Little London February/March 2016

little london FEBRUARY/MARCH 2016 • £3.99

WIN! A FAMILY SAILING HOLIDAY

PLAYING GAMES

How to get your child into sport

FAMILY TRAVEL with

Mr & Mrs Smith

Carole Middleton ON HAVING BAGS OF FUN

The talented

AMANDA HOLDEN

Chineasy

talks about her life in the capital

Simple ways to give them a head start

EXPLORE! BROADEN YOUR CHILDREN’S HORIZONS WITH EXOTIC FASHION, TRAVEL AND INTERIORS PLUS, CLOSER TO HOME… LITTLELONDONMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Your indispensable family guide to London this spring

Multi, multi, multi award winning.

97% Trust Pilot service rating.

But at the end of the day, all we really do is find the toys we’d wish for our own children.

And deliver them to you how we’d expect them to be delivered to us.

Ethically made

Scandinavian design

Designed for play

Find out why everyone is talking about us! me&i is a Swedish clothing company that sells uniquely stylish, funky and comfortable clothes through home parties and personal shoppers. We use high quality textiles, and are very proud of our ethical and environmental stance which ensure that no-one in our European factories is exploited and no habitats are degraded through the manufacture of our clothes.

We are actively recruiting energetic, sociable and self-starting people to join our team.

We offer excellent commission structure, benefits and treats, and the chance to be part of a growing and sustainable company with so much potential to expand. If you believe in us, we will believe in you, and give you free training, software and tailored support to build your business with us.

To join our team, hold a get together or buy our amazing designs.

Contact Helen on 07931 232639 or sellmeandi@meandi.eu

www.meandi.eu

@meandiuk

meandiUK

www.le-mu.co.uk

/lemulondon

Check out cool new brand The Animals Observatory at cissywears.com

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EDITOR’S LETTER

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ho doesn’t struggle to be upbeat in these cold, dark months? I find the best way to beat the winter blues is with a good bit of escapism, and this issue we give you a taste of the exotic, from fashion and interiors, to shopping, books and travel.

Few people are more qualified to talk about escapism than travel publishers James and Tamara Lohan, the founders of Smith & Family, which offers a unique collection of child-friendly but parent-pleasing hotels and self-catering properties. Elaine Lloyd-Jones meets the whole family to talk about life both at home and away (p.40).

We also catch up with Maggie & Rose co-founder Maggie Bolger, who’s been feeling the wanderlust recently, too (p.33). Not content with two family members’ clubs here in London, she has taken the wonderful world of Maggie & Rose to the families of Hong Kong with a new Beach Club in Repulse Bay. Talking of China, we celebrate the Year of the Monkey with a stunning Chinese New Year-inspired fashion story (p.48), and also look at the rise of Mandarin being taught in our nurseries and schools (p.85).

Sri Lanka is having a moment right now, too, especially as a family destination, and 7

Olivia Falcon is lucky enough to have spent the holidays there and in the Maldives. Read her island reviews for travel inspiration (if you can bear the jealousy). And don’t forget to enter our competition to win a fabulous family sailing trip on a stunning tall ship around the Canary Islands (p.47).

Closer to home, we interview the muchloved actress and Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden to talk about life in the capital (p.28) and catch up with Kate Domash of one-stop shop Igloo Kids (p.114).

If you’re in the throes of designing your child’s room, then take your cue from interior designer Jo Berryman, who shows us how to create an individual space that will grow with your child (p.37).

Finally, let’s not forget that February means Valentine’s Day. It may be an evil, corporate fabricated holiday, but Nanny Anita and Leonora Bamford are feeling the love anyway in Get Crafty (p.68). And so am I. After all, it’s as good an excuse as any.

SUSANNAH WARREN, EDITOR

CON T E N T S

More travel inspiration than you can shake a passport at from the Smith & Family gang

FE B/ MAR 20 16

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22 FEATURES 28 MY LITTLE LONDON

We talk to mum-of-two Amanda Holden about family life in the capital 30 BOOKS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

Learning the value of money is a key life lesson, can pocket money help?

SHOPPING 21 LITTLE LOVES

Bags of style for your mini fashionista

33 CLUBBING TOGETHER

Our edit of travel-inspired must-haves for your little ones

37 CHANGING ROOMS

Interior designer Jo Berryman shares her tips for creating the best kids’ bedrooms 40 KEEPING UP WITH THE SMITHS

Elaine Lloyd-Jones checks in with the travel industry’s most in-the-know family 47 WIN A SAILING HOLIDAY

Bag yourself a trip for the whole family

LITTLELONDONMAGAZINE.CO.UK

64 HOW TO SPEND IT

The best titles focusing on travel and culture for little readers Lianne Kolirin talks to Maggie Bolger, co-founder of Maggie & Rose

PHOTOGRAPHER: ABI CAMPBELL MODEL: TIA DRESS, £280, ROKSANDA ILINCIC AT HARVEY NICHOLS

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60 A LITTLE BIT OF RESOLVE

Resident dad Alex Payne ponders his parenting resolutions 9

22 EAT, PLAY, SLEEP

STYLE 48 FAR EAST

Celebrate Chinese New Year in the coolest of kids fashion 58 SHOP THE SHOOT

Dress the part in bold brights and clashing prints 70 FIELD DAY

Classic style for children 76 SHOP THE SHOOT

Get the look with these charming pieces

CONTENTS

little london

94

EDITORIAL

EDITOR SUSANNAH WARREN MANAGING EDITOR REBECCA MOORE SUB EDITOR DANIELLE WILKINS EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS LILY SMITH, ANNIE QUINTON

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS LEONORA BAMFORD, OLIVIA FALCON, CAROLE MIDDLETON

DESIGN GROUP ART EDITOR CHLOË COLLYER SENIOR DESIGNER PIO BLANCO DESIGNER NATALIE DOURADO

PUBLISHING PUBLISHER CHATTY DOBSON BRAND MANAGERS STEPHANIE ORGAN, GINNY MACLEAN COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR VICKI GAVIN MARKETING MANAGER WILLIAM DELMONT

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DIGITAL MEDIA MANAGER JAMES DOBSON

ADVERTISING BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER THIAGO ALVES

98

Language tips and tricks to inspire your little learners

SALES MANAGER AMY THACKER SALES EXECUTIVES HARRIET COTTRELL, HELENA MURPHY MANAGING DIRECTOR PAUL DOBSON DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR STEVE ROSS LITTLE LONDON IS PUBLISHED BY THE CHELSEA MAGAZINE COMPANY LTD, JUBILEE HOUSE, 2 JUBILEE PLACE, LONDON SW3 3TQ

EDUCATION

REGULARS

79 EDUCATION NEWS

15 NEWS

Keeping you in the know

Updating you on all things big in kid world

80 A QUESTION OF SPORT

62 PARTY TIME WITH CAROLE MIDDLETON : PARTY BAGS

How to nurture a positive relationship with physical activity

TEL: 020 7349 3700

Plenty of inspiration for the best gifts 68 GET CRAFTY

The benefits of topping up with tutoring during the school holidays

Leonora Bamford and Nanny Anita reveal their creative ideas for Valentine’s Day

85 MASTERING MANDARIN

100 SURVIVING WINTER

Becky Pugh looks at the options for learning a new language

The Cooking Them Healthy team shares tasty immune-boosting dishes

47 WIN A FAMILY SAILING TRIP

FAX: 020 7349 3701 LITTLE LONDON ISSN 2055-3366 DISTRIBUTED BY SEYMOUR DISTRIBUTION LTD. 2 EAST POULTRY AVENUE, LONDON EC1A 9PT TEL: 020 7429 4000 | FAX: 020 7429 4001 PRODUCTION ALL POINTS MEDIA PRINTED IN ENGLAND BY WILLIAM GIBBONS ©THE CHELSEA MAGAZINE COMPANY LTD 2016.

82 A HELPING HAND

TRAVEL

WEB: LITTLELONDONMAGAZINE.CO.UK EMAIL: EDITOR@LITTLELONDONMAGAZINE.CO.UK

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

105 AGENDA

What’s on in London this winter

It’s time to set sail with our fantastic holiday competition

111 GROUPS AND CLASSES

89 TRAVEL NEWS

113 BOUTIQUES

The round-up for little globetrotters

Our guide to shopping in the capital

94 A TALE OF TWO BEACHES

114 THE BUSINESS

Olivia Falcon attempts a dual-destination trip with her little ones in tow

We speak to Kate Domash, head of children’s emporium Igloo Kids

Activities for your little one

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CONTRIBUTORS

OLIVIA FALCON

JO BERRYMAN

HELENE SANDBERG

Journalist

Interior designer

Photographer

Where were you born?

Where do you live?

Where do you live?

London – Queen Charlotte’s Hospital to be precise. It used to be in Hammersmith.

Hampstead, London.

West London.

What’s your favourite thing to do in London with the kids?

We love picnics in Kenwood, and occasionally we go to Borough Market on a Saturday morning to look at all the weird fish and stuff our faces at the doughnut stall.

Favourite family holiday destination?

Amilla Fushi in the Maldives wins hands down. Closer to home, the Norfolk coast.

And without the kids?

When I was four, I had a pair of red ankle boots that I refused to take off. I’m still obsessed with red shoes to this day.

Describe your perfect family day.

A bracing Pilates session at Heartcore Fitness, followed by boiled egg and soldiers at Ginger & White. Then I’d take the girls and the dog for a jaunt around the Heath, before going home for a Middle-Eastern inspired lunch.

Favourite holiday spot?

Japan. I love the thermal black sand volcanic beaches of Kyushu, and Tokyo is one of my favourite cities.

Olivia jets off with the kids on p.94

First fashion memory?

Ibiza. We have so many friends out there.

It truly feels like a home away from home.

Jo shares her tips on creating children's bedrooms on p.37

If you could shoot anyone or anything, who or what would it be?

My dream is to photograph the last few remaining tribes of reindeer herders in Siberia before they disappear completely.

What’s your favourite destination to travel to?

It has to be the Alps for skiing – I love the beautiful mountains and fresh air.

And photography destination?

India, for the beautiful warm light, vibrant colours and wonderful culture.

Helene captures our interviews with Maggie Bolger and the family behind Mr & Mrs Smith on p.33 and p.40

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Keep up to date with the latest news, events and products

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NEWS

little NEWS

FANCY THAT

Fancy Kids and its gorgeous collections of clothing, accessories and toys has been a firm favourite of ours ever since its launch in May last year. But it’s not only the world of children’s fashion that it works wonders for: it also has an ethical agenda. As well as empowering independent designers who share the label’s passion for organic products, Fancy Kids donates £1 from every purchase to Place2Be, a charity providing mental health support in schools. fancykids.com

Last year, a survey by WRAP revealed that the average UK family spends around £700 on wasted food, which contributes to greenhouse gases. Now, EatBy App is asking families to turn their fruit and veg into characters and upload their snaps online, as part of a campaign against food waste. So, give your fig a face and your sprout a smile, and upload your photo at eatbyapp.com LITTLELONDONMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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NEWS

food NEWS

Not just for parties: Ted Baker gives classic ballet pumps a metallic makeover in its latest range

OATALLY GREAT Mum-of-two Davina Whiteoak has channelled her passion for natural ingredients into her Get Fruity bars.

Packed with fruit and coconut oil, they’ll release slow-burning energy so little ones feel fuller for longer. £2.70 (pack of four). getfruitybar.co.uk

GIVE THEM A BOOST Ensuring kids get the optimum amount of vitamin D in winter can be challenging. Add a supplement to their diet with Wellkid’s Immune Chewable – packed with vitamins A, C and D. £8.75 for 30 tablets. wellkid.co.uk

HAPPY FEET

The Baker for Ted Baker range has taken classic shoe designs and given them a funky twist – think pared-back trainers with chunky white soles, pumps smothered in glitter and traditional boots with rose-gold detailing. Stylish, hardwearing and waterproof, there’s something for every occasion. debenhams.com

GO GREEN Make preparing vegetables fun with OXO’s new hand-held spiralizer. The smart blade accommodates both long and round veg, so you can sneak the good stuff into their meals without them having a clue! £15 at johnlewis.com

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NEWS

KID ROCK

The son of The Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards has used his spunky rock heritage to create an edgy new boyswear collection. The Marlon Richards X No Added Sugar range has all the quirkiness of No Added Sugar’s typical style, but with a shot of rocker flair – think playful prints in quirky colour combos. Our verdict? A super-cool collection that reflects the cheeky, innate inquisitiveness of little boys perfectly. noaddedsugar.com

The range of tees and sweaters features prints of UFOs, black cats and freemasonry

Everyone gets a bit snap-happy when there’s a new addition or a special moment in family life, and why shouldn’t you? Now, there’s one place to store and share those photo memories. Lifecake by Canon collates your pics and videos together in a seamless timeline, so you can share the story of your child’s life with everyone from grandparents to godparents. lifecake.com

HIGH FLYERS

MAKE A SPLASH

Exploring treetops is no longer the preserve of country dwellers, thanks to forest adventure company Go Ape. The end of last year saw it open its first ‘urban’ site in Battersea Park. In fact, the crossings are double the height and length of most other Go Ape courses, making them even more challenging.

Suitable for ages six and up, only the bravest monkeys need apply. goape.co.uk

Whether it be April showers or a soggy summer, brighten up those dull days with Rockin’ Baby’s hip new ponchos and matching welly boots, available in four funky patterns. With easy-to-pull-on boot handles, even the smallest hands can help get ready for some fresh air, while the packaway poncho squashes down to nothing to save space in your bag. For 12 months to 10 years. rockinbaby.com

FULL OF BEANS The benefits of the Bean Burst formula were stumbled upon when a mother tried to find a natural remedy for her son’s dry skin. After seeing the results, the Bean Burst Coffee Scrub was born.

Packed with coffee, pink Himalayan salt, apricot kernels and coconut oil to target everything from cellulite to acne, it’s available in three blends: Grapefruit, Orange and Peppermint, £15 each. beanburst.com

LITTLELONDONMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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NEWS

SUPER STYLE

It’s designer threads galore at Harrods’ new mini shopping paradise

Mini fashionistas rejoice! Harrods has launched an exciting new concept in its childrenswear department: ‘Mini Superbrand’ boutiques, where little shoppers will be able to browse through the crème de la crème of kids designer fashion. The Dior, Gucci and Loro Piana shopping areas are now open, with more to come throughout 2016. harrods.com

DIGI-COOL

BUSHY TAILED Drag your little ones away from electronic screens and fuel their imagination with TellTails’ adorable, handmade wearable, animal tails, which come in eight different designs. And it would seem they aren’t just for the little ones: seen on the likes of Kate Winslet and Prince Harry, they’re sure to put a smile on adults’ faces, too. Available in Selfridges or telltails.co.uk

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New kids’ app Toca Blocks invites children to bring their imagination to life by using the app’s transformative blocks to construct and explore new worlds through different characters and creating buildings. Both good for the brain and good fun. tocaboca.com

LITTLELONDONMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Mister Master & Little Miss

Offering chic designer clothing for children aged 0 to 12 years www.mmlmkids.com

SHOPPING

little loves…

Now your kids can look every bit as cool as you do when they’re out and about

Set up by two London mums, stylish bag company Tiba + Marl is barely a few months old, yet it continues to catch our eye with its chic designs. After starting with changing bags, it has now expanded to include a range of hip backpacks for kids. This vibrant floral print is sure to stand out; get one in your own size to match!

