Families Suffolk September - October 2014 Issue 19

Families Suffolk – The local magazine containing useful information for parents of 0-12 year olds

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iss SEP ue 19 T/ 201 OCT 4

Suffolk

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In this issue Return to school, RETURN TO work, Clubs and Classes and much more.

Welcome Welcome back to Families Suffolk, I hope you all had a great summer holidays. So we’re all back into some kind of routine, well, sort of , and our thoughts now return to school activities and events and how we plan and schedule our days around this. In this issue we aim to provide you with some features to assist you in getting back into routine. On page 9 we offer some information and thoughts on healthy lunch boxes plus using Summer fun the outdoors to assist in the learning process. On pages 10 & 11 we offer thoughts and advice on returning to work and on pages 12 - 15 articles, news and information on the various clubs and classes available in the area. We also have our regular features for you to enjoy, Local News, Baby & Toddler Talk, Parents Place, and Our Community pages plus three competitions and a reader offer. I hope you enjoy this issue, please do get in contact if you would like us to feature any specific article or event, we are always happy to hear from you.

Happy Reading – Editor

Parents Place Our Community Raising The Bar

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Education Feature Returning To Work Advice & Options Clubs & Classes Feature Including Listings

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Suffolk Most Active County News Run,Run,Run

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Colchester + Ipswich Museums

16 17 & 18 19

Local News

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3-4 5 7 8&9 10 & 11 12 & 15

Lisa Giddings

What’s On Competitions & Offers

P.S If you enjoy Families Suffolk magazine why not register for our bi-monthly newsletter, this contains more useful articles, information and offers for you to enjoy www.familiesonline.co.uk/user/register

editor@familiessuffolk.co.uk twitter.com/Familiessuffolk facebook.com/FamiliesSuffolk

this October!

We have lots of wicked plans across all of our museums that will have you spellbound this October half-term.

Don’t miss out, book your place today!

Check out the gory details on our website!

Colchester Castle Natural History Museum Colchester Hollytrees Museum Colchester Ipswich Museum Christchurch Mansion Ipswich

ColandIpmuseums

Colchester and Ipswich Museums

www.cimuseums.org.uk

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www.cimuseums.org.uk/whatson

scan for our website

Next issue -November / December 2014 Circulation - 16,000 copies of Families Suffolk are available through nurseries, schools, libraries, selected shops and other distribution points throughout Suffolk. If you would like free copies for your organisation, please contact us.

Contact details 01473 788546 / 07887 945767 editor@familiessuffolk.co.uk Editorial, Advertising & artwork editor@familiessuffolk.co.uk Events, diary dates, out & about editor@familiessuffolk.co.uk DESIGN & EDITING Cresign: 01473 422 779 info@cresign.co.uk www.cresign.co.uk

Printed in the UK by The Magazine Printing Company using only paper from FSC/ PEFC suppliers www.magprint.co.uk

COVER IMAGEs With thanks to John Robertson Ltd and Copdock Primary School

Families Suffolk is part of the Families group, established in 1990 and headed by Families South West. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under license.

We take every care preparing the magazine, but the publishers and distributers can’t be held responsible for the claims of advertisers, the accuracy of the contents nor for any correspondences.

To contribute to future editions please email editor@familiessuffolk.co.uk or call 01473 788546

Local News

sponsored by

Kidzone Mobile Creche

Save money, shop locally with GenR8 We all enjoy offers and discounts, and now you and your family can enjoy some fantastic discounts whilst supporting our own community by becoming a GenR8 card member.

The GenR8 card, launched only a year ago, is providing Ipswich’s high streets and shoppers with a welcome lift. The card-based membership scheme offers shoppers up to 50% discount at a variety of Ipswich’s independent, locally-owned businesses, many of which offer products and services connected to family life. With companies such as The Bear Garden, The New Wolsey Theatre, Anglian Kart Racing, Kingpin Bowling, Moons Cycles, Candy Gaga, Baker and Barista coffee house and Arlingtons Brasserie members of the scheme, whatever your reason for popping into town, be it for a coffee or lunch, shopping for a gift or a family day out, you would be safe in the knowledge that not only have you received a discount by presenting your GenR8 card you would be supporting our own local business community. With exclusive discounts of up to 50%, the small membership fee can often be recovered in just one use. Members can use their GenR8 card as many times as they want and memberships are available for the minimal fee of just £15 per year (with £3 being donated to local charity, EACH).

Skeletons, creatures of the dark and creepy shadow puppets There are many wicked events planned across both Ipswich and Colchester museums that will have you spellbound this October half-term.

In Colchester at the Natural History Museum on Wed 29 October - Go Live! Creatures of the Dark. Halloween is all about bats, creepy crawlies and things that go bump. Join in for a chance to meet them. At Hollytrees Museum on Tues 28 + Wed 29 October a creative creepy shadow puppets session.

Make your own creepy, moving shadow puppet. What will you make – a bat, a spider, a skeleton? Plus at Colchester Castle on Tues 28, Wed 29 Thurs 30 + Fri 31 October The Timeless Mosaic – Go along and contribute to the mosaic, while also making your own souvenir piece to take home. Each day will be from a different era, and at the end of the week a full mosaic spanning the centuries will be complete. Tuesday – Iron Age metal piece, Wednesday – Roman mosaic tiles Thursday – Norman castle brickwork pattern and Friday – Medieval illuminated letters.

Whilst in Ipswich at Ipswich Museum on Mon 27 + Tue 28 October join in Bone Zone for some fun and hands-on activities which will explore the science of bones and skeletons! Whilst at Christchurch Mansion on Tue 28 + Wed 29 October why not join in our creative Willow lantern session and using willow and other craft materials, join our artist to create your own beautiful lantern to brighten your doorstep on the dark evenings ahead.

For all session details and bookings please call 01206 282941 for Colchester events and 01473 433691 for Ipswich events.

There is a cauldron full of thrilling fun packed events for the family throughout the whole year. Check the whats on page for the gory details www.cimuseums.org.uk/whatson

PLAY EXPERIENCE FOR ALL!

Unlike other deals and discount schemes, GenR8 focuses on building longterm relationships between local businesses and consumers to bring back the ‘buy local’ mentality to the local community. The business was founded by Josh Seager, a born-and-bred Ipswich boy who is passionate about breathing new life into the local economy.

Josh said “The aim of our scheme is to provide our members with an unrivaled array of exclusive local offers, encouraging increased customer footfall and therefore higher profits to the many great independent businesses who have offered something to our valued members. In doing this, I hope that participation in GenR8 shares equal reward to our local business and cardholding members - resulting not only in personal benefits, but also to the social and economic prosperity of our town” For more information or to get your GenR8 card today, please visit www.genr8card.com

Learn to Read in 5 Weeks for FREE* Learn to Read in 5 Weeks for FREE*with the Reading Eggs Great Literacy Challenge!

From 20 August to 30 September your child can join thousands of children across the UK taking part in the Reading Eggs Great Literacy Challenge – a nationwide effort to inspire children to read! Readings Eggs provides a comprehensive range of online reading lessons and eBooks that teach children aged 3–13 the literacy skills needed for lifetime reading success. The reason why over 90% of parents using Reading Eggs report a noticeable improvement in their child’s reading skills is because the programme makes learning phonics and basic reading skills fun.

Sign up for their special 5 WEEK FREE trial* as part of the Reading Eggs Great Literacy Challenge and see for yourself how your child’s reading improves by using Reading Eggs.

Register your child at www.readingeggs.co.uk/suffolk Registration is easy and FREE! *Free trial only available to new customers who sign up at the above address. Not applicable for schools.

Free Maths and English Assessment Event Come along to a Free Maths and English Assessment Event and find out what your child can achieve with Kumon.The Kumon Maths and English Programmes have been helping children of all ages and abilities across the world study beyond their school level for over 50 years. The programmes enable children to develop their study skills and confidently tackle advanced work.

Come along to a Free Maths and English Assessment Event at the Kumon Ipswich Central Study Centre on Saturday 18th October 2014 and find out what your child can achieve. The assessment event will take place at The Key, 15 St. Margaret’s Plain, Ipswich IP4 2BB between 10.00 am to 12 noon. Local families are encouraged to drop into the event.

At the event, you will be able to meet the Instructor of the study centre, have your child

Over the last two of years, the Owl Sanctuary at Stonham Barns fundraiser, Maz Robinson, has worked tirelessly to raise funds specifically for the installation of a new play area. The equipment has now been installed and has been custom built to offer accessibility to children in wheelchairs and with disabilities and is the only one of its kind in the mid Suffolk area.

The owl sanctuary has always striven to become completely inclusive to as wide a spectrum of visitors as possible.It has a sensory garden with highly scented planting for the enjoyment of the visually impaired, as well as attracting butterflies and bees.

A new bird hide for the observation of garden birds is specially designed to accommodate wheelchairs. The meerkat colony which gives so much pleasure to visitors, is contained within an enclosure with a castellated top, offering viewing “windows” for small children and those in wheelchairs. All aviaries and

sit a diagnostic test to find their current academic ability and receive one-to-one feedback. You will also have the opportunity to book an enrolment.

Through daily study of the Kumon programmes, your child will develop the independent learning skills to learn for themselves, so they do not become dependent on – or limited by – the skills and knowledge of others. Your child will then be able to apply these skills to all subjects and outside of school too.

Kumon aims for their maths and English students to reach an international approximation of their school grade (the Kumon International Standard), within their first year of study. By supporting students to reach and surpass this international standard, Kumon is equipping students with the independent learning skills and ability in maths and English to successfully compete in an increasingly global community.

For more information please contact Sangeeta Kumar 01473 614665 or email ipswichcentral@kumoncentre.co.uk.

weatherings are surrounded by level tarmac paths affording ease of movement for prams, pushchairs and wheelchairs.

Visitors will be able to enjoy specially selected equipment including a Team Swing enabling children and carers to swing together, a Mambo Climbing Frame with scramble net, and extra wide slide allowing children to be supported by carers whilst sliding, an Inclusive Orbit roundabout designed to accommodate wheelchairs and funky loudspeakers pitched at a comfortable height for users in wheelchairs. The whole playground is built upon an Eco-Bond safety surface, ensuring a soft landing for slips or tumbles.

This exciting new facility has come to fruition due to the generosity of the following groups and individuals Adnams Brewery, Garfield Weston Charitable Trust, Bruce Wake Charitable Trust, Aquarius Trust, Mrs. L.D.Rope, Boshier - Hinton Foundation, the Grocers Charity, Pets at Home, Kerrison Trust, Warburtons, the Ivo Trust, Roger Vere Foundation, Rowan Bentall, A.B.C. Charitable Trust, the Paul Bush Foundation, Branch Out, Grey Court Trust and the Moondance Foundation.

www.familiessuffolk.co.uk

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Local News

sponsored by

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

The family will be supporting Childhood Cancer Awareness Month so others can benefit from similar help. “Just knowing CLIC Sargent is there for families, like they’ve been there for us, is really reassuring,” says Noemi.

“Please wear a gold ribbon to show you are standing by families like mine who are coping with childhood cancer”, Noemi, mum of Zofeya, five, who is fighting cancer.

You can wear a gold ribbon this Childhood Cancer Awareness Month to show you stand in solidarity with families like Zofeya’s who are coping with childhood cancer. Buy your ribbon at http://shop.clicsargent.org.uk, CLIC Sargent shops or branches of the supermarket Lidl, J D Wetherspoon pubs or fashion retailer Wallis.

In September, Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, five-year-old Zofeya will finish her seventh course of chemotherapy. “She is having three weeks on and three weeks off until then,” says mum Noemi. “Her beautiful curly hair has started to fall out again. She was quite upset when it fell out the first time so we both went to the salon to get it shaved off. It’s difficult for Zofeya not being able to go to school and the house needs to be spotless because she has low immunity.”

Our social worker Rachel has been there for Zofeya’s family, providing practical, emotional and financial support. “Rachel gave us information about the medical processes, practical help and support to access benefits,” says Noemi.

Crafty Baba now in Ipswich

It has been several years in the making but Crafty Baba will soon be moving their sewing, knitting and crochet classes into premises in Ipswich’s town centre. The new shop in St Peters Street near the waterfront, home to many small independent retailers, means their extensive range of over 500 fabrics , ribbons, trims and other haberdashery will no longer only be available online.

The new shop will mean they can expand their beginners to advanced courses into more weekday classes offering everything from roman blind making to hosting baby showers, basic sewing machine skills to Christmas present wrapping. The shop will specialise in dress and upholstery fabrics but continue their many quilting and craft lines as well as offering great practical advice.

Owner, Zoe Woods said she wanted to inspire people to make their sewing dreams into something practical.

Classes will be available in the evenings, weekends and weekdays including the new special projects sewing class, a great opportunity to meet other like-minded sewists and chat over ideas with expert tuition on hand for advice.

For further details and opening hours, see their website at www.craftybaba.co.uk

Mermaid Ipswich

You can also ‘go gold’ for families like Zofeya’s by texting ‘GOLD’ to 70030 to donate £3 to CLIC Sargent*. Or add a gold ribbon to your social media profiles online and email your MP to ask them to show support for children with cancer. You could even organise a gold-themed fundraising event, like a dress down day at work or a tea party. And you can donate your gold coins to one of our Big Bucket Collections at supermarkets across the UK this September.

Last year, CLIC Sargent supported 67 families like Zofeya’s in Suffolk alone.

To find out more about how you can get involved in Childhood Cancer Awareness month, please visit www.clicsargent.org.uk/ccam *You will be charged £3, plus one message at your standard network rate. 100% of your donation will be received by CLIC Sargent, Registered Charity No: 1107328 and Scotland SC039857. If you have any questions please call 0845 120 4442

Kidzone crèche news

Ipswich Sports Club have an amazing new fitness time table offering many different exercise classes every morning to suit all ability fitness levels. Kidzone will be running crèche sessions alongside these classes to enable parents & carers of under 5s to come along and join in with added benefit of a professional crèche facility situated opposite the studio, with the new start time of 9.30am.

