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DOG-FRIENDLY FAMILY OUTINGS KIDS’ ACTIVITIES DAYS OUT & EVENTS
UKRAINE:
HOW CAN WE HELP?
UK FAMILY
TRAVEL
Issue 81 • Spring 2022
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WELCOME TO THE SPRING 2022 ISSUE
The days are getting longer and spring is here, so people are starting to think about Easter activities and going outside a bit more. But there’s also a lot to worry about at the moment. We’re trying to rebuild as we tiptoe away from the pandemic, while protecting our livelihoods and looking after our children, as war breaks out in Europe and the cost of living rises. We have tried to keep this magazine focused on some of the positive things we can do with our families and friends, as we hug them close and count our blessings. But we’ve also touched on how we might be able to help Ukraine’s refugees, how we can help ourselves, and how we should talk about all of this with our kids. To celebrate women’s history month, we’ve shone a spotlight on Cornwall’s Rowena Cade, in the UK Family Travel section. We’ve also revealed some great days out nearby with the kids and the dog, where to see baby lambs this spring, and all the wonders of Anglesey. Closer to home, there are two pages of Days Out & Events and lots of community groups in the Baby and Toddler Diary. In the meantime, I hope your young ones enjoy the pull-out kids’ activity section on pages 11 — 14. Stay safe, look after yourselves, see you in the summer.
Alison Stodolnic Founder and Editor
CONTENTS Pages 5—7 Spring days out & events Page 9 Dog-friendly family outings Page 10 Puffins and more on the beautiful Isle of Anglesey Pages 11—14 Kids’ activity pull-out section Page 15 Lambing events this spring Page 17 Family travel: Cornwall Page 18 Ukraine: How can we help? Page 19 Daisy Dorothy is on a mission to feel better. Save the Children: How to talk to kids about conflict Pages 20—22 Baby & Toddler Diary: Local community groups Page 23 The Hairy Bikers’s recipe for vegan brownies
ORDER THE NEXT ISSUE FOR HOME DELIVERY BY POST www.littletigers.co.uk/shop The Team: A big thank you to writers Lottie Gross and Daisy Dorothy, Iwan our driver, printers Buxton Press, Simon our website guy, all our wonderful advertisers, and everyone else who contributed words, information and images for this magazine. Email: editor@littletigers.co.uk Phone: 07392 338586 Website: www.littletigers.co.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/littletigersmag
Digital Edition: www.issuu.com/littletigersmag © Little Tigers Magazine (2022). Nothing may be reproduced without permission (copyrighted material). Established in 2001, Little Tigers provides ideas and information to parents, grandparents and carers of children aged 0 to 12 in northeast Cheshire and south Manchester. We accept no responsibility for any consequences that may arise from the content on these pages. Please email us with any comments.
Our Pathway to your child’s success The unique Wilmslow Prep Pathway allows us to prepare your child to move on to the secondary school that is right for them. The Pathway has been designed by our expert team to structure our educational provision throughout your child’s school career, enabling them to fulfil their potential by the time they leave us at 11. Small class sizes, specialist teachers and dedicated and tailored teaching allows us to incorporate key elements of the national curriculum but takes learning well beyond these boundaries.
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DAYS OUT & EVENTS
There is quite a lot going on over the next couple of months. Please be sure to check the details before you head out, as the information may change and some venues require you to pre-book.
23 – 27 March ALICE IN WONDERLAND JR A youth production with Alice, the White Rabbit, the Cheshire Cat, the Queen of Hearts and lots of joyous singing and dancing. Altrincham Garrick Theatre www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk
2 – 24 April EASTER ADVENTURE QUEST Explore the castle site to hunt for clues and have fun with traditional children’s games like egg rolling and the egg and spoon race. Beeston Castle, near Tarporley www.english-heritage.org.uk
23 March – 2 April JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT A new production of this global hit musical, starring Alexandra Burke, Jason Donovan and Jac Yarrow. Opera House Manchester www.atgtickets.com
From 5 April FAIRY TALES Enter a world of play and story telling with this new interactive exhibition for children aged 0 – 8. Z-Arts, Manchester www.z-arts.org
27 March MOTHER’S DAY AT THE FARM Meet farmyard animals, do a quiz about animals and their babies, and make a Mother’s Day card. Tatton Park, Knutsford www.tattonpark.org.uk 31 March – 4 June BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Stage production of the classic Disney story on the big stage. Palace Theatre Manchester www.atgtickets.com