MINI ELWOOD KIDS BACKPACK £45 TIBAANDMARL.COM

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SHOPPING

Add a pop of colour to your child's outfit with this sweet bag

HELLO SCHWEETY MINI BACKPACK £19.95 URBANJUNKUK.COM

LITTLE MARC JACOBS COTTON T-SHIRT £34 SELFRIDGES.COM

CASHMERE CARDIGAN £99 RACHELRILEY.CO.UK

AEROPLANE METAL COOKIE CUTTER £1 WAITROSEKITCHEN.COM

YUMBOX PANINO LUNCHBOX £24.95 YUMBOX-UK.CO.UK

E AT

WOOUF! MINI ICE CREAM CUSHION £35 THEKIDWHO.EU

Bright and stylish buys for all their foodie adventures

LIMITED EDITION BOBBLE £9.99 OLIVERBONAS.COM

BIOBU BAMBOO CUTLERY SET £7 THEKIDWHO.EU

MCLAGGAN SMITH MUG £11 JOHNLEWIS.COM COOK WITH KIDS £8.99 BLOOMSBURY.COM

ARNOLD THE ALIEN LUNCHBOX £15 PINKLINING.COM KIDS CHOCO MYLK COCONUT MILK DRINK WITH CACAO £1.70 OCADO.COM VANS SNEAKERS £50.63 EN.SMALLABLE.COM

WORLD MAP LUNCH BAG £3.95 DOTCOMGIFTSHOP.COM

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At Organix we only use the very best organic ingredients, with no colourings, avourings or unnecessary additives, so your little ones get great tasting food, without the junk.

From babies at the start of their weaning journey to growing toddlers on the go, our foods provide a range of tastes, shapes and textures to help inspire a lifelong love of good food.

Find out more at www.organix.com

SHOPPING

MONKEY MONKEY SUNGLASSES £10 REDHOTSUNGLASSES.CO.UK

TOURING ENGLAND BOARD GAME £13 HEDGEHOGSHOP.CO.UK

STELLA MCCARTNEY KIDS PADDED COTTON TOP £80 CHILDRENSALON.COM

PADDINGTON BEAR £59.95 HARRODS.COM

HOLIDAY POCKET DOODLING AND COLOURING BOOK £5.99 USBORNE.COM

PL AY

Fun things to keep your little ones entertained wherever they may go

Pretend you're an octopus with this super cool ocean-inspired T-shirt STELLA MCCARTNEY KIDS COTTON T-SHIRT £40 ALEXANDALEXA.COM

MINI RODINI PINK UNICORN LEGGINGS £19 CHILDRENSSALON.COM COLOUR-IN CARDBOARD EIFFEL TOWER €17 EN.SMALLABLE.COM

ACTIVE PEOPLE TOYS XAXA TOY £7.99 TOYELLA.COM

WORLD MAP UMBRELLA £8.95 DOTCOMGIFTSHOP.COM

NORDIC NIGHTS SMALL NOTEBOOK £5 PAPERCHASE.CO.UK

DELANEY BOOTS £60 DRMARTENS.COM

SHARAN WIDE PINHOLE CAMERA £35 THEKIDWHO.EU

LITTLELONDONMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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SHOPPING MAP-PRINT CUSHION £18 SASSANDBELLE.CO.UK

CASHMERE EYE MASK £39 BODEN.COM

ILLUMINATED STELLAR GLOBE £99.95 HARRODS.COM

MAP-PRINT CUSHION £19 MADE.COM BABY TRAVEL KIT £12 NAIFCARE.COM

TIGER-PRINT COTTONRICH PYJAMAS £10 MARKSANDSPENCER.COM

SLEEP CASHMERE SOCKS £28 BRORA.CO.UK

Give your decor a travel-inspired edge with this monochrome piece

Sleepovers never looked so good with these night-time essentials BON BON WOOL DOLL £70 THEKIDWHO.EU

CHEVRON COLOUR BLOCK SLEEPING BAG £57.09 LANDSEND.COM

NIKE HOLDALL £33 ASOS.COM

CARTOGRAPHY WASH BAG £34.95 JOHNLEWIS.COM CAT FACE COTTON PYJAMAS £15 NEXT.CO.UK

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INTERVIEW

T

his year, Britain’s Got Talent turns an impressive 10 years old, and with her eldest daughter about to turn the same, we caught up with Amanda Holden, mum of two, to find out more about motherhood in London, upcoming TV roles, and her latest venture into the world of childhood play.

Eldest daughter Lexie joins her mum on the judging panel of Britain's Got Talent

Where do you live in London and what do you love most about it?

We live on the outskirts, just by the Thames. It certainly gives us the best of both worlds as it has a real village atmosphere. It’s nice to live somewhere where I know all the mums from school, but is still easy to get into central – I hate getting stuck in traffic so I try to cycle everywhere.

Describe a typical weekend for you.

We head straight to the park if the weather is nice.

We love a pub lunch, we’re proper locals so they know all my favourites. Weekends are important so we try to make the most out of them – focus on the kids and, of course, do any homework!

What’s your favourite family spot in London?

It has to be the parks, we love to go on long walks.

I adore Ham House and Marble Hill House.

And if you want to escape the city?

We love going to the Cotswolds. I used to live in the sticks so it’s nice to get away now and again.

Where do you go when you have some time to yourself?

This amazing woman comes to my house and gives me a massage – it’s great because you don’t have to walk around wearing oily clothes. I also love yoga.

How about you and husband Chris?

Chris and I rarely have date nights, it normally ends up with us watching a box set on the sofa!

How has motherhood changed your life?

It opens you up more to the world. You become more vulnerable as the most important thing is the safety of your children. And you certainly become more alert.

Where do you like to shop for the girls?

I like to dress them like children, although Lexie is nearly 10 now, so she is becoming more interested in fashion – she has her own leather jacket. I love Zara Kids and Next, and absolutely adore Sue Hill for gorgeous knitwear.

What are you up to work-wise?

I had been working on the Text Santa campaign, and then had a month off for Christmas. Of course, Britain’s Got Talent has kept me busy, too.

You’ll be centre stage again soon when the hit show returns to our screens. Do the girls take after your performing side?

Lexie often comes across less confident than Hollie, who is much more chatty, but actually, Lexie sang at my dad’s 70th birthday in front of 20 people which I wouldn’t have done at her age.

You’ve just teamed up with Pebli Town.

What was it that attracted you to the multisensory, interactive pre-school toy?

Technology gets a lot of bad press these days, but what I like about Pebli Town (toysalive.com) is that it’s combined with traditional play. You can play together or on your own, which is a big part of childhood. I like that Hollie has something to hold in her hands. I’m not one for playing Barbies, but I do love memory games, painting and baking, and with Pebli Town it’s so engaging, you’re not clockwatching. As mothers, we’re often thinking about the other things we could be doing.

Amanda turns to Sue Hill for the best children’s knits

Children learning to express themselves is a big part of childhood. How does Pebli Town encourage this?

It expands creativity, and there’s loads of memory games with role play – such as going to the shops and remembering what you need. All good practice!

Hollie’s starting starting school this year.

How do you feel about it?

Yep, September this year – my last baby! I’m both happy and sad. I sometimes look at Hollie’s little wellie boots and think they’re so tiny, but time goes so quickly. I’ll be shedding a big tear. Kids lose something when they go to school – it changes you.

She’s a bright little girl and will do great. I often wind Lexie up on the school run, shouting out the window, “I love you!” with the music blaring.

Amanda and her family love to holiday in the Cotswolds

Have you any exciting plans for 2016 that you can share?

I’ll be doing a programme that I’ve always wanted to do – a real knock-on-the-door type of show, which is what I love. It’s fun getting out and chatting to real people. It’s all top secret at the moment, but watch this space! L 28

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INTERVIEW Amanda recently teamed up with interactive preschool toy Pebli Town

The star was drawn to Pebli Town because of its traditional play element

MY LITTLE LONDON

A M A N DA H O L D E N THE ACTRESS, TALENT JUDGE AND SELF-CONFESSED ‘EMBARRASSING MUM ON THE SCHOOL RUN’ CHATS TO REBECCA MOORE ABOUT LIFE IN THE CAPITAL

PHOTOGRAPHY: INSTAGRAM, ISTOCK

Marble Hill House

Amanda and Chris like to make the most of their weekends with walks in the park

LITTLELONDONMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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BOOKS

2-4 YEARS

5-7 YEARS

8-10 YEARS

The Marvellous Fluffy Squishy Itty Bitty

Pippi Longstocking

The Book of Languages

BY ASTRID LINDGREN

BY MICK WEBB

BY BEATRICE ALEMAGNA

ILLUSTRATED BY LAUREN CHILD

Join Eddie as she hunts for the perfect gift for her mother, but where will she get hold of a Fluffy Squishy Itty Bitty?

Pippi burst onto shelves in 1945, with a monkey, a horse, a suitcase of gold coins and boundless enthusiasm.

From Arabic to Zulu, Morse code to whale song, this book is packed with language facts and phrases. Includes vocabulary maps and flags.

Thames and Hudson • £12.99

Oxford University Press • £8.99 gift edition

Hachette Children’s Books • £9.99

Clap Clap

My French Sticker Atlas

Outside

BY MADALENA MATOSO

BY CATHERINE BRUZZONE AND LOUISE MILLAR

BY MARIA ANA PEIXE DIAS AND

No need for batteries, just your hands.

From flapping butterflies to sizzling sandwich toasters, this book will trigger the imagination of the youngest reader.

Beautiful maps with interactive stickers make this book the perfect way to explore languages. Includes a simple pronunciation guide for each sticker.

Flying Eye Books • £11.99

b small • £6.99

One of the best books of the year! Even if we live in the city, nature is all around us: encourage your little one to explore!

Frances Lincoln • £18.99

Creaturepedia Activity Book

Asterix on the Warpath Pop-Up

Can I Build Another Me?

BY ADRIENNE BARMAN

BY RENÉ GOSCINNY AND ALBERT UDERZO

BY SHINSUKE YOSHITAKE

Following the success of Creaturepedia, illustrator Adrienne Barman returns with this colour and activity book, bursting with activities, stickers and a poster.

Asterix and Obelix come to life in this exquisite pop-up book. Chaos erupts in the camp and our heroes come headto-head with the troublesome Romans.

Originally published in Japan, this book uses illustration and gentle humour to encourage readers to think about identity and individuality.

Wide Eyed Editions • £8.99

Orion Books • £29.99

Thames and Hudson • £7.99

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INÊS TEIXEIRA DO ROSÁRIO

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INTERACTIVE

Listen and Learn Spanish First Words This looks like a book but it’s actually a clever sound panel that allows children to hear 128 Spanish words. Insert the cards into the slot and start learning!

Usborne • £9.99

First French with Superchat A wonderful pack containing book, CD, games, pull-outs, flash cards, badges, poster and a Superchat mask! A treasure chest of resources for using at home, playgroup or school. bsmall.co.uk • £9.99

BOOKS from around the world

Gus on the Go Gus guides children through 10 fun activities exploring 14 languages before encouraging them to unlock the next adventure. The website also has fun, free printable resources.

AppStore/iTunes • £2.99

LITTLELONDONMAGAZINE.CO.UK

EMMA O’DONOVAN ROUNDS UP THE BEST TRAVEL AND LANGUAGE TITLES FOR LITTLE ONES

CLUBBING TOGETHER

MAGGIE BOLGER, CO-FOUNDER OF INTERNATIONAL PRIVATE MEMBERS’ CLUB MAGGIE & ROSE, TELLS LIANNE KOLIRIN ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY AND HOW HER SUCCESS STORY UNFOLDED LITTLELONDONMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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It's a healthy mix of work and play for mum-of-four Maggie and her family

W

hen Maggie Bolger had her first child, she was in her early twenties and living a long way from home.

With most of her loved ones back in her native New Zealand, she soon discovered motherhood could be lonely. “I came here at 21, met my husband and quickly fell pregnant,” she says, now a mother of four.

Prior to kids, Maggie’s husband, Sean, had been a member of Soho House, and the couple often socialised there. But that stopped with the arrival of daughter Azia 15 years ago, followed by Oscar, now 12, and India, 11.

“I was stuck at home with three children under five,” says Maggie, 38. “Fifteen years ago, there was very little to do with kids: soft play areas that weren’t particularly nice, and classes in church halls. It seemed like mothers with children were second-class citizens.

“I thought eventually someone would do something about it, but nobody did.”

With every passing day, Maggie’s idea of a welcoming venue for families gathered Maggie went back to work within days of having her youngest son, Oliver

momentum. Eventually she decided to take the initiative herself, joining forces with Rose Astor, who was running children’s activities elsewhere in London. “We had an instant connection,” says Maggie.

In 2007, the pair opened a private members’ club for families. Ever since, their names have hung on the door of the hugely successful Kensington venture.

Soon afterwards, Rose moved out of London. She remains a shareholder, but the day-to-day running is left to Maggie and Sean. The club has proven so popular that further branches have opened in Chiswick and Hong Kong, and the company has published a number of craft books.

Membership, which doesn’t come cheap, includes access to a range of arts, crafts, music and cookery classes for mainly pre-schoolers.

The shabby chic vibe features a relaxed coffee shop in Kensington and a fully-licensed brasserie in Chiswick.

“I wanted it to be a home from home,” says Maggie. “It’s supposed to be a very child-led experience that’s creative and enjoyable.”

Classes and activities are themed and regularly updated. “We have really cool playlists for each theme. It could be anything from Dolly Parton to Coldplay mixed with nursery rhymes,” adds Maggie.

A couple of years after opening in Kensington, Maggie fell pregnant with Oliver, now five. But while some may have stepped back, Maggie upped the ante.

“I went into labour, and went back to work 34

several days later,” she recalls. “By then we were looking for our next site. We were lucky to find Chiswick, so we signed straight away!”

The new venture quickly took off, this time featuring a huge nursery. Chiswick is more than four times the size of Kensington, and Hong Kong is bigger still – yet the family ethos remains. “My kids are getting a bit old to hang out at the clubs, but they have always been part of things and now help out, too.”

But all work and no play is not what the Bolger family is about. “My favourite thing to do together is to have a pyjama day and spend the day cooking,” says Maggie. “London also has awesome museums and galleries, and we’re lucky to have Holland Park nearby.”

The company employs about 100 people in the UK and 20 in Asia. “We have the most amazing staff so if I can’t be around, they will pick the kids up from school,” says Maggie.

“They sometimes say they love working for us because it’s a family members’ club run by a family – and they feel part of that.”

The grandparents are also key to the success of the business. “Our mothers joined forces to look after the kids for a month when Sean and I were in Hong Kong,” says Maggie.

“My mum comes back and forth from New Zealand and stays for long periods of time.

Without her we couldn’t have done this.”

Since September, Sean has spent most of his time setting up the club in Hong Kong.

So, will they venture even further afield?

“We’re exploring another area in Asia, and the Middle East is of interest,” says Maggie.

Not bad for a young mum who dropped out of university during her first year. “When we first opened, everyone said that nobody wanted a private members’ club for mothers.

I remortgaged my flat to get the funds,” she says. “I believe the only reason we are here is because I wasn’t business-minded. If I was, I might never have done it. Fear would have stopped me.” L maggieandrose.com

LITTLELONDONMAGAZINE.CO.UK

PHOTOGRAPHY: HELENE SANDBERG

RUNNING HEAD

INTERIORS

Changing ROOMS INTERIOR DESIGNER JO BERRYMAN SHARES HER TIPS FOR CREATING A KID’S SPACE THAT WILL EVOLVE WITH YOUR CHILD Make a statement with your accent hues. We love the calming vibe of Farrow & Ball's Green Blue

K

iddy-themed rooms are so yesteryear. Now, it’s about creating vivid shells that can be layered and amended over time, in order to grow with your child.

Concertina doors are a great way to partition, close or open up shared sibling spaces. Here, they’ve been spray painted in an eggshell hue (Farrow & Ball Green Blue No. 84). To complement the Cole & Son Fornasetti Cloudy Sky wallpaper, a graphicinspired vintage weave kilim adds a pop of colour underneath the bed, and I’ve chosen a commercial-grade, thick ply carpet in dove grey to cushion the sole, and for durability.

Lastly, a blue hot air balloon pendant, designed for us by Rothschild & Bickers, adds a whimsical touch to this little boy’s bedroom.

