Two Point Four magazine, issue 4, May/June 2015

ISSUE FOUR MAY/JUNE 2015 Leicestershire and Rutland

Love is all you need Keep the spark burning bright

MAN OF THE MOMENT Top tips for Father’s Day

Here comes the sun SPA DAY WIN!

Making the most of glorious summer days

LOCAL • FAMILY • LIFESTYLE

FOR TWO

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CONTENTS ISSUE FOUR MAY/JUN E 2015

Leicestershire and Rutland

Editor’s welcome Love is all you need

A cheery “hi” from us to you . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 ng bright

Keep the spark burni

MAN OF NT THE MOME r’s Day Top tips for Fathe

Here comes e sun days SPA DAYO th Making the most of glorious summer R TW WIN!

• LIFEST YLE LOC AL • FAMILY Iss4-TPF-p01-aw.indd

News and reviews Everything we think you’d like to know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

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01/05/2015 15:33

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twopointfourmagazine.co.uk Two Point Four is a bimonthly magazine devoted entirely to family life, available freely in print and online. With highquality original features aimed at parents, carers and guardians of all pre-school and school-age children, it has a distinctly local focus and is a magazine to read, share and keep. Two Point Four covers essential topics including children’s interests, activities, education and health, and lifestyle interests for parents.

If your pre-school, nursery, school or business would like to receive free copies of each issue to distribute to parents and carers or to make available to your customers, please contact us using the details below.

Published by Full Stop Communications Ltd Contact: 01455 273281 For editorial queries, email: editorial@twopointfourmagazine.co.uk For advertising queries, email: advertising@twopointfourmagazine.co.uk Designed by Come Hither Design

© Full Stop Communications Ltd 2015. All rights reserved.

No part of this magazine may be used or reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. Full Stop Communications Limited (company number 9185239) is registered in England and Wales. All content in this magazine is for information only and was correct at the time of going to press, as far as we are aware. The publisher cannot accept responsibility for any errors or inaccuracies herein and readers are advised to contact the advertisers with regard to the pricing and availability of any products or services they offer in this magazine. If you submit unsolicited material to the magazine you grant Full Stop Communications a licence to publish your submissions, if we choose to do so, in whole or in part in all editions of the magazine, including any other future versions, in any print and digital format. Any material you submit for publication is at your risk and although we will take every care, neither Full Stop Communications, its employees, subcontractors or agents shall by liable for any loss or damage.

The low-down on the latest must haves:

home

It’s time to head outdoors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

grown-ups Get nautical in red, white and blue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

little ones

Now the sun’s here, it’s time to turf them outdoors . . . . 16

Parklife Let them run free with our guide to some of the best parks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Man of the moment How to mark the occasion this Father’s Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Love is all you need Keep the spark burning bright. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Win! A luxurious spa day for two . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

r e v te ther a wh wea the TM

fun

lay p li y m e n o a F ll-in A

e

pric

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www.360play.co.uk MILTON KEYNES Knowlhill

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01908 308360

STEVENAGE Stevenage Leisure Park

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LEICESTER

Meridian Leisure Park

LE19 1JZ

01162 894731

WELL, HELLO

Hello and welcome to Two Point Four magazine In March and April, we’ve been:

Now that summer is officially here, doesn’t everything seem, well, just so much better?

While it’s a wonderful time of year for us all, summer, with its glorious warmth, sunshine, long days and dusky evenings, is a brilliant time to be little. Whether your children are fans of making dens and daisy chains, riding their bikes, playing endless games of football or just enjoying picnics in the park, exploring the great outdoors is a fantastic way to spend time as a family. If you turn to page 18, you’ll see our pick of parks and green spaces for fun days in the sun.

In this issue we also turn our attention to love as relationships can often be a casualty of busy family life. It can be hard to prioritise the two of you when you’re battling a chronic lack of sleep or an activity timetable that leaves no time for date nights or even meaningful conversation, so turn to page 24 for our tips on keeping the flame burning brightly.

We pride ourselves on packing each issue with things that we think matter to you. Whether it’s about family life, local life or just stuff that we think is interesting, informative or inspiring (or hopefully, all three), we hope you enjoy it. If there’s anything you’d like to see featured, please let us know and we’ll do our best to squeeze it in.

Until July…

a Stephenie and D editor@twopointfourmagazine.co.uk T: 01455 273281

vid

facebook.com/twopointfourmagazine Web: twopointfourmagazine.co.uk

READING: Steph couldn’t put down The Girl on The Train by Paula Hawkins while the younger kids are loving the classic The Jolly Postman and Other People’s Letters

by Janet and Allan Ahlberg.

ENJOYING: A belated Mother’s Day trip to Ragdale Hall came at the perfect time. Snuggly robes, delicious food, refreshing pools and incredible treatments.