EASTER EGG HUNT Easter activity trails through these nearby National Trust gardens. 2 – 24 April: Dunham Massey, Altrincham 4 – 18 April: Quarry Bank Mill, Wilmslow and Lyme Park, Disley 9 – 18 April: Little Moreton Hall, Congleton www.nationaltrust.org.uk
5 – 9 April FANTASTICALLY GREAT WOMEN WHO CHANGED THE WORLD New pop musical for ages 6 and over, telling the story of Jade who meets some of the most inspiring women in history. The Lowry, Salford www.thelowry.com 6 & 13 April WIZARDING ADVENTURE Magic and wizard steam train ride, with activities on board. Continued on page 7
Touring art installation ‘Museum of the Moon’ by Luke Jerram will be at Now Norwich Festival (photo by Carolyn Eaton)
“the business of childhood is best conducted in the outdoors”
Children are practical learners, responding best to practical experiences. Doing is learning - the Montessori way. MEAB Accredited
) 01625 860660 8 www.alderleydaynursery.com Alderley Day Nursery, Congleton Road, Nether Alderley, SK10 4TD www.facebook.com/alderleydaynursery www.instagram.com/alderleydaynursery/
DAYS OUT & EVENTS
18 April, 3pm & 7pm STEVE BACKSHALL – OCEAN Steve performs his new stage show about life under the waves – with stunts, props and big-screen film footage from his TV shows. Buxton Opera House www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk 20 – 24 April BILLIONAIRE BOY A stage show of David Walliams’ children’s book about Joe Spud. Buxton Opera House www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk
Departs from Bury Bolton station. Pre-booking essential. East Lancs Railway www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk
12 – 16 April THE SMEDS AND THE SMEES A stage adaptation of the book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, presented by Tall Stories. Suitable for age 3+ The Lowry, Salford www.thelowry.com
23 April, 2pm RAPUNZEL An adaptation of the classic fairy tale for children aged 4+ and a chance to meet the characters after the show. Waterside Arts Centre www.watersidearts.org
30 April, 11am – 8.30pm NOW NORTHWICH FESTIVAL A free day and evening festival of dance, acrobatics, music, street performances, children’s workshops, 15 – 18 April and food and drink on the streets of MAGICAL EASTER ADVENTURES Northwich. Headlining is the Family Easter trails and events incredible art installation Museum featuring mythical creatures, of the Moon by Luke Jerram – a dragons and Easter chocolate. 7 – 24 April seven-metre moon featuring Tatton Park, Knutsford GEORGE’S detailed NASA imagery of the MARVELLOUS MEDICINE www.tattonpark.org.uk moon’s surface (open to the public Stage production of the classic 30 April – Monday 2 May at the Plaza, Roald Dahl tale, recommended 15 – 18 April free timed tickets are required). for children aged 5+ EASTER PANTOMIME See photo on page 5. Altrincham Garrick Theatre This production of Mother Goose www.nownorthwich.co.uk www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk is finally happening, having been rescheduled from Easter 2020 and 3 – 7 May 9 – 18 April 2021. With glittering costumes, EASTER GARDEN TRAIL ALDERLEY EDGE FESTIVAL Follow the trail and collect the clues music, jokes and all the fun of a Children, young people and adults classic pantomime. and claim your prize in the shop. will perform music, poetry and Arley Hall & Gardens, Northwich Stockport Plaza drama in venues around the village. www.stockportplaza.co.uk www.arleyhallandgardens.com www.alderleyedgefestival.com 15 – 18 April 10 April, 2.30pm MAD HATTER’S TEA PARTY LITTLE GRIMM TALES A show based on Grimm’s most Easter steam-train ride with an Alice magical fairy tales – with wolves in Wonderland theme. The train and witches, frogs and fairies – and ride lasts around one hour, with lots of fun, music and puppetry. entertainment and refreshments on Waterside Arts Centre board. Pre-booking essential (it’s www.watersidearts.org popular, so please book early). Churnet Valley Railway 10 April, 7pm www.churnet-valley-railway.co.uk HALLÉ YOUTH ENSEMBLES SHOWCASE 17 April The Hallé youth ensembles DISCOVER TREE CLIMBING showcase their talent with an Fun, safe climbing in the trees with uplifting and family-friendly ropes and nets – for children aged selection of music, including a 6+ and adults collection of songs to the moon. Arley Hall & Gardens, Northwich The Bridgewater Hall, 7 Manchester, www.halle.co.uk www.arleyhallandgardens.com 7 & 14 April ROARSOME ADVENTURES Dinosaur-themed steam train ride, with activities on board. Departs from Bury Bolton station. Pre-booking essential. East Lancs Railway www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk
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DOG-FRIENDLY FAMILY OUTINGS They say never work with children or animals. Now, I can’t speak for working with kids, but I know that working with my dog, Arty, over the last 12 months has certainly had its ups and downs – literally and figuratively, writes Lottie Gross.