The crèche room is fully equipped with a wide range of toys and games including an outdoor garden area with sand tray, bikes, slide and more. Kidzone also run craft activities adapted for all ages, singing and story time.

Drinks and snack will be available for the children throughout the crèche session. Club members also get the benefit of a discounted price of £5 per session and non-members £6.50 per session. A magical new addition will be coming soon to kidzone parties! Have Queen Elsa from Frozen meet and greet all your guests on arrival, she will join in with your party games and even bring an amazing snowy photo opportunity to all your guests with real snow !! All craft activities, jewellery making, biscuit decorating and face painting will be Frozen themed along with all your favourite frozen songs playing throughout your party. Please call for any further information regarding, crèche sessions, toddler sessions, before/after school club, holiday club, birthday parties, wedding crèches, bouncy castle hire and mascot appearances.

07756535059/07724114794 or email: enquiries@kidzonecreche.co.uk

WOODLAND PALS

Woodland Pals Preschool runs from the Kirton and Falkenham Village Hall, situated in Kirton. We have recently opened a new baby area within the preschool which means we can now cater for children from 0-5 years of age, we are open 5 days a week during term time, with various sessions available. The preschool has 3 age groups, hedgehogs who are aged 0-2 yrs., squirrels who are 2 yrs. and foxes who are 3-5 yrs. we are registered with Ofsted and are also able to offer 15 hours a week funded places to eligible 2,3 and 4 year olds. There is no need to book regular sessions, just fill out a registration form and use us as and when you need, just drop us a text, email or call to ensure your space is booked. We have spaces available for September start. For more information please contact Julie Gardiner on 07783860097, 01394 448897, email woodlandpals@btinternet.com or visit our website www.woodlandpalspreschoolkirton.co.uk

Suffolk Whole Hog

The Suffolk Whole Hog obstacle and mud race takes place on the 19th October 2014 at Wantisden Hall, Nr Woodbridge. This exciting event is for individuals and teams 16 yrs and over who want to challenge themselves by going the ‘whole hog’.

The race will follow a 7 mile course through the rolling countryside of the Wantisden Valley. Over 20 additional ‘challenges’ will be tackled by the competitors requiring a test of nerve and stamina. You will need to be prepared to get wet as the course runs through very boggy areas and includes a wide variety of tough obstacles. There will be prizes for Individuals and Team categories.

As well as the opportunity to raise money for your own charity the other aim is to encourage people to have fun, overcome a great challenge and exercise at the same time.

For more information and a booking form visit http://www. wholehograces.co.uk/

CONCORD MEDIA EDUCATION THROUGH FILM

Educational Films on Child care Available to buy

concordmedia.org.uk

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To contribute to future editions please email editor@familiessuffolk.co.uk or call 01473 788546

Parents Place s Mum in Busineesw intervi Your name: Kelly Chamberlain Name, location and nature of your business: Owner of The Bear Garden, Tower Ramparts Shopping Centre, Ipswich. A family run independent stuff-your-own bear shop.

How long has your business been running and the reason why you started your own business?

I opened The Bear Garden when my youngest was only 6 months old in November 2013. The idea was initially my then 6 year old daughter, Isabella’s.

She has a great imagination and raised the point several months before that we have a long way to travel to visit a shop where she could make her own bear or add to her existing collection. I was inspired by her enthusiasm for the perfect bear stuffing shop. We talked about what we would do in our imaginary shop and I started to dream myself. Suddenly we were on a journey together. I looked into suppliers and was keen to keep it local and independent. Ipswich has some great independent shops and I think it makes our town interesting. I found two manufacturers who were really keen to supply us.

The Bear Garden has been an interesting venture so far. My daughter thinks I have the best job in the world and I love having her involved. Our logo was drawn by Isabella on a scrap piece of paper and it’s been created into this cute recognisable logo.

What do you enjoy about running your own business?

I like to be the boss. It’s a sure way to ensure you have a job you are really passionate about and love. I enjoy being creative with ideas and having the freedom to run with them. I enjoy meeting like-minded mums in business too.

Learn to Read in 5 Weeks – for FREE! From 30 July to 30 September your child can join thousands of children across the UK taking part in the Reading Eggs Great Literacy Challenge – a nationwide effort to inspire children to read!

This FREE event will give your child 5 WEEKS FREE* access to Reading Eggs – the online reading programme that teaches children aged 3 – 13 the literacy skills needed for lifetime reading success.

Sign up for your FREE trial* today and see for yourself how your child’s reading improves by using Reading Eggs.

Is there anything you don’t enjoy about running your own business?

The start-up of a business is really difficult. I had a plan that I was confident about and then suddenly I’m out there, doing it, on my own. Then I wondered what made me take the plunge.

I don’t enjoy the admin work or accounts but it’s a necessary part of running a small business.

There’s more to running a business than some might think. I have another business which is older and this has prepared me for the extra roles I’ve had to take on.

What was the best piece of advice you were ever given?

I have heard little sayings in the last 10 years since I have been in business that I have never forgotten; mostly by my late Dad who I always looked up to. The top three are • ‘It’s not what you know, it’s who you know’.

• ‘Don’t treat people badly on your way up, you’ll meet them on the way down’ • ‘Keep your cards close to your chest’.

What does the future hold for your business?

We have some exciting plans for the shop which will be rolled out in the next couple of years. We have just had our first baby bear clinic. A group of mums-to-be came in and hand stuffed their bears, we recorded their baby’s heartbeats on sound modules and added them to the bear’s tummies. It was very exciting and an idea that I had since the early days before we opened. Every step has to be in the right direction and happen at the right time. The future is looking good and we have our loyal customers to thank for that. Tower Ramparts is having a major refurbishment costing 4 million pounds. That will hopefully help the future of our business too. We are a future facing business now we have our new Bear Garden App. There are lots of quirky features including a loyalty card and a game. I’m not confident with technology but I’m trying to keep up.

How do you fit your business around family life?

A lot of people say to me “I don’t know how you do it all” and some days I don’t know either.

It is a real juggling act but you have to prioritise. The shop is closed Sundays and Mondays so I get time with my family then. I open Sundays for birthday parties by prior arrangement but again this is around family time.

What advice would you give to any parents considering starting up their own business?

Go for it! Do lots of research and have a plan for how it will work around the family. If it still looks good then go for it. I don’t regret it.

FREE

5 WEEK TRIAL*

Hurry, offer ends 30 September 2014.

Register today at

www.readingeggs.co.uk/suffolk *Free trial only available for new customers who sign up at the above address.

The multi-award winning online reading programme! www.familiessuffolk.co.uk

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Baby & Toddler Talk

sponsored by

Benefits of Early Swimming

by Lorraine - iSwim

Lazy daisy

Many of our parents feel that along with gentle exercise and warm water it helps their babies to sleep better and stimulates their appetites too.

Have a warm bottle or snack ready for after your dip - swimming makes babies hungry!

A good way to start off a child’s love of water is by making bath times fun. This helps to get your baby used to water and building his confidence for baby swimming. Gently splash water over their body or use toy watering cans to gentle sprinkle water over their faces. While laying lay him on his back support him gently and move him through the water, with lots of eye contact and smiles. Use bath toys, and sing songs to help your baby relax and enjoy the water. These will also act as reassuring prompts when you come along to the pool for the first time together.

Swimming can be started at any age. Whether you decide to go to a public pool or to have lessons both are an excellent way to help develop your baby’s/child’s physical abilities in a safe, controlled environment.

Water safety is at the forefront of all of our lessons. Sadly drowning is the third-biggest cause of accidental death among children under five in the UK.

There are many benefits to taking your baby swimming. Not only is it a fun and rewarding activity, it’s also a great way to exercise and teach an extremely valuable life skill, and it’s also one of the best ways of spending some fun, quality time together. Mums and Dads can burn up to 300 calories too. The list of general wellbeing, developmental and health benefits is long but here are a few of what we think are the best.

1 Swimming and being in water helps improve co-ordination and balance. For example, it has been found that babies who swim have much better balance and can grasp objects more easily.

2 This is about the only time in the week without your phone and numerous daily interruptions. Spend a quality 30 minutes with your baby and enjoying a little bonding session!

3 It give your little ones ‘muscles’ ! Well not exactly, but free movement in the water and water-resistance means that babies exercise more muscles, more effectively, in water.

4 Lets get physical..! It’s a great all round baby workout. Swimming from birth is fantastic for your baby’s general health & development. Swimming strengthens your baby’s heart and lungs and in turn helps development of the brain. Watch those Rapid Development of Synapses!

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Parents often can transfer their fear of water onto their children. Having babies in the water with understanding teachers helps prevent you transferring a fear of water developing onto your children.

Babies are born with only two fears, falling and loud noises, swimming we promise is not one of them. If introduced carefully and correctly the love of swimming will last a lifetime.

We teach the children to jump in and turn around to get to the side, hold on and climb out. This simple routine (often sung to Zoom Zoom Zoom!) could save their life one day. We think its vital to teach safety techniques from very early on.

Songs to encourage movement and confidence in the water; Wheels on the Bus - Arms and legs splash kick etc.

Its raining its pouring - Encourages water over the face This is the way ...‘we wash our face’‘kick our legs’, splash our hands’ etc! -Movement and water confidence.

Humpty Dumpty - Jumping in safely.

Twinkle Twinkle Little star - Floating After being a swimming teacher for ten years, my only regret is that I never knew the advantages of baby and toddler swimming for my own two children. My grand children though will have the best ever presents possible...swimming lessons from day 1..!Give swimming lessons a try I promise you won’t regret it. Come on in the water is lovely!

If you wish to contact iSwim about these classes please call 01473 277085 www.iswim@live.co.uk

Lazy Daisy Competition

Win a Daisy Baby gold package worth £300 (RRP)

It is easy to be overwhelmed with by the array of baby classes on offer – Daisy Baby is an all-encompassing program of classes designed to support every mother and child as they reach their next milestone. Daisy Tinies is a massage based course suitable from 4 weeks after birth, designed to help Mummy understand the needs of her child in the first few weeks of life (4th Trimester) and build confidence in her own style of being a Mummy! Daisy Wrigglers is yoga based and designed to help your baby develop their physical and sensorial awareness and Daisy Movers is all about your baby becoming more independent as they learn to crawl and walk. Each class incorporates lots of singing, rhythm and vestibular development to help your baby increase their balance and co-ordination.

We are delighted to offer one lucky winner the chance to win a year’s worth of classes (7 x six week terms) – everything you will need for your baby’s first year. The package can be tailored to your needs and your baby’s development as no two children are the same! Most mothers find that they wish to attend two terms of Tinies, two or three terms of Wrigglers and two or three terms of Movers but there are no golden rules when it comes to your baby!

Please contact Jo Cresdee via eastsuffolk@lazydaisybirthing.co.uk or via 07944 070 362 for more details regarding the classes.

To enter the competition simply email editor@familiessuffolk.co.uk placing the words Lazy Daisy in the subject box by 5pm Friday 31st October 2014. Standard Families Suffolk Terms and conditions apply please visit www.familiessuffolk.co.uk/competitions Lazy Daisy Competition Terms and conditions: Not exchangeable for a cash alternative. Redeemable for classes hosted

by Jo Cresdee by the issuing licenses only: Issuing Licensees: Jo Cresdee and East Suffolk Lazy Daisy Team. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. First term of classes must be booked within six months of the date of issue.

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To contribute to future editions please email editor@familiessuffolk.co.uk or call 01473 788546

Our Community

sponsored by

Ipswich Building Society

In this issue the Our Community page finds out about the Raising the Bar campaign plus new nursery facilities for Martlesham.

What is Raising the Bar? Raising the Bar is a movement for educational change involving parents, teachers, headteachers, governors, early year practitioners and businesses with improving education standards in Suffolk. Tackling this issue is not something that any one person or organisation can do alone; only by working together will we be successful.

Raising the Bar aims to make sure that: • • • •

Every child reaches their potential Every child is taught by a good or outstanding teacher Every child attends a good or outstanding school Every child is given the best preparation for life before and beyond school

What has Raising the Bar achieved so far?

Since it was launched in 2012, Raising the Bar has achieved a lot, including: • An award which schools can work towards to show that they are putting the interest of families at the heart of what they do. The Families First for Schools Award created

by Raising the Bar, the National Association of Family Information Services (NAFIS) and the Family and Childcare Trust, provides schools with a set of standards and a workbook which defines the steps towards achieving those standards. Two schools have completed the award, Chilton Community Primary School and Barrow CEVC Primary School.

• An awards ceremony celebrating the educational successes of Suffolk.

This year, Raising the Bar held their first annual awards ceremony, Award categories included Young Person of the Year, Teaching Excellence and Educational Leader of the Year. More information about next year’s awards will be available in the coming months.

As a parent, what can I do?

As a parent, you have a central role in supporting and encouraging aspiration.

The majority of parents want their child to do well and the school systems needs to ensure that parents are supported.

In particular parents should: • • • •

Have high aspirations for their child and their school Encourage their child to reach their potential Respond positively and in a timely manner to requests from the school to assist their children to do better Positively and constructively challenge their school where they feel their child are at risk of not realising their potential

The Parent Hub is a great place to find guidance and advice to help you support your child’s development (www.suffolk.gov.uk/parents).

What if I’m not a parent, how can I find out more about Raising the Bar?

The Raising the Bar website has a lot of information including, details of the projects being implemented in schools, education based news stories from around the county and helpful advice and guidance.

Visit www.suffolk.gov.uk/rtb or follow them on Facebook (search Raising the Bar Suffolk) and Twitter (@SuffolkRtB).

• An initiative which helps young people move from education into the world of work. Raising the Bar is working with local employers to offer a number of primary and secondary schools the opportunity to hold events where employers come and talk about the skills they are looking for in young people. During the 2013/2014 academic year 3,900 primary school students and 1,600 secondary school students developed links with local employers. Activities included speed dating style events, CV and mock interview workshops, employer talks and challenges.