What’s not to love?

VISITING: We headed to France with friends at Easter and saw some amazing sights such as beautiful Mont St Michel and the Bayeux Tapestry (and enormous icecreams in St Malo).

Try Owners Direct or Holiday Lettings for great value breaks.

PLANNING: Inspired by our festivals feature last issue, we’re taking the teen to V Festival to see, among others, Sam Smith, Stereophonics and local boys Kasabian. So the little ones also get in on the under-canvas action, we’re also heading to the Jamie Oliver’s Big Feastival. Wish us luck!

5

The one stop shop for sweets We found sweets heaven deep in Broughton Astley!

Go to Nelly B in Main Street for a big surprise in the range of sweets and their wonderful presentation.

A complete range of party bags to suit all pockets and perfect for every occasion.

Check us out on facebook.com/pages/Nelly-Bs-Sweet-Shop/ 70a Main Street, Broughton Astley LE9 6RD Tel: 01455 286927 Mobile: 07836 618417 e-mail: info@totally-serene.co.uk www.totally-serene.co.uk

Tel: 0845 313 0131 jon.saunders@rugbytots.co.uk

rugbytots.co.uk 6

NEWS & REVIEWS

! d r a o b a l l A F

ans of the little blue engine have been patiently waiting for the £2.5m expansion to Drayton Manor’s Thomas Land to open and Two Point Four were lucky enough to hitch a ride on launch day.

After the grand opening, performed by the Fat Controller himself, our little travellers couldn’t wait to climb aboard as the first passengers for the three new rides: Captain’s Sea Adventure, Flynn’s Fire and Rescue and Toby’s Tram Express.

Thomas Land is now 40% bigger since the expansion and, as well as the new rides, there is also the brand new Sodor Airport.

Even though our little ones aren’t huge fans of Thomas, they loved every moment of their visit to Thomas Land and the rest of the theme park. We left exhausted after a full day’s fun knowing a return visit is definitely on the cards.

TICKETS

Fit for a

royal bottom

Embrace the buzz around the new royal princess with these unisex leggings from Blade and Rose. These super-soft, stretchy leggings are £10 and available from birth to 4 years. bladeandrose.co.uk

C L A S S AC T A Hinckley high sc hool is celebrating af ter receiving a special award for exceptional pupi l progress. Redmoo r Academy was the only school in Leicestershire to have made the fin als of the Nationa l Pupil Premium A wards ceremony and received its award from Deputy PM Nick Clegg.

up for grabs

The Baby Show, the UK’s leading pregnancy and parenting event, held at the NEC Birmingham from 15–17 May, will also be in London at Olympia from 23–25 October 2015 and ExCel from 19–21 February 2016. Visitors

can grab some fantastic baby bargains and learn from the UK’s leading baby experts. Tickets will go on general sale in June and we have three pairs of tickets to The Baby Show at Olympia to give away, each pair worth £40.

To be in with the chance of winning a pair simply email your contact details to editor@ twopointfourmagazine.co.uk.

The closing date for entries is 30 June 2015, after which three winners will be selected at random and notified.

Visit thebabyshow.co.uk for more information.

7

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This fabulous product solves that age old problem of moving a baby without waking them. When you lift them a padded head support, along with the hammock like shape, firmly holds your baby’s head. Not only does it take the stress away of handling or passing your baby but it means they stay asleep when lifted or laid.

You can now take your baby out of a car seat, lay them in a safe flat surface or put them back in again without disturbing them! It’s effectively a travel system in one item therefore you don’t need to take the risk of leaving your baby in the car seat for fear of waking them. Also used as a wrap, breastfeeding cover and blanket. With so many uses it makes parenting so much easier.

Fully supports your baby’s head Move your baby without waking them Helps recovery from post birth symptoms Cares for you and your baby’s back Leave the car seat in the car A British multi award winning product Tested to EU standards to 30kg/66lbs Recommended by experts (See website for more information).

Get yours today with a 10% discount code: 2.4A

NEWS & REVIEWS

PUTTING THE CHILDREN FIRST The sad reality is that some relationships don’t last and it’s essential to know what your next steps are when it comes to resolving essential arrangements for children

O

ur new regular column from Bray & Bray Solicitors tackles the most commonly asked questions when it comes to making arrangements for children.

Q I have separated from my partner. Who will decide the arrangements for our children?

A In the first instance it is left to the parents to sort out their own arrangements for their children and no court orders are necessary. However, if any issues regarding children can’t be resolved, then an application will need to be made to court for an Order. The court would then resolve the issue on the basis of what is considered to be in the child’s best interest.

Q While we don’t want to go to court, we can’t agree on the arrangements.

What do we do next?