fascinating history took place. Within the rocks around Castleton lies a gorgeous blue-and-yellow mineral named Blue John, and thanks to its prevalence here, many mines were set up during the 18th and 19th centuries. Head to Treak Cliff Cavern to explore its vast and impressive underground We have spent the last year spaces, and then visit Speedwell undertaking some very important Cavern, where you’ll descend 106 research: to find Britain’s most steps before hopping on a boat 200 dog-friendly destinations for a brand metres beneath the surface to see new guide book, Dog-Friendly the caves carved out by brave men Weekends: 50 Breaks in Britain for hundreds of years ago. You and Your Dog. A little further south is Matlock Bath We’ve scaled mountains together – a kitsch little town overlooked by and explored underground caves; the towering Masson Hill. While the walked hundreds of miles in search dog might be raring to go, getting of the best trails and beaches; and the kids to climb it might prove a slept in some of our little island little challenging, so hop on the nation’s top dog-friendly hotels. Heights of Abraham cable car We’ve discovered that there are instead – dogs welcome, of course. hundreds of holidays you could take At the top, there are caves to explore, with your dog in Britain, but if you’re fossil exhibitions and towers to based in or around Manchester or climb for even better views, plus a Cheshire, I’ve got good news: you don’t have to travel far for a fun day out. Drive for just an hour along the twists and turns of the A6 and you’ll arrive in Castleton, right in the middle of the undulating Peak District, where all manner of dog-friendly adventures await. When you think of the Peak District you probably think of exactly that: peaks. But actually, it’s beneath the surface where much of this region’s
Lottie and Arty travelled together
“Waggy Tails Trail’’ for the dog to enjoy. Nearby, you might also enjoy a visit to the Peak District Mining Museum, which offers a guided tour of a 1920s mine. It’s not just the natural wonder of the Peaks that provides an excellent day out, though. Head west towards the coast and stop in Liverpool and you’ll find an urban adventure. Take the Skyline Cruise with Mersey Ferries along the Waterfront to see Liverpool’s most famous and historic construction, the Liver Building, from afar, then head down towards the Baltic Triangle for board games at Sugar & Dice, or street food from the buzzy Baltic Market. For the truly adventurous, don’t miss a paddleboarding lesson (the dog can join too, if you’re brave enough to share your board) with the Liverpool SUP Co. A 20-minute drive north takes you to Crosby Beach, where I watched Arty bark senselessly at Anthony Gormley’s famous statues for a solid 10 minutes. I suppose that’s why they say never work with animals, but in all honesty, I’d do it all again in a heartbeat. Lottie Gross is the author of Dog-Friendly Weekends: 50 Breaks in Britain for You and Your Dog. The book is available to pre-order on Amazon and Waterstones and will be delivered in early May 2022.
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BEACHES, HISTORY & WILD BEAUTY ON THE
ISLE OF ANGLESEY The Isle of Anglesey in north Wales is only a couple of hours away, which explains why it’s such a popular holiday destination for people in Cheshire and Manchester. You can get there by train, car or bus over Britannia Bridge. Here’s a round-up of some of its holiday highlights. BEAUMARIS is a pretty town with a stunning Medieval castle designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site – one of the four great castles built in north Wales by Edward I in the 13th century. SOUTH STACK CLIFFS is an RSPB reserve on Holy Island, home to puffins, guillemots and razor bills and many more species of birds. Ellin’s Tower is open from Easter to October, where you can use binoculars and telescopes and watch live TV footage from the cliffs. The best time to spot the birds is between May and July.
A YEAR 7 POETRY DAY AT THE KING’S SCHOOL
Writer Miles Salter recently celebrated National Poetry Day with Year 7 pupils at the King’s School in Macclesfield. Based in New York, Miles is an author, poet, broadcaster, musician, teacher and a former prison chaplain. He said: “This country must celebrate its incredible cultural heritage. We are the country of Chaucer, Shakespeare, Byron, Keats, The Beatles, The Stones, Led Zeppelin even Mr Bean, all great communicators. I struggled to communicate when I was younger. It was all very painful, slow and arduous, so I want children to have the confidence to express themselves. I don’t think you can just give a child a blank piece of paper. You need to give them some ammunition, an opening line, something they can work with. You want them to engage with their senses. Tell them it’s the middle of night and then ask them to describe what they can hear, see, feel, smell and touch. It’s important to engage their sensory perception.”
You can visit SOUTH STACK LIGHTHOUSE in the spring and summer months, located down 400 steep steps. For an alternative view from the sea to the land, RIB RIDE offers 90-minute adventure boat trips around Anglesey’s coastline. ANGLESEY SEA ZOO has many varieties of fish and ocean critters living in its aquarium, along with a playground, bouncy castle and mini-golf. PLAS NEWYDD is a National Trust mansion on the Menai Strait, the 25km stretch of water that separates Anglesey from the mainland of Wales. There’s a café, woodland walks, gardens to explore, a frisbee-throwing area and an adventure playground in the Old Dairy Wood. Anglesey also has some lovely SANDY BEACHES for families and water-sports enthusiasts. The water can get rough, but there are plenty of safe swimming areas and rockpools. The sleepy village of LLANFAIRPWLLGWYNGYLLGOGERYCHWYRNDROBWLLLLANTYSILIOGOGOGOCH attracts many thousands of visitors every year, mostly on account of its ridiculously long name.