Children thrive in vivid, playful environments, not a sea of greige LITTLELONDONMAGAZINE.CO.UK

We always weave humour into our schemes, and I love this decorative elephant head from Bodie and Fou. Accent boldly and don’t shy away from colour. Children thrive in vivid, playful environments, not a sea of greige.

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INTERIORS

Adding a picture plinth for your kids’ books and artwork is a simple way to incorporate colour into a scheme. It allows for total flexibility – no hammer, nails or blu-tack required. We champion Annie Sloan chalk paints for the best girlie pinks around without being too sickly or ‘Disney’.

Built-in shelves are used to store away trinkets and treasures

Cluster hanging and little pockets of chaos really work in kids’ rooms. Pictured above the fireplace is a piece from artist Jim Medway, who creates wonderfully off-beat illustrations. The geometric rug by Suzanne Sharp for The Rug Company adds an edgy twist, and children will love the shapes. Purposebuilt niche shelving houses collections of Russian dolls, as well as Zelfs, erasers and various other ephemera acquired through some serious playground trading.

The introduction of graphic prints is a great way to update from child to tween Don’t be afraid to add grown-up furniture into the mix. This Mexicana painted chair adds a much-needed colour pop. Here, we’ve paired it with a modernist Moroccan tea table neatly placed on a Nathalie Lete Poupée rug. Floorboards painted in Farrow & Ball Cornforth White No. 228 provide a neutral canvas fit for playful layering.

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LITTLELONDONMAGAZINE.CO.UK

INTERVIEW

Keeping up Smiths with the

Elaine Lloyd-Jones checks in with the travel industry’s most in-the-know family, just in time for some 2016 destination inspiration

T

amara Herber-Percy and James Lohan are the married power couple behind the luxury travel collection aptly titled Mr & Mrs Smith. They’re also parents to Tom, aged eight, and Alexandra, six. In 2013, they delighted the mass of boutique hotel-loving parents the world over, with the launch of Smith & Family, and this year, extended their portfolio to include an impressive selection of villas in Ibiza and Mallorca.

Their story began in Ibiza, where they were introduced by mutual friends. James was running clubs, and Tam (as she’s known by her friends and family) was living there. “She was taken by my dance moves,” James laughs.

“We met in a bar, ditched all our friends and went off together for a week, and just had a crazy, fun time. Eighteen years, a travel business and two kids later, here we are.”

The idea for the business ensued a few years down the line, after a succession of disastrous mini breaks. The couple were working in London and wanted to escape the city at weekends. “We kept getting sent ‒ courtesy of several nameless guide books ‒ to chintzy, rubbish places,” Tamara notes, before they

LITTLELONDONMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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BAREBOAT SKIPPERED ASSISTED TRAINING

INTERVIEW

both reminisce about a trip that resulted in a couples weigh-in, calorie-controlled diet and dinner in their dressing gowns. “It was more therapy than pampering – not ideal when you’re dating!” James winces.

“A place in the Lake District was the straw that broke the camel’s back, though,” says Tamara. The stylish country manor they’d booked into turned out to be fusty smelling, with scratchy, orange sheets, Artex ceilings, UHT milk and a restaurant for which jackets and ties were prerequisite. It didn’t come close to satisfying the travel appetites of London’s burgeoning mass of stylish, media-savvy couples looking to decamp to luxury, rural retreats. Unsurprisingly fed up, Tamara and James decided to launch their own guide.

“We used friends, and friends of friends – all of whom were plugged into a certain kind of lifestyle – and sent them away for weekends to review hotels anonymously,” says James.

“At the time of the launch, the world was going through an interiors style revolution,” Tamara recalls. “Ikea was urging people to chuck out their chintz. Conran, Heal’s, Habitat – they all started around that time.

We were redesigning the interiors of our own homes, and hotels just hadn’t kept up. There was a swell of boutique properties that had, but nobody could find them. There were pubs in remote locations which wouldn’t have any rosettes or stars because they couldn’t offer 24-hour service, or they wouldn’t be able to afford the fees associated with other guides.”

The couple’s first self-published guide book went on to sell 100,000 copies. Now, everyone from musicians to editors contribute to reviews, and they’ve even had celebrities such as Stella McCartney and Cate Blanchett write for the Mr & Mrs Smith website.

As the business pivoted from being a guide book into an online and offline travel agent, Tamara and James were also growing. “When

Tamara and James enjoy being "mum and dad" when they're at home

we wanted to start a family, we realised that some of the hotels we’d been frequenting wouldn’t appreciate little people running around. That’s when we came up with Smith & Family,” says Tamara. It was a natural progression for the business, but as Tamara explains, the concept launched on the premise that “just because you have children, it doesn’t necessarily mean you drop your standards.”

While maintaining the Mr & Mrs Smith ethos, the judging criteria for Smith & Family is different. “The main things we look for are: is it great for the kids? Is it great for us as a family? How are we going to amuse ourselves together? And if we do manage to steal one or two nights away on our own, is there a great restaurant? You don’t necessarily want to dine in the same place where your kids were squishing fish fingers into their plates a couple of hours earlier,” says James.

Despite finding it almost impossible to

keep work and family separate, they both do their best to be “mum and dad” when they’re at home. “We avoid talking about work until the kids have gone to bed, although it doesn’t always pan out that way,” says Tamara. “I hear all this super-mum stuff, and I just don’t think it exists. You always feel guilty and you never get it quite right. Occasionally, you might think, ‘I’ve had a nice balance of work and the kids this week’, but it’s very rare.”

A typical day in their West London home sees the troops up at 6.30am and the family having breakfast collectively by 7am. “I head to the office, and Tam jogs to the office after dropping the kids at school.” says James.

“Working days can vary but Tam runs home around 6pm to do the kids’ bath time, and I usually leave the office around 7pm and dash home for storytime. Sometimes, I’ll pick up shopping on the way. Once the kids are in bed, I do the cooking, while Tam catches

MR & MRS SMITH UK FAVOURITES

Lime Wood Hotel

The Green House

Dormy House

Calcot Manor

Foxhill Manor

limewoodhotel.co.uk

thegreenhousehotel.co.uk

dormyhouse.co.uk

calcotmanor.co.uk

foxhillmanor.com

LITTLELONDONMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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TRAVEL ESSENTIALS FOR THE KIDS LOMOGRAPHY FISHEYE CAMERA £70 THE-MINI-EDIT.COM UNO CARD GAME £7 HAMLEYS.COM KIDZ GEAR VOLUME-LIMITING HEADPHONES £19.95 JOHNLEWIS.COM MAPS ACTIVITY BOOK £8.99 WATERSTONES.COM CARAN D’ACHE WATER-SOLUBLE COLOURING PENCILS £14.95 CASSART.CO.UK

They may only be eight and six, but Tom and Alexandra have already seen much of the world

up on emails, and then we usually try and sit down to eat together around 9pm.”

“At weekends we try to spend time as a family,” adds Tamara. “Tom does rugby on Sundays – he’s in a band, too. They practice every Saturday and played in a pub in Putney the other weekend where Kasabian and U2 have played – it was a proper little rock gig.

The kids are incredibly active. They love scooters, rollerblades, bikes, even golf! They like ice-skating at Queens, and going to Clip ’n Climb in Fulham. We try and do as much family stuff as possible at home, and then during the kids’ school holidays we’re usually always travelling.”

Despite a gruelling schedule, working side by side in the travel industry has ensured the family share some unforgettable experiences together – it’s a job which obviously has its perks. “We took the kids to Brazil this summer and that was incredible,” says Tamara. “We were in Trancoso, and you can set the kids free on the beach there.”

James continues, “It was the ultimate beach.

You have small waves coming in one side, where Tom could do a bit of surfing, and on the other side, the river joins, so you had this still water where you could paddleboard. The hotel [UXUA Casa Boutique Hotel & Spa] is really special, too. The rooms are like mini casitas.”

The enthusiasm continues, “Soneva Fushi in the Maldives was also incredible – luxury, but very understated,” James explains. “It’s 44

fantastic for snorkelling, it has an outdoor cinema where the kids can have ice cream and pizza, while the parents enjoy a slightly more upscale meal in the tree-top restaurant. And it has a little observatory with a telescope, where children can look at Jupiter after dinner, too.”

With a repertoire of envy-inducing holiday experiences mirroring the Smith & Family ideal, one of their all-time favourite trips was a little closer to home. “We stayed at the Tree Hotel in Sweden one April, and the best day of our family life was probably ice fishing on the lake there. We walked out with a guide, drilled huge holes, and every time Tom caught a fish, he’d have to run back over the ice to haul it out – he was quite small at the time,” says James. They laugh. “It was like a Tom & Jerry cartoon! They also had huskyled sleighs. It was magical.”

With parents whose job it is to edit the world’s luxury hotel market, Tom and Alexandra are already seasoned travellers – Tom is already able to tick 30 different countries off his world map. “They do get a bit spoilt because the hotels know we’re coming, but we always try and bring them back down to earth.” Tamara explains. “It’s difficult because you don’t want them to think that it’s normal but at the same time, it is their reality.

We always travel economy on flights and we do take them camping, which they also love.”

With talks of a family trip to Mexico or Thailand in the pipeline for summer – work permitting – I couldn’t pin James or Tamara down to just one holiday destination recommendation for 2016. “It really depends on what kind of family you are and what you want from your trip,” says James. “When it comes to holidays, it’s not a case of one size fits all. With Smith & Family, we genuinely try to take a proper brief on what sort of holiday you’re after and tailor something to suit your personal needs.” L Visit smithandfamily.co.uk for child-friendly hotel ideas and bookings

LITTLELONDONMAGAZINE.CO.UK

PHOTOGRAPHY: HELENE SANDBERG

RUNNING HEAD

JOIN US ON OUR PLAYGROUND SELF-CATERING FAMILY HOLIDAYS ON THE CORNISH COAST

COMPETITION

WIN

A SAILING HOLIDAY FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!

FRIENDLY SAILING Jean de la Lune will be the only tall ship in the UK this summer that takes children onboard. Children will get the chance to take part in sailing, setting the sails and steering.

Southampton to Cowes (Isle of Wight) 15 May, one night, adults £239, children £69 Southampton to London 16 May, four nights £299/child discount London to Dublin 27 May, seven nights £499/child discount.

L

ife becomes even more of an adventure with little ones. To spark your adventurous spirit in 2016, we have teamed up with tall ship Jean de la Lune to offer one Little London reader and their family the chance to sail around the Canary Islands.

The warm year-round Tenerife climate offers spectacular opportunities to swim in the calm afternoon waters, with inflatables available on board. There will be daily competitions for the children, entertainment onboard and plenty of opportunities to relax and play on the secluded beaches.

Attractions during the voyage include star gazing, night at anchor in a picturesque bay and a visit to the only rainforest in Europe on La Gomera Island. The lucky winner can choose from any £599pp week from Jean de la Lune’s 2016 schedule for two adults and two children. There’ll be a full crew onboard to take care of the sailing and a chef will prepare all your meals.

Celebrate the New Year and set sail!

For weekly full board sailing holidays around Tenerife, including return flights from the UK, the cost is £599 per adult, £349 for under 16s, flight cost only for under threes. £100 deposit secures your place.

Mothering Sunday Generations aboard from 28 February, seven nights, adults £599, children £349 Mothering Sunday Family Sailing from 6 March, seven nights, £599/£349 Easter Sunday Pirate Treasure Hunt from 20 March, 14 nights, £899/£499 Discovery Days on Jean de la Lune, Tenerife from now until 31 March, £75/£37 October half term from 22 October, seven nights, adults £599, children £349.

The ship is fitted with the latest safety gear, navigation technology, and WIFI, with comfortable family cabins.

sailjdl.co.uk facebook.com/sailJDL twitter.com/sailjdl

To enter visit littlelondonmagazine.com/competitions FLIGHTS TO TENERIFE ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS PRIZE. ATOL PROTECTED FLIGHTS CAN BE ARRANGED BY DEDICATED TRAVEL AGENCY EIP TRAVEL LTD EIPTRAVEL.CO.UK. PRICES START FROM £50PP EACH WAY. FOR FULL COMPETITION T&CS SAILJDL.CO.UK/MAIN/COMPETITIONTERMS.HTML. COMPETITION CLOSES 15 FEBRUARY 2016 AT 11:59PM. FOR GENERAL COMPETITION TERMS AND CONDITIONS SEE CHELSEAMAGAZINES.COM/THE-CHELSEA-MAGAZINE-COMPANY-TERMS-AND-CONDITIONS.

LITTLELONDONMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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THIS PAGE: COCO WEARS SWEATER, £52, JESSIE AND JAMES. VEST, £22, NO ADDED SUGAR. SHORTS, £49, JESSIE AND JAMES. SANDALS, £48, CARRÉMENT BEAU AT HOUSE OF FRASER. RIGHT PAGE: SOPHIE WEARS T-SHIRT, £53, JOHN GALLIANO KIDS AT CHILDRENSALON. SHIRT (WORN UNDERNEATH), £98, JOHN GALLIANO KIDS AT CHILDSPLAY CLOTHING. SKIRT, £64, LITTLE MARC JACOBS AT CHILDRENSALON. SANDALS, £38, SALT-WATER.

far east PHOTOGRAPHER: ABI CAMPBELL ART DIRECTOR AND STYLIST: EVA DZIEDZIC DE AGUIRRE HAIR AND MAKE-UP: AMY ATKINS

SOPHIE WEARS DRESS, £96.60, LOVE MADE LOVE AT ALEXANDALEXA.

TIA WEARS SWEATER DRESS, £21, FUN & FUN AT ALEXANDALEXA. LEGGINGS, £18, BAKER BY TED BAKER AT DEBENHAMS. CAP, £29.95, SCOTCH R’BELLE.

SCARLETT WEARS TOP, £32, PATACHOU. SKIRT, £115, LITTLE REMIX AT HARRODS. SANDALS, £48, CARRÉMENT BEAU.

JACOB WEARS BLAZER, £130, DIESEL. T-SHIRT, £30, SOMEDAY SOON. SHORTS, £48, KARL LAGERFELD KIDS AT CHILDRENSALON.

COCO WEARS DRESS, £26.60, FUN & FUN AT ALEXANDALEXA. SANDALS, £38, SALT-WATER.

TIA WEARS DRESS, £280, ROKSANDA ILINCIC AT HARVEY NICHOLS.

COCO WEARS DRESS, £175, MARIE-CHANTAL. JACKET, £59, NO ADDED SUGAR. HAIR CLIP, £50, LAZY FRANCIS. SANDALS, £42, SALT-WATER.

With special thanks to Location, The Good Earth restaurant, Wandsworth. Digital and light operator: Christopher Butchart. Stylist’s assistant: Lena Korallo. Photography and fashion styling agency: Roxy & Jack Represents.

Models Coco, Jacob, Scarlett, Sophie, Tia and model agencies Kids London and Grace & Galor. Wallpaper: De Gournay.

Bespoke headdresses: Amy Atkins.

SCARLETT WEARS DRESS, £152, LITTLE MARC JACOBS AT CHILDRENSALON. SANDALS, £38, SALT-WATER.

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3 2 CLOTHES, AS BEFORE

SHOP THE SHOOT Time for your mini fashionistas to be daring and fill the streets of London with bold prints and a riot of colour

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1. ‘TALLULAH’ FLOWER ALICE BAND, £10, ROCKAHULAKIDS.COM 2. LITTLE JOULE COTTON CARDIGAN, £24.95, JOHNLEWIS.COM 3. FLORAL COTTON-RICH JEGGINGS, £8, MARKSANDSPENCER.COM 4. LITTLE JOULE STAR-PRINT JERSEY DRESS, £32.95, HOUSEOFFRASER.CO.UK 5. COTTON BRODERIE ANGLAISE DRESS, £20, NEXT.CO.UK 6. COTTON SKATER SKIRT, £10, MARKSANDSPENCER.COM 7. COTTON POLO SHIRT (PACK OF TWO), £6, NEXT.CO.UK 8. STRIPED CREW-NECK SWEATER, £14, JOHNLEWIS.COM 9. RED COTTON-RICH JEGGINGS, £8, MARKSANDSPENCER.COM 10. EYELASH-KNIT STRIPED SWEATER, £20, JOHNLEWIS.COM

FEATURE

A LITTLE BIT OF RESOLVE

AFTER PONDERING HIS SHORTCOMINGS, ALEX PAYNE DECIDES TO BECOME A BETTER PERSON THIS YEAR – OR AT LEAST TRY…

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cradle, a cold flannel to soothe her brow, cushions to elevate her wounded limb, a glass of water to sip.