A In these circumstances parents are encouraged to, and can be ordered to attend, mediation sessions. This is where both parties sit with a trained mediator who will help them try and resolve matters themselves. It is also possible to consider a parenting plan, which can be obtained via the CAFCASS (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service)

https://www.cafcass.gov.uk/ grown-ups/parenting-plan.aspx.

Q Do I need a solicitor?

A It is not a requirement of the court for you to have a lawyer, however most people would benefit from legal advice and representation at court as legal proceedings can be daunting for people representing themselves. In certain circumstances, Legal Aid may be available and a solicitor can advise about its availability which will depend on the circumstances of your case. Information about availability of Legal Aid can be found on https://www.gov. uk/legal-aid/overview Before you take action, it’s essential that you know where you stand. If you have any questions about child arrangement orders or about what’s involved in going to court or mediation, we are happy to give you some free initial advice over the phone. You can then decide if you wish to go ahead with any legal representation.

Sarah Gill is a Family Law Solicitor at Bray & Bray Solicitors. You can contact Sarah on 01455 639900 or sgill@braybray.co.uk

20 %

O F PA R E N T S A D M IT T H AT S C H OOL H O L IDA Y S ARE MORE S TR E SSFUL THAN TER M T IM E* *research carried out by Censuswide in M arch 2015

Makes chores child’s play Turn household tasks into fun ways to earn rewards

If you’re keen to get your kids involved in household chores but feel like you’re fighting a losing battle, there’s a new secret weapon available to save parents’ patience.

Most of us would recognise that incentives are the key to our children’s hearts, be it praise, a little treat or working towards something more significant. While traditional reward charts may have had their day or seem babyish to older children, tech solutions instantly grab kids’ attention.

A new free app, Funifi, enables parents to work with their children to log their achievements via a mobile or tablet, and in return receive points as rewards. Each task, such as tidying their room or loading the dishwasher, carries a different point rating and children can earn more points by doing more. Simple tasks such as brushing teeth, school work or simply remembering manners can also be rewarded with points. Clean teeth, homework done and clean dishes in the cupboard?

Sounds like a win win to us.

9

NEWS & REVIEWS

READ ALL ABOUT IT Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has been named the bestloved children’s book, according to a new survey.

Dahl’s magical story about Charlie Bucket’s golden ticket topped a list of the most essential reads for children, with Lewis Carroll’s

CALLING ALL BOOKWORMS PIZZA FOR PIRATES

BY ADAM AND CHARLOTTE GUILLAIN Heidi said: “An excellent story about a young boy who pretends to pack a pizza and go in search of pirates. It was an ideal length for Henry, aged three as it was written in rhyme with a couple of plot surprises along the way. It was beautifully illustrated with the perfect amount of detail in each picture to give us plenty to talk about. Henry loved it.”

72 %

The old classics top the polls for the perfect page-turner Alice in Wonderland and C.S. Lewis’ adventures in Narnia hot on its heels.

The study, commissioned

by Sainsbury’s, discovered that Paddington Bear was the best-loved children’s book character, followed by Winnie the Pooh, The Hungry Caterpillar and Postman Pat.

O F PA R E N TS FEEL T H AT B E D T IM E R E A D IN G IS E S S E N T IA L B O N D IN G T IM E W IT H T H E IR C H IL DREN

And it’s not just the classics that score highly. More modern tales such as The Hunger Games

by Suzanne Collins, Mark Haddon’s The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter adventures also made the list.

Do your little ones love nothing more than curling up with a good book? If so, would they like to join our team of reviewers? If so, drop us a line via our Facebook page and when we have a book that looks suitable for your child’s age, we’ll send it out.

We sent Heidi Thomas and her three boys, Henry, William and Alexander, three of the latest releases and here’s what they thought: SEDRIC AND GREAT PIG RESCUE BY ANGIE MORGAN

THE DEADLY 7 BY GARTH JENNINGS

William, aged 8, goes to Stanton Under Bardon Community Primary School.

He said: “This book is about Sedric who tries to save his pet pig from being cooked. It’s unusual because sometimes it’s good and sometimes it’s bad. At one point we thought Denzel the pig was dead and this upset me. I liked the book because it was really funny, such as when the big bath got so hot that it exploded, and when people kept messing with the baron’s stuff when they were spying.”

Alexander, aged 10, goes to Stanton Under Bardon Community Primary School.

He said: “I would rate this book four out of five because some of it doesn’t make sense when you’re reading it and I was disappointed with the ending which left me feeling sad. My favourite character is Nosh because he talks funnily and he has an incinerator inside his stomach to digest things.

Most of this book was easy to read and I found it all very funny.”

Heidi said: “This is incredibly easy to read, with drawings on most pages to make up the lack of descriptive text.