Puffins live on South Stack Cliffs 10
STOCKPORT GRAMMAR HOSTS CHARITY LAUNCH
The Junior School at Stockport Grammar welcomed some special visitors recently from the charity 999 Cenotaph, who were launching their ‘Unite the Uniforms’ campaign. The charity aims to build a 999 Cenotaph to honour the millions of people who have worked and volunteered in the NHS and emergency services. Tom Scholes-Fogg, the charity’s founder and Chief Executive, spoke to pupils in an assembly where he talked about the great work of all of the emergency services. He was joined by Maria Chowdury and Hithin Noble, medical students at The University of Manchester, who spoke about why they want to work in the emergency services. The students are part of ‘Scrubbed Up’ – a group of medical students helping others to apply to medical school. Pupils also had the opportunity to ask the speakers lots of questions during assembly.
GE T ! PA U 4- LL-O PU
Easter Quiz 1. What yummy food do you make on Shrove Tuesday? 2. Easter Island is a real place. True or False? 3. Name an animal associated with easter
Easter Wordsearch spring basket egg hunt easter
chick sunday bunny flower carrot Answers on page 15
NKHICEC
……………….
CWO …………………………..
HSEEP ………………………….. OTGA
…………………………..
OEHRS ……………… GIP
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Answers on page 15
COLOUR ME IN
IT’S SPRING SO IT MUST BE LAMBING SEASON
It’s a springtime tradition to see lambs when they’re just a few days or weeks old, and sometimes you can actually see them being born. For health reasons, this is not a recommended activity for pregnant women. Here are some of the local farms that are holding lambing events this year.
THE FARM, TATTON PARK, KNUTSFORD
OTHER ANIMALS, BIRDS & FISH
The sheep have all been examined and the good news is that Tatton Park is expecting quite a few lambs this spring. They will be arriving between 2 – 10 April, so head down to the farm to meet the new arrivals and listen to an informative talk on BLAZE FARM, WILDBOARCLOUGH the subject. It will be open Tuesdays NEAR MACCLESFIELD to Sundays between 11am and 4pm (last entry is at 3pm). The lambing shed will be open www.tattonpark.org.uk between 2 – 3, 6 – 10 and 13 – 18 April. There is a nature trail, a café THE LAMBING SHED, MOSELEY and ice cream parlour on site. All HALL FARM, KNUTSFORD proceeds from the lambing shed will go to local charities. Visitors will There will be a ‘meet the lambs’ need to pre-book a one-hour slot event this year and is likely to be (available from mid-March). in early April, so please check the www.blazefarm.com website for details nearer the time. www.facebook.com/theblazefarm www.thelambingshed.com
Lambs aside, other places to go and see animals include the mighty Chester Zoo in Chester, and Trentham Monkey Forest in Stoke-on-Trent. For fish and other sea creatures, there’s Blue Planet Aquarium in Ellesmere Port and Sea Life Aquarium at the Trafford Centre. For birdlife, try Cheshire Falconry near Northwich and Gauntlet Birds of Prey near Knutsford.
A lamb at Tatton Park
Easter Quiz
1. What yummy food do you make on Shrove Tuesday? 2. Easter Island is a real place. True or False? 3. Name an animal associated with easter
KIDS’ PUZZLE SOLUTIONS CHICKEN, COW, SHEEP, GOAT, HORSE, PIG
Easter Wordsearch
Unscramble the Letters (page 14)
spring basket egg hunt easter
chick sunday bunny flower carrot
Question 3: BUNNY or CHICK
Question 2: TRUE! It’s in the Pacific Ocean Question 1: PANCAKES
Easter Quiz (page 11)
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Stagecoach Altrincham Singing, dancing and acting classes forr 4 - 18 year-olds www.stagecoach.co.uk 07904 451199 Bowden Preparatory , WA14 2LT
Stagecoach Performing Arts is the trading name of Stagecoach Theatre Arts Limited. Stagecoach Theatre Arts schools are operated under franchise and are independently owned by their Principals. Stagecoach and Creative Courage For Life are registered trademarks of Stagecoach Theatre Arts Limited.
UK FAMILY TRAVEL Porthcurno Beach
Rowena Cade
Theatre on the Rocks in Sunny Cornwall If you’re heading to Cornwall this spring or summer, it’s well worth a visit to one of the world’s most amazing outdoor theatres, writes Alison Stodolnic.