The romantic would label this flood of sympathy as the devotion of children to the matriarch. A cynic would see it as a very effective method of delaying bath time.

But I have to admit, it made me feel a little guilty. And made me realise that my children are nicer people than me. As a result, my resolutions have them in mind.

1. BOND OVER LEGO Last month, from the back of a cupboard at my parents’, my old bag of Lego emerged. The building bricks have been absolutely brilliant for our bonding. We’ll gloss over the fact that at the weekend I finished off my moon buggy long after the children had gone to bed.

Thirty six this year, and still designing cosmic super cars. Viva Las Lego!

2. TAKE THEM TO CLUBS In the last 12 months we’ve gone from tears, tantrums and swimming-lesson truancy to an inability to get the children out of the pool.

And it has been possibly the most satisfying journey I’ve followed them on.

I may not be able to do sympathy, but I can do pride. So when, on a rainy Monday evening, my children say they want to go swimming, I will get in the car and take them. And in doing so I am opening the LITTLELONDONMAGAZINE.CO.UK

PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK

B

efore we start on resolutions, a confession. My wife and I were discussing our faults at supper the other night, leading to me openly admitting that I am not very good at giving great doses of sympathy. I put it down to five years of scooping up children and telling them to “crack on with it”. A daily routine of lifting bicycles off sons and placing daughters back into their beds at 3am has somewhat dented my pity levels.

Thank heavens my wife – astonishingly – agreed with me that night, because 48 hours later she went to put the bins out and, on the way back inside, slipped and ripped the tendons in her ankle. As she collapsed through the door, screaming, my initial reaction was to leave it a moment, calmly wander over, pick her up, pop her back on her feet and pat her on the head.

Certainly, it is hard to turn on the sympathy tap when your best efforts to help are met with the roar of “Leave me alone… come here now!” I think my empathy is also blocked by inconvenience. I couldn’t help but think this really wasn’t the time; there was homework to do, supper to finish, teeth-brushing, story time, bedtime and the working week to prepare for.

And then our children went into action.

Ice came by the bucket-load from the freezer, creams appeared from all corners of the house, a hot water bottle for mummy to

FEATURE

To get the children off the IPad, I know I'm going to have to put it down, too

This flood of sympathy made me realise that my children are nicer people than me

sluice gates to guitar lessons, ballet practice, football, riding lessons and combat classes.

Bring on the after-school clubs.

3. LIMIT IPAD USE Does any parent not have this on their list?

The problem sits between the children using it too much and the fact that I can’t head to bed without it. I know I have to lead by example and wean myself off the iPad – just wondering if there’s an app to help with that?

4. GET IN THE KITCHEN These are getting harder. I hate cooking.

I will do almost anything to avoid turning on an oven; a problem solved by cereal, cereal, toast and cereal. Last Valentine’s Day, my wife asked for one simple romantic gesture from me: to prepare dinner. Despite holding the keys to her heart in my hand, the ensuing LITTLELONDONMAGAZINE.CO.UK

soy sauce and noodle fury was such that we ended up sitting at opposite ends of the kitchen table in silence.

“Our daddy is the worst cook in the world!” goes the chant. As I pour them another bowl of Shreddies, it has been difficult to argue.

Well, not any more.

5. BE MORE SYMPATHETIC Arguably the hardest of the lot. I am going to offer free hugs and love every time my daughter slips off the climbing frame, whenever my son shuts his hand in the door, when my wife comes crashing down the outside steps. I promise to care more.

I’m going to try so hard. Though a more achievable resolution is just to put the rubbish out myself. L Next issue: Alex celebrates being free from toddlers

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61 Little London Bookends Jan-Feb 2015.indd 3

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PARTIES

2

3 1

PARTY TIME WITH CAROLE MIDDLETON

PARTY BAGS IT’S ALL ABOUT FUN WHEN IT COMES TO PACKING THE VERY BEST PARTY BAGS

1 MULTI PAPER PARTY BAGS (PACK OF EIGHT) Bright prints will stand out.

6 TOMMY HILFIGER PARKFIELD STRIPE LONG SLEEVE SHIRT

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£34 JOHNLEWIS.COM

2 PURPLE PARTY BOX These are a great alternative to traditional paper bags.

7 ETHELLE DRESS Your little lady will look lovely in this party dress.

12 LIBERTY PRINT HAIR CLIPS (PACK OF TWO) Include something to keep for after the party.

3 STRIPE PAPER PARTY BAGS (PACK OF EIGHT)

8 MINI FAIRY WANDS Add a touch of magic to your special day.

£0.40 PARTYPIECES.CO.UK

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13 PARTY BUBBLES Always a firm favourite with little partygoers.

Dress the part to celebrate the big day

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4 MIX & MATCH TREAT BAGS (PACK OF 10) Available in different colours, for different guests. £2.99 PARTYPIECES.CO.UK

5 MINI FELT TIP PENS £1.49 PARTYPIECES.CO.UK

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10 UNICORN GLIDER Lots of fun to be had watching this take flight.

15 ALPHABETTI INITIAL AND NAME MAGNETS £1 NOTHS.COM

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16 PERSONALISED PARTY FAVOUR TINS (PACK OF 15) A lovely personalised keepsake, fill with treasures!

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17 MAGIC WRIGGLER £0.79 PARTYPIECES.CO.UK

18 WHOOPEE CUSHION £0.89 PARTYPIECES.CO.UK

19 MINI METAL SLINKY Sure to keep the little ones entertained.

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£1.99 PARTYPIECES.CO.UK Liberty range available at partypieces.co.uk

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PARTIES

Party bags are about fun, children love things that can fly like this magical unicorn glider

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THEME YOUR PARTY BAG

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CAROLE’S TOP TIP

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Take an instant snap of your child with each guest and pop it into their party bag for a truly personalised gift!

15 Let guests spell their name out with these cool magnets

Dont forget the napkins to avoid messy mouths

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Kids still love classic toys – add some humour with a whoopee cushion!

LITTLELONDONMAGAZINE.CO.UK

19 TOP TO BOTTOM: POP ART LOOT BAGS £4.99 SUPERHERO MASKS £0.69 SUPERHERO FINGER FLYER £1.09 STATIONERY SET £0.89 SUPERHERO STICKERS £0.19 SUPERHERO BIF BAT £0.69 SUPERHERO GLIDER £0.69 POP ART NAPKINS (PACK OF 20) £2.99 PERSONALISED COMIC BOOK BIRTHDAY CAKE £17.99 ALL ITEMS FROM PARTYPIECES.CO.UK

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CHILDHOOD ECZEMA HOW INFORMED ARE YOU? czema or atopic dermatitis is thought to affect 1 in 5 babies in the UK. If your little one suffers with eczema you are not alone and share your concerns with thousands of other parents across the country.

How to care for your baby’s skin

After 9 months in the womb, your baby’s skin is highly sensitive to the chemicals that can be found in many mainstream baby skin care products. The first year of life is crucial to the health of your baby’s skin; still developing it is 30% thinner than at 12 months. This delicate skin is more prone to water loss which leads to dryness, making it a less effective barrier against chemical toxins. The early introduction of harsh toiletries onto delicate skin may be a factor in the rising rates of eczema and allergies in children.

Be informed & skin smart

It is important to avoid toiletries that contain harsh foaming agents, sensitising preservatives and perfumes, as these are known irritants to eczema-prone skin.

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Did you know, a product only needs to contain 1% natural ingredients to be classed as ‘natural’? Choose trusted organic products like the Organic Babies range which is certified organic and naturally free from parabens, MI, artificial colours, lanolin, ethyl alcohol and petrochemicals.

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One to try - Organic Babies Soothing Baby Salve is certified organic and rich in Shea butter and Calendula which reduces inflammation and skin soreness, plus Omega-3&6 fatty acids which are essential for healthy skin. Baby Salve is beautifully nurturing for ultra dry skin and trusted to deliver results without chemical nasties. Organic Babies use only the best ingredients with all products suitable for babies and children who may be prone to eczema.

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FEATURE

How to

Spend it LEARNING THE VALUE OF MONEY IS A KEY LIFE LESSON. LILY SMITH LOOKS AT HOW POCKET MONEY CAN HELP

T

eaching children that you can’t always get what you want and that money doesn’t grow on trees is a task all parents are faced with. One way to tackle this is with the introduction of pocket money. It offers children a valuable insight into the real world, and can be a useful tool to help shape their financial behaviour in later life.

Parenting expert Elaine Halligan thinks pocket money is great way to help little ones to learn to handle money sensibly. “Managing money is a key life skill and it needs to be taught both at home and school,” she says.

“We give our kids swimming lessons in order to keep them safe in water; we don’t just throw them in the deep end. It’s the same with pocket money.

“We live in a world of instant gratification, especially with children. We can get around this by implementing pocket money and by giving them some choice and control on how to spend it.”

But with no universal rule or general

PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK

If you're unsure, discussing allowances with other parents will give you an idea of what seems a fair amount

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65

Introduce pocket money at primary school age to give them a sense of responsibility consensus, it’s difficult for parents to know the best way to handle pocket money. Every family is different, and opinions will vary due to financial situation, friends and values.

A recent survey revealed that the average amount of weekly pocket money given to children in London is £8.26, so it certainly seems as if the days of having 10p to spend on penny sweets are long gone. But how much should children be getting?

No child wants to have the least pocket money in their class, nor do they want to stand out as having the most. Elaine suggests it can be useful to discuss allowances with other parents to get an idea of what other children are getting and what seems fair.

And when is the ideal time to introduce it? “As soon as they learn the value of it,” says Elaine. “I think that giving children a small amount of money at primary school age is best because you’re giving them your trust and a sense of responsibility.”

When your child is given their weekly allowance, it’s important they understand their options, though. Elaine suggests setting up three jars in the house: a ‘saving’ jar, a ‘spending’ jar and a ‘sharing’ jar to make these options clear.

Spending pocket money on bags of sweets or toys can be tempting for little ones. Try talking to your children about the consumer messages we’re faced with every day. “Adverts

can manipulate us, so it’s important to remind them to think twice about what they spend their money on,” says Elaine.

Learning the importance of sharing is also a valuable lesson. You could encourage your little ones to spend the money in the ‘sharing’ jar on ingredients to bake a cake for someone else or put it towards a charity of their choice, suggests Elaine.

And then, of course, there’s the reward debate. In some households, children are rewarded with pocket money for chores, good grades or completing their homework, mirroring the working life they will experience later on. Elaine, however, disagrees with this approach. Housework and homework are simply part of life, she says: “If they do big jobs, then yes, they could get extra; but children are part of the household anyway so should be doing chores.”

So, managed well, pocket money can certainly have a positive impact on your child’s life, opening up the important world of financial responsibility. The more we shield our little ones from the financial realities in today’s society, the longer we deny them the chance to develop essential life skills. As Elaine says: “We need to make them canny consumers, savvy savers, generous givers and insightful investors. In this way, this generation can grow up handling money sensibly and self-assuredly.” L 66

IDEAS TO HELP THEM SAVE, SPEND & SHARE

RUNNING HEAD

TOP TO BOTTOM: JUICY COUTURE PINEAPPLE PURSE £40 ALEXANDALEXA.COM POCKET MONEY BINGO £8 LEARNINGRESOURCES.CO.UK L’ATELIER D’EXERCICES HANGING COIN SAVER £112 MADEINDESIGN.CO.UK MISS MONNIPENNI PIGGY BANK £64.99 TOYELLA.COM BILLIONAIRE BOY BY DAVID WALLIAMS (HARPERCOLLINS) £3.85 AMAZON.CO.UK VANS WALLET £17 VANS.CO.UK TOY CASH REGISTER £32 GLTC.CO.UK

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CREATIVITY

get CRAFTY

L

ove is in the air at this time of year, and I really enjoy dreaming up fun crafts with Nanny Anita for the children to do based around Valentine’s Day. She’s come up with a brilliant Heart Bingo to play during half term, and her homemade Love Heart crayons to do on a rainy afternoon. And on the big day I’ll be making these super-simple heart pancakes.

For any of you lucky lot going skiing at half term, don’t forget to wrap up and check out Muddy Puddles for the right gear. For those stuck in England, jump in the car and head to the Snow Centre, which boasts the UK’s largest indoor skiing lesson slope. Whether your little ones are taking their first steps in snowsports or just want to have fun with their friends, it’ll make the perfect day out!

PHOTOGRAPHY: HELENE SANDBERG, ISTOCK

LEONORA BAMFORD AND NANNY ANITA RUSTLE UP SOME SEASONAL AFTER-SCHOOL FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

My latest reading is Joanna Osborne’s darling new book Patch’s Grand Dog Show

THINGS WE LIKE...

For some crisp fresh air visit Belmont Farm with petting sessions, pony walking and a young farmer’s club. belmontfarm.co.uk

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GET CRAFTY

Nanny Anita's Heart Bingo game is the perfect dose of fun

HEART BINGO You will need: Pens • Scissors • Find free printables of our Valentine’s bingo sheets on mybaba.com • Cut out the hearts and write on the numbers. There should be 30 hearts • Fill in the Bingo sheet with random numbers, just make sure you have a heart cut out with that number on To play the game, either you or your little one should pull out a number heart and shout out the number. If you have the number on your bingo board, you then cross it out. The first person to cross out all their numbers has to shout “BINGO!”.

LOVE HEART CRAYONS

These heart crayons make a wonderful gift to give to friends on Valentine’s Day. • Take your old crayons and break them up

into small pieces • Fill your heart molds with them • Put them in the oven on 100°C and wait for them all to melt • When they are ready take them out and leave them to cool

Heart Pancake

The closest snow centre to London, this Hertfordshire facility offers ski, snowboarding and sledging to introduce your little ones to the slopes.

There are junior group ski lessons and private lessons, too. And, for children who are already confident, grab a junior lift pass to gain access to the main slope. The Snow Centre can also cater for birthday parties, along with fun sledging and ringo sessions. thesnowcentre.com

You will need: 1 cup flour • 1 cup milk • pinch salt • Tsp baking powder • Tsp melted butter • 1 egg • Melt butter • Whisk together flour, milk, egg, salt and baking powder with the melted butter • Ladle mixture into a heart shape in a hot pan • Flip when bubbles appear • Decorate as you choose

LITTLELONDONMAGAZINE.CO.UK

THE SNOW CENTRE

This clever coat can be used all year round with its 3-in-1 layering system.

3 IN 1 EXPLORER JACKET £59, MUDDYPUDDLES.COM

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FIELD DAY PHOTOGRAPHER: KATY MCDONNELL STYLIST: ROXZANN WESTON HAIR AND MAKE-UP: NADINE WILKIE

ISABELLA WEARS DRESS, £60, ELFIE LONDON. CABLE-KNIT CARDIGAN, £31.50, PETIT BATEAU. TIGHTS, £6, MARKS & SPENCER. SHOES, £75, PAUL SMITH JUNIOR AT SMALLABLE. BELLA WEARS JACQUARD DRESS, £134, CHLOÉ AT SMALLABLE. CARDIGAN, £25, ELFIE LONDON. SOCKS (JUST SEEN), £4, MARKS & SPENCER. BOOTS, £175, CHAPTER 2.

JOSEPH WEARS CABLE-KNIT CARDIGAN, £31.50, PETIT BATEAU. SHIRT, £19, ELFIE LONDON. JEANS, £21, PETIT BATEAU.