There are no difficult words and although there are some irritating phrases (such as ‘I was well hungry’), the plot itself was captivating and we found ourselves genuinely caring about the pig.”

ISSUE FOUR MAY/JUN E 2015

Leicestershire and Rutland

n i e s i t r e v Ad

Love is all you need

ing bright Keep the spark burn

Find out how you can advertise your business or service to many thousands of families across the region in Leicestershire’s premier free magazine for families:

MAN OF NT THE MOME r’s Day Top tips for Fathe

Here comes e sun days SPA DAYO th Making the most of glorious summer R TW WIN!

Visit twopointfourmagazine.co.uk/advertise for further details and to download our media pack.

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Leicestershire

Mum’s the word

Top tips for the perfect Mother’s Day

SPRING INTO SPR ING

The freshest must haves for kids and grown ups

Get Cracking a year of WIN!

Our guide to getting out and about this

Easter

LOC AL • FAMILY • LIFEST YLE Iss3-complete-01.indb

days out!

ISSUE TWO 2015 DECEMB ER 2014/JA NUARY

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rshire South Leiceste 27/02/2015 10:33

Dear Santa The ultimate Christmas list

SAFE & SAV VY Protect your children online

Easy Living

WIN!

2015: your family’s best year yet

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South Leicestershire

“Just what the area needs, thanks!”

“ Super magazine, full of great articles and ideas”

Give peace a chance Is ‘me time’ a myth?

WIN!

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Hooked on books Does your child read enough?

TIME OUT

Putting the fun into

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MUST HAVES: HOME

Get

OUT!

It’s the perfect time to get into the garden whether it’s for an alfresco lunch, BBQ with friends or some peaceful R&R (yeah, right) Pretty pegs,

£4.95, DotComGiftShop

Pretty embossed wine goblet and high ball tumbler,

£3.50 each, M&S

Camper bird house string lights,

Bloomingville hammock chair, £85, Amara

£12, Wilko Ornamental bunny,

Stacking jug and tumblers,

Silver bird, £6, Sainsbury’s

£15, M&S

£15 large, £6 medium, Wilko Checked throw,

£25, M&Co Plastic picnic cutlery,

Chrome and glass lantern,

£29 large, £19 small, Very

Lolly moulds,

£5, BHS

£1, Tiger Solar jars, £16, Next

Lola grey rattan effect dining set,

£950, Tesco Wellington boot planter, £30,

Bright bucket BBQ,

House of Fraser

£8, Sainsbury’s

2.7m crank shaft navy parasol,

£35, Tesco

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MUST HAVES: GROWN UPS

NAUTICAL & SO, SO NICE

Early summer always conjures up thoughts of being beside the seaside, and what better way to celebrate the beginning of the sunshine season than sporting crisp red, white and blue?

Spotted scarf,

£19.95, White Stuff

Anchor beach bag,

£15, Very

Quick dry nail colour in Berry Red and Dark Blue,

£6 each, M&S Autograph Striped linen top, £49, East

Tee, £25,

White Stuff

White dress,

£45, Next

Printed blouse, Polo shirt,

£14, Matalan

£50, Crew Shirt, £35,

Hammond & Co

White culottes,

£32, Red Herring

Skirt, £69.00,

Phase Eight Printed chino shorts,

Redford Alt Reflex bag,

£35, Gola

£14, F&F

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Goosie loafers,

Floozie by Frost French,

£69, Dune

£29, Debenhams

Red and white striped shorts, £32, Next

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MUST HAVES: LITTLE ONES

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Hip, hip, hip hooray. The sun has got his hat on and it’s time to send them out to play

Bucket sunhat, £12, floppy sunhat, £10,

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Water gun, £5, Tiger Store Nature Explorer Set, £39, Little Ella Shark shirt, £8, F&F

Personalised hand-stitched football, £26, Name Your Ball,

James, Not On The High Street

Not On The High Street

Traditional rounders set, £29.95,

Lemon print dress, £28,

DotComGiftShop

Next Sandwich box, Grow Your Own Tomatoes set, £5,

Paperchase

£4, Tesco T-shirt, £6, Next

Jumpsuit,

from £20, M&S Autograph

Mammut stool £5, chair £7, table £17, all IKEA Bag, £10, Monsoon

Tin Can Alley garden game,

£17.50, Great Little Trading Company Set of 12 sports day medals,

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e f i l k r a P

18

PARENTING

When you’ve exhausted playtime in the garden and the kids are bored of the local parks and playgrounds, it’s time to go and explore the great outdoors

T

here can be few things nicer when the sun is shining than finding a shady spot and settling down with a picnic. Feeding the ducks, watching the children lose themselves in an engrossing game of hide and seek or setting off on a family cycle rides are just three ways to create some amazing summer memories for your kids. With so many beautiful parks and green spaces right on our doorstep, we’re truly spoilt for choice. And, best of all, most of them are completely free so a day out doesn’t need to cost more than an ice cream or two.