Bridge Farm Day Nursery

One parent who is a teacher at a local school gave the following testimonial,

Due to its outstanding success and high levels of demand, Bridge Farm Day Nursery in Martlesham is expanding in 2014. A new purpose built pre-school will be completed that will provide an extra 24 spaces for children aged 0-5. Owner Dan Powick says ‘it is a relief to finally be extending as our popularity means we have to turn parents away quite often. This should ensure that we can give all the parents the places they want by the end of the year.” The new building will still be part of Bridge Farm nursery but will have its own kitchen, garden and office. Although the new building is for children aged 3-5 it will mean spaces become available for all 0-5 year olds. The nursery has been expanded with the help of Suffolk County Council who realised the high demand for the nursery meant that many interested parents were not able to attend.

“Dear Dan, We just wanted to say a special thank you to you for the fantastic care that Jemima has received over the past three years in both Rendlesham and Bridge Farm Nurseries. Your staff are such a credit to you and the teaching is truly outstanding. The teams in both nurseries have all played a part in preparing Jemima for her next step - “big school” We cannot express strongly enough our gratitude to you all.”

Dan and his wife Tina started as child-minders in Woodbridge 12 years ago before opening Rendlesham Day Nursery in 2005 and Bridge Farm Nursery in 2008. In 2009, Dan became one of the first men in Suffolk to achieve a level 6 Early Years Professional Status which is the gold standard for the early years. They are backed up by a loyal and highly qualified team and the two nursery managers both started with the company on its first day nearly 10 years ago! Nursery manager Lorraine Harrington says “It is very rare for staff to leave us which gives the nursery excellent continuity. Many of the parents are now bringing their second or third child to the nursery which gives it a warm, family feel.”

Both nurseries offer care all year round from 8am-6pm and have separate Baby, Toddler and Pre-school rooms in spacious and well equipped purpose build premises. All the rooms are fitted with safe and secure web cams so parents are able to log on to watch their children while they play. Parents feel reassured that management and staff have 100% confidence in their ability to give the children the best possible start.

For more information please call 01394 388062 or visit www.bridgefarmdaynursery.co.uk

www.familiessuffolk.co.uk

7

Education

What’s the Story Montessori?

By Anna Max Deputy Head at

The Meadows Montessori Primary School, Ipswich.

As you can see the generalisations are contradictory. They are wide of the mark too. Let me take you through some of the most common misconceptions and show you how, as a philosophy and as an education system, Montessori is beautifully suited to children and teachers.

In my classroom, I strive for the same as every other teacher in the country. I want to see my pupils light up when they learn a new skill. I want to pass on my enthusiasms. I want to see my pupils make progress. The way I do this is radically different to the school around the corner. I have a major advantage over the teachers there, who have the same aspirations as I do.

What is this advantage? I teach according to individual children’s needs. I work out these needs by observing the children and using my knowledge of each individual child and the principles of child development. The most common phrase used by a Montessori teacher is “Follow the child”.

This does not mean “allow the child to make the rules”. It means, following the principles of child development and the school’s rules, to follow the child’s natural development as it unfolds. It is my job to get out of the way of that unfolding and to step in only where the child needs a lesson.

I am a teacher. Not just a teacher but a Montessori teacher. This tends to become a talking point at parties when someone will want to tell me that I am variously wrong, insane, utterly right or completely misguided. There are some generalisations too. Montessori is; too rigid, too permissive, children have no choice, they have too much choice, they don’t have to do any work, they have to play with bricks - but only in a certain way, it’s for posh children, it’s for children with special needs, it’s all about wooden spoons.

The Montessori curriculum is laid out in a manner that we call “scope and sequence”. “Scope” because this word indicates that each unit in the chain covers particular ground, and “sequence” because each unit is carefully placed in a logical order. Each child follows the scope and sequence of every subject at their own speed. This is where the misconceptions about Montessori teaching being both too rigid and too permissive come from. To some people, scope and sequence seems rigid. There is no “give”. The child is pushed from one activity to the next. To others, progressing at the child’s speed is too permissive.

What if the child doesn’t learn, or won’t try? Where are the standards and the levels? But the whole point of the scope and sequence is to provide a solid pathway that the child can learn, understand and master at their own pace, without holding back other students and without missing out vital links in the chain of learning. A child who feels secure with what they have learnt will make progress.

Just as children grow in fits and starts, so do they learn.

Some children repeat the same work over and over, going over a single link in the chain until they feel comfortable and happy with the knowledge. This is normal! Outside school, it is the way we all learn. You certainly wouldn’t say that to a footballer, a chef or a musician! It is the same with any academic subject. The lesson is important but the practicing is the vital part and every child needs a

different amount. The adult does not know, “That child has practiced enough.” The child lets you know when they are ready for the next step.

The permissive argument is sometimes put forwards by someone who has heard we have no timetable. This isn’t true, we do, but it does not look like that of the mainstream school. We have a fiercely protected three hour work cycle. This happens from nine until twelve every morning.

During that time each child works from their work plan.

They have a list of work to choose from, covering every subject. The specific tasks come from the child’s position on the scope and sequence. Those subjects, in addition to maths and English, include geography, history, science, music, art and the very special Practical Life. Practical Life is one of my favourite areas of the curriculum. In the nursery it is the area of the classroom where the famous pouring exercises are learnt. We teach the child to master their environment so they can take their place in society and be useful. In the older classrooms Practical Life is geared to learning skills, making things and learning to look after both themselves and others. This morning in my classroom children: followed instructions for making simple lavender bags to put in their drawers or to give as a present; made toast and jam and a cup of tea for snack; folded a sweatshirt; learnt how to plait. These exercises taught them a skill, extended their concentration, raised self-esteem, made them more confident, gave them independence, used muscles needed for writing, and made them use skills such as sequencing and problem solving.

All these are vital parts of a child’s education and support their ability to learn the more normal subjects.

During the work cycle I am busy giving lessons to small groups or individual children. I mix up my teaching with a quick chat with a child, having a snack with a group or observing the class. I learn just as much about the children from these interactions as I do from teaching them. I see who is struggling and who is conquering a piece of work. I see the child who is feeling sad and the one who is worrying about something. Throughout the morning I encourage, guide or simply acknowledge children. I can directly engage with children when they need it.

And what of the wooden spoon?

Well, you may find it in the Practical Life area, on a day when cake baking is part of the morning. Or possibly on the literacy shelf, ready to be made into a puppet and brought to life in a play written by a student!

For any further information about The Meadows Montessori Primary School, Ipswich please visit www.themeadowsmontessori.com

Families Suffolk is interested to hear your thoughts and comments and any alternative viewpoints on this article – please get in contact via email editor@familiessuffolk.co.uk

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To contribute to future editions please email editor@familiessuffolk.co.uk or call 01473 788546

Lunch Boxes ENJOY A HEALTHIER PACKED LUNCH By Live Well Suffolk

As children across the county are settling back into school life, it’s important that their food choices are giving them the energy they need to fuel their day. Live Well Suffolk has put together the following advice to help families enjoy healthier lunchtimes.

From September, all Key Stage one pupils will be entitled to a free school meal. “The nutritional content

of school dinners is much better than packed lunches,” explains Live Well Suffolk dietician, Heather Osborn. “We recommend that children have a school meal whenever possible, however, for those children who do take a packed lunch, there are a few simple changes that can make them healthier.”

The key to packed lunches is variety – introducing new foods will help to make sure children don’t get bored.

Live Well Suffolk dietitians Heather Osborn (left) and Karen Davies (right) are encouraging families to enjoy healthier packed lunches

A sandwich is a lunchtime staple, but starchy carbohydrates like wholemeal bread, wraps or pittas are healthier alternatives to white bread. Wholemeal rice and pasta are also good options – why not make a tub of homemade pasta or rice salad instead?

For sandwich fillings and salads, lean meats like chicken, ham and tuna are great sources of protein. For children who are vegetarian, swap meat for boiled eggs or a small amount of hummus.

When it comes to drinks, water is the best option.

Fizzy drinks and fruit juices often contain added sugars, meaning children consume extra calories they don’t need.

Take care to ensure packed lunches are stored suitably and kept cool. Small plastic containers with secure lids are fairly cheap and can be used again and again, while an insulated lunch bag or ice pack helps to keep items fresh.

A nutritious lunchbox should also include a variety of fruit and vegetables. Bulk up sandwiches, wraps, pittas or salads by adding lettuce leaves, tomatoes and cucumber, or chop up some pepper and carrot sticks – they are great Live Well Suffolk is the county’s free healthy lifestyle service and is encouraging both children on their own or dipped in hummus. A handful of cherry and adults to take advantage of its new ‘Lose tomatoes are another good snack.

Weight with Live Well Suffolk’ programme.

Make fruit easy to eat by cutting it into chunks, or go If you’re worried about yours or your child’s for strawberries, grapes or small boxes of dried fruit, for weight and would like some free support, children to enjoy on its own or with low fat yoghurt. call Live Well Suffolk on 01473 229292 or Cakes, crisps and chocolate bars should only be an occasional treat as they are high in fat and sugar, but you visit www.livewellsuffolk.org.uk. could try your hand at some healthier baking. Recipes for healthier muffins, flapjacks and cakes are all available at www.nhs.uk/change4life.

If you go into the woods today…..

As Summer draws to a close and the days draw in, it’s natural to think about hibernating indoors. However before switching on Cbeebies or the Ipad, don’t forget Suffolk has an amazing selection of outdoor free spaces just waiting to be discovered. These outdoor spaces are great to run around in and make fantastic natural learning environments.

Ipswich based The Children’s Triangle Nursery strongly believes in the importance and benefits of outdoor play. As well as daily outdoor play, their children are taken on weekly Forest school trips. Manager Kate Sykes tells us why: A Forest school session offers children the time and opportunity to experience hands on play and learning. The variety of skills used enables children to develop more quickly than in the conventional learning environment. We have noticed a real difference in children’s social skills and faith in their own abilities after only a few sessions.

Sessions are run throughout the year. Children observe seasonal changes in the landscape and get to feel and experience all weathers. Our mantra is ‘there is no such thing as bad weather, it’s bad clothing’. We have plenty of warm and waterproof clothing which means we can head out in rain or shine!

Kate is a qualified Early Years and Forest Schools Practitioner, with over 10 years experience in early years care.

The Children’s Triangle Nursery is part of the Bows and Arrows Nursery Group, which is an independent, not for profit charity, owning four nurseries around Ipswich: Buttons and Bows, Wigwams, Little Learners and The Children’s Triangle. The Group prides itself on giving children the very best possible start in life by offering the highest quality childcare (3 out of its 4 settings are rated OUTSTANDING in all areas by Ofsted). Its vision is to help develop its children into strong, confident, and happy individuals.

Typical types of activities might include building dens or houses for bugs/ bird/ creatures, listening to the environment, clambering over fallen trees or branches, looking for insects/ leaves /paw marks, natural painting /drawing/ mark making with sticks, singing, playing lots of imaginative and active games. The list is endless and no session is ever the same – just always lots of fun.

The session puts no pressures on the child - they don’t have to conform to rules and goals or for it to have a definite direction. They choose how and what they want to do - there is no right or wrong way for the session to go.

www.familiessuffolk.co.uk

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Returning to Work The start of the new academic year means many parents are now in a position to consider either a return to work or a change of work. If this is you, this feature aims to assist in your decisions regarding what type of work is for you and to provide some advice on how to ensure your CV will most benefit you in returning to work.

Office Angles Ipswich has provided us with some information to write a tip top CV, Menta Suffolk have provided us with a case study of a local family starting up their own business and we have an article from a local network marketing professional explaining how this type of opportunity may work for you.

Writing a tip top CV Your CV should be a living, breathing, growing document. By that, we don’t mean it should leave the confines of your desktop, spring into life, and make your morning cuppa (that would be weird. Good, but weird), but it should grow and evolve as you do. And even if you don’t have any new roles or skills to add to it, you’ll more than likely need to adapt it to specific jobs, sectors and companies.

Employers don’t have time to read between the lines, so the more you do to show how great you are for the job you’re trying to bag, the more chance you’ll have of getting it.

Remember, the reader will be asking themselves two very basic questions: • Can you do the job?

• Will you suit their company?

Make sure the answer to both of these questions is ‘yes’ by: • Moulding your CV to match what they’re looking for • Making it clear where your skills meet their needs • Pointing out the value you could bring to their organisation In this section, we’ll share our tried and tested tips for writing the perfect CV and effectively showcasing your skills and suitability to the professional world.

Mind your language • Keep copy short and sweet • Avoid lengthy sentences and use bullet-points • Don’t refer to yourself as ‘I’ or by name • Make sentences more direct with such phrases as ‘Major achievements include’ • Use the past tense to describe your career (‘Led a team of…’) but the present tense for your transferable skills and competencies (‘Offers experience in…’)

Proof read • We can’t stress enough the importance of checking your CV for spelling and grammar errors, as a mistake could cost you the job • A fresh pair of eyes can be super sharp when it comes to spotting the errors you may have missed, so ask someone to double-check it for you Layout • Keep it clean and uncluttered, with plenty of white space and wide margins • Use the same font throughout, and make sure it’s a common one such as Times New Roman, Arial or Courier • For a guide on font size, use 10-12 point for your body text, and a maximum of 16 point for headings • Refrain from using capitals for entire words and always embolden headings • Never reduce font size to fit more in. If you need another page, use one — or cut it down • Print on one side of the paper only • Number the pages if there are two or more Structure

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Personal information • Include your name, address, telephone number and e-mail address — and if you have a website that will add value to your application, add that too • There’s every chance your CV could get split up, so include your contact details on every page Personal statement • Your personal statement is your big chance to sell yourself. Think of it as a sales pitch — you have one chance to grab the reader’s attention with how great you are • Write a focused summary of what you have to offer, keeping it simple and snappy. Sum up your personal and professional attributes, taking into account the job spec Work experience • Start with your current or most recent position and work backwards • Treat a promotion like a separate position • Provide a job title, start and finish dates, company name, and a brief description of what they do • List relevant responsibilities, achievements, duties and skills; describing the scope of your job, rather than giving a job description • If you’ve had a lot of jobs or a long career, you might want to summarise under such headings as ‘Previous employers’ or ‘Earlier career’ • Explain any significant career gaps. Even if you’re not working, you may have picked up some incredibly valuable skills from other pursuits

Qualifications, education, training and development • These usually come near the end of the CV, but if some qualifications are essential for the job and make you more marketable, include them after your profile • List professional and academic qualifications, degrees and executive programmes (giving the subject, awarding body and year) but not ‘bought’ memberships • Include skills such as languages, technology, or vocational training References and client endorsements • You could include the names and contact details of your referees on your CV, or simply have them on hand for when they’re requested. Either way, make sure you know who is willing to represent you • Include client endorsements and recommendations in the achievements section of your CV, for example: ‘Given a special award by X for contribution to X’ Future proofing • Keep your CV up to date, even when you’re no longer looking - it’ll save you bags of time when you are, and prevent you from forgetting important dates, details, projects or successes Office Angles Ipswich is located at 12-14 Princes St, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 1QT and can be contacted on 01473 219863

Why did I decide to start my own business?