SOUL WEARS SWEATER, £80, BURBERRY AT SMALLABLE. SHIRT, £21, ELFIE LONDON. TROUSERS, £24.50, PETIT BATEAU.

ISABELLA WEARS DRESS, £36, PALE CLOUD. WAISTCOAT, FROM £55, EAST END HIGHLANDERS. HAT, STYLIST'S OWN.

JOSEPH WEARS DUNGAREES, £54, AND SWEATER (JUST SEEN), £38.50, BOTH ELFIE LONDON. BOOTS, £175, CHAPTER 2.

SOUL WEARS SWEATER, £27.50, ELFIE LONDON. SHIRT, £27, PETIT BATEAU. JEANS, FROM £79, EAST END HIGHLANDERS.

With special thanks to Models Bella, Isabella, Joseph, Soul and model agencies Gingersnap and Grace & Galor Stylist's agency August management.

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CLOTHES, AS BEFORE

SHOP THE SHOOT 3

Wrap up your little ones in cosy cable-knits and check prints for an old-school countryside adventure

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1. PRINTED SHIRT DRESS, £35, JIGSAW-ONLINE.COM 2. CABLE-KNIT SWEATER, £27.95, GAP.CO.UK 3. COTTON CHECK-PRINT SHIRT, £13, NEXT.CO.UK 4. MERINO WOOL VEST, £40, JUMPJUNIOR.CO.UK 5. PEACH RIBBONS HAIR CLIP, £6, CHILDRENSALON.COM 6. BOYS TEXTURED KNIT SWEATER, £14, RIVERISLAND.COM 7. COTTON-RICH FRINGED CARDIGAN, £18, MARKSANDSPENCER.COM 8. FAUX SHEEPSKIN GILET, £55, JIGSAW-ONLINE.COM 9. COTTON CHINOS, £12, MARKSANDSPENCER.COM 10. STRETCH-WAIST TROUSERS, £10.99, ZARA.COM

Enchanting occasion clothes & accessories made for you in the heart of London, for weddings, christenings, parties & holy communion.

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15/10/2015 16:50

Give the Gift of Learning with Leading Oxbridge Tutoring Agency ‘Regency Tuition’ GIVE THE GIFT OF LEARNING

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NEWS

education

PREPARING FOR THE NEXT STEP

NEWS Everything you need to know in and out of the classroom

Researching schools With teacher recruitment down and pupil numbers surging, it's lucky so many children want to be teachers

TWO PLUS TWO Encourage your little ones to get their claws into times tables with the help of T.Rex; practise a range of number games to hear them roar. £7 nhmshop.co.uk If you want to know more about schooling and are keen to plan for the future, then check out our sister title. Published twice a year, The Guide to Independent Schools is essential reading for parents looking to continue their child’s educational journey within the independent school sector.

The Guide covers each stage of the school career, from nursery to sixth form, and includes a comprehensive directory of independent schools across the United Kingdom as well as expert advice to help you make the right educational decisions for your child’s future.

Order the latest issue now!

PHOTOGRAPHY:ISTOCK

A new league table unveiling children’s dream jobs has seen teaching take the number one spot. Research from Privilege Insurance’s Family Report shows many of the children aspire towards ‘serious’ vocations, with the top five jobs including doctor and scientist.

However, with their average salary expectation at almost £3 million, they might need a little reality check.

New app Shieldbully allows parents to monitor a child’s online activity through their smartphone, setting time limits for use, blocking apps and remotely tracking a child’s mobile. £3.99 shieldbully.com

OLD SCHOOL

When you’re having a clear-out, some special things deserve to be saved – like your old school blazer. Don’t leave them gathering dust, though. What The Blazers will upcycle your old garments, transforming them into a unique heritage piece, such as a cushion. whattheblazers.com

I AM A ROBOT

Visit chelseamagazines.com/ independent-school-parent or call 020 7349 3700

St Clement Danes School in Hertfordshire is one of the first schools to proactively use the Meccanoid G15 KS robot. Funded by the school’s PTA, the three additions will help to teach the new computing curriculum.

The Guide to Independent Schools is also available for just £5.95 in selected supermarkets and all good newsagents.

LITTLELONDONMAGAZINE.CO.UK

WHEN I GROW UP

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EDUCATION Sport is part of our national psyche and learning its language will be beneficial

A QUESTION OF SPORT PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK

WHAT SHOULD WE DO IF OUR LITTLE ONES SHY AWAY FROM PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES? BECKY PUGH EXPLORES HOW TO NURTURE A POSITIVE RELATIONSHIP

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EDUCATION

M

y two-year-old, Louis, thinks mostly about balls.

He could kick one before he could walk. When he can’t find a bat, he fashions one out of a hairbrush.

You can tell at 10 paces he is a physical creature. Athletic, coordinated and passionate about all games, my husband is delighted by Louis’ enthusiasm.

The strengths of our five-year-old, Arthur, meanwhile, seem to lie far from the playing field. He ditched football after a term. He would rather raid the dressing-up box and put on a show than pick up a racket. His swimming lessons are a weekly struggle.

I agonise over how to foster the skills of one without making the other feel inadequate.

My tendency is to let Arthur off the sporting hook, making much of his creative talents, at the same time as encouraging Louis’ fondness for all things physical. Arthur and I can be found sharing a carton of popcorn at the cinema while Louis and his dad kick a ball around a park. I fear my approach is flawed, however. In my attempts to shield Arthur from a sense of failure, I fear I am denying him access to something wonderful.

For my husband, as for many men and women, sport is a source of unending pleasure. My husband enjoys getting fit, whereas for me, it is a necessary evil. There is always something for him to watch on television. He gets to devour a whole section more of the Sunday papers than I do. Above all, more often than not, sport gives him common ground with other people.

Because the thing that matters most about sport is the bond it creates between human beings. Yes, it is fun, character-building and healthy – but those benefits can be found elsewhere. Much more important is its place in the national psyche. Sport is a big deal in this country and it always will be. So instead of implying that sport doesn’t matter to spare Arthur’s blushes, I want to encourage him to learn its valuable language.

There are two bits of good news. The first is that “sport” is a blessedly broad term. There are countless options beyond the obvious games of most schoolchildren. Olly Barratt, journalist and father of two boys, says: “My

waters of hockey, golf, cycling, skateboarding, basketball, gymnastics, squash, rowing, skiing, ping-pong and boxing (maybe). It is kinder to expose him to a range of sports – in addition to the art, music and drama that he loves – than to allow him to spurn them all.

The second bit of good news is that you can have a relationship with sport without any physical prowess at all. Writer and presenter Sue Palmer, author of Toxic Childhood and 21st Century Boys, has a sensible take on it. “Some people like playing games and some don’t. It’s as simple as that,” she says. “But there are lots of ways of being interested in sport without actually having to play it.”

The thing that matters most about sport is the bond that it creates between human beings sons love sport, both watching and playing.

One of the highlights of my week is taking them to football training. I believe that sport teaches them a huge amount that will be important in later life. Being part of a team, being fit and, of course, trying to be the best.

“I would not force them to play sport if they weren’t into it. But I would think about trying something off the beaten track.”

So what if tennis, cricket and football don’t yet appear to float Arthur’s boat? I am determined to investigate the unchartered

Her father was an ardent cricket fan.

Though she never played, he taught her how to score and it provided hours of conversation between them throughout her childhood. She loves to watch cricket to this day.

With all of this in mind, my husband is taking Arthur to his first football match next month. They will wrap themselves in Fulham FC scarves and venture off, hand in hand.

Arthur may not engage much with the offside rule, but he’ll eat hot dogs, hang out with his dad and learn lessons about life. L

GET THEM INVOLVED Fun, fresh air and friendship: The benefits of having a relationship with sport are endless. It builds character, promotes good health, instills team spirit, provides a common interest, teaches how to win and lose well, and gives children an outlet for their energy.

It takes all sports to make a world: If your child isn’t into the obvious choices of tennis, football, rugby and cricket, get creative with multiple alternatives.

You don’t have to play sport to like it: It is worth encouraging your children to watch matches, support teams and understand the rules of games.

Being part of a sporting community as a player or a fan creates a great sense of belonging

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EDUCATION

A helping hand WE SPOKE TO HARRIET COLLINGS, FOUNDER OF REGENCY TUITION, TO FIND OUT ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF TOPPING UP WITH TUTORING Tell us why you set up Regency Tuition.

Throughout university I did some tutoring myself and realised how important an impact it can have. In the end I couldn’t manage all the tutoring work myself so I set up Regency Tuition with this idea of support and enthusiasm in mind; new graduates passing on the advice that they wish their younger selves had known. It’s this mentoring model that has helped the agency grow.

Each child is different, tutors will try different tutoring techniques to get the best out of their student

What are the main benefits of having a tutor?

Working within a classroom has its own advantages of course, but having a tutor is a far more personalised learning experience.

It’s a non-judgmental, nurturing and often fun way to learn. The teaching can be tailored exactly to the child’s needs and personality, focusing on weaknesses and boosting their confidence. A tutor can hone in on areas that a teacher in a class of twenty or so simply can’t, while also finding a pace that suits the student. Also something I really teach my tutors is that every individual will need different tutoring techniques to attain the results. Some need a soft, friendly approach and other respond to tough love.

How do you match candidates to find the best fit?

There are many things! Obviously factors such as subject, age and level will help determine who will be the absolute master in that field, but we also have to consider which tutor would get the best out of the student. We try to get a good picture of the candidates from their parents or guardians before working out who would be best to tutor them. The tutor to pupil match is crucial.

Is it best to use a tutor during the holidays or afterschool?

Holiday time can sadly be quite counterproductive and pupils often actually regress.

It depends on the time of year but I also think it’s best to keep relatively on track to avoid

last-minute stress and panic. It’s never easy to extract universal truths from the experiences we’ve had, but one thing that does seem clear to us is that no two children are the same.

Here at Regency we endeavour to fit around the student’s personal needs, we certainly do not advocate over tuition. It’s about balance, if you want success. Touching base with the tutor in the holidays, either face-to-face or over Skype, is without any doubt hugely beneficial – and we’ve even had tutors go on holiday with families before!

What are the most common subjects you cover?

Traditional school subjects such as maths, English and the sciences are always popular but, given the agency’s roots in French, it would also be true to say that language tuition is very central to Regency. We also really help 82

parents with school and uni searches and advisory and consultation services.

What’s your best advice to deal with the stress of exams for both parents and children?

Stress at exam time is something we often get asked about and there are lots of ways to get the results without the headaches. Although consistent tuition often leads to great grades, it’s important not to overdo it and to take a break every now and then. The key is to get a good grasp of exam techniques, whilst reinforcing what the student already knows and filling in any gaps. Interview technique is also something that needs to be approached with confidence and enthusiasm. A happy healthy and calming home is the best way to start the exam period. L regencytuition.com

LITTLELONDONMAGAZINE.CO.UK

St Benedict’s, Ealing Independent Catholic Day School Teaching a way of living Co-education from 3 years through to 18

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SCHOLARSHIPS AND BURSARIES IN THE SENIOR SCHOOL To book a place at an Open Event or for more information please contact: T: 020 8862 2254 E: enquiries@stbenedicts.org.uk W: www.stbenedicts.org.uk We respect the dignity of all and welcome children of other faiths.

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Independent Day Independent Day School Schoolfor forGirls Girls from 4 to 18 years

Queen'sGate GateJunior Junior School School is is aa small, friendly school where Queen’s small, friendly where from 4academic to 18standards yearsschool individualityisis nurtured, are high individuality nurtured,where where academic standards areand high where a broad based curriculum ensures a well rounded and where a broad based curriculum ensures a well rounded education.Gate Junior School is a small, friendly school where Queen's education.

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further details.

Queen’s Gate Junior School Queen’s Gate Senior School For a prospectus, or to make a private visit to theSchool School, please 125-126 Gate 131-133 Queen’s Gate Queen’s GateQueen’s Junior School Queen’s Gate Senior For a prospectus, or to make a private visit to the School, please contact the Registrar, Miss Janette Micklewright, on 020 7594 125-126 Queen’s 131-133 Queen’s Gate London SW7 Gate 5LJ Miss Janette London SW7 5LE contact the Registrar, Micklewright, on 020 7594 4982London or email, registrar@queensgate.org.uk.

SW7 5LJ London SW7 5LE 4982 or email: registrar@queensgate.org.uk.

Queen’s Gate Junior School Queen’s Gate Senior School 125-126 Gate 131-133 Gate GateQueen’s Junior School Queen’s GateQueen’s Senior School 83 Queen’s 125-126 Queen’s 131-133 Queen’s Gate London SW7 Gate 5LJ London SW7 5LE London SW7 5LJ London SW7 5LE

EDUCATION

MASTERING MANDARIN LITTLE ONES LOVE GETTING TO GRIPS WITH THE WORLD’S MOST COMMONLY SPOKEN LANGUAGE, SO BECKY PUGH LOOKS AT OPTIONS FOR LEARNING

Many of Mandarin’s sounds are short and single-syllable, which children find easy

N

ot so long ago, all a toddler wanted on a Saturday morning was a mountain of Coco Pops and Peppa Pig. These days, however, any self-respecting two-year-old demands more from her weekends. She wants to learn while she plays. She wants to interact with other cultures. She wants to immerse herself in the language of the future.

In short, she wants a place at one of the Mandarin playgroups popping up around London. There, with her finger firmly on the pulse, she will spend an hour singing, dancing and rhyming her way to global success. When she graduates from playgroup, she’ll hone

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her skills in a pre-school class before really nailing the most commonly spoken language in the world when she gets to big school.

For there is no doubt Mandarin is having a moment – and you are never too young to start learning. We know children pick up languages as easily as parents pick up dirty socks. But it seems that Mandarin is particularly appealing to little people. Because it is tonal, it lends itself well to songs, rhymes and repetition. Plus, many of its sounds are short, single-syllable ones that children remember without much trouble.

At Knightsbridge School, as soon as they start Reception, each child learns French 85

and another language of their choice, with the most popular being Spanish and – you guessed it – Mandarin.

“Our children seem to love learning Mandarin, especially when they are little. As they get older and the work becomes more complex, they can find it harder,” says teacher Henrietta Taylor. “The parents who choose it usually do so because they’ve lived in the Far East before or because they simply want their children to get ahead.”

Nick Baker, headmaster of Wetherby Preparatory School and the new Wetherby Senior School, tells me: “There are many benefits to teaching languages from an

EDUCATION

Parents realise their child may grow up to be employed by a Chinese company

CHINEASY FLASHCARDS

such as Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore or Taiwan. Their children have learned to speak and understand Mandarin, and they want them to continue to use those skills. A few parents come to us simply because they think Mandarin is a useful language to learn.”

But if playgroups are not for you, Mandarin lessons are not on offer at your child’s school and a Mandarin-speaking nanny is a step too

Mandarin is particularly appealing to little people. Because it is tonal, it lends itself to songs and rhymes “Parents understand that their children are likely to be employed by Chinese companies in the future and that it is worth demystifying the language – and children love learning it.”

Mandarin mania is not confined to playgroups, nurseries and schools, either.

Agencies across the capital have noted an increase in the number of people hiring Mandarin-speaking nannies to ensure their children are exposed to the language.

Chiahua Chang of mandarinaupair.com, says: “More people are looking for Mandarinspeaking nannies. Some of them say because schools are offering Mandarin, they want to hire a Mandarin-speaking nanny so the kids can immerse themselves at home.

“Other families have said it is because they have been living in a Chinese-speaking area,

Three top picks to inspire your little learner…

far, don’t despair. Apps such as Kids Learn Mandarin and Monki Home can provide an excellent basis. There is the brilliant website, primaryschoolchinese.com, as well as The Lingo Show, a perky television programme that introduces kids to the magic of Mandarin (among other languages).

My boys – aged five and two – are hooked.