If we included all amazing places we knew about we’d be here all day, so here’s our pick of the parks:

WATERMEAD COUNTRY PARK, BIRSTALL, LEICESTER If you’re looking for somewhere to really stretch your legs or let your littles ones get to grips with their bikes, trikes or scooters, try a visit to Watermead. It’s a vast open space with more than 230 acres of parkland including woodland walks, nature reserves, lakes, cycle ways and picnic areas so you’ll be spoilt for choice for where to go and what to see. There’s also adventure trails for older children and for those with prams to push, most of the paths are wide and tarmac so the littlest members of the family are in for a smooth ride.

Entrance is free, just pay to park.

BROCKS HILL COUNTRY PARK AND VISITOR CENTRE, OADBY With great walks and a play area that is guaranteed to delight, Brocks Hill really does offer something for everyone. While the play equipment is best suited for slightly bigger children, toddlers can get stuck into the sandpit (our tip – take buckets and spades with you).

And, for the school holidays, there’s usually activities going on for children including nature walks and craft workshops. There’s a cafe so you can easily spend a whole day here.

Entrance is free, just pay to park.

EAST CARLTON COUNTRYSIDE PARK, MARKET HARBOROUGH On the edge of the beautiful Welland Valley, East Carlton Countryside Park has vast open spaces alongside its fun-filled well-maintained play areas so kids can chase a ball, or each other, for hours. You can get a change of scene by taking a stroll around the beautiful park, or call into the cafe for a cool drink or ice-cream.

Entrance and parking is free.

WELLAND PARK, MARKET HARBOROUGH Considered by some mums as the best park in Leicestershire, Welland Park is a hidden gem. It’s packed full of fantastic play equipment for children, big and small, as well as a dedicated toddler area, complete with sand pit and a waist-high water area.

With beautiful flower beds to admire (and keep the kids off) and a cafe for emergency cake and ice lollies, you can’t go wrong.

Entrance and parking is free.

ABBEY PARK AND GROUNDS, LEICESTER Originally opened in 1882, Abbey Park is a park bursting with traditional charm. As well as a great play area for little ones, there’s also plenty of open space to walk, cycle, run, jump and scoot. As well as the play area and space for ball games or running races, there’s a boating lake, Chinese Peace garden, miniature railway, the ruins of Leicester Abbey, a cafe and Pets Corner with rabbits and guinea pigs.

Entrance and parking is free.

BOUSKELL PARK AND WOODS, BLABY Located on the remains of a medieval village, Bouskell Park is a haven of serene gorgeousness. There are panels around the park explaining the history of the area, including the restored 19th century ice house and the site where village houses once stood, and pointing out the various wildlife you might see.

Entrance and parking is free.

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PARENTING

FOXTON LOCKS This impressive flight of ten locks is the longest set of staircase locks in Britain. If that doesn’t mean anything to you, don’t worry, you don’t need to be an expert on canals to enjoy a trip to Foxton. As well as a great walk alongside the canal, kids can help the lock-keepers to open and close the locks for boaters as they make their way through the staircase of locks. There are plenty of lovely spots for picnics, or choose one of the pubs close by. For the tech-savvy, there’s also a Foxton Discovery app to add to the appeal.

Entrance is free, just pay to park.

MARKET BOSWORTH WATER TRUST, MARKET BOSWORTH Who wants to be beside the seaside? Brilliantly, the beach isn’t a two-hour car journey away as at the Water Trust you can enjoy its manmade Blue Lagoon Beach and paddle in the water. There’s also a playground which is dominated by a wooden pirate ship, perfect for high seas adventures. Add to that crazy golf, a cafe, shop and pedaloes and you’ve found a great spot for a full day’s fun.

Entrance is free, just pay to park.

A little further afield…

RYTON POOLS COUNTRY PARK, NR COVENTRY The perfect place to explore if you want to get back to nature and enjoy some peace and quiet after a frantic day or two, Ryton Pools is home to a huge variety of birds and wildlife. The park’s easy-to-navigate paths are smooth, perfect for buggies, bikes and scooters, and there are play areas, picnic areas and a cafe for those essential caffeine top-ups. Best of all, from here you can easily explore the beautiful adjoining ancient woodland, Ryton Woods, which are perfect for all kinds of magical adventures.

Entrance is free, just pay to park.

KINGSBURY WATER PARK, SUTTON COLDFIELD If the sun is shining, Kingsbury Water Park really comes into its own. There’s plenty of

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green space for ball games, picnics and taking a stroll, but what makes Kingsbury stand out are its beautiful lakes, each one dedicated to a different use such as sailing or model boats. They’re wonderful to stroll around but you can also hire inflatables, pedaloes and bikes to explore further. Just in case that wasn’t enough, there’s also an adventure playground, cafe and a children’s farm.