Last year I travelled to the far end of Cornwall to see a play at the Minack, which is as close to heaven as a theatre can be. The name means ‘rocky place’ in Cornish. It’s perched on the edge of a granite cliff overlooking the sea behind the stage, high above Porthcurno Beach where the sand is soft like warm butter. 250,000 people visit the theatre every year – about a third are there to see a show, and the rest are just gazing around in awe of this endlessly beautiful place. The Minack looks like a Roman amphitheatre, but it’s much younger than that. It was built from 1932 onwards by Rowena Cade, a tiny woman with the courage, grit and dogged determination of a gladiator. Rowena lived in Minack House with her mother. In 1929, she belonged to a local drama group that was
performing William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream in a nearby meadow. Two years later, they were looking for a new place to perform The Tempest, and Rowena thought the cliffs below her garden would be the perfect venue for a makeshift theatre.
So she and her gardener cleared some space and built rows of seating and a stage by August the following year. The show was a great success – the actors got all dressed up in the house, while the audience bought tickets at a trestle table and scrambled down the steep slope to take their seats as the sun went down. But Rowena didn’t stop there. She worked on The Minack for the next 50 years, building more walkways, seats, steps and pillars made from concrete mixed with sand that she dragged up from the beach. Many of the stone-like structures are engraved with patterns and words that she carved out with the end of a screwdriver while the sandy concrete mix was still damp. The
theatre is now run by a charitable trust, and it’s grown a lot over the years. There are now proper dressing rooms, a control room built into the rockface, cafés and a shop. The show goes on whatever the weather and umbrellas aren’t allowed. If you time your visit well, you’ll be watching a play on a nice hot day or a warm evening; time it badly and you’ll be huddled under a blanket in the rain, or shivering as an icy wind blows your hat off and turns your lips blue. The sound engineers have to make adjustments for changes in the tides or the weather, and sometimes you can see dolphins or basking sharks swimming in the water below.
The 2022 season begins at Easter and will run until about the end of September. The programme includes some family shows and children’s activities – they’re always popular, so you’ll need to get your tickets in advance. www.minack.com
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Ukraine: How Can We Help? It’s heartbreaking to watch the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Ukraine, as refugees flee the Russian invasion. At the borders with Poland, Romania, Hungary, Moldova and Slovakia, displaced people are arriving in huge numbers. So what can we do? The fastest and most economical way to help the people of Ukraine is by making a donation of whatever you can afford to the international organisations that have the expertise and infrastructure to deal with emergency response. The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) coordinates the efforts of 15 charities working together to meet the needs of refugees. To donate, go to www.dec.org.uk /appeal /ukraine-humanitarian-appeal The British Red Cross has launched an urgent appeal to support the Ukrainian Red Cross with its humanitarian response. They will supply essential services such as food, shelter, first aid, clean water, health care and psychological support. To contribute, please go to www.donate.redcross.org.uk /appeal/ukraine-crisis-appeal The Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB) is the largest representative body for Ukrainians and people of Ukrainian descent in the UK, with branches across the country. You can donate to its fundraising campaign by heading to www.augb.co.uk and following the link to the #HELPUKRAINE EMERGENCY APPEAL page. The ‘Dnipro’ Ukrainian Cultural Centre at Cheetham Hill (the Manchester branch of the AUGB) has set up a centre for donations. However, they have limited storage space and transportation capacity, so please keep an eye on their Facebook page for updates.
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They are also sharing the phone numbers of people who are collecting things locally, and other groups working to help Ukraine. www.facebook.com/UKrClubDniproMCR Some people have had the clever idea of booking Airbnb accommodation in Ukraine, with no intention of going to stay there. This is a direct way of getting cash to people facing financial hardship. Airbnb have said they are waiving guest and host fees in Ukraine at this time. They have also pledged to house 100,000 Ukrainian refugees – you can sign up to be a host or donate on this dedicated page: www.airbnb.org/help-ukraine UNICEF, the United Nations organisation that works to protect children in danger all around the world, is fundraising for the protection and care of Ukrainian refugee children here: www.unicef.org.uk Local grass roots groups are taking donations of essential items, and either delivering them to larger organisations to handle in a coordinated manner, or arranging their own transportation and distribution. Typically, what they are asking for is certain medical supplies, shoes and clothing, hygiene and sanitary items, blankets and sleeping bags, specific non-perishable foods, first aid kits, nappies, toys, toiletries and other essentials. The Polish Integrated Support Centre (PISC) in Wrexham, Cheshire, is also collecting items for refugees, many of whom have crossed the border into Poland. There are several drop-off points including Nantwich, Wrexham, Manchester and Chester. Again, the situation is very fast moving, so please check for updates on their Facebook page. www.facebook.com/PISCWrexham
Huge numbers of people have already fled the invasion of Ukraine, mostly women, children and the elderly
I’m on a Mission to Feel Better Raising kids and working, along with running the home and doing everything else, can be a roller coaster at the best of times. And doing all of that against the backdrop of pandemic recovery and an increasingly stressful news feed is messing about with my mental health, writes Daisy Dorothy.
by myself listening to music or a podcast, or walking and talking with somebody else always lifts my spirits and makes me feel lighter, somehow.