It’s a question my wife and I often ask ourselves as we realise the true extent of running your own enterprise. In truth we haven’t even started trading yet but the past two years of planning and preparation have been stressful, challenging and at times tear-inducing – on top of our ‘day jobs’ and three young children.

The reason it’s taken so long is that we’re opening a wedding/function venue in our 16th century Grade II listed barn in Copdock on the edge of Ipswich. We’re both journalists by trade but fed up of reporting on other people doing things, we decided to do something ourselves and so sold up in London and bought the property with the intention of converting the barn.

My wife Diane has some experience of events when we lived for four years in South Africa where I worked as a foreign correspondent, so with one eye on the future we decided to take the plunge. Two years and countless meetings with architects, council planners, conservation officers, environmental health officials, builders, accountants, wildlife experts, tax advisers, plumbers, electricians (…you get the picture), work is underway and we plan to be open next year.

Indeed we have a wedding fair organised for 26th April 2015 and a wedding booked for August – despite not actively marketing it yet.

Work began at Copdock Hall in March with the removal of a large cowshed and building of the car parks, but the renovation of the barn and courtyard only started properly in June. It’s starting to feel ‘real’ now as our vision becomes a reality.

However, it hasn’t been easy. It often feels you have to be all things to all men…and women, of course. You have to create budgets, become a planning and conservation expert, know taxation law, plan your marketing, choose lighting/wood colours/door handles/trees to be planted – the list is endless but to be on top of your brief, you have to know your stuff and make decisions, decisions, decisions.

If you don’t fancy that, don’t work for yourself. You also have to balance the work life with family life – not just the physical work but the inevitable tensions and stresses. You have to find a balance.

But there is help out there. We use Menta, the Suffolk enterprise agency, a not for profit organisation which supports start-up and existing businesses in Suffolk. I have been on Menta’s marketing courses and made the most of their free, one-to-one business advice service which was both practically and emotionally useful. My wife meanwhile has been on book-keeping and business start-up courses, all of which were affordable and run by people who have been there and done it.

Yes, starting your own venture is tough but there are people out there having tougher lives. It was our decision to go it alone and we’ll succeed or fail on our own efforts. And that’s the way we want it.

To find out more about Copdock Hall and the progress, follow Ian’s blog at http://copdockhall. wordpress.com/ For further details regarding Menta go to www.menta.org.uk

To contribute to future editions please email editor@familiessuffolk.co.uk or call 01473 788546

Network Marketingis it for you?

By Cath Bright - Network Marketing Professional

If you have always been an employee but you now need a more flexible approach to working, a network marketing business may be the answer.

Perfect for those dipping their toe into the self-employed market for the first time, Network Marketing, also known as Multi-Level Marketing (MLM), is a massive industry and a fantastic way to be introduced to running your own business, providing support and structure with very low financial risk.

There are many networking companies to choose from but all work to the same principle: you pay a small fee to join which gives you access to various business support systems such as a website, training, documentation and a product to sell.

New recruits tend to start by selling to family and friends, and once their confidence and knowledge is increased they move onto referrals from those first customers, and can seek out new potential customers.

Don’t think you need to be a salesperson to be successful: you need to be dedicated, committed and professional. All other skills can be learnt.

My top tips for running a successful network marketing business are:

1

Understand it is a business: it should not be considered a hobby, nor a getrich-quick scheme. It is an opportunity for you to earn money from running your own part time or full time business within a proved industry. If you behave like a professional small business owner, you will be treated like a business owner.

2

Choose wisely: you need to be a “match” to the business and be a believer not only in it’s product but in it’s stability, compensation scheme and reputation.

Research, talk to people, and take your time deciding. Whilst the financial investment is low, the commitment should be high.

3

Make use of the systems in place and don’t re-invent the wheel: the training schemes, event days and support structures are there to help you. Use them, associate with successful people, copy what they do and you will be successful.

4

Become a student of the industry: it doesn’t matter if you have been a Director of HR, or a shop assistant. Whilst you will have transferable skills, you need to learn new ones, and learn how to run your own business and be a network marketing professional. There are numerous books and websites giving advice and education so read, learn and develop.

5

Don’t become disheartened by your nearest and dearest: family and friends can be the hardest customers and can often criticise, maybe due to their own fears, what they view as an unconventional way of running a business. Set yourself a plan, stick to it and be consistent. Whatever you commit to, put it in your diary and stay committed. Your confidence will grow and with that so will your income, reputation, and business.

With the right company and attitude you can have an income which really impacts on your life, whilst giving you the flexibility you desire. Start researching…...you never know where it will lead.

Cath Bright

Network Marketing Professional http://uk.linkedin.com/in/cathbright/ www.brightbudgeting.co.uk

www.familiessuffolk.co.uk

11 9

Clubs & Classes News

sponsored by Ipswich Borough Council The largest sport provider in Ipswich

Sport for little ones

Learn play grow was founded by Elena Baltacha, ex professional tennis player and long term British number 1 and Nino Severino, ex WTA touring coach. Elena and Nino were passionate about getting children into sport, and they believed the earlier the better. With Elena being a professional tennis player she experienced the endless benefits first hand.

They considerd that teaching children about sportsmanship, team work, never giving up and many more subjects would help the development of happy, confident children. They believed a programme that engages children, allows them to use their imagination and have lots of fun would do this! With the above in mind Learn, Play, Grow was born.

Learn Play Grow is a unique multi-sports class for children. It takes young children on a new journey, in a completely exclusive way to encourage children to enjoy sports and be active, using the LPG characters, pictures, stories and music.

The LPG characters enrich the LPG programme.

The characters all behave as brilliant role models for the LPG kiddies. All the characters have an excellent attitude, are well behaved, enjoy eating and drinking healthily and most of all love having lots of fun.

There are various classes running throughout the day at Rushmere sports centre, The Street (off playford Road) Ipswich.

For more information 07538 262 376 learnplaygrow@hotmail.co.uk, www.learnplaygrow.co.uk

ENIGMA CHEERLEADING ACADEMY

Back to school means the start of the most exciting term yet at Enigma Cheerleading Academy with new classes and the launch of competition squads. Enigma teaches All Star Cheerleading, one of the fastest growing team sports in the UK featuring acrobatic stunts and tumbling gymnastics. Beginner classes for boys and girls aged 3 to 7 are on Saturdays at 9am at Inspire Suffolk, Lindbergh Road Ipswich, with ages 8 to 13 at 9.45am. Starting on 20th September, these classes are £2.50 per child pay on the day or £10 for all five if paid on the first day. Tryouts for the new youth team are on 27th September at 10am for children aged 7 to 11. The teenagers and adults are training Thursdays 7pm to 9pm at Copleston Sports Centre starting 18th September, funding from Suffolk Sport means this new course is only £15 for six weeks. A FREE TASTER afternoon is being held on 14th September at Copleston sports Centre 5 to 12 years at 2pm, 13+yrs and adults at 3pm so come and meet Helen and Kerrie and find out more about Enigma. Helen can be contacted on 07825408730.

As well as the many clubs and courses run

by Ipswich Borough Council in their sports centres, there are also over 100 weekly fitness classes.

The programme of classes is varied with everything from the very popular indoor cycling, to yoga, box fit, legs, bums and tums, body conditioning, Insanity and Pilates.

Most classes are set to music and done in a group which makes them very motivational and a really effective workout.

Apart from a few classes, they are almost all suitable for mixed abilities and don’t think they are just for the ladies, as most guys that try the classes really like them too. And if you fancy something water-based, there are also many aqua classes each week at Crown Pools. Again set to music and mostly performed in shallow water, except where indicated, the classes provide a fantastic total body workout focusing on stamina and tone.

You can pay per class if you’re not a member but a monthly membership is excellent value for money if you’re going to do at least seven classes a month.

The atmosphere is friendly and welcoming and the instructors are fully qualified and extremely helpful. What are you waiting for? Try a class this autumn.

Full programme at www.ipswich.gov.uk/sport

Daisy Baby classes

September means a whole new season of Daisy Baby classes. We will be returning to all our regular venues in Ipswich, Woodbridge, Hintlesham,Kesgrave and Martlesham after the summer break the week beginning Monday 8th September. We will be running Movers (crawling to two years), Wrigglers (12 weeks – crawling) and Tinies (4 weeks – 20 weeks) on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays Woodbridge. Class numbers are strictly limited to keep classes small and intimate.

If you would like more information or would like to book a place please contact Jo for more details via eastsuffolk@lazydaisybirthing.co.uk or 07944 070 362

Sailfish Swim School - Swimming lessons

Sailfish Swim School offer a wide range of classes to suit all ages and abilities in their journey to learn to swim and the continuation thereafter. Small group lessons run throughout the week and are in line with the ASA national plan for teaching. We also run sessions for parent and child, snorkelling, rookie lifeguard and private 1:1 lessons.

We are based in Elton Park, off Hadleigh Road in Ipswich. The pool is new and is 11m long with a shallow and deep end. It is a private environment free from any distractions. The facility offers 2 changing rooms, viewing area above pool and seating poolside with hot and cold refreshments available. Free parking is also available.

All Sailfish Swim School instructors are CRB checked, qualified to ASA level 2 for teaching and have national rescue tests for teachers.

We also run children’s swimming birthday parties, which are fun and very popular.

Please contact Lindsey on 07824 366377 or info@sfswim.co.uk for more details and availability

Sept 13th - Kick Off!!

From Saturday 13th September Little Kickers football coaching classes begin their new term. These classes are for children 18months to 5 years and are a fun way for the children to develop co-ordination, control, confidence and a feeling of camaraderie, all of which will help them in other areas of their lives. The classes are for both girls and boys. Do not worry; your toddler does not have to sit still for any length of time in these classes! The Little Kickers coaches are very used to parents saying that their child doesn’t concentrate very well so they are unsure if they would be able to get involved with the class. The answer is most definitely yes, the structure of the class and the coaching methods used in Little Kickers classes will more often than not actually help your youngster’s ability to concentrate in other environments whilst having loads of fun in the sessions. They currently run classes in Kesgrave, Maidenhall and Gainsborough Sports Centre Ipswich, plus there are 2 new venues launching in September Brackenbury Sports Centre, Felixstowe and Woodbridge Town Football Club. For anyone who attends the launch date at the new venues there is a free taster session available (must be booked in advance). Little Kickers also offer FREE taster sessions to nurseries, child care centres and pre-schools and offer competitive birthday party packages.

For all venue class details or to book a place on one of the launch dates or for any other information www.littlekickers.co.uk cwest@littlekickers.co.uk

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First sessionEasy Free Relax

Birth

I’m Stretching My Imagination

Relax Easy

With Daisy Tot’s yoga inspired movement and relaxation and story time

Birth

Easy

Age Group 1 - 2.5 years

2.5 - 4 years

AskAsk about group, nursery about play group, nursery andpre-school pre-schoolsessions. sessions.Email Emailus usat: at:eastsuffolk@lazydaisybirthing.co.uk eastsuffolk@lazydaisybirthing.co.uk Ipswich & play Woodbridge Area and Jo & or byShelley eastsuffolk@lazydaisybirthing.co.uk via 07944 070 362

To contribute to future editions please email editor@familiessuffolk.co.uk or call 01473 788546

Clubs & Classes Why it’s important for children to do after school activities…

By Susan Tomlinson

Whether or not you reckon you might be raising the next Picasso or David Beckham, there’s no doubting the pluses for after school clubs.

From ballet to basketball and art to archery, there’s an after school activity out there for every child. And the best thing about them is they’re brilliant for all sorts of reasons – not just learning a new skill.

For a start, after school clubs give kids the chance to let off steam outside of the classroom. When you consider that in many countries around the world, kids don’t even start school until 6 or 7 years old, a full day in the classroom for youngsters can be a big ask. That’s why an alternative to the three R’s can be hugely rewarding. As clinical psychologist Dr Julie Fraser, puts it:

“It’s an opportunity for kids to explore different talents. Not everyone is brilliant at academic subjects and it’s a chance for your kids to shine outside of the classroom.”

She adds: “Learning a new skill can also affect what happens in school – kids feel more confident and able to try new tasks.”

Certainly all the research shows this to be the case. Every leading study into extra curricular activities demonstrates that academic grades actually improve when kids participate in outside school clubs. One 2005 study from the US actually showed that kids who attended clubs performed much better in maths and verbal reasoning tests than kids who didn’t. But kids clubs are not only great for improving academic levels but for developing important life skills too.

“It’s brilliant for developing social skills, dealing with new environments, talking to different adults and mixing with different children,” says Dr Fraser. “But best of all, after school clubs are confidence building.”