Entrance is free, just pay to park.

DRAYCOTE WATER, DUNCHURCH Ideal for any budding cyclists, Draycote has a flat five-mile tarmac road with brilliant views all the way around the reservoir. There’s lots to see and do along the way, including the sailing and windsurfing that takes place on the water. And there’s a 25-acre country park with plenty of room to play games or have a picnic or BBQ, while the restaurant offers food with views across the reservoir.

There’s also a visitor centre and a play area.

FANCY SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT? Well, why not combine the great outdoors and some furry friends with our pick of the local farm parks?

OAK FARM PARK Between Bagworth and Barlestone, Oak Farm Park offers a variety of animals such as goats, pigs, cows, ponies, guinea pigs and rabbits, but there’s a lot more to this 30acre farm. On sunny days, little ones can dash around enjoying the sunken trampolines, giant sandpit, play equipment and pedal go-kart tracks but if the weather’s less than lovely, there’s indoor barns offering three-storey soft play, cafe, bouncy castle and smaller trampolines.

Entrance: adults £2, children £4, family ticket for two adults, two children £10.

STONEHURST FAMILY FARM, MOUNTSORREL, LOUGHBOROUGH As Stonehurst is a working farm, there’s always something to see and do, such as meeting and feeding the animals, collecting freshly-laid eggs or riding on a tractor or a pony. There are baby animals to hold, a nature trail to explore and two great playgrounds to have fun in. And for parents, there’s a lovely tea shop, a farm shop selling delicious organic food, and a motor museum.

Entrance: adults £5.95, children £4.95, under 2s free.

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Man of the moment Give the dads in your family a Father’s Day to remember

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fter Mother’s Day where all mums mummies and grandmas were adored, cherished and spoilt (or so we’d like to think) the pressure’s now on to return the favour for the men in our families for Father’s Day. Here are our suggestions for making it a day dads, daddies and granddads will always remember.

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FATHER’S DAY

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Start with the basics: a lie in. Just as we suggested for mums, if you have young children who are notorious for rising early, a lie in is heaven sent. But don’t skimp at an hour or so. Give him a decent doze and you’ll be in the good books all day.

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While the saying ‘the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach’ is pretty twee (and a sweeping generalisation… kind of) who wouldn’t be impressed with a lovingly created foodie gift first thing? Whether his favourite is a bacon sandwich, toasted bagels, pancakes with syrup or a full English, a plate of loveliness is indeed a fine way to begin the day.

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DON’ T FORG E T

MAKE IT PERSONAL

FAT H E R ’S D AY IS S U N DA Y

21 J U N E

If you’re looking for inspiration and are less than creative yourself, you can’t go wrong with one of these gifts, all available from Not On The High Street

Give him some space. For busy dads who are used to running a strict schedule, the very idea of having time to do, well, er, nothing at all, must be beyond brilliant. Whether this translates to a few hours, a day or heck, even a weekend for those who have been really, really good, it doesn’t matter. A voucher entitling him to some unadulterated peace and quiet will score serious brownie points.

‘Why my Daddy is brilliant’ personalised book, £15.95 from Lou Bro wn Designs

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So yes, everyone loves a treat, and for those with limitless budgets, Father’s Day is another opportunity to splash the cash. But the perfect presents don’t have to cost the earth.

Gifts that come from the heart are always the most cherished. Frame some of your favourite photos or create a photo album of treasured memories. Or use some of your budding artists’ finest work to create a masterpiece for a wall or desk. Make it personal and it’ll make his heart sing (and overlook the fact that yet again, he missed out on an Aston Martin).

y’ ‘Things we love about Dadd £9 t prin personalised from Coconut Grass

Personalised ‘The day you became my daddy’ keyrin g £13 from Made Lovingly M ade

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While ideally, the perfect afternoon for him might involve cocktails, a sea view and an adrenaline-fuelled whizz around the bay in a jet ski, he may well have to settle for something closer to home. Make his day one to remember with a tasty lunch out, a visit to a theme park or a picnic and trip to the park.

If the weather’s dire, an afternoon with some movies, hotdogs and popcorn could tick the boxes just as wonderfully. Plan a day around the things you know that make him happy and sure enough it’ll be his perfect day.

T-shirt, Personalised Daddy’s et £25 from The Alphab Gift Shop

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LOVE Well, actually that’s not true.

Love is wonderful, but it needs attention. A bit like watering a plant. Kind of.