I find that going out into our tiny and somewhat muddy garden to dig up a few weeds, plant bulbs or prune something (even though I’m not much of a gardener and I don’t really know what I’m doing) I know quite a few people who feel gives me a chance to take a deep a bit weary and worried at the moment, breath and look up at the sky and but we keep calm and carry on. I’m feel more alive. It gives me a bigger trying to look after myself more and sense of perspective. I even like the focus on the positives – but it does sore muscles that follow, it makes take a renewed effort every single me want to exercise more and be day. Baby steps. I’m getting there. stronger, healthier, happier. And I’m grateful for so many things. When there’s a dry weekend day Now that the weather is improving I I try to drag one of my kids on a am trying to get outside more, and walk around the park or through the that seems to make me feel better. I woods, breathing in the fresh air. don’t really know why. Just walking We pick up nicely coloured leaves
and take them home, dry them out and press them, then later we stick them on paper with glue and paint and make art. I don’t know why that makes us feel good either, but it does. I recently had the opportunity to go to the People’s History Museum in Manchester. It’s an interesting place dedicated to democracy, the history of civil protest, and ‘ideas worth fighting for’. For a couple of hours, I was fully absorbed in reading people’s stories and gazing at photographs from years gone by. I felt really inspired by what can be achieved when people work together and fight for what’s right. It actually made me feel optimistic! Because it’s a museum that celebrates triumph after struggle, equality after unfairness, peace after conflict. And right now, we all need as much of that as we can get.
Getting outside can lift everybody’s spirits
SAVE THE CHILDREN’S ADVICE ON HOW TO TALK ABOUT CONFLICT Child psychologists from the charity Save the Children recommend the following tools and tips to help you approach conversations about the conflict in Ukraine with your children.
Make time and listen when your child wants to talk. Give children the space to tell you what they know, how they feel and to ask you questions. They may have formed a different picture of the situation than you have. Take the time to listen to what they think, and what they have seen or heard. Tailor the conversation to the child. Be mindful of the child’s age as you approach the conversation
with them. Young children may not understand what conflict or war means and require an age appropriate explanation, without going into too much detail. Younger children may be satisfied just by understanding that sometimes countries fight. Older children are more likely to understand what war means, but may still benefit from talking with you about the situation.
a good sense of relief and safety.
Reassure them that adults are working hard to resolve this . Remind children that this is not their problem to solve. They should not feel guilty about playing, seeing their friends, and doing the things that make them happy.
Give them a practical way to help. Support children who want to help. Validate their feelings. Children who have the opportunity It is important that children feel to help those affected by the conflict supported in the conversation. They can feel like they are part of the should not feel judged or have their solution, with fundraisers, sending concerns dismissed. When children letters to decision-makers, or doing have the chance to have an open drawings calling for peace. and honest conversation about things upsetting them, it can create www.savethechildren.org.uk 19
BABY & TODDLER DIARY
Community baby and toddler groups are a great opportunity for parents and carers to connect with other people with very young children, and a safe place for the kids to play and socialise. Some local groups have restarted, having closed over lockdown, while others are staying closed for now. The groups listed below are now meeting again, but details may change and there may be pre-booking systems or limits on numbers, so please try and check in advance before you go. Most groups run in term-time only, and they cost very little (or nothing) to attend. Please do tell us about any other local community baby and toddler groups that you know about that aren’t included here, so that we can include them in future issues. Thanks to the brilliant Little Superstars (see page opposite), Tumble Tots and Rugbytots (below) for supporting these pages.