Team sports like football, rugby, and netball are not only brilliant for keeping kids active but also helping them learn team work where they can begin to appreciate what’s good for the whole team, rather than just thinking of themselves. Competitive sports are also great for learning difficult life lessons like being a gracious winner - and loser. But for team building clubs with a less competitive edge, you could consider Woodcraft Folk, Brownies and Scouts.

Learning a musical instrument is great for discovering the art of practice, patience and persistence.

Drama clubs are great for shy kids who learn to find their voice singing and acting alongside others, while ballet and dance is great for kids to learn discipline and self-expression.

The list is endless. There are clubs for almost anything you can imagine. Archery, chess, horse riding, computer clubs, film making and even circus skills are all proving popular alongside the more traditional arts and crafts, swimming, tennis and kung fu. There are clubs for nature lovers run by the Woodland Trust, BMX biking for tots, and even kids yoga and tai chi.

There’s so many to choose from, it’s tempting to try them all but it’s also important not to overburden kids with too many activities. Frantically driving from one after school club to the next seems to be missing the point. New skills, team work and confidence building aside, the most important thing to think about when deciding which club to choose is surely the fun factor.

After that, the trick is to stay involved.

“It’s important to talk with the teacher, find out how they work and show an interest in the class,” says Dr Fraser. “That way you can be sure your child really is enjoying the club, and you will begin to watch them flourish and grow.”

Visit our online directory for a comprehensive listing of our local Clubs and Classes. www.familiesuffolk.co.uk Research cited from College Board Research Howard and Everson. New York 2005. http://research. collegeboard.org/sites/default/files/publications/2012/7/researchreport-2005-2-extracurricularactivities-high-school-higher-sat-scores.pdf

www.familiessuffolk.co.uk

13

Clubs & Classes contacts

Under 5’s & Baby/ Parent Groups

Tiddely Pom Music Groups, Ipswich & Felixstowe 01394 284827 babyballet, Sudbury www.tiddelypommusic.org 07580 693747 www.babyballet.co.uk Toddle Talk baby signing Baby Massage with Baby Senses (from 5 months to 3 years old) 07748914370.

Learn to massage your baby www.babysenses.co.uk (from birth to 12 months old) 07748 914370.

Tots & Co and Jolly Tots at Dance www.babysenses.co.uk East, Ipswich Waterfront 01473 295230 Baby Bounce, Tot Rock and www.danceeast.co.uk Storytime at Suffolk Libraries 01473 263811 Tots Pony Club, Valley Farm www.suffolklibraries.co.uk Equestrian Leisure, Wickham Market Baby Calm, Ipswich 01728 746916 07508 139580 www.valleyfarmonline.co.uk www.babycalm.co.uk Cheeky Monkeys, Brackenbury Tots Tennis, Brackenbury Sports Centre, Felixstowe Sports Centre, Felixstowe 01394 270278 01394 270278 www. www.placesforpeopleleisure.org placesforpeopleleisure.org Under 5’s Story Time & Craft, Crocodile Rock, Snape, Wickham Market & Framlingham Museum of East Anglian Life, Stowmarket 07976 299 297 01449 612229 www.crocodile-rock.com www.eastanglianlife.org.uk Daisy Baby Classes by Wriggle and Relax Lazy Daisy with Baby Senses 07944 070 362 www.

07748914370 thelazydaisychain.co.uk www.babysenses.co.uk Disco Duck, Ipswich Water Babies, 01473 251 323 Ipswich & Hadleigh www.ipswichdance.co.uk 01206 841126 Jo Jingles www.waterbabies.co.uk at Birch Farm 01473 652152 www.jojingles. Additional Needs com Clubs & Classes Activities Unlimited Learn Play Grow Find activities in Suffolk for 07538 262376 children and young people www.learnplaygrow.co.uk who are disabled or who have Mini Mammoths, Ipswich additional needs.

Museum 01473 260026 www.activities01473 433551 unlimited.co.uk www.cimuseums.org.uk Mini Melodies, Archery Rushmere St. Andrew, Ipswich Deben Archery Club 01394 461467 / 07787 331726 www.deben-archery.org.uk www.ipswichminimelodies.co.uk Gipping Valley Archers, NCT - Early Days Claydon High School 0844 243 6174 www.nct.org.uk/ www.gippingvalleyarchers.co.uk branches/ipswich-east-suffolk Maidenhall Sports Centre Parent and Child Swimming 01473 433622 www.ipswich.

- Deben Swimming Pool, gov.uk/sport Woodbridge Northgate Sports Centre 01394 384763 01473 433611 www.ipswich.gov. www.dcleisurecentres.co.uk uk/sport Parent and Toddler Play Session, Gymnastics In Ipswich Art & Craft 01473 433676 www.

Children’s Art Farm Foundation gymnasticsinipswich.co.uk – CAFF, Suffolk Food Hall, Wherstead Puddle Ducks Suffolk, Ipswich, Hadleigh, Stowmarket, 01473 403513 Martlesham, Woodbridge and www.childrensartfarmfoundation. com Felixstowe 01473 356222 Smart4Art, www.puddleducks.com/suffolk Felixstowe Sing & Stretch and Baby Boogie 07929 979 073 www.smart4art.co.uk 01473 828490 or 07749 791479 www.suffolkkidsparties.co.uk Athletics Northgate Sports Centre Snakes and Ladders, 01473 433611 Ipswich Musical Mayhem, Arty Crafty & www.ipswich.gov.uk/sport Tumbling Toddlers Ipswich Harriers Athletics Club 01473 255000 www.ipswich-harriers.co.uk www.snakes-and-ladders.co.uk Ipswich JAFFA Running Club Stutton Babies and Toddler www.ipswichjaffa.org.uk Group Stowmarket Striders Running 07523 108179 Club Swimming lessons at Birch www.stowmarketstriders.org.uk Farm, Hintlesham 01473 652152 Basketball & www.birchfarm.co.uk Netball The Ipswich Community Playbus Ipswich Basketball Academy 01473 221521 01473 277240 www.ipswichplaybus.org.uk www.ipswichbasketballacademy.co.uk

14

Hamilton School of Dance, Felixstowe 01394 286326 www.hamiltonschoolofdance. co.uk Inspire Dance Company, Woolverstone Bowling and 07540898538 Go-Karting inspiredancecompany1@yahoo.

Youth Bowling Club, Kingpin, co.uk Martlesham Ipswich School of Dancing 01473 611111 01473 251323 www. www.kingpinbowling.co.uk getfitgetdancing.org.uk Anglia Indoor Kart Racing The Cadet Karting Club, Ipswich Lait Dance Club Clarkson Street, Ipswich 01473 240087 www.

01473 215543 angliakarting.com www.laitdanceclub.co.uk Climbing Laura Emily Dance and Musical The CRAGG, Theatre School, Various Locations Mid Suffolk Lesiure Centre, 0772 972 4753 Stowmarket www.lauraemily.co.uk 01449 674980 New Wolsey Theatre Drama Club, www.everyoneactive.com/ Ipswich thecragg 01473 295 900 www.wolseytheatre.co.uk Cookery The Cooking Club, Ipswich & Polka-Dot Performing Arts Ltd, Bury St Edmunds Various locations 01284 828735 / 07971 256588 07786 796 555 www.the-cooking-club.co.uk www.polka-dotperformingarts.

The Kids Cooking Experience, co.uk Hadleigh & Wherstead Stagecoach Theatre Arts School, 07824 357705 www.

Various locations cookingexperience.co.uk/kids 01932 254 333 www. stagecoach.co.uk Cricket Stacey Pepper Dance Academy, Copdock & Old Ipswichian Ipswich Cricket Club 07801 675020 www.

01473 730752 www. staceypepper.co.uk copdockcc.hitscricket.com Suffolk Academy of Dance and Kesgrave Cricket Club Performing Arts, Ipswich 01473 623776 www.kesgrave. 07889 982957 play-cricket.com www.sadpa.co.uk Ipswich and East Suffolk Cricket The Childrens Theatre Company Club 01473 725822 www.iescc.co.uk www.

Ipswich Cricket Club thechildrenstheatrecompany.co.uk www.ipswichcricketclub.co.uk The Suffolk School of Dance, Stowmarket Cricket Club Hadleigh 01359 240019 07896 698514 www.stowmarket.play-cricket. www.suffolkschoolofdance.co.uk com Theatre Train, Ipswich, Bury St Woodbridge Cricket Club Edmunds, Sudbury www.woodbridgecricketclub. www.theatretrain.co.uk co.uk The Theatre Emporium School of Performing Arts, Ipswich Cycling 07983 338203 Great Blakenham Cycle www.theatreemporium.co.uk Speedway Woodbridge School of Dance www.greatblakenhamcsc.

07944 520890 www. webs.com woodbridgeschoolofdance.co.uk Hadleigh Cycling Club www.hadleighcyclingclub.org Football Ipswich BMX Anglia Sports Management www.ipswichbmx.co.uk Football Coaching, Brantham Ipswich Bicycle Club Leisure Centre www.ipswichbicycleclub.co.uk 01206 392506 www. angliasportsmanagement.com Ipswich Cycle Speedway www.ipswicheagles.org.uk Copleston Girls Football Club, Ipswich Kesgrave Panthers Cycle www.clubwebsite.co.uk/ Speedway www.freewebs.com/kesgrave- coplestongirlsfootballclub panthers Footstars Football Coaching, Dance, Drama & Ipswich 079640 47434 Performing Arts www.footstars.org.uk Ballet & Tap at Birch Farm, Gainsborough Football Project, Hintlesham, Ipswich Ipswich 01473 652152 paul.knight@catch-22.org.uk www.birchfarm.co.uk www.facebook.com/suffolk.

Co-op Juniors Dance Classes, positivefutures Various Locations Goals Soccer Centre, Ipswich 07718 160863 01473 300 060 www. www.coopjuniors.co.uk goalsfootball.co.uk Dance East, Ipswich Inspire Suffolk, Various Various Classes 0845 1369 333 01473 295230 www.inspiresuffolk.org.uk www.danceeast.co.uk Stowmarkers Netball Club 07428 595354 Stowmarkersnetball-club.co.uk Suffolk Netball Association www.suffolknetball.co.uk

To contribute to future editions please email editor@familiessuffolk.co.uk or call 01473 788546

Scrabster Durness

Melvich

f Ness / rt Nis

John o’ Groats

Thurso

Bettyhill Tongue

Wick Scourie Lybster

Altnaharra Kinbrace

Just4Keepers Goalkeeper Training in Suffolk 0845 094 1809 / 07988685122 www. just4keepers.co.uk Little Kickers 01394 210016 www.littlekickers.co.uk Maidenhall Sports Centre Junior Soccer Club, 01473 433622 www.ipswich. gov.uk/sport Striker 9 Mid Suffolk Leisure Centre, Stowmarket 01449 674980 www. everyoneactive.com Whitton Sports Centre Junior Soccer Club 01473 433633 www.ipswich. gov.uk/sport Woodpeckers Saturday Soccer Club, Woodbridge www.woodbridgetownfc.com

Helmsdale

Ledmore

Lairg

Oykel Bridge

Gairloch

Brora

Dornoch

Tain

Nairn

Fortrose

Muir of Ord

Cannich

Kyle of Lochalsh / Caol Loch Aillse

Fort Augustus

Mallaig

Kingussie

Fort William / An Gearasdan

St Just

Aberdeen

Stonehaven

Montrose

Kirriemuir

Suffolk Squash 07563 660053 www.suffolksquash.co.uk

Forfar

Blairgowrie

Arbroath

Coupar Angus

Dundee

Killin

Tyndrum

Carnoustie

Newport-on-Tay

Perth

Lochearnhead

Newburgh

Crieff

St Andrews

Cupar

Auchtermuchty Auchterarder

Callander

Crail

Anstruther

Falkland

Inveraray

Inverbervie

Squash

Brechin

Pitlochry

Aberfeldy

Lochaline

Crianlarich

Dyce

Banchory

Blair Atholl

Kinlochleven

Dalmally

Oldmeldrum

Laurencekirk

Ballachulish

Oban

Northgate Sports Centre 01473 433611 www.ipswich.gov.uk/sport Suffolk Badminton Association www.suffolkbadminton.co.uk

Ballater

Braemar

Spean Bridge

Acharacle

Badminton Kintore

Aboyne

Newtonmore

Invergarry

Peterhead

Inverurie

Alford

Aviemore

Mintlaw

Ellon

Tomintoul

Carrbridge / Drochaid Chàrr

Alton Water Sports Centre 01473 328408 www.altonwater.co.uk Deben Canoe Club, Woodbridge 01394 384763 www. placesforpeopleleisure.org/centres/ deben-pool East Anglian Sea School Ltd Suffolk Yacht Harbour Levington 01473 659992 www. eastanglianseaschool.com Suffolk Coastal Torpedoes 07802817627 www.sc-torpedoes.co.uk

Fraserburgh

Turriff

Huntly

Dufftown

Sailing & Watersports

Tennis in Christchurch Park 07860 241144 www. ipswichparktennis.co.uk Woodbridge Tennis Club 07796 366032 www. woodbridgetennis.org

Aberchirder

Keith

Rothes Charlestown of Aberlour

Grantown -on-Spey

Drumnadrochit

Invermoriston

dvasar

Banff

Portsoy

Forres

Inverness

Lochcarron

Cullen

Buckie

Elgin

Cromarty

Dingwall

Achnasheen

Shieldaig

Lossiemouth

Invergordon

Alness

Kinlochewe

Bentley Riding School, Suffolk 01473 311715 Copdock Riding Centre – Wenham Road, Copdock 01473 730678 www.suffolkholidayshorseriding.co.uk Hill Farm Equestrian Centre, Chelmondiston, Nr Ipswich 01473 780406 www. hillfarmec.co.uk Newton Hall Equitation Centre - Swilland, Ipswich 01473 785616 www.nhec.co.uk Valley Farm Wickham Market, Woodbridge 01728 746916 www. valleyfarmonline.co.uk Golspie

Bonar Bridge

Ullapool

Dunbeath

Horse Riding

Inchnadamph

Lochinver

Rollerskating

School Support

Pittenweem

CurveMotion, Kumon, Ipswich Bury St Edmunds 01473 614665 - Ipswich Central 0845 463 2324 www.