In just a few sittings, an adorable Chinese bug called Wei has taught them the words for hello (ni hao); one (yi), two (er), three (san); and goodbye (zai jian). They are ear-achingly proud of what they have learned and seem hungry for more.

So there is no reason why your little monkeys shouldn’t have a shot at world domination, too – from the comfort of your sofa if needs be. L 86

Sixty gorgeously colourful flashcards to help little ones master characters as part of the Chineasy visual method – a simple system for quickly learning the basic building blocks of written Chinese. £12.95, amazon.co.uk

CLEVERSTIX These training chopsticks are an ideal introduction for little ones.

Eating noodles will no longer be a challenge, and research has found that using chopsticks can improve concentration and motor skills. £12.95 sciencemuseumshop.co.uk

TANGRAM DUO An ancient Chinese game has been reinvented by Mon Petit Art. Tangram Duo has two sets of seven pieces, in two colour schemes and sizes, along with a booklet of 200 designs for children to recreate. £12.99, toyella.com

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PHOTOGRAPHY: ISTOCK

academic and social perspective, and, of course, they are easier to absorb at a young age. We make Mandarin compulsory in Year 5 for half-an-hour a week, and there is the option after that to continue studying it for Common Entrance.”

One of the key people feeding this burgeoning appetite for Mandarin is Marcus Keoch, founder and managing director of Dragons in Europe, which provides schools with specialist Mandarin teachers and parents with private tutors.

“We’ve seen many more prep schools putting Mandarin on their curriculums in the last three years and a huge growth in parents seeking private tutors because Mandarin is not on their children’s school curriculums.

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NEWS

travel

NEWS Keeping big and little globetrotters on the map and in the know

FRENCH FANCY

A TASTE OF LOIRE The Loire Valley is a great place for a trip with the kids, and we especially love the offerings from Family Twist.

Hole up in a castle or manor house, dress up as knights and princesses, discover new delicacies with a kids’ cooking class, experience fencing lessons, or enjoy a fishing trip along the river.

Now that's a family holiday. family-twist.com

One of the Languedoc’s most beautiful wine estates opened in January after a two-year €25 million renovation. Château St Pierre de Serjac has been converted into a boutique hotel with eight spacious rooms, while the original outbuildings scattered across the grounds have become 36 luxury self-catering properties. Have family fun in the sun in the chateau’s huge infinity pool or on the tennis courts. And if you fancy a bit of grown-up time in the spa or in one of the estate’s superb restaurants, there’s a brilliant kids’ club, as well as babysitters on hand to help out. serjac.com

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HAPPY CAMPERS

In need of some winter sun? Us too. Escape to the Algarve, where temperatures rarely drop below 15°C, to the new Martinhal Quinta Family Resort. Just 20 minutes from Faro Airport, you’ll find villas of varying sizes, each with its own pool, and a dedicated kids’ club to entertain little ones while you work on your swing at one of Quinta do Lago’s prestigious golf courses. martinhal.com

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Your days of partying in Ibiza may be long gone, but now there’s a brilliant reason to go back with the kids in tow. Explore all the island has to offer from the comfort of a luxury WeDubYou VW Kombi, which sleeps up to four.

It’s equipped with everything you need for a fun-filled family trip around the island’s beaches and campsites. Retro chic at its best. wedubyou.com

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Swap the grey skies of London for the Algarve’s blue ones

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The Ritz-Carlton in Tenerife offers a luxurious setting

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DISCOVER THE PERFECT LUXURY HOLIDAY FOR YOUR FAMILY WITH TRAVEL EXPERT SOVEREIGN

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inding that piece of paradise for your family can feel like navigating a maze. Parents want a slice of luxury and relaxation but, to get that, little ones will need to be kept happy and entertained, too. If you need some help tracking down the perfect destination for your brood, take a look at Sovereign.

The company has been dealing in luxury getaways for over 40 years, with a portfolio of high-spec properties everywhere from the Mediterranean to the Far East. Whether your paradise is a tropical spot where you can dine under the stars or a safe haven where the kids are entertained from dawn ’til dusk, the team can design a holiday you’ll love.

Sovereign’s team of experts personally visit hotels and destinations, so they are mines of information. They can sort out details like interconnecting rooms, suggest hotels with early meal sittings, and recommend the best spots for everyone from toddlers to teens.

Because it’s often the little things that lift a holiday from ‘great’ to ‘take me back now’, they offer all sorts of extras as part of the package. Complimentary lounge access at the airport means you won’t have to worry about noisy, crowded terminals, while private transfers to your hotel do away with lengthy waits for coaches or taxis. You’ll also have a concierge on call 24/7 – they can help you with anything from arranging a candle-lit dinner for two (plus a babysitter) to sorting out a birthday surprise for the kids.

The team at Sovereign have built up close ties with their hotels over the years, which means they can offer all sorts of exclusive offers and upgrades, plus extras like free child flights and stays, giving you fantastic value for money on luxury family holidays.

Martinhal has a host of facilities for young ones

FOR UNDER-TWOS

Martinhal

Hotel Almyra

Sovereign Suggests: Martinhal, Algarve Set on a secluded beach in a national park, this place is spot on for a family with little ones. There’s a crèche for babies six months and up (payable), as well as a huge selection of baby items to hire, from door protectors and safety gates, to cots. You can also pick up essentials like nappies and baby food in the shop. The restaurant is geared up for tots, too, with play areas, child-friendly menus and baby purées available.

Sovereign Suggests: Hotel Almyra, Cyprus The Almyra stands out for its brilliant ‘Baby Go Lightly’ service, which lets you hire all sorts of useful items, including baby bathtubs, bottles and sterilisers.

It also features a crèche for babies from four months (payable) and a lovely shaded children’s pool to splash about in. As for parents, they’ll love the contemporary-cool interiors and seafront location.

For booking conditions, visit sovereign.com. ATOL protected 0285. Specialist Holidays (Travel) Ltd T/A Sovereign

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FOR TWO TO FOUR YEARS

Sovereign Suggests: JA Palm Tree Court, Dubai The JA Palm Tree Court’s kids’ club is run by the well-respected Worldwide Kids Co, with tons of games and activities to keep kids up to four years old entertained. All suites here can accommodate two adults and two children, so they come with plenty of space for the whole family. The icing on the cake? The sandcastle-ready beach.

FOR FIVE TO SEVEN YEARS

Sovereign Suggests: Sani Beach Hotel, Greece As you might guess by the name, this hotel is set right on the beach – and what a beach it is. You’ll have seven kilometres of white sands to play with, all lapped by crystal-clear waters. There’s a complimentary 30-minute Babewatch service on the beach during summer, where staff will keep little ones busy while you go for a swim or sit back with a book. The kids’ club lines up treasure hunts and mini Olympic Games events, and the spacious room options include interconnecting bungalows, so you won’t be on top of each other.

Sumptuous suites at JA Palm Tree Court for families of four Sani Beach Hotel

FOR EIGHT AND UP

Sovereign Suggests: The Ritz-Carlton Abama, Tenerife As settings go, The Ritz-Carlton, Abama, has a pretty good one. It’s set in lush green gardens next to a secluded golden beach, with lakes and waterfalls scattered around the grounds for good measure. Its Ritz Kids’ Club works in partnership with Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Futures Society to design experiences that appeal to a child’s love of exploring new ideas.

While children are busy in the kids’ club, mums and dads can be trying out the award-winning spa or playing a round at the hotel’s championship golf course.

The Ritz-Carlton Abama is a haven of palm-fringed pools and waterfalls

Get in touch: Call your personal Sovereign travel expert on 01293 765 028 or visit sovereign.com LITTLELONDONMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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Children will love the five miles of sandy beaches

PINING AFTER THE CLEAR WATERS OF THE AEGEAN SEA, SANI RESORT AWAITS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY FOR THE HOLIDAY OF A LIFETIME

W

ith one of the most important bird sanctuaries in Greece, Sani Resort’s wetlands and gently rolling pine-forested hills give way to five miles of white sandy beaches and luscious gardens.

Four five-star hotels – each with their own ambience – promise an inspiring mix of accommodation with many updates for 2016.

Five new luxurious Three Bedroom Family Suites at Sani Asterais offer the highest level of luxury to larger families with a private living room and three bathrooms, as well a private garden and its own extensive outdoor pools, there’s also the addition of an exciting new indoor lounge area.

At Sani Beach Hotel more large One Bedroom and Two Bedroom Deluxe Family Suites having been added providing increased space and comfort whilst offering stunning views of the Aegean and the lavish gardens.

You will also find some new ultra luxurious suites at Sani Beach Club.

Overlooking Cape Sani, there are seven Two-Bedroom Family Suites with a private pool, two bathrooms as well as a private pool

New large suites have been added to Sani Beach Club

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Two children under 12 stay free at Sani Beach Hotel and Sani Beach Club.

At Porto Sani Village the first child is free, and if you choose to stay in the three-bedroom suites you can also enjoy four hours of complimentary babysitting per day. Free airport transfers for direct online bookings.

Early bookings can receive discounts of up to 30%. saniresort.com

and garden. Moreover, seven brand new Two Bedroom Family Suites with a private garden offer the highest level of luxury and privacy, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Aegean sea and a private garden, just a short walk from the hotel’s beach. While at Porto Sani, a new double treatment suite at the exquisite Anne Semonin Spa with a private Hamam has been introduced.

Sani Resort is all about relaxation, so take it easy while your children are well-catered for with three Melissa crèches and mini clubs, which cater for children as young as four months old. A children’s paradise offering a baby and toddler room, separate peaceful sleeping spaces, fun themed play areas and a kitchen where they can enjoy the experience of baking cakes and biscuits. Help is at hand even on the beach with the dedicated beachside personnel who are there to look after young ones for a complimentary 30 minutes while you chill out.

Sani Resort’s guests can now enjoy a warm swim in waters of 29°C in any season as the main outdoor swimming pools are heated.

The breadth of activities Sani offers to 93

families is a big part of the resort’s attraction.

The blue flag-awarded beaches promise crystal clear safe water. For sporty guests, the resort has both a tennis and football academy.

Expert coaches are on hand to teach the best tricks individually or in group classes.

You will find a mouth-watering selection of cuisine at the 18 restaurants, some centred around the vibrant Sani Marina, and others in more intimate settings. With an enticingly diverse culinary range that includes modern Greek, Asian fusion, Italian and Japanese, every appetite is satiated. New gluten-free dishes are also available, too. Now that’s food for thought. L

The girls loved having the opportunity to learn more about the ocean

New friends included devoted butler Nassah

The Maldives has reinvented itself as a family destination

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TRAVEL

A tale of two

BEACHES

CAN TRAVELLING LONG HAUL WITH KIDS EVER BE RELAXING, FUN OR CHIC? OLIVIA FALCON TAKES HER FAMILY ON A DUAL-DESTINATION BREAK TO FIND OUT

T

he journey from the grey, London pavement to the soft sands of the Maldives was a long one: a taxi, a train, two planes, a seaplane and a boat, travelling across time zones with two tiny human hand grenades – Grace, four, and Georgia-Mae, three. This was our first long-haul trip as a family of four. Our destination?

Amilla Fushi, a pristine beach resort in the Maldives, followed by a short hop to the colonial splendour of Cape Weligama, a hotel on the south coast of Sri Lanka. With their wow-factor design, these hotels are the kind of places I would have picked to holiday before I had kids. And after five years of quick and convenient trips, my husband, Peter, and I decided it was time for something more adventurous, free-spirited and grown up.

On arrival at Malé airport, the kids hurtle themselves at the baggage belt, which becomes even less funny when our bags don’t show up. But an hour later, the airport drama is eclipsed by one of Mother Nature’s most spectacular shows. We’re at 3,000m on a seaplane, cruising over tropical atolls; neon-blue blisters of coral reef pop out of a vast ocean.

Once the reserve of canoodling honeymooners, the Maldives has reinvented itself as a family destination.

Trailblazing the trend is Amilla Fushi, a postcard-perfect resort that offers pretty much the best of everything; food, accommodation and service, but in a deeply relaxing, unfussy way. The staff have an uncanny power to predict what you want before you actually know you want it: lemongrass-scented cold towels at noon, an icy martini at sunset, or a packet of wet wipes the moment chocolatey fingers threaten to destroy your white linen shirt. This is a place of indulgence and fast-paced fun, where you can eat a Wagyu beef burger with your toes in the sand, swim with dolphins in the morning and take a tour of the house reef on an electric-powered submarine at night.

The rooms are show-stopping. Rather than the traditional, thatched-roofed huts, Amilla makes a statement with modern,

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white stilted ocean villas teetering out on the reef. In the jungly interior of the island, there are stilted treehouses with private swimming pools cantilevered 40m high in the trees and, not to be outdone, families with small children can also pimp it up in one of the new Residences (ranging from four to eight bedrooms), which feature pool tables, games rooms and vast private pools (Kates Winslet and Moss have both recently checked in en famille). We opt for a two-bedroom villa that has a pool and garden running out onto a shaded area of beach.

Amilla Fushi’s tagline is ‘Your island home’, but we aren’t in Kansas any more, kids. For a start we have a butler, Nassah, who is so devoted he carries the girls up and down the jetty in

The staff have an uncanny power to predict what you want before you know you want it the hottest part of the afternoon just so they don’t burn their feet. There’s also an army of adoring local girls at the kids’ club, a cheery, Minion-muralled thatched cottage positioned right in the centre of things. It features a shady pool, traditional Maldivian swings, a trampoline and a never-ending schedule of energy-burning activities: treasure hunts, face painting, volley ball and crafts. Older kids are also catered for with topnotch tennis courts, a football pitch and a watersports centre.

We ditch homework in favour of afternoon sessions with in-house marine biologist, Lauren, who takes us snorkelling with turtles, and gamely dons a mermaid tail that has the girls squealing with excitement. She also gives fascinating ocean awareness talks, which spark some pretty interesting dinner 95

TRAVEL Stylish accommodation and private pools make Amilla Fushi the perfect place to wind down

Memories were made when the family bathed Lily the elephant

The girls commanded tuk-tuk rides at every opportunity – but nothing is too much trouble at Cape Weligama

Kids will love the chance to splash around

conversations. “Did you know that Nemo was born a boy but will change into a girl?” announces Georgia-Mae. “That seems to be happening quite a lot where I come from, honey,” quips a Californian sitting on the table next to us.

Thanks to the staff, we leave Amilla feeling like we’ve had a proper break. Far more than just a fly and flop, the kids have learnt to name endless species of fish, and had the chance to spend a week shoeless, running wild on the beach with new friends. Furthermore, Peter and I have managed to gorge ourselves on the fabulous food and do daily workouts with the personal training team, so we leave without a post-holiday bloat. Departure is emotional. Will anywhere else match up?

A 90-minute plane ride from Malé to Colombo, and the Sri Lankan beachscape offers up a different kind of colour. Local fishermen shimmy up wobbling poles to cast their lines. Cows weave their way between scooters, jam-packed with families, dangling kids on the handlebars. We’re headed south, to Cape Weligama, a luxurious resort overlooking one of Sri Lanka’s best surfing beaches. Our ‘residence’, a family suite with two interconnected bedrooms scattered with plantation chairs and day beds, is stunning. I love the steam shower, walk-in wardrobe and complimentary laundry service. The kids are loving the manicured gardens, named after explorers and sea captains. They are filled with exotic creatures: peacocks, black monkeys and large monitor lizards, who for the duration of our stay desperately try to evade capture.

The heat doesn’t seem to wilt our appetites. We marvel at the tower of cakes and hot scones at the daily high tea, served in Taylor’s Pavilion, a beautiful wooden structure with views of the beach below. It’s hard to keep waistlines in check here. The buffet dinners are devilishly moreish and I’m reliably informed, “This is the best mac and cheese I ever eaten, Mummy.”

Sri Lankans love children, and the 96

staff aim to please. The rooms are staggered up a hill and the girls command tuk-tuk rides at every available opportunity.