MONDAY
TUESDAY
9.30am – 10.45am & 11am – 12.15pm: Trinity Toddlers, Trinity Church, Massie St, CHEADLE SK8 1BB www.trinity-cheadle.org
9.15am – 10.40am: Marlborough Minis, Marlborough Primary School, Tytherington Drive, MACCLESFIELD SK10 2HJ www.marlborough.cheshire.sch.uk
9.30am – 11.30am: Playaway Toddler Group, Poynton Baptist Church, 22 Park Lane, POYNTON SK12 1RD www.pbc.org.uk
1.15pm – 2.45pm: Parents and Tots, Saint Albans Church, Parish Centre, Hall Street, MACCLESFIELD SK10 3AA www.stalbanmacc.org.uk
10am – 11.30am: Seedlings Parents & Toddlers, Hazel Grove Baptist Church, Station Street, HAZEL GROVE SK7 4EX (also Tuesdays) www.hgbc.org.uk
10am – 11.30am: Seedlings Parents & Toddlers, Hazel Grove Baptist Church, Station Street, HAZEL GROVE SK7 4EX (also Mondays) www.hgbc.org.uk
10.30am – 12pm: Parent & Toddler Group (ages 0 – 5) ALTRINCHAM Methodist Church, Barrington Road WA14 1HF (also Thursdays) www.altrincham-methodist.org.uk
10am – 11.30am: Active Angels Toddler Group, Bramhall St. Michael’s Church, St Michaels Ave, BRAMHALL SK7 2PG www.bramhall.church
10am – 11am: 9.15 – 11am: Prestbury Mums & Tots, Rhyme Time (songs, play and chat), Prestbury Village Hall, Macclesfield Poynton Methodist Church, Road SK10 4BW POYNTON SK12 1RB www.prestburyvillagehall.co.uk www.poyntonmethodist.org
10am – 12pm: ABC Toddler Group (ages 0 – 3), The Hub Community Centre, ALTRINCHAM Baptist Church, Pownall Road WA14 2SZ – please check availability (0161) 941 2018 (also Wed & Thu) www.ourhub.org 9.45am – 11.15am: Woodlands Baby & Toddlers, ALTRINCHAM United Reformed Church, Woodlands Parkway, Timperley WA15 7QT (also Fridays) www.altrinchamurc.org.uk 10am – 12pm: Tuesday Tots, The Marquee, St Phillips and St James Church, Alderley Edge SK9 7UZ (pre-book) www.stphilipandstjames.co.uk 9.30am – 11am: Butterflies, Chelford Primary School, Oak Rd, CHELFORD SK11 9AY www.chelford.cheshire.sch.uk 10.30am – 11am: Storytime, Olive ROC Centre & Café, 88-90 Castle Street, Edgeley, STOCKPORT SK3 9AL www.oliveroccentre.org.uk 10am – 12pm: Tuesday Tots, The Marquee, St Phillips & St James Church, ALDERLEY EDGE SK9 7UZ (pre-book). www.stphilipandstjames.co.uk 9.30am – 11am: Butterflies, Chelford CE Primary School, Oak Rd, CHELFORD SK11 9AY www.chelford.cheshire.sch.uk
Rugbytots is the world’s favourite Rugby play programme. Dynamic, structured and fun play sessions for toddlers and young children are held at Macclesfield Leisure Centre, Bollington Civic Hall, Poynton Civic Hall and Congleton Mossley Village Hall. Classes are tailored for children aged 2—3.5, 3.5—5 and 5—7 years old. www.rugbytots.co.uk Call Alick on 07961 045330 Email alick@rugbytots.co.uk
Facebook: rugbytotssecheshire 20
Tumble Tots is the UK’s leading physical play programme for children aged 6 months to 7 years. Come along and see your child build their ‘skills for life’, developing co-ordination, balance, climbing and everything in between. Classes run between Monday and Friday at Wilmslow and Macclesfield Leisure Centres.
www.tumbletots.com/macclesfield Call Megan on 07814 020 095
Facebook: tumbletotsmacclesfield
WEDNESDAY 1pm – 3pm: Little Treasures Baby & Toddler Group, Elim Christian Life Centre, Parsonage Street, MACCLESFIELD SK11 7GY www.elimclcmacc.org.uk 10am – 11am: Baby Chat – please bring a mat and some toys if possible. Bramhall Methodist Church, 23 Bramhall Lane South, BRAMHALL SK7 1AL www.bramhallmethodists.org.uk
BABY & TODDLER DIARY 10.30am – 11.45am: Toddlers (pre-schoolers): Cheadle Hulme Methodist Church, Ramilies Ave, CHEADLE HULME SK8 7AL www.chmc.org.uk
10am – 12pm: ABC Toddler Group (ages 0 – 3), The Hub Community Centre, ALTRINCHAM Baptist Church, Pownall Road WA14 2SZ – please check availability (0161) 941 2018 (also Tue & Thu) www.ourhub.org 10.30am: Tiddlywinks, Wilmslow Methodist Church, Kings Close, Water Lane, WILMSLOW wilmslowmethodists.org.uk 9.30am – 11.30am: Jolly Tots, Knutsford Methodist Church, Princess Street, KNUTSFORD WA16 6BY www.kmc.org.uk