01206 577150- Ipswich South curvemotion.com 01473 413 118 – Stowmarket Gainsborough Sports Centre www.kumon.co.uk Martial Arts 01473 433644 Gary Staff Martial Arts Ipswich Tuition Centre www.ipswich.gov.uk/sport Academy, Ipswich Golf 01473 233 735 01473 233633 Bramford Golf Centre Whitton Sports Centre www.ipswichtuitioncentre.co.uk www.gsmaa.co.uk Junior Golf Lessons, Ipswich 01473 433633 La Jolie Ronde Blackwell Academy, Ipswich www.ipswich.gov.uk/sport 01473 830694 www.lajolieronde.co.uk & Stowmarket www.bramfordgc.co.uk 01473 256500 Rugby Fynn Valley Golf Club, Swimming www.blackwellacademy.

Felixstowe Rugby Club Witnesham, Ipswich co.uk Aquateach, Ipswich www.pitchero.com/clubs/ 01473 785267 07523 402880 felixstowerugbyfootballclub www.fynn-valley.co.uk English Korean Karate www.aquateach.co.uk Hadleigh Rugby Club Association, Northgate, & Stonham Barns Golf Centre Crown Pools, Ipswich www.pitchero.com/clubs/ Junior Golf Academy, Stonham Kesgrave 01473 433655 www.northgate-karate.co.uk hadleigh Aspal www.ipswich.gov.uk/sport Ipswich Rugby Club, 01449 711545 Felixstowe Judo Club Deben Pool, Woodbridge Humber Doucy Lane www.stonhambarnsgolf.co.uk 01473 832441 www.

01394 384763 01473 724072 www. felixstowejudoclub.co.uk Gymnastics, www.placesforpeopleleisure.org ipswichrugby.com Ipswich Judo Club Cheerleading & Felixstowe Leisure Centre Northgate Sports Centre Ipswich YM RUFC 01394 694600 www.

01473 433611 www.

Rushmere St Andrew, Ipswich.

Majorettes placesforpeopleleisure.org ipswichjudoclub.com www.pitchero.com/clubs/ Brackenbury Sports Centre, ipswichymrufc Felixstowe iSwim Swim School, Ipswich & Kuk Sool Won™ 01394 270278 Woodbridge Rugbytots Suffolk Ipswich – Various location www.placesforpeopleleisure.org 01473 277085 www.iswim.biz 08453136701 07789 686928 www.rugbytots.co.uk Enigma Cheerleading Academy www.kuksoolwonipswich.

Mid Suffolk Leisure Centre, 01473 279777 or Stowmarket co.uk Stowmarket Rugby Club 07825408730 01449 674980 01449 613181 stowrugby. www.enigmacheeracademy. www.everyoneactive.com Tennis intheteam.com co.uk Felixstowe Lawn Tennis Pure Training Rookie Lifeguard Woodbridge Rugby Club, Gymnastics In Ipswich - Home of Club, Lessons at Birch Farm Complex, Bromeswell, Woodbridge Lysette Fulcher: Pipers Vale Gymnastics Club Hintlesham 01394 460630 07889972214 www.

01473 433676 0786 129 9298 www.woodbridgerugbyclub.co.uk www.gymnasticsinipswich.co.uk felixstowetennis.co.uk www.puretrainingservices.com Hadleigh Tennis Ipswich Diamonds Majorette 0787 7436541 Troupe www.hadleightennis.org.uk 07833 474929 ipswichdiamonds.wix.com/ Sproughton Tennis club majorette www.sproughtontennis.co.uk Maidenhall Sports Centre St. Johns Tennis Club 01473 433622 www.ipswich.

Ipswich For further details and additional LONDON gov.uk/sport www.sjtcipswich.co.uk clubs and classes visit: Mid Suffolk Gymnastics Club, Familiessuffolk.co.uk/clubs 01449 676124 www. midsuffolkgymclub.moonfruit. com Whitton Sports Centre 01473 433633 www.ipswich.gov.uk/ sport Kennacraig

Kilsyth

Lochranza

Stewarton

Jedburgh

Cumnock

Campbeltown

Hawick

Amble

Moffat

Girvan

Thornhill

Carsphairn

Moniaive

New Galloway

Crocketford

Dalbeattie

Gatehouse of Fleet

Wigtown

Wigton

Gateshead

Alston

Hartlepool

Bishop Auckland

Penrith

Appleby-inWestmorland

Keswick

Windermere

Catterick

Sedbergh

Broughton in Furness

Millom

Bainbridge

Ingleton

Settle

Earby

Clitheroe

Ormskirk

Formby

Skelmersdale

Maghull

Conwy

Beaumaris

Llangefni Menai Bridge

Abergele

Bangor

Rhosneigr

Bethesda

Llanrwst

Porthmadog

Middlewich

Nantwich

Wrexham

Y Bala

Dolgellau

Barmouth

Welshpool

Much Wenlock

Newtown

Tregaron

Lampeter

Cardigan

St David’s

Haverfordwest Milford Haven

Narberth

Carmarthen St Clears

Swansea

Port Talbot

Port-Eynon

Pontypool

Rhondda

Neath

Tenby

Maesteg

Cwmbran

Nailsworth

Chepstow

Pontypridd

Newport

Weston-super-Mare

Cheddar

Burnhamon-Sea

Porlock

Williton

Braunton

Bridgwater

Northam

Dulverton

Bideford

Street

Langport

Taunton

Wellington

South Molton

Great Torrington

Bruton

Stratton

Hatherleigh

Holsworthy

Okehampton

Hockey

Padstow

Bodmin

Redruth

Truro

Camborne Penryn Hayle

Penzance

Helston

Lostwithiel Looe Fowey

Probus

St Austell

Sidmouth

Moretonhampstead

Tavistock

Callington

Wadebridge

Newquay

St Ives

Exeter

Launceston Camelford

Felixstowe Hockey Club youth@ felixstowehockeyclub. co.uk www. felixstowehockeyclub. co.uk Ipswich and East Suffolk Hockey Club www.ieshc.org Ipswich Hockey Club Juniorinfo@ ipswichhockeyclub.co.uk www.ipswichhockeyclub. co.uk

Honiton

Crediton

Boscastle Tintagel

Liskeard

Buckfastleigh

Saltash

Torpoint

Totnes Ivybridge

Plymouth

Wincanton

Yeovil

Axminster Bridport

Lyme Seaton Regis

Dawlish Teignmouth

Midhurst

Southampton

Puddletown

Dorchester

Billingshurst

Winchester

Eastleigh Petersfield

Romsey

Horndean Fareham

Wimborne Minster

Ringwood

Poole

Wareham

Lymington Cowes Christchurch

Bournemouth

Wool Swanage

Weymouth

Hythe

Yarmouth

Pulborough

Havant

Arundel

Chichester

Gosport

Portsmouth

Ryde

Bognor Regis

Canvey Island Sheerness Grain

Tilbury

Rochester

Whitstable

Chatham

Tonbridge

East Grinstead Haywards Heath

Herne Bay

Heathfield

Broadstairs

Ramsgate Canterbury

Charing

Ashford

Hawkinge

Royal Hawkhurst Tunbridge Wells Tenterden

Uckfield

Margate

Sittingbourne

Hamstreet

Crowborough

Burgess Hill

Brighton

Burnham-on-Crouch

fun & affordable - for all Age groups & Levels!