The turn-down service becomes legendary when we discover Georgia’s Peter Rabbit has a new girlfriend crafted out of hand towels (a trick that is impossible to recreate at home).

There is no kid’s club at Weligama, the philosophy here is spending quality family time, and there are adventures aplenty.

Whale watching is just a 10-minute chug off shore, and there’s a beach club with body surfing classes. You can take guided bike rides through the local villages and paddy fields to visit cinnamon plantations, but by far our highlight is an hour’s drive to Hikkaduwa to give a very special young lady a bath.

Lily the elephant has a proclivity for bananas and having her tummy scrubbed. Under the watchful eye of her owner, Devinda, both girls clamber on Lily’s back to help with her morning ablutions. Lily duly returns the favour by showering them with water. It’s memories like these that reaffirm our decision to adventure off the beaten track. It’s been an epic itinerary that has seen us take in glorious beaches, markets, temples and surf shacks, and we return home with a camera full of memories, and endless scope for show-and-tell glory. L

Experience Travel Group offers seven nights at Cape Weligama in a family junior suite and seven nights at Amilla Fushi in a Lagoon House for £4,648 per adult and £4,485 per child, including transfers and flights.

020 3411 3589 | experiencetravelgroup.com

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ESCAPE IN STYLE REDEFINING THE ALL-INCLUSIVE CONCEPT, IKOS RESORTS OFFER FAMILIES A NEW ERA OF HOSPITALITY FOR YOUR AND YOUR FAMILY

Beachside personnel are on hand to look after young ones while parents take the chance to relax

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reaming about a five-star getaway, where babies and toddlers are just as important as the adults?

With its new Infinite Lifestyle concept, Ikos Resorts in Greece offer beautiful beachfront settings and stylish accommodation. Whether you are seeking total relaxation or an active family holiday you won’t be disappointed. Both resorts in Halkidiki – Ikos Oceania and Ikos Olivia – allow visitors both big and small a range of activities including tennis, beach badminton, aqua aerobics and yoga. Ikos Oceania welcomes 2016 with a brand new Anne Semonin Spa have being given an upgrade with new facilities and treatment rooms as well as a new gym and lobby area.

If you’re more interested in heading to the water, you will also find sailing academy courses, scuba diving, and private boat tours.

All dry land sports and non-motorised water sports are included in your stay. There is also the introduction of a new adult pool and a separate kids/baby pool, perfect for people wanting a peaceful paddle, and even better for young ones wanting fun with friends they make on holiday.

If relaxing on the beach is more your game, the dedicated beachside personnel

are on hand to look after young ones for a complimentary 30 minutes while you chill out. Putting your little one’s care at the forefront is paramount and both resorts have an OFSTED rated crèche and kids club with English-speaking staff. A great range of baby paraphernalia can also be provided upon request including baby cots, bottle warmers, sterilisers and kids’ DVDs. Both Ikos Oceania and Ikos Olivia enjoy stunning surroundings, so why not admire the views alongside some fine dining? There are a number of exquisite restaurant options serving cuisine from around the world and if you choose to dine at one of the a-lacarte restaurants, some of them overseen by Michelin-starred chefs, you will be able to take advantage of the experienced sommeliers and their extensive selection of local and 98

international wines.

Plus, you don’t have to ‘eat in’ every night.

As part of their ‘dine out’ experience, each Ikos Resort has joined forces with a specially selected local restaurant, allowing you to enjoy the tempting choice of traditional Greek dishes on offer while still enjoying the allinclusive experience.

Other perks include the 24-hour room service and beachside or poolside waiter service. And after dinner if you’re pining for some entertainment, Ikos promises West End style shows to keep the whole family entertained throughout the evening. But if enjoying a relaxing drink is more your thing, head over to one of the superb bars with an LITTLELONDONMAGAZINE.CO.UK

ADVERTORIAL

Sumptious rooms at Ikos Olivia’s bungalow suites

IKOS OLIVIA spreads across 450 metres of sandy beach and 22 acres of lush gardens and olive groves. It offers spacious rooms and junior suites, which overlook the Aegean Sea. The luxury one and two bedroom suites with private gardens (some with beachfront access and others with heated private pools) are the epitome of style and comfort. Plus 2016 sees the addition of four Two Bedroom Bungalow Suites.

IKOS OCEANIA has a stunning 350 metre long natural sandy beach, fringed by pines, olive groves and beautiful cypress trees. It is set among an impressive 15 acres of gardens with elegant guest rooms and suites which offer panoramic sea views framed by Mount Olympus. Service is exemplary so it’s no wonder Ikos Oceania was recently voted the number one all-inclusive resort in Europe by Tripadvisor in 2014. Highights in 2016 include a brand new Anne Semonin Spa as well as a new gym and lobby area.

appetising range of branded international and local spirits. Both resorts offer a deluxe collection ensuring visitors can enjoy the ultimate in luxury and indulgence, with benefits ranging from a complimentary spa treatment, premium spirits in your mini bar, dedicated swimming pool and an exclusive area on the gorgeous beaches. These two luxury all-inclusive hotels have stunning surroundings, exceptional service and facilities and most importantly the holiday that you and your family deserve.

Book before 29 February and enjoy up to 20% off and complimentary local airport transfers. ikosresorts.com

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Relaxation is order of the day at Ikos Resorts

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NUTRITION

SURVIVING WINTER CHEF GEORGIE SOSKIN AND NUTRITIONIST JO SAUNDERS OF COOKING THEM HEALTHY SERVE UP SOME IMMUNE BOOSTERS TO HELP KEEP YOU IN TIP-TOP CONDITION

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NUTRITION

GINGER ZINGER INFUSION

W

ith five young children between us, we understand only too well the need for grown-ups to stay fighting fit and as healthy as possible over the winter months. Thankfully, there is plenty you can do to support your bodies to make sure you’re on sparkling form right the way through the season. Focussing on your immune system, we have designed some delicious recipes and highlighted some key ingredients that will help you through those long, dark days.

CURRY IN A HURRY Our winter warmer is quick and easy, combining a trio of immune-boosting spices – garlic, onions and chilli – which offer great antibacterial properties for respiratory support and all-round immune health. It’s full of warming flavours that you can lift even more by adding a drizzle of kefir on the top. Serve with a bowl of wholegrain basmati rice and buttered greens. This curry works well with white fish and prawns, and as a vegetarian dish.

For the curry paste • 1 small red onion, sliced • 2 cloves garlic, sliced • 1 lemongrass, roughly chopped • 1 inch thumb of ginger, skinned and sliced • Handful of fresh coriander (approx 15g), roughly chopped • 3 small green chillies, seeds removed and roughly chopped Method: Cut the tip off the chilli and test it on your tongue to check the heat. Place all the ingredients into a small blender or coffee grinder, add a few tablespoons of water to help it turn, and then blitz.

You can also do it by hand or in a pestle and mortar until you have formed a rough paste. This will make enough for two curries, so freeze the rest for

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Ginger has warming properties and significant benefits for respiratory health, making it one of our favourites for winter. We have created a recipe for an infused tea, which combines a perfect trio of ginger, lemon and honey to help soothe a sore throat, clear mucus and calm a cough or cold. If anyone in the family is in need of an immune boost, drink this three times a day.

Makes • 1 thumb of fresh ginger • 200ml water • 1 tbsp raw honey or pure maple syrup • ½ lemon, juiced

whenever you’re feeling run down and in need of a pick-me-up.

For the curry base • 1 tsp ground cumin • 1 tsp ground coriander • 1/2 tsp cinnamon • 1 x 400ml coconut milk • 1 red pepper, cut into 2cm cubes • 1 small sweet potato cut into 2cm cubes • A handful of broccoli florets • A large handful of spinach leaves • 3 tbsp of curry paste • approx 350g leftover roast chicken Method Heat a tablespoon of coconut oil in a large frying pan or wok and let it melt over a medium heat. Add the sweet potatoes and cook for a few minutes.

Next add the red pepper and again cook for a few minutes. Add your ground spices and cook for about 20 seconds being careful not to let them burn. Next, add the curry paste and coconut milk. Let everything simmer for up to 10 minutes and stir. You want the sauce to thicken and reduce until it coats the back of your spoon and is rich with flavour. Stir through the leftover chicken pieces and broccoli, and heat for a few minutes. Add the spinach just before serving, allowing it just enough time to wilt.

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Method: Peel the ginger root with a peeler or the back of a spoon. Grate it with a grater or zester, or slice it thinly if you’d prefer. Bring the water to the boil in a small saucepan, then add the ginger and lemon juice. Turn off the heat, put on the lid and let it infuse for 10 minutes.

Strain to serve.

Alternatively, if you are using a teapot, add the ginger and lemon juice, and then pour in the boiling water. Allow the water and ginger to steep for about 10 minutes, then add your chosen natural sweetener before pouring the infusion into your favourite mug. Sit back (that is, if you can steal a few minutes) and enjoy this warming, spiced infusion.

THYME

TOP TIPS

Historically, thyme has been used to improve respiratory function and relieve discomfort from chest infections. We like to use it liberally over the winter months to provide a welcome boost. Our delicious salmon with honey and thyme (cookingthemhealthy.com) is nourishing and supportive, ideal for the children or jazzed up for guests.

VITAMIN C Most of us are aware vitamin C is recommended for helping with colds and coughs. Vitamin C is found in abundance in fruit and vegetables, and berries in particular are a great source of antioxidants and vitamin C. Blackberries are packed with vitamin C and make a wonderful base for smoothies. Keep berries in the freezer to enjoy their health benefits year-round without losing any nutrients.

NUTRITION

The compote is a great way to help relieve upset tummies

TOP TIPS FRIENDLY BACTERIA

PORRIDGE WITH SPICED APPLE AND PEAR COMPOTE Porridge is a perfect immune-boosting start to the day thanks to beta-glucans in the oats. Beta-glucans are naturally occurring compounds that stimulate the action of white blood cells. The compote is also great for tummy upsets.

Pectin in the apples works to help with diarrhoea and has a clever balancing effect if a little extra fibre is required.

For the porridge base • 50g oats • 250g coconut/almond/dairy milk • A tablespoon of mixed seeds Method Place the oats in a small saucepan and cover with a little over half the milk.

Leaving it to soak overnight helps to soften the oats, reduces cooking time and is much better for the digestive system. The next day they will have swollen and absorbed the milk. Turn the hob on a medium/low heat and stir.

Add the rest of your milk to loosen. Stir until hot, creamy and bubbling (about 3 to 5 minutes). Add the seeds and a dollop of compote just before serving.

If you make too much, reuse it the next day. Just cool, cover and refridgerate.

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For the apple and pear compote Serves 8 • 1 apple, peeled and chopped (cooking apples give a glossier finish or 2 eating apples also work well) • 2-3 pears, peeled and chopped • 2 tbsp honey • ¼ tsp cinnamon • 30g raisins (optional) • A glug (approx 100ml) of apple juice or water Method Place the apple and pear, along with a little apple juice or water, into a small saucepan and then simmer gently on a low heat for approximately 15 to 20 minutes, until the fruit has softened.

Next, add the honey and raisins, and stir through. Taste and add a touch more honey, if needed.

The apple and pear compote keeps well in an airtight container for up to a week, and can be enjoyed hot or cold.

You can also freeze the compote into individual portions (I use silicone muffin cases), so that it is to hand whenever you need it.

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As much as 70% of our immune system is based in our gut, so it is incredibly important to look after our digestive health. Probiotics have an immune-modulating effect and can play a key role in supporting health and wellbeing.

Boost healthy gut bacteria by eating natural live yogurt and other fermented foods. Try adding kefir to smoothies. Kefir is a traditional fermented milk drink which is rich in beneficial bacteria. You can buy it from a health food shop or make your own at home, as we do.

LOOKING AFTER YOUR LIVER Several foods may help livers to process the toxins from alcohol and rich food. Beetroot is a brilliant liver cleanser, so why not try serving our beetroot tzatziki with pitta crisps (cookingthemhealthy.com) when entertaining? Everyone will relish this delicious, earthy dip while giving their bodies a welcome boost. We also recommend sourcing a milk thistle tincture from a health food shop and taking it daily.

PARIS - LONDON - COPENHAGEN – OSLO – NEW YORK – SINGAPORE

WHAT’S ON

AG E N DA LIANNE KOLIRIN TELLS US WHAT’S ON IN THE CAPITAL

M I N I VAU LT Wednesday January 27 to Sunday 6 March.

Launch party Saturday 6 February 12 to 3pm.

The VAULT festival returns to Waterloo’s Leake Street tunnels this year, featuring the popular Mini VAULT. Big Fish Little Fish are staging Out Of This World, a buzzing underground launch party for the kiddy version of the festival. Expect an extravaganza with glitter balls, world-class DJs, a multisensory dancefloor, storytelling, free shows, interactive light displays and loads more.

ALI C E I N WO N D E R L AN D E XH I B ITI O N

P I R ATE F U N DAY

Runs until Sunday 17 April. Opening times vary.

Aye, aye captain! Bring your little pirates along to join the crew of the Golden Hinde replica for this fun-filled event. Children aged four and over will raise the anchor and fire the cannons before trying to find the hidden treasure somewhere aboard the ship.

Admission: Free.

family ticket.

free for launch. For details of other events

Entrance Hall exhibition space, The British Library,

Golden Hinde II, St Mary Overies Dock, Cathedral

see website.

96 Euston Road, London NW1 2DB

Street, London SE1 9DE

The Vaults, Leake Street, Waterloo SE1 7NN

01937 546060

020 7403 0123

vaultfestival.com

bl.uk

goldenhinde.com

Admission: £12 child, adult £15, non-walkers go

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One of the British Library’s treasures, Lewis Carroll’s handwritten manuscript of Alice’s Adventures Under Ground provides the starting point for this exhibition. It also explores the ways different artists have interpreted the story and characters.

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Saturdays throughout February.

Admission: Child £5, adult £7 and £20 for a

WHAT’S ON

B UT TE R F LI E S I N TH E G L AS S H O U S E

G IANT E AS TE R D U CK H U NT

G O O D N I G HT M I S TE R TO M

Good Friday 25 March to Sunday 10 April.

Runs until Saturday 20 February.

Runs until Sunday 6 March.

Spring is a wonderful time to visit WWT London Wetland Centre as new life is all around. But some ducklings have gone missing. Follow the Easter duck trail around this beautiful nature reserve to discover them.

A modern classic celebrating its 35th anniversary, Michelle Magorian’s fantastic uplifting tale is brought to life in this magical stage adaptation.

Admission: Children £7 and adults £12.75. Under-

Duke of York’s Theatre, St Martin’s Lane, WC2N 4BG

RHS Garden Wisley, Woking, Surrey GU23 6QB

fours go free.

atgtickets.com/venues/duke-of-yorks

rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley

WWT London Wetland Centre, Queen Elizabeth’s

Hundreds of exotic butterflies are released among the tropical plants in the jungle-like surroundings of The Glasshouse.

Admission: Under-fives go free, children £6, adults £12 and family ticket £29.75.

Admission: £15-£75.

wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/london/

J E R AM E E , HAR TLE BY AN D O O O G LE M O R E : IT ’ S N OT WHAT YO U SAY, IT ’ S H OW YO U SAY IT

Party on down to Rich Mix for four hours of child-friendly hip-hop, funk and disco anthems. A real block party experience designed with areas to dance, practise your graffiti, play with our super-fly hip-hop fancy dress, or just chill with a drink.

I MAG I N E F E S TIVAL

Saturday 6 Feb to Tuesday 15 March.

Wednesday 10 to Sunday 21 February.

Where is Jeramee? Who’s making that noise?

What’s under the sheet and why does it keep moving? Delivered with wit, impeccable timing and plenty of clowning around.

Admission: Prices vary.