10.30am – 12pm: Parent & Toddler Group (ages 0 – 5) ALTRINCHAM Methodist Church, 12.45pm – 2.15pm: Barrington Road WA14 1HF Just for Dads (for Dads, Grandads & (also Mondays) male carers with children aged 0 – 4), www.altrincham-methodist.org.uk Guywood Centre, Guywood Lane, St Chad’s Church Romiley, 10am – 11.30am: Oasis Baby & TodSTOCKPORT SK6 4AN. dler Group, St. John’s Baptist Church, Call Vicky on 07745 862557 KNUTSFORD WA16 6DH (pre-book) www.stchadsromiley.co.uk www.stjohnsknutsford.org.uk 9.30 – 10.30am & 11am – 12pm: Prampushers, Guywood Centre, Guywood Lane, St Chad’s Church Romiley, STOCKPORT SK6 4AN. Call Vicky on 07745 862557 stchadsromiley.co.uk 10.30am: Tiddlywinks, Wilmslow Methodist Church, Kings Close, Water Lane, WILMSLOW www.wilmslowmethodists.org.uk 9.30am – 11.30am: Jolly Tots, Knutsford Methodist Church, Princess Street, KNUTSFORD WA16 6BY www.kmc.org.uk
THURSDAY 9.30am – 11.30am: Toddler Group (please bring a mat and some toys). Poynton Methodist Church Hall, POYNTON SK12 1RB www.poyntonmethodist.org 10.30am – 11.45am: Baby Chat (up to 12 months / before walking), Cheadle Hulme Methodist Church, Ramilies Ave, CHEADLE HULME SK8 7AL www.chmc.org.uk
9.30am – 11.30am: Little Fishes Toddler Group, St. Paul’s Church, St. Paul’s Road, Heaton Moor, STOCKPORT SK4 4RY, book on (0161) 432 3431 www.stpaulsheatonmoor.org.uk 10am – 11.30am: Oasis Baby & Toddler Group, St. John’s Baptist Church, KNUTSFORD WA16 6DH (pre-book).
www.stjohnsknutsford.org.uk
10am – 12pm: ABC Toddler Group (ages 0 – 3), The Hub Community Centre, ALTRINCHAM Baptist Church, Pownall Road WA14 2SZ – please check availability (0161) 941 2018 (also Tue & Wed). www.ourhub.org
Emmanuel Church Centre, Bruntwood Lane, CHEADLE HULME SK8 6BE www.emmanuelch.co.uk 9.45am – 11.15am: Woodlands Baby & Toddlers (from birth to school age) Altrincham United Reformed Church, Woodlands Parkway, TIMPERLEY WA15 7QT (also Tuesdays) www.altrinchamurc.org.uk 9am – 11.30am: Fun 4 Tots Group, Benchill Community Centre, Benchill Road, WYTHENSHAWE Manchester M22 8EJ
www.benchillcommunitycentre.co.uk 10am – 12pm: Tiny Hands (babies to preschool), St Mary’s Methodist Church, Wilmslow Road, HANDFORTH SK9 3LF (pre-book) www.stmaryshandforth.weebly.com 9.30am – 11am: Toddle Time, St Matthews Church, Grenville St, Edgeley STOCKPORT SK3 9EE
www.edgeleyandcheadleheath.org.uk
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
10.30am – 11.45am: Wobblers (crawling to 24 months) CHEADLE HULME Methodist Church, Ramilies Ave, SK8 7AL www.chmc.org.uk
10.30am – 12pm: Just for Dads (for Dads, Grandads & male carers with children aged 0 – 4), Guywood Centre, Guywood Lane, St Chad’s Church Romiley, STOCKPORT SK6 4AN Call Vicky on 07745 862557. www.stchadsromiley.co.uk
9.30am – 11am: Little Fishes Baby & Toddler Group,
THE HAIRY BIKERS’ VEGAN BROWNIES
Normal chocolate doesn’t suit everyone’s tastes. These vegan brownies contain no dairy milk, butter or eggs, but TV chefs The Hairy Bikers say they still taste fantastic. Please note, the recipe contains nuts.
INGREDIENTS (Serves 8-12)
METHOD
• 275ml plant-based milk • 150ml groundnut or walnut oil • 2 teaspoon vanilla extract • 2 tablespoon ground flax seeds • 60ml hot water • 125g plain flour • 125g cocoa powder • ½ teaspoon baking powder • 100g light soft brown sugar • 75g caster sugar • ½ teaspoon salt • 150g vegan chocolate chips • 100g peanut butter
1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/Fan 160°C/Gas mark 4 and line a 20x20cm brownie tin with baking paper. 2. Whisk the milk, oil and vanilla extract together in a bowl and set aside. Mix the ground flax seeds with the hot water and leave to stand for 5 minutes. Whisk all the remaining ingredients (except the chocolate chips and the peanut butter) together in a separate bowl. 3. Beat the flax seeds into the wet ingredients, then add the dry mixture and fold in as gently as you can. Add the chocolate chips. 4. Scrape the mixture into the brownie tin. Dot spoonfuls of the peanut butter all over the batter, then swirl it through, using the tip of a knife (don’t mix it up too much). 5. Bake for 20–25 minutes until the brownies have just set. Leave to cool completely, then cut into squares.
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