Gravesend

Northiam Rye

Lydd

Hythe

Sandwich Deal

Dover Folkestone

New Romney

Battle

Lewes

Worthing

Littlehampton

Maldon

Yalding

Reigate

Haslemere

Frinton-on-Sea

Clacton-on-Sea

Southend-on-Sea

Godalming

Crawley

Harwich

On Sale Now • Sail • Windsurf • Kayak

West Mersea

Maidstone Sevenoaks

Redhill

Dorking

Guildford

Felixstowe

HALF TERM Courses

Rayleigh

Basildon

Dartford

Leatherhead

Bordon

ALTON WATER

Chipping Ongar Billericay

Croydon

Horsham

Fordingbridge

Blandford Forum

Chard

Farnham

Alton

New Alresford

Salisbury

Shaftesbury

Sherborne

Exmouth

Newton Abbot

Wilton

Crewkerne

Cullompton

Andover

Amesbury

Stockbridge

Mere

Ilchester

Ilminster

Chulmleigh

Tiverton

Bude

Warminster

Woking

Farnborough Aldershot

Basingstoke

Ludgershall

Westbury

Shepton Mallet

Barnstaple

Hartland

Pewsey

Trowbridge

Radstock

Wells

Glastonbury

Harlow Chelmsford

Orpington

Sutton

Esher

Aldeburgh

Ipswich

Colchester

Brentwood

Ilford Dagenham

Staines

Saxmundham

Woodbridge

Braintree Witham

Epping

Richmond

Riseley

Hartley Wintney

Tadley

Hatfield

Hadleigh

Halstead Great Dunmow

Slough

Bracknell

Theale

Thatcham

Newbury

Melksham Devizes

Frome

Minehead

Beaconsfield Maidenhead

Reading

Marlborough

Bath

Henleyon-Thames

Goring

East Ilsley

Hungerford

Calne

Barry

Lynton

Swindon

Chippenham

Bristol

Clevedon

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St Albans

Amersham High Wycombe Watford

Southwold

Wickham Market

Stowmarket

Sudbury

Saffron Walden

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Princes Risborough

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Didcot

Bury St Edmunds

Hertford

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Thame

Stokenchurch

Wantage

Yate

Avonmouth

Penarth

Ilfracombe

Abingdon Faringdon

Malmesbury

CARDIFF

Bridgend

Porthcawl

Cirencester

Cricklade

Tetbury

Caerphilly

Aylesbury

Oxford

Witney

Lechlade on Thames

Stroud

Lydney

Usk

Halesworth

Haverhill

Bishop’s Stevenage Stortford

Luton

Dunstable

Kidlington

Burford

Monmouth

Ebbw Vale

Letchworth Hitchin

Buzzard Bicester Leighton

Beccles

Harleston

Diss

Framlingham

Newmarket

Lowestoft

Bungay

Eye

Cambridge

Suffolk

Milton Keynes

Buckingham

Chipping Norton

Northleach

Gloucester

Abergavenny

Merthyr Tydfil

Aberdare

Huntingdon

St Neots

Thetford

Bedford

Royston

Brackley

Banbury

Stow-onthe-Wold Cheltenham

Loddon

Mildenhall

Sandy Biggleswade

Towcester

Silverstone

Evesham

Littleport

Ely

Rushden

Northampton

Moretonin-Marsh

Tewkesbury

Crickhowell

Brynamman

Llanelli

Pershore

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Wymondham

Watton Attleborough

St Ives

Wellingborough

Southam

Stratfordupon-Avon

Ross-on-Wye

Kidwelly

Pendine

Hereford

Sennybridge

Ammanford

Pembroke Dock

Pembroke

Hayon-Wye

Talgarth

Brecon

Llandeilo

Warwick

Redditch

Bromyard

Llandovery

Llangadog

Cynwyl Elfed

Royal Leamington Daventry Spa

Bromsgrove

Droitwich Spa

Swaffham Downham Market

Chatteris

Thrapston

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Rugby

Worcester

Great Malvern

Llanwrtyd Wells

Pumsaint

Newcastle Emlyn

Crymych

Leominster

Kington

Builth Wells

Synod Inn

Fishguard

Bewdley

Knighton

Rhayader

Llandrindod Wells

Coventry

Ramsey

Oundle

Great Yarmouth

Acle

Wisbech

March

Corby

Caister-on-Sea

Norwich

Dereham

Whittlesey

Market Harborough

Stalham Hoveton

King’s Lynn

Peterborough

Lutterworth

North Walsham

Aylsham

Holbeach

Oakham

BIRMINGHAM

Holt Fakenham

Spalding

Bourne Market Deeping

Cromer

Sheringham Hunstanton

Donington

Stamford

Leicester

Nuneaton

Wellsnext-the-Sea

Boston

Wigston

Hinckley

Stourbridge

Kidderminster

Ludlow

Llangurig

Lledrod

Llanrhystud

Goodwick

Bishops Castle

Clun

Llanidloes

Aberystwyth

Coalville

Walsall

Dudley

Bridgnorth

Church Stretton

Tattershall

Melton Mowbray

Swadlincote

Brownhills

Wolverhampton

Tywyn

Aberaeron New Quay

Loughborough

Lichfield Tamworth

Telford

Shrewsbury

Llanfair Caereinion

T 01473 328408 www.altonwater.co.uk

Skegness

Sleaford

Nottingham

Grantham

Cannock

Mallwyd

Machynlleth

Newarkon-Trent

Spilsby

Rippingale

Rugeley

Newport

Mablethorpe

Alford

Horncastle

Fulbeck

Ripley

Burton upon Trent

Stafford

Shawbury

Llanfyllin

Lincoln

Derby

Stone Uttoxeter

Market Drayton

Ellesmere Wem

Oswestry

Alfreton

Ashbourne

Louth

Market Rasen

Wragby

Ollerton

Mansfield

Leek

Whitchurch

Llangollen

Criccieth Trawsfynydd Pwllheli Harlech Abersoch

Bolsover

Matlock

Stoke-on -Trent

Newcastleunder-Lyme

Corwen

Llan Ffestiniog

Chesterfield

Congleton

Crewe

Pentrefoelas

Betwsy-Coed

Blaenau Ffestiniog

Gainsborough

Retford

Staveley

Bakewell

Chester

Mold

Ruthin

Caernarfon

Macclesfield Buxton

Northwich

Queensferry

Denbigh

Bawtry

Worksop

Knutsford

Holywell

Llanfair Talhaiarn

Doncaster

Rotherham

Sheffield

Stockport

Runcorn

Cleethorpes

Brigg

Bentley

Barnsley

Holmfirth

Widnes

Rhyl

Colwyn Bay

Huddersfield

Immingham Grimsby

Scunthorpe

Thorne

Withernsea

Barton-uponHumber

Goole

Pontefract

Wakefield

Oldham

Kingston upon Hull

Howden

Castleford

Dewsbury

TER MANCHES Ashton-under-Lyne

Warrington

Birkenhead

Llandudno

Benllech

Bury

Beverley

Bubwith

Selby

Glossop Stocksbridge

Wallasey

Amlwch

Nefyn

Bolton

Hornsea

Market Weighton

Tadcaster

Bradford

Rochdale

Wigan

St Helens

Bootle

Liverpool

Wetherby

Leeds

Halifax

Darwen Bacup

Chorley

Driffield

Pocklington

York

Otley

Ilkley

Burnley

Leyland

Harrogate

Keighley

Blackburn

Lytham St Anne’s

Southport

Holyhead

Colne

Preston

Blackpool

Bridlington

Stamford Bridge

Knaresborough

Lancaster

Garstang

Cleveleys

Filey

Malton

Easingwold

Boroughbridge

Skipton

Fleetwood

Pickering

Ripon

Hornby

Morecambe Heysham

Scarborough

Helmsley

Thirsk

Masham

Kirkby Lonsdale

Carnforth

Whitby

Northallerton

Leyburn

Kendal

Ulverston

Barrowin-Furness

Guisborough

Scotch Corner

Richmond

Ambleside

Redcar

Middlesbrough

Darlington

Kirkby Stephen

Egremont

Stocktonon-Tees

Newton Aycliffe

Barnard Castle

Brough

Whitehaven

Ravenglass

Peterlee

Crook

Cockermouth

Workington

Seaham

Durham

Wearhead

Bothel

Maryport

Sunderland

Washington Consett Chesterle-Street

Aspatria

Drummore

South Shields

Hexham

Brampton

Thursby

Tynemouth

Corbridge

Haltwhistle

Carlisle

Kirkcudbright

Whithorn

Blyth

Newcastle upon Tyne

Longtown

Gretna

Annan

Castle Douglas

Stranraer

Ashington

Bedlington

Langholm

Lockerbie

Dumfries

Newton Stewart

Newbiggin-by-the-Sea

Morpeth

Lochmaben

Barrhill

Portpatrick

Alnwick

Sanquhar

New Cumnock

Maybole

Cairnryan

Seahouses

Wooler

Douglas

Selkirk

Ayr

Ballantrae

Melrose Kelso

Innerleithen

Biggar

Galston

Coldstream

Galashiels

Troon Prestwick

Lamlash

Berwick-upon-Tweed

Greenlaw

Lauder

Peebles

Lanark

Kilmarnock

Irvine

Brodick

Duns

Hamilton

Strathaven

Eyemouth

Dalkeith

Penicuik

Motherwell

East Kilbride

Dunbar

East Linton Haddington

Tranent

Livingston

Airdrie

Paisley

Kilwinning Ardrossan

EDINBURGH

Falkirk

Cumbernauld Bathgate

Glasgow

Largs

North Berwick

Burntisland

Greenock

Claonaig

Kirkcaldy

Dunfermline

Stirling

Dumbarton

Dunoon

Collintraive

Glenrothes

Alloa

Helensburgh

Rothesay

Kinross

Dunblane

Lochgilphead

Tarbert

Leven

Newhaven

Hailsham

Hastings

Bexhill

Eastbourne

Newport Sandown Shanklin Ventnor

Fortuneswell

Torquay Paignton Brixham Dartmouth

Kingsbridge

Salcombe

St Mawes

Falmouth

Lizard

www.familiessuffolk.co.uk

15

Suffolk’s running fever

Take part in one of the many running events across the county this Autumn New Ipswich parkrun to keep kids fit Sundays from 28th September A free 2k Ipswich junior parkrun will take place in Ipswich’s Christchurch Park every Sunday from 28th September. The junior run follows the phenomenal success of the Saturday 5k Ipswich parkrun.

Looking at national trends and a handful of new junior parkruns around the country, it is hoped that younger members of the community can enjoy the benefits of a weekly run with friends and family in a beautiful Ipswich park.

The junior parkrun events are set to become the largest running series for 4-14 year olds anywhere in the world and Ipswich will be among the first to benefit from this initiative.

The aim is to inspire a whole new generation of runners and encourage their parents to join in the event as well and run with their children. Adults without an accompanying child cannot take part in the junior run, but are instead encouraged to take part in one of the regular 5k parkruns.

Kesgrave parkrun coming soon

There’s also a new Kesgrave parkrun starting on 20th september. For details follow them on Facebook https:// www.facebook.com/kesgraveparkrun And don’t forget that as well as the parkruns in Ipswich, there are also 3 other parkruns across Suffolk. For more information and to register visit http://www.parkrun.org. uk/register/. You only need to register once for parkrun.

Go Run for Fun September 20th & 21st

There’s also four excellent Go Run For Fun events in Suffolk during September. Go Run For Fun is a national campaign, delivered locally, designed to inspire as many children as possible to run an enjoyable, fun activity. Two of these are Go Run For Fun school events which are by invitation only, however, the events on the 20th & 21st will be community events and will be open and free to attend.

Rendlesham September 20th

Jubilee Park, Mayhew Road, Rendlesham IP12 2GG at 10am. Participants can register to take part on the Go Run For Fun website www.gorunforfun.com by simply clicking on the register button, selecting the event and entering their details.

Ipswich 21st September

is part of the Ipswich half Marathon and registration is via http://www.ipswichhalfmarathon.com/fun-run/.

Both of these events are FREE to enter and the children will receive a T-shirt for taking part.

Larking Gowen Ipswich Half Marathon 21st September

Now in it’s 5th year the event organisers have improved the course which will see some changes over the last mile and a slightly longer town centre section. Suffolk company Deluxe Nutrition have also adding their brand to the sporting event, and will be giving products away to weary ‘completers’ at the end of the 13-mile race.

Deluxe joins the likes of Larking Gowen, Ipswich Borough Council and Ipswich Jaffa, who are all part of the delivery of the popular event. Last year saw over 1500 runners take part in the annual event. The Ipswich Half Marathon works with worthwhile local charities each year and the nominated charities for this year are St Elizabeth Hospice and EACH. If you haven’t registered yet you still have chance but be quick http://www.ipswichhalfmarathon.com

Date for your diaries in 2015 Ipswich Building Society Twilight 10k & 5k Road Race Friday 14th August 2015

New for 2015 Ipswich JAFFA Running Club in association with Ipswich Borough Council, Ipswich Building Society and Suffolk New College are working on bringing a fantastic new running event to Ipswich. On a flat, town centre course they are aiming to create two races, one, 5k race (for those men that can run within 20 minutes and ladies within 22 minutes) with cash prizes for top athletes and a 10k mass participation run with the aim of beating the sunset! Find out more at http://events.ipswichjaffa.org.uk/twilight/.

Helping Suffolk to become England’s Most Active County www.mostactivecounty.com 16

To contribute to future editions please email editor@familiessuffolk.co.uk or call 01473 788546

Autumn Fun

sponsored by

Easton Farm Park

Fun at Easton Farm Park Easton Farm Park is once again offering a half price half term offer for entry to the Farm during the October half term week (Saturday 25th October – Sunday 2nd November). Opening times are 10:30am – 4pm and all the magic of the farm is on offer – pony rides, meet the animals, hug a bunny, train rides, racing pigs and lots more all included in the entrance price. The adventure playground is fabulous for letting off half term steam and, if the weather is a bit iffy, make the most of the two heated indoor playbarns. There may be some spooky surprises down on the farm, but nothing too scary for our little visitors. The Barmy Barn Café will be serving delicious hot & cold food, and yummy homemade cakes.

As well as their daily activities there will be a spooky fright night on Friday 31st October from 5pm – 8pm with tractor and trailer rides through the enchanted woods, dastardly magic, pumpkin painting and lots more fun activities. Hot food and spooky disco will be available in the Barmy Barn Café, plus a scary fancy dress competition for those that dare…. for more details – www.eastonfarmpark.co.uk or via the facebook or twitter pages.

Autumn Fun at The New Wolsey Theatre The New Wolsey Theatre is the place to be this half term – with hilarious comedy for those who are 6+, a classic tale with a mouth-watering twist, and a family who could run away with the circus!

Kicking things off on SUN 26 OCTOBER is COMEDY CLUB 4 KIDS Cracking entertainment for everyone over six years old and under 400 years old (no vampires or Highlanders). We have the best comedians from the UK and world circuit doing what they do best… but without the rude bits!

Visit wolseytheatre.co.uk for a complete listing of our family shows!

Coming up next on MON 27 OCTOBER is HANSEL & GRETEL - a deliciously scary story of a tango dancing witch and her irresistible recipe for an edible house. This retelling of one of the most popular and powerful of all fairy tales is atmospheric, funny and free-spirited. Hansel and Gretel is accessible to those who are deaf, with both performances containing British Sign Language interpretation.

Get yourself organised this Christmas for your younger theatre lovers between WED 3 DECEMBER 2014 and SAT 3 JANUARY 2015 as Little Angel Theatre presents DOGS DON’T DO BALLET - based on the book written by Anna Kemp.

Biff is not like ordinary dogs. He likes moonlight. And music. And walking on his tiptoes. You see, Biff doesn’t think he’s a dog, Biff thinks he’s a ballerina… The sublime and the ridiculous combine in this hilarious story of a small dog with a big personality and even bigger dreams, brought to life by Little Angel Theatre using beautiful puppets, well-loved ballet music and dazzling comedy.

Bouncing in on TUE 28 & WED 29 OCTOBER we will get to meet THE HOGWALLOPS - a family who constantly bicker, scheme and play practical jokes! Every day activities are extreme, with simple tasks such as bedtime, teeth brushing needing a bungee and high level jet-spray, and dressing is a game of flying aerial wardrobe antics. With lots of laughs and acrobatic stunts that will leave the whole family entertained.

Visit the New Wolsey’s website to keep yourself up to date with all our family and children’s show – there’s something to entertain everyone this Autumn!

Tickets are on sale now and can be booked through the Box Office by calling 01473 295900 or by booking online at www.wolseytheatre.co.uk.

The Ipswich Baby Fair On Saturday 18th October between 10am and 2pm The Ipswich Baby Fair (previously known as The Baby Senses Baby Fair) promises to be bigger and better event than ever before, with a large variety of local businesses, support and information services on show at Kesgrave Community Centre, Twelve Acre Approach, Kesgrave, IP5 1JF. So if you are an expectant parent or have a baby, toddler or pre-schooler, this fair has lots of fun, ideas and support for you. It is free entry, with free goody bags for the first 150 visitors, free taster sessions and lots of free children’s activities such as; crafts, colouring, a play area and games to enjoy.

The taster sessions and talks on the day will include infant massage and baby signing with Baby Senses, healthy foot alignment with Nature and Nurture, car seat safety with Mothercare, benefits of baby swimming lessons with Water Babies, daisy birthing from Lazy Daisy, music and exploration from Tiny Pebble Music and many more.

If that’s not enough, enjoy a rest with cake and a cuppa in the refreshment area, where breast and bottle feeding are welcome. Try your luck on the raffle with some amazing prizes to be won. All funds raised going to The Treehouse East Anglia Childrens Hospice EACH. EACH supports families and cares for children and young people with life-threatening conditions across Cambridgeshire, Essex,

Norfolk and Suffolk. Their care and support is tailored to the needs of all family members and delivered where the families wish – in their own home, at hospital, in the community or at one of our three hospices in Ipswich (The Treehouse), Milton and Quidenham.

For both families accessing care, and those who have been bereaved, EACH is a lifeline at an unimaginably difficult time.

The Ipswich Baby Fair is in association with Baby Senses, a local business run by Ann Lay who started the event 5 years ago to put local businesses together, large and small, under one roof. Ann says “As a parent I found it frustrating to be unaware of all the amazing services and support available to me locally. When I started Baby Senses, I made a commitment to improve this, as I wish for all parents to have a positive experience of pregnancy, birth and early childhood and give them confidence in being a parent. I want to help them to locate and receive the knowledge from experts, when required, to enable them to make informed decisions and also to trust their own judgement.”

I am pleased that this year the event is being supported by Mothercare, and is raising funds and awareness of the amazing work done by the EACH charity.

At the baby fair, the venue has free parking, baby changing facilities available and buggies are welcome. For more information and the taster session timetable please visit www.BabySenses.co.uk or email Ann on info@BabySenses.co.uk.

www.familiessuffolk.co.uk

179

What’s on listings

sponsored by

Easton Farm Park

We try our best to ensure the information listed is correct, but please always check with the venue before setting out in case things have changed

Children’s Theatre

Emily Brown and The Thing Saturday 13 September 2014, 11am & 2pm New Wolsey Studio, Ipswich Tall Stories (creators of the Gruffalo stage show) present their brand new show, based on the much-loved book

by Cressida Cowell (author of How to Train your Dragon) and Neal Layton. One evening, Emily Brown and her old grey rabbit Stanley hear a Thing crying outside their window. He just can’t get to sleep.

What is really troubling the Thing – and will anyone ever get any sleep? Find out in this magical, musical show for everyone aged 3 and up.

01473 295900 www.wolseytheatre.co.uk Milkshake Live Saturday 20 September 2014, 1pm & 3pm Ipswich Regent Theatre Starring some of your milkshake favourites this brand new musical spectacular is sure to have children up on their feet and singing at the top of their voices!

