaging. 9 Make your own cleaning products that will be less toxic and eliminate the need for multiple plastic bottles of cleaner. They are also much cheaper than expensive branded products. 10 Wear clothing made from natural (not synthetic) materials. Wearing and washing clothes causes fibres to flake off, and polyester clothing is made of plastic. Tiny particles of micro plastic found in oceans around the world have been traced to such synthetic fabrics. Look for products made of wool, cotton and hemp. By Natalie Brown

Blue Planet Aquarium Longlooms Rd, Cheshire Oaks, Ellesmere Port CH65 9LF www.blueplanetaquarium.com

I love watching fish. I once bought an aquarium. “Follow the instructions,” they said in the shop, “and you can’t go wrong.” Not true. They all disappeared. Except for one who was looking slightly larger and rather guilty. Now, I like to go to places where they have an aquarium: zoos, garden centres, Pets at Home! Last week, it was a bit of a grey day so we decided to go to one of my favourite places – Blue Planet Aquarium at Cheshire Oaks. It takes about an hour to get there but you could make it a full day out as there is lots to do in the area. The aquarium is not a cheap day out but it is a nice treat. We booked our tickets online before we went. For adults, it is about £15. Children are £11. Under 3s are free. There is a booking fee of £1.50, parking is £2.50 and if you want a guide book, they are £2.95. The aquarium is accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs. The food in the cafeteria is limited and expensive. Take a picnic or eat at one of the many restaurants and cafes at Cheshire Oaks. There are toilet facilities and changing areas which were clean and spacious. Betty is two and thoroughly enjoyed her day. Louie is only 6 months old but he also enjoyed himself and, like me, seemed hypnotised when looking in the tanks. It is not a huge place but we took our time and went round the exhibits a couple of times. Betty loved the rock pools exhibit where she could peer in to the tanks and watch huge crabs walking around. There are lots of creatures, not just fish: frogs, spiders, snakes and crocodiles. But the most exciting part is the aqua theatre and the

undersea walkway where sharks swim right over you! We went through the walkway about four times because we enjoyed it so much. I would recommend having a look to see what time the various shows, talks and feeds are happening. There are lots of presentations which make the trip much more fulfilling. We particularly liked watching a diver feeding the fish through the huge aqua theatre viewing window. I love the educational aspect of this day out. I think that the aquarium works hard to teach people about the importance of protecting the oceans and the conservation of the incredible marine life. But it surprised me that they distract from this message with so many vending machines and rides. As we walked into the aqua theatre, I was instantly drawn to the huge viewing area where you can see incredible tropical fish and massive sharks. Unfortunately, Betty’s eyes were drawn to the Peppa Pig car ride at the back. I also found it irritating that we had to walk through the gift shop to see the otters. All of the tables are at perfect toddler height. It’s difficult to explain that we can’t buy everything to a two year old. I also found the overall conservation message was lost in the shop. They had a reusable bag with a message on the side about reducing the amount of plastic in the Earth’s oceans. But it was surrounded by plastic stuff! Overall, I think that educating children about the oceans is important and I enjoyed the day. However, I did find some aspects of the aquarium off-putting and I think it’s a shame that this diminishes the conservational message. By Natalie Brown

Photos: Natalie Brown

Plastic Waste

out and about

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 24 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.