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N

o matter how hard you try to keep the spark in your relationship burning bright, life often gets in the way. We’re all so busy juggling our families, jobs, the house, chores, hobbies and other responsibilities that it might have been days since the you had a conversation more meaningful than ‘Do we need more milk?’. Before you know it, that bright spark could resemble a damp squib.

And of course, the moment you have children, your relationship stops being just about you, it’s about them too. Where families have two adults, the relationship between them is critical to the happiness of the whole family.

Little eyes and ears pick up on everything and without realising it, you’re shaping their ideas about what a partnership looks like.

Keeping your relationship strong isn’t as simple as saying ‘I love you’ (though it helps). Here’s some suggestions for helping your relationship stand the test of time:

PARENTING

When you’ve exhausted playtime in the garden and the kids are bored of the local parks and playgrounds, it’s time to go and explore the great outdoors

is all you need … ♥ It’s too easy to fall into a routine of sitting on different sofas to watch TV or pass away the evening, but research shows that couples who sit closely together naturally feel more connected.

It’s also easier to open up about big issues when you’re close to the person who can help.

♥ When you first start dating, particular connections sweep us off our feet. You might have bonded over a shared taste in music, similar childhoods, favourite places or a love of a particular food. These similarities easily get lost in the detail of everyday life but finding the time to remember the things that drew you close can trigger happy memories and have a similar effect.

♥ It can be hard to take time away from what you feel is family time but finding the time to be just the two of you isn’t selfish or indulgent, it’s absolutely essential. By investing time and energy in each other and your relationship, your whole family will benefit.

Try getting a sitter and head out or if that’s not doable, put the kids to bed and create a date night at home. Turn off the TV and put your phones down – by spending time without distractions, it’s much easier to reconnect.

♥ Think differently when it comes to planning time together. If you’re bored with going to the cinema or having meals out (though really, who could be?) try being more creative. Tear out a what’s on guide, close your eyes and pick something, or try alphabet dating where each date relates to a letter of the alphabet. Good luck with X…

♥ We all like to be told we’ve done well, and our other halves are no different. Feeling appreciated and respected is essential in any relationship and by telling your partner-incrime that they did something well, it delivers a feel-good boost to their self-esteem. They’ll do the same for you and before you know it, you’ll both be basking in a haze of ‘hey, we’re great’.

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IT’S COMPETITION TIME

Win!

AN EXPERIENCE DAY FOR TWO AT RAGDALE HALL HEALTH HYDRO WORTH & THERMAL SPA £180

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wo Point Four was lucky enough to be invited by Ragdale Hall to put it through its paces recently and we can confirm that it deserves the countless industry awards it continually wins.

From the snuggly robes, state-ofthe-art facilities, relaxing lounge areas, glorious gardens and stunning Victorian architecture, there isn’t a single inch of Ragdale Hall that isn’t focused on relaxation and indulgence, surely buzz words for anyone feeling the pressure of every-day life. It’s easy to see why this is one of the most luxurious health spas in the country and, lucky us, it’s right on our doorstep.

A real highlight was the incredible Thermal Spa with its variety of water and heat experiences, including the calming candle pool, invigorating waterfall and our favourite, the scented room, where you relax to such a degree you may just nod off. Utter bliss.

After a tasty lunch, some gorgeously indulgent treatments and a whole lot of lounging around, we splashed out on afternoon tea which arrived packed with bite-sized morsels which were beyond delicious.

We couldn’t fault a thing about our visit other than wishing it had lasted longer. But now we’ve developed a taste for this, we’ll definitely be back, ideally with a suitcase.

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*COM PE TITION TER M S A ND CONDITIONS 1. To enter a competition you must be a United Kingdom resident aged 18 years old or over at the time of entry. 2. No purchase necessary. 3. Only one entry per person. 4. Sending an e-mail is not proof that we have received your entry. No responsibility can be accepted for entries that are lost or delayed. 5. The closing date is as specified in each competition, and Full Stop Communications Ltd reserves the right to amend the competition end date at any time. 6. If you win a competition, we will notify you by email, or

Life can feel fast-paced and frantic so what could be more wonderful than the chance to escape it all, even if just for a few hours?

If all of this fills you with a desire to don a robe and dive right in, good news! We have a Ragdale Experience Day for two up for grabs.

You too could come away feeling ten years younger and, like us, desperate to return.

Our fantastic prize includes use of all of Ragdale’s facilities including the multimillion pound Thermal Spa featuring candle pool, indoor/outdoor waterfall and a series of heat and water experiences plus two further pools, including whirlpool bath and cascade, as well as the gym, exercise classes and outdoor facilities. A light lunch in the Verandah Bar is also included.