01473 433100 www.ipswichregent.co.uk The Pillow Maker Saturday 20 September 2014, 11am, 2pm & 4pm New Wolsey Studio, Ipswich Mr Pillowmaker comes from a long line of Pillow Makers. Throughout all time they have used magical Stuff to fill their super soft, super plumpy pillows for beds and heads across the land. One day, Mr Pillowmaker finds that for the first time EVER, his Stuff Box is empty and now he doesn’t have anything to stuff his pillows with! For ages 1 to 5 01473 295900 www.wolseytheatre.co.uk Pop Saturday 27 September 2014, 11am & 2pm New Wolsey Studio, Ipswich With his faithful teddy bear, deckchair and fantastic basket of tricks, Christian Lee is all set for a lovely day at the seaside... until the day takes a turn and things don’t quite work out as planned. Join our hapless hero and be astounded in this totally word-free clown and magic show that follows his exciting adventures at sea.

The most fun-filled show for children and

Parents are welcome to stay. Cost: £1 07716 702427 www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org Maritime Woodbridge Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 September, Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland 10am -7pm Tuesday 7 October to Saturday 11 October Various locations across Woodbridge New Wolsey Studio, Ipswich A celebration of the town’s heritage both Join the New Wolsey Youth Theatre for a nautical and ashore. The event is part of trip through Lewis Carroll’s world of magic the Heritage Open Days and is organised and wonder where nothing is ever as it by and for the local community every two seems. Suitable for ages 7 and up. years. A key aspect is that it is free and 01473 295900 www.wolseytheatre.co.uk fun for visitors of all ages. www.choosewoodbridge.co.uk Comedy Club 4 Kids Heritage Open Days – Landguard Fort & Sunday 26 October Felixstowe Museum New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich Like the name says it’s a Comedy Club 4 Sunday 14 September, Landguard Kids! Cracking entertainment for everyone Fort 10am-5pm, Felixstowe Museum over six years old and under 400 years 11am-5pm As part of the Heritage Open Days, old (no vampires or Highlanders). We have the best comedians from the UK and Landguard Fort and Felixstowe Museum world circuit doing what they do best… but will be open free of charge. Learn about local history, heritage and wildlife. without the rude bits! For ages 6+ 01394 675283 01473 295900 www.discoverlandguard.org.uk www.wolseytheatre.co.uk For more Heritage Open Days across Suffolk from 11 -14 September 2014 Hansel and Gretel visit www.heritageopendays.org.uk It’s Monday 27 October your once-a-year chance to explore the New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich world on your doorstep, unlocked and This is the deliciously scary story of a tango dancing witch and her irresistible completely free of charge! recipe for an edible house. Red Earth’s Countryside at War retelling of one of the most popular and Sunday 14 September, 11am - 5pm powerful of all fairy tales is atmospheric, Museum of East Anglian Life, Stowmarket funny and free-spirited. For ages 3+ Discover what life was like in the Suffolk 01473 295900 countryside during the Second World War www.wolseytheatre.co.uk through demonstrations, re-enactments, wartime vehicles and family activities, The Hogwallops in a day out for all the family to enjoy.

New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich, Suffolk, The Museum will be offering special Tuesday 28 October & Wednesday 29 discounted prices for visitors who arrive October in appropriate period costume, as well The Hogwallops are a family who as free entry for Veterans and current constantly bicker, scheme and play members of HM Armed Forces on practical jokes! They live in a chaotic production of relevant proof. crazy home that is more like an adventure 01449 612229 playground where the ordinary always www.eastanglianlife.org.uk becomes extraordinary.With lots of laughs Family Bushcraft Day and acrobatic stunts that will leave the Sunday 21 September 10am -4pm whole family entertained.

West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village 01473 295 900 Join expert Rob Bevington for a day of www.wolseytheatre.co.uk bush craft: making fires, building shelters, tracking animals, finding wild foods and Activities and Events much more! Keep warm, have fun, call Ipswich Wildlife Watch Group yourself Bear Grylls! For ages 5 upwards.

Saturday 6 September, 10am - 12pm Booking Essential Holywells Park, Ipswich ential.

Migrations - Wildlife Watch family activity 01284 75800 www.weststow.org for children aged 6- 12 years. families around!

For ages 3 to 8.

01473 295900 www.wolseytheatre.co.uk

Find Out About Fungi Sunday 21 September 2014, Sunday 12 and Sunday 26 October, 10:30am - 1:30pm Rendlesham Forest Join Jon Tyler for a walk through the woods exploring the fascinating world of fungi, with tips and guidance on identifying different groups. Children under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Suitable for ages 8 and over.

Cost £8 Booking Required.

03000 680400 www.forestry.gov.uk Circus Wonderland Wednesday 24 September to Sunday 28 September Trinity Park, Ipswich Starring the award winning Popolino Clowns and a line-up of top international artistes, Circus Wonderland is taking to the road with a spellbinding mix of colour, laughter and excitement to enchant audiences of all ages.

07531 612240 www.trinityparkevents.co.uk Aldeburgh Food & Drink Festival 2014 Saturday 27 & Sunday 28 September, 9.30am – 5pm Sat & 9.30am – 4pm Sun Snape Maltings, Near Aldeburgh Enjoy over 90 exhibitors and an impressive two day programme of talks, workshops and cookery demonstrations from top chefs. The Festival is truly family friendly with free tickets for under 12s and free activities for children. visit www.aldeburghfoodanddrink.co.uk Apple Day at Flatford Mill Sunday 28 September, 11am - 3pm RSPB wildlife garden at Flatford Mill, East Bergholt Celebrating local fruit @ RSPB wildlife garden at Flatford Mill, bring your apples to press, taste Dedham vale and local varieties, buy local non sprayed fruit, apple games for the children, orchards and wildlife benefits, and a generally applicious day ! There will be guided tours of the National trust vegetable garden and the new edible garden behind Willy Lotts house during the day. www.aldeburghfoodanddrink.co.uk A Celebration of Rural Life Sunday 28 September 2014 Stonham Barns, Stonham Aspal Combining a Show Jumping event with a full working horse display and rural life event, this show will appeal to the

equestrian community as well as those interested in horses and traditional Suffolk country life and bygone eras.

01449 711111 www.stonham-barns.co.uk FlipSide Festival 2014 Friday 3, Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 October 2014 Snape Maltings, Near Aldeburgh The FlipSide festival of Brazilian and UK literature, music and the arts is back. With intelligent and thought provoking literary events; wonderful Brazilian music; visual arts; authentic capoeira to watch and take part in and lots of FlipSide family fun with creative art workshops, storytelling and children’s literary events. www.flipsidefestival.co.uk Blue Cross Seafront Sponsored Dog Walk Sunday 5 October 2014, 10am Felixstowe Seafront Sponsored dog walk along the seafront to Felixstowe Ferry and back again. Routes from 1 to 7.5 miles in length. Starts on the seafront near Manning’s Amusements.

For more information and sponsorship forms please contact the Blue Cross centre on 0300 777 1480 or felixstowe@bluecross.org.uk What’s About with the Ranger Saturday 11 October 2014, 10 - 11:30am Landguard Nature Reserve, Felixstowe October is the time for all things fungi. Join the Ranger for an introduction to the fifth kingdom and learn more about the weird and wonderful world of fungi. Is there a fungus really bigger than a blue whale?

Stretch your legs on a refreshing Autumn walk. Children 15 years and under must be accompanied by an adult. Admission free, but donations welcome 01394 675283 www.discoverlandguard.org.uk Ipswich Wildlife Watch Group at Holywells Park, Ipswich Saturday 11 October 2014, 10am - 12pm Autumn Adventures - Wildlife Watch family activity for children aged 6- 12 years.

Parents are welcome to stay. Cost £1 07716 702427 www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org Framlingham SausageFest Saturday 11 October 2014 Framlingham Town Centre Framlingham will host a celebration of all that is great about the British banger.

Follow the trail and enjoy lots of free

entertainment with your sizzling sausages in the lovely market town of Framlingham.

Trail Map £5, Family (4 Trail Maps) £16, Under 5s Free. www.framsausagefest.co.uk Suffolk Robin Hood Game & Country Show Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 October 2014, 9.30am to 5.00pm Trinity Park, Ipswich A fantastic countryside day out for the whole family and your dog! Enjoy spectacular displays and fun-fuelled demonstrations with knights, Vikings, archers, owls, ferrets, falcons, horses and dogs, as well as over 200 trade stands and delicious foods in the Festival of Food & Drink.

Tickets; Adults £10 on the Gate (£7.50 online) concessions £9 on the gate (£7.00 online) Children 5-16 £5 on the gate (£2 online) Under 5s go FREE 01702 549623 www.robinhoodcountryshow.co.uk Apple Day Sunday 12 October 2014, 12pm - 4pm Foxburrow Farm, Woodbridge Apple, pear or nut identification by Suffolk Traditional Orchard Group. Apple games and Apple crafts. Storytelling (2.30pm) Orchard trails. Apples tasting & juicing.

Fruit tree and bee keeping advice. Jams & preserves, Recipe, seed and produce swap. Have a go at rag rugging and corn dolly making. Home made soup, cakes and teas. No need to pre-book.

Adults £3, Children £2 01394 380113 www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org

Suffolk For more Whats On including October Half Term & Fireworks events please visit our NEW website: Familiessuffolk.co.uk/ whatson

where imaginations grow

Ipswich's own stuff-your-ow n bear shop! choose a cuddly bear

NOWN OPE

stuff with super soft fluff make a wish dress your bear name your new friend Find us in Tower Ramparts (Level 2 next to Topman)

01473 558 994

www.thebeargardenipswich.co.uk

18

To contribute to future editions please email editor@familiessuffolk.co.uk or call 01473 788546

Competitions & Offers CAROLINE GOULD W

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Concord Media is an educational charity which has been operating in Ipswich for about 50 years. They specialise in programmes on DVD about social issues, including a number about child care which could be very useful material for anyone involved in childcare.

Based in the heart of Suffolk, East of England’s best independent wedding planner of 2014 and mum of two, Caroline Gould, provides full or partial wedding planning, as well as on the day co-ordination, to ensure couples and their guests are able to share wonderful memories of their big day.

Having spent many years working as an in-house wedding planner, Caroline’s passion for weddings led her to establish her own business in 2009. Since then, Caroline Gould Weddings has built a reputation as an outstanding wedding planner with extensive knowledge of event management, the latest venues, trends and suppliers and traditional wedding etiquette.

Combining this experience with passion, Caroline has had an extremely successful career, and has planned, managed and coordinated weddings for a variety of clients, approaching her from as far as afield as Australia and Hong Kong.

As a regular contributor to specialist wedding and lifestyle publications, Caroline has her finger firmly on the pulse of everything wedding related including the latest wedding trends and creative inspirations, as well as far-reaching knowledge of the Suffolk area; a combination that enables Caroline to offer the very best up-to-date advice.

Endorsed by many happy clients and providing extensive knowledge of event management, her ever-expanding client portfolio is testament to her hard work and passion for the wedding planning industry. For more information visit: www.carolinegouldweddings.co.uk If you are looking for advice on where to start when planning your wedding, need assistance in identifying reputable local suppliers, would like a timed schedule created for your wedding day or just want to talk through your wedding day plans with a professional, Caroline Gould Weddings is offering one couple an exclusive opportunity to win a three hour wedding planning consultancy and afternoon tea at The Salthouse Harbour Hotel, Ipswich.

To enter simply email editor@familiessuffolk.co.uk with the answer to the following question: What year did Caroline Gould establish Caroline Gould Weddings?

Please enter by 5pm Friday 31st October 2014.

Standard Families Suffolk Terms and conditions apply please visit www.familiessuffolk.co.uk/competitions

‘A World of Difference’ is another amusing cartoon, which uses a science fiction approach to racial prejudice, thus avoiding stereotyping. Natalie is abducted to the planet Helicon, where green is in, and the purple people are made to feel inferior.

For Your Pleasure is a witty cartoon of rural England being turned into a concrete jungle. It starts with Constable’s painting of The Haywain in rural Suffolk.

Gradually the peaceful scene is transformed into a motorway city of the future. Although made in 1970, it is all too relevant today, and has lost none of its charm.

Sometimes a serious message is better for being imparted in a light-hearted way and Concord Media are offering either your school, organisation or just for you the chance to win a copy of their 3 most popular programmes which are delivered in light hearted way:

To enter simply email editor@familiessuffolk.co.uk stating Concord Media in the subject box.

Please enter by 5pm Friday 31st October 2014.

Standard Families Suffolk Terms and conditions apply please visit www.familiessuffolk.co.uk/competitions

‘Some of your Bits ain’t Nice’, puts over the idea that personal hygiene is important for teenagers, but it’s told as an amusing short cartoon. Concord also has a number of programmes on the dangers of drugs, drinking and smoking, but ‘Some of your bits’ is the most popular – it seems to strike a chord.

If you would like more information about any other educational title or would like information on Concord Media new online rental service please contact: 01473 726012 sales@concordmedia.org.uk www.concordmedia.org.uk

Glass & Craft Offer A creative experience for the whole family Glass painting studio & craft workshops - Newly open, Glass and Craft based at Kersey Mill has already become popular among local families.

Predominately a glass painting studio where you can paint your own glassware from a wide range of pre-templated designs. Also on offer is decopatach on a daily basis or book in to one of our workshops run by one some very talented local craft makers & artists.

Wide range of local craft & art - Alongside our daily studio and workshops, Glass and Craft offers a wide range of wonderful gifts, stunning artwork and local craft items for sale. We stock a variety of different items made and created by over 25 local makers or artists. Our Shelf rental scheme has attracted items such as coloured kilned formed glass, hand crafted jewellery, hand-turned wooden items, children’s craft activity packs, natural handmade soap, hand-crafted comic toy boxes and personalised glassware.

Children’s Craft Parties – We are now offering children’s (suitable for all ages) craft parties for just £11.95 per child.

Within the 2 hour party the children will get to design and paint their own glass and then create a decpopatch item. We will also provide items such as balloons, party hats and other party goodies.

For more information on our children’s parties and upcoming workshops visit our website, find us on Facebook or contact us on the number below www.facebook.com/ GlassAndCraft 01473 517 404 www.glassandcraft.co.uk

www.familiessuffolk.co.uk

19

And Finally

sponsored by

Birch Farm Play Complex & Nursery