Unicorn Theatre, 147 Tooley Street London SE1 2HZ

Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road E1 6LA

Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road SE1 8XX

unicorntheatre.com

fundmc.co.uk

southbankcentre.co.uk

N E E D A LIT TLE H E LP

C H I N E S E N E W YE AR

Wednesday 3 February to Sunday 6 March

Thursday 3 to Saturday 5 March.

Sunday 14 February.

from 5pm to 10.30pm

Joe and Ella make each other laugh, help each other out and tackle the chores their busy lives throw at them. Based on the experiences of young carers, this moving and uplifting show explores what it means to look after someone when you are young.

Celebrations will see over 500,000 descend on London’s West End to celebrate the Chinese New Year of the Monkey. The festivities, the largest outside Asia, offer a feast of Chinese culture, including a gravity defying lion dance and fireworks.

To coincide with Chinese New Year, the world famous Magical Lantern Festival comes to Chiswick House & Gardens in London for the first time. A truly unique cultural family event, marvel at stunning pieces of artistic hand-sculpted lanterns beautifully lit.

Half Moon Young People’s Theatre, 43 White Horse

Avenue, Trafalgar Square and Chinatown.

go free. Family ticket £56.

Road, E1 0ND

Admission: Free

Chiswick House Gardens, London W4 2RP

halfmoon.org.uk

chinatownlondon.org

magicallantern.uk

Walk, Barnes SW13 9WT

FUN DMC Sunday 6 March, 12 to 4pm.

Admission: Free.

The unique and wonderful Imagine Children’s Festival returns with a range of theatre, music, dance, film and comedy alongside readings by some of the UK’s top authors.

Admission: Children £10, adults £16.

Admission: £6.

Various venues. Most will be around Shaftesbury

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Admission: Adults £18, children £12 and under fours

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O RC H I D F E S TIVAL 2 016

R AP U N Z E L : TH E M U S I CAL

Saturday 6 February to Sunday 6 March.

Thursday 18 to Sunday 21 February.

Warm up for winter and admire the transformation of Kew’s Princess of Wales Conservatory into a celebration of Brazil’s magnificent plant life for this year’s Orchid Festival. There are activities for kids, as well as the Climbers and Creepers playzone.

Rapunzel dreams of seeing the outside world when a young prince and his trusty valet come across her tower. From the creators of hit TV show Friends, this fairy tale won’t be business as usual!

Admission: Children under 16 go free. Adults £15.

Greenwich Theatre, Crooms Hill, SE10 8ES

Kew Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB

greenwichtheatre.org.uk

Admission: Children £8.50, adults £13.50.

kew.org

PLUS FREE IPAD ACCESS

WORTH

£27

SA D LE R ’ S WE LL S FAM I LY WE E KE N D Good Friday 25 and Saturday 26 March.

Saturday 13 to Sunday 21 February, 2-4pm.

See website for times.

Join celebrated political artist Peter Kennard and develop your own Unofficial War Art collages and drawings on the subject of protest, linked to the current retrospective of his work at IWM London.

Take part in a jam-packed weekend of performances, workshops and games.

Digitopia’s integration of live dance and digital technology creates a world that defies the rules of gravity and physics.

Imperial War Museum (IWM) London, Lambeth

Sadler’s Wells, Rosebery Avenue, EC1R

Road, London, SE1 6HZ

sadlerswells.com

Admission: Free.

2 FREE GIFTS*

Admission: See website for details.

iwm.org.uk

SET OF THREE NAIL POLISHES

PLUS

£20

VOUCHER

S N OW D RO P DAYS Z I P P O S C I RQ U E B E R S E R K !

Saturday 30 January to Sunday 7

Monday 8 to Wednesday 24 February.

February, 10am–4pm.

CIRQUE BERSERK! brings this treasured form of live entertainment bang up to date in a jaw-dropping West End spectacular. The international cast includes acrobats, jugglers, aerialists, clowns and stunt-men.

Snowdrops take centre stage at the Chelsea Physic Garden and you can step into spring up to six weeks ahead of time.

Admission: £15 - £38. Under 16s pay half price.

Chelsea Physic Garden, 66 Royal Hospital

Peacock Theatre, Portugal St, London WC2A 2HT

Road, London SW3 4HS

cirqueberserk.co.uk

chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk

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Admission: Under fives go free, children £6.95 and adults £10.50.

107

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WHAT’S ON

S T PATR I CK’ S DAY PAR A D E

TH E G R E AT S P ITALF I E L D S PAN CAKE R AC E

TH E S N OW C E NTR E

The London St Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival has become a destination event showcasing Irish music, dance, culture and arts. The parade celebrates Irish communities in the capital, expect an Irish food market, children’s theatre, comedy festival and more.

Tuesday 9 February at 12.30pm.

be booked.

In celebration of Shrove Tuesday, pancake enthusiasts should head to the East End for the Great Spitalfields Pancake Race. All proceeds go to London’s Air Ambulance.

The Snow Centre at Hemel Hempstead boasts the ‘best snow this side of the Alps’ and is the closest real snow to London. There’s a 160m slope, as well as riding in rings and sledges.

Admission: Free.

Dray Walk, Brick Lane E1 6QL

St Albans Hill, Hemel Hempstead, Herts. HP3 9NH

Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DS

alternativearts.co.uk

thesnowcentre.com

Sunday 13 March.

Admission: Free for spectators and to participants.

Open daily, 9am to 10pm. Lessons will need to

Admission: Prices vary.

london.gov.uk

TH E LO N DO N B IKE S H OW

TH E S O RC E R E R ’ S AP P R E NTI C E

S N OW Q U E E N AF TE R N O O N TE A

Thursday 11 to Sunday 14 February. Opening

Tuesday 16 to Saturday 20 February, 11am and

Available until Thursday 11 February.

times vary, see website for details.

1pm.

Immerse yourself in the fairytale world of the Snow Queen with a display of sweet delights, including salted butter shortbread and delicious macaroons.

Whether road cycling, mountain biking, BMX, cycle cross, a family cycle at the weekend or commuting to work is your thing – you’ll find plenty to interest you and the gang on a day out for the whole family.

Charlie Hubble is a little boy with a big dream: he wants to be a world-class magician so he sets off to Mr. Zacoor’s toy shop to buy his spell book. But Mr. Zacoor is no ordinary shopkeeper, he’s a real life Sorcerer!

London, SW1H 0BH

details.

Lyric Hammersmith, Lyric Square, London, W6 0QL

conradhotels.com/London

ExCel London, Royal Victoria Dock, E16 1XL

lyric.co.uk

Admission: From £39.

Conrad London St James, 22-28 Broadway,

Admission: Under nines go free. See website for

Admission: £8.

thelondonbikeshow.co.uk

S TR I CTLY C O M E DAN C I N G, TH E LIVE TO U R

TH E WITC H E S

Saturday 13 February at 2.30pm and 7.30pm

TH E PAP E R DO LL S FO R TO D D LE R S

and Sunday 14 February at 1.30pm and

Friday 8 January to Sunday 13 March, see

6.30pm.

website for details.

Judges Len Goodman, Craig Revel Horwood and Bruno Tonioli will be reunited for the 2016 tour. Enjoy the much-loved celebrity dancers and their professional partners.

Lovingly adapted from the bestselling book

by Julia Donaldson and illustrator Rebecca Cobb, this gentle story is about childhood, memory and the power of imagination.

Admission: £12.

Rose Theatre Kingston, 24-26 High Street, Kingston

The O2 Arena, Peninsula Square, London SE10 0DX

Polka Theatre, Wimbledon, London SW19 1SB

KT1 1HL

theo2.co.uk

polkatheatre.com

rosetheatrekingston.org

Admission: £25-£65.

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Tuesday 29 March to Sunday 10 April.

Roald Dahl’s tremendously terrifying book is brought to life. Witches find children revolting and are planning to wipe them out like weasels! They want to squish them and make them disappear. But one brave boy and his grandmother have a plan!

Admission: £8-24.

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Alternative edgy clothing for kids with style At the forefront of children’s fashion, Baby Bandits pushes the boundaries to remould stereotypical childish designs. Bringing a more mature element to a child’s wardrobe.

Designed for children with style, the alternative edgy designs allow little ones to look fashionable and on trend whilst being comfortable at the same time in clothing made from 100% Cotton.

The gender neutral range steps away from colourful children’s clothing and focus’ entirely on a monochrome theme with their skull and crossbones logo being featured on many of the products adding a little edge.

Modelled by some of the coolest kids in London and run by young British designers, this rapidly growing brand is definitely one to watch.

Fashion and comfort combined

Free worldwide shipping

www.babybandits.co.uk Instagram: @babybandits

GROUPS & CLASSES

ISABELLA WEARS DRESS, £60, ELFIE LONDON. CABLE-KNIT CARDIGAN, £31.50, PETIT BATEAU.

Football Coaching at Kiddikicks

PHOTOGRAPHY: KATY MCDONNELL

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Little House of Science

FOOTBALL FUN FOR ALL THE FAMILY

FUN AND IMAGINATIVE CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS

The very best football coaching for toddlers and children aged from 18 months up to 10 years. Nippers from 18 months, Runners from two and a half years, Racers from three and a half years and Ligasoccer match play from five to 10 years.

The classes are unique as they involve the whole family by encouraging parent participation. Join the fun and see your child score a hat-trick of football, fitness and fun with Kiddikicks Football Classes. Parties, privates, holiday classes, nursery and after-school sessions also available.

Kiddikicks is also available to franchise.

Sign up today to receive your free player’s kit.

Little House of Maths, Rhythm and Shapes and Little House of Science are two fantastic after-school workshops that nurture curiosity while making a child’s first steps in the world of maths and science that much easier.

Little Maths workshops, for two to four year olds, help to build your child’s confidence with quantities and numbers ranging from one to 10. Meanwhile, tackling that other difficult-to-grasp subject, The Little House of Science workshop, for three to eight year olds, introduces new scientific concepts in an age-adjusted way through an exciting mix of discussions, practical demonstrations and scientific experiments.

t: 020 7937 7965 e: info@kiddikicks.co.uk kiddikicks.co.uk

t: 0800 092 1062 e: info@littlehouseofscience.com littlehouseofscience.com

Club Petit Pierrot Fun French Lessons for Children

The Little London Music School

CHELSEA, PUTNEY, NOTTING HILL AND ST JOHN’S WOOD/MAIDA VALE

KNIGHTSBRIDGE, KENSINGTON, NOTTING HILL

Club Petit Pierrot, London’s premier French club since 1993, has a unique approach and offers innovative, stimulating immersion programmes for children from as young as eight months old.

Led by a team of passionate, qualified native teachers, the children flourish and learn French effortlessly while having great fun with a wide range of activities.

The contemporary songs from the club’s educational CD add to the fun. Language experts agree that learning a second language early in life enhances overall cognitive skills and improves brain development.

The Little London Music School introduces your child to the joy of music and builds a foundation for learning an instrument.

Specialising in classically based music, they offer classes and instrumental tuition for children aged from six months to five years.

Little London music classes feature a tailormade curriculum for each stage of your child’s development. With professional musicians, teachers and live orchestral instruments, their comprehensive, structured, and stimulating curriculum is designed to foster enjoyment and understanding of the fundamentals of music.

t: 020 7385 5565 e: admincpp@btconnect.com clubpetitpierrot.co.uk

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ENJOY A FREE TRIAL CLASS t: 07530 459468 e: info@thelittlelondonmusicschool.com thelittlelondonmusicschool.com

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THE KID WHO

FANCY KIDS

LITTLE REMIX

Award-winning children’s lifestyle and gift store, The Kid Who does things a little differently. Sourcing products from only the very best contemporary brands and artists working in design right now, the website’s European edge makes it the perfect place to find something a bit more eclectic. Tonnes of great toys, clothes and accessories line the virtual shelves. And if you’re a sucker for interior design, you’ll adore the handmade, Scandi-themed offerings.

The people at Fancy Kids believe there need not be a trade off between eco-friendliness and style; packed with characterful fashion, toys and lifestyle accessories, everything here is organically produced and of the highest quality. You can shop from a wide range of independent designers for children up to 10 years old, and the boutique will ship worldwide. Every product is just as ethical as it is beautiful, so you can indulge your little ones without an ounce of guilt.

The shrunken version of Copenhagen’s much sought-after women’s label, Designers Remix, is all about effortlessly modern style but in miniature sizes. With double-breasted army coats and leather trousers on offer, the collection encourages kids to dress with a little more attitude and to channel that übercool style that the Scandinavians do so well.

For girls aged four to 16 years, the collection is perfect for tiny tots in the playground as well as the fashionista teenager.

thekidwho.eu

fancykids.com

designersremix.com

NECK & NECK

MAISON AUGUSTE

LITTLE FLOCK OF HORRORS

It’s no surprise that Neck & Neck is Spain’s leading children’s label. Everything at the boutique is perfection, down to the smallest detail, and its super-smart, classic collection has already been given the royal nod of approval by the toddling trendsetter himself, Prince George. Make like the royals, and head to this lovely boutique to find timeless pieces that will give your little one’s wardrobe a hint of European chic and classic dressing.

Maison Auguste presents a curated range of eclectic designer nursery brands, stylish toys and exclusive creations by up-and-coming talent. The elegant boutique in Hampstead offers a range of nursery accessories, from quilts in flashy colours to retro sleeping bags, as well as gorgeous sought-after clothing from exclusive French brands, such as Georges et Rosalie, Barnabé Aime Le Café and Mon Petit Chausson.

New Zealand’s most talked about new children’s label, Little Flock of Horrors fuses edgy design, adventurous colour and a lot of attitude into a chic line of 100% Merino playwear for little monsters up to nine years.

Handmade from nature’s ‘wonder fibre’, which is totally biodegradable, renewable and sustainable, the full range of the LFOH brand can be found in the heart of Battersea at the Merino Kids store.

STORES ACROSS LONDON neckandneck.com

6 Heath Street, NW3 6TE maisonauguste.co.uk

151 Northcote Road, SW11 6QB littleflockofhorrors.co.uk

LITTLELONDONMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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INTERVIEW

What inspired the late founder, Karen Bailey, to create Igloo?

As a mother of three, all born within a year of each other, Karen wanted to make life easier for busy families like hers. In 2004, she opened Igloo’s first store on Upper Street as she wanted to create a space where parents could find everything under one roof, in a fun yet practical environment. Twelve years later, we now have four shops and an online store.

Has it been a challenge taking the reins and keeping her vision alive?

I was very good friends with Karen, so I got to know her style of working. Of course, there have been a few hurdles, but I have loved every minute. I think Karen would be proud.

THE BUSINESS WE GET THE INSIDE TRACK FROM KATE DOMASH, WHO HEADS UP CHILDREN’S EMPORIUM IGLOO KIDS

Any favourite products at the moment?

We are huge fans of Magna-Tiles. We have a set in each of our stores for children to play with. It’s amazing to see how addictive they are, for kids and adults. We have also just started working with Technology Will Save Us, a new brand that teaches children how to code and build their own games.

What does a typical week look like?

I have a brilliant team and assistant who help with the day-to-day running, so I can concentrate on seasonal buying and financial planning. I’ll spend my days visiting the stores to get feedback on what’s selling well or not.

I spend a lot of time with Karen’s kids, too, which is great research for me and my team!

What advice can you give to women thinking of starting their own business?

You have to love what you do and be willing to put the time in. A strong vision is key in order to use your time efficiently. Thinking both creatively and logically is also important, as you often need to think on your feet. And finally, Karen used to tell me: “It’s all in the detail”, and I have found this to be true.

What is your proudest achievement?

Opening our fourth store in Wimbledon Village. We really feel part of the community there and love to get involved in local events.

What’s in store for Igloo in 2016?

We’re partnering with Mystical Fairies to create a party space in our St John’s Wood store. We’re also launching a hamper for newborns. And, if everything goes to plan, we would love to open a fifth London store. L iglookids.co.uk

Igloo's stores, including this King's Road one, are a one-stop114 shop for busy parents

LITTLELONDONMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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