The Ragdale Experience Day is valid Monday–Friday, If you’re not the lucky winner, then from 10.30am until 6.30pm. maybe a Ragdale Hall gift voucher To enter, just send us would be the perfect pr esent? Available in monetar y amounts from £ your name and contact 25 or for day/ov ernight breaks. Al details to comp@ vouchers are valid l for a year from th twopointfourmagazine. e day of purchase and are dispatched up on receipt co.uk with the words of full payment.

‘Ragdale Hall’ in the subject Call 01664 4330 30 or visit line and we’ll select the ragdalehall.co.uk and take a look lucky winner at random. All at the video broc hure. entries must be received by 30 June 2015 and the winner will be notified after this date.*

social media if you entered the competition on a social media platform, within one week of the closing date. The judges’ decision will be final, and no correspondence will be entered into. 7. You can find out who has won a particular competition by sending a stamped addressed envelope, marked with the name of the competition to Full Stop Communications Ltd, 48 Brindley Close, Stoney Stanton, Leicestershire LE9 4GL after the closing date.

8. By entering the competition the winner agrees to participate in such promotional activity and material as Full Stop Communications Ltd

may require. 9. No part of a prize is exchangeable for cash or any other prize. 10. If an advertised prize is not available, we reserve the right to offer an alternative prize of equal or greater value.

11. Full Stop Communications Ltd reserves the right to amend these rules at any time. 12. We will endeavour to send prizes within a month of the competition end date but cannot guarantee this delivery time.

13. The competition is governed by English law. 14. When entering our competitions by email, text or post, you agree to our competition rules and that you are happy to receive updates from Two Point Four magazine.

kia.co.uk

I love the new car smell, without paying the new car price #SR7

KIA PICANTO SR7 FROM £10,845 INCLUDING £1,000 CUSTOMER SAVING

PLUS £350 FINANCE DEPOSIT CONTRIBUTION ON PERSONAL CONTRACT PURCHASE

KIA PICANTO SR7 FROM £9,610 INCLUDING £700 CUSTOMER SAVING PLUS LOW RATE FINANCE ON PERSONAL CONTRACT PURCHASE

I need to look great from every angle # SR7

KIA CEE’D SR7 FROM £14,650 INCLUDING £1,000 CUSTOMER SAVING

PLUS £1,500 FINANCE DEPOSIT CONTRIBUTION ON PERSONAL CONTRACT PURCHASE

TMS KIA, Trinity Marina, Coventry Road, Hinckley, LE10 0NF Tel 01455 899508 www.tmsmotorgroup.co.uk

Fuel consumption figures in mpg (I/100km) for the Kia ‘SR7’ range are: Urban 32.1 (8.8) – 68.9 (4.1), Extra Urban 53.3 (5.3) – (3.3), Combined 42.8 (6.6) – 78.5 (3.6). CO2 Emissions are 149 – 94g/km. MPG figures are official EU test figures for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving

results. Models shown: Kia Rio 3-dr ‘SR7’ 1.25 84bhp 5-speed manual @ £10,845 including £1,000 customer saving, Kia cee’d ‘SR7’ 1.4 98bhp 6-speed manual @ £14,650 including £1,000 customer saving and Kia Picanto ‘SR7’ 1.0 68bhp 5-speed manual @ £9,610 including metallic paint with £700 customer saving. Customer savings vary by model derivative. Specification is subject to change without notice. Price, Reevoo score and number of reviews correct at time of going to press. †3 years’ servicing (Kia Care-3) for £99 offer is only valid on applicable ‘SR7’ models. Log onto kia.co.uk/ sr7 for full details. 7 year / 100,000 mile manufacturer’s warranty, for terms and exclusions visit www.kia.co.uk. Offer not available with any other offer. Retail sales only. Subject to availability on vehicles registered between 01/04/2015 and 30/06/2015. Finance subject to status. Terms and conditions apply. 18’s or over. Guarantee/indemnity may be required. 10% minimum deposit.

Further charges may be made subject to the condition or mileage of the vehicle. Excess mileage charge 14.9p per mile. 25, 31 and 37 month terms. At the end of the agreement there are 3 options: (i) Renew: Part exchange the vehicle. (ii) Retain: Pay the Optional Final Payment to own the vehicle or (iii) Return the vehicle. Kia Motors Finance RH1 1SR.

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TMS Ltd trading as TMS Hinckley are a credit broker (not a lender) for the purposes of this financial promotion and can introduce you to a limited number of carefully selected finance providers and may receive a commission from them for the introduction. You will not own the vehicle until all payments are made.

nest estate

agents

Fresh Thinking...

Traditional Values.

Would you like a new nest this Spring?

Thinking of moving? Call Sara Quatermass or Robert for your free, no obligation property consultation

Taylor

Enderby Branch

Blaby Branch Lutterworth Road 0116 277 2277

www.NestEstateAgents.co.uk

Cross Street (next to the Hinckley & Rugby) 0116 286 9100