SPRING 2015
FREE
The essential magazine for Cheltenham, Tewkesbury and Churchdown families ● Holiday fun and activities
WIN tickets to see Lego movie
● Easter What’s On guide
WIN t r ip o n G W R ’s E as ter s p e c ia l
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KD spring Let Kids Direct help you ■ Advertise in Kids Direct and boost your business ■ Free website listing ■ Next
issue
SUMMER ■ To find out more, call 01452 855384 or email joyce.m@ blueyonder.co.uk
Cover picture: Laser cut paper bunting, £6, large acrylic ornaments,£6, Easter garden sticks,£4, chick with bonnet, £3, Easter exercise books, £8, all from paperchase.co.uk
www.kidsdirect.org
Splash out and learn to swim MAKE your child safe in the water – learn to swim at Big Waves Swim School at Dean Close School pool in Cheltenham. Big Waves and Aquasplash are family swim schools run by Marian Venn and her daughter Karen. Easter holiday crash courses run from March 30-April 3 and from April 6-10. Enrol too for weekly classes in the summer term for all ages and abilities. There are swim lessons for all the family, with parent and toddler, learn to swim, Improvers ASA Award scheme and Rookie Lifesaving. There are swim lessons for adults too, or you can just swim to keep fit. Call Marian on 07887 422232, Karen on 07810 296130, email bigwaveswim@ yahoo .co.uk or visit www.bigwaveswimschool.co.uk
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BIG WAVES SWIM SCHOOL Dean Close School Pool, Cheltenham
Make 2015 go with a SPLASH and join our ASA Swim School Enrolling now for
EASTER HOLIDAY CRASH COURSE MARCH 30-APRIL 3, APRIL 6-APRIL10 AND SUMMER TERM WEEKLY LESSONS Children’s classes Sundays 8.30-1pm Mon/Thurs 7-8pm. Parent/Toddler, Beginner, Improver groups, ASA Badge Scheme. ASAqualified friendly teachers, small groups. Adult learn-to-swim and improvers Thurs 8pm Tel: Marian/Karen 07887 422232/ 07810 296130 email bigwaveswim@yahoo.co.uk www.bigwaveswimschool.co.uk
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CoadyCrew Coady Dance Studios offers a variety of dance classes at the studio; after school and on a Saturday morning. Ballet and Break-Dance – Saturday: between 10am-1pm. Chilled – Contemporary – Tuesday: between 5pm-8pm. Street Dance – Urban every night between 4pm-9pm. Boyz ONLY Street Dance – Wednesday: between 5pm-7pm. coadytots – Thursday 4pm-4.30pm. Mums Street Dance – Tuesday: 6.30pm7.15pm. LBT (legs, bums & tums) – Tuesday: 7.15pm-8pm/Thursday: 7.15pm-8pm. Classes have also opened in Bishop’s Cleeve, Charlton Kings, Prestbury and Warden Hill. Competitive Classes – Monday night is
the England squad, but we also run these classes throughout the week. These classes are for kids who want to go into the national and international competitions. Members of the CoadyCrew Squad represent England and in the summer, the team Rhythm Nation came fourth in the world as well as coming home with first-fifth places for their solo and pairs. Coady is definitely the place to come too if you really want to be pushed to your max. For the new timetable and more information, please visit our website: www.coadydancestudios.com ■ CoadyCrew is hosting a Streetdance Competition on Sunday, June 28. If your school is interested in taking part, please email info@coadydancestudios.com Nikki Coady – Principal
To advertise call 01452 855384 or email joyce.m@blueyonder.co.uk 3
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Follow Emmet’s Lego quest
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IN a family ticket worth £28 (two adults and two children) to see the Bacon Theatre’s Easter family film The Lego Movie (U) on Tuesday, March 31, in the theatre at Dean Close School, Cheltenham. Emmet, an ordinary, rule-following, perfectly average Lego mini-figure is mistakenly identified as the most extraordinary person and key to saving the world. He is drafted into a fellowship of strangers on an epic quest to stop an evil tyrant; a journey for which Emmet is hopelessly and hilariously unprepared. “Hilarious for all ages” Daily Mail From the creators of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, this original
computer animated film will delight the whole family. It features some of the Lego world’s most popular figures, while introducing several new characters, and offers a visually unique Lego world as never seen before. Youngsters will also be able to join in fun Easter-themed arts and craft activities from 1pm before the film starts at 2pm. Everything is awesome. To be in with a chance of winning, all you have to do is answer this question:
WIN tickets to see Lego m o v ie
What other construction toy is Lego famous for? a. Duplo b. Playmobil c. Mega Blocks Send your answer with your name and phone number to Lego Movie Competition, The Bacon Theatre, Dean Close School, Shelburne Road, Cheltenham, GL51 6HE, by Friday March 20. The winner will be picked at random. Tickets are £7 and are available to book on 01242 258002 or visit www.bacontheatre.co.uk
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To advertise call 01452 855384 or email joyce.m@blueyonder.co.uk 5
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of Educabularly Win set Plus flash cards
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NE lucky reader has the chance to win a set of Educabulary Plus flash cards. There are five sets of cards in total containing the following: Vocaknowlogy: three sets of vocabulary building cards, beginner, intermediate and advanced. Habitatimals: grouping animal families and their habitats. Twords: blending two words together to form a compound word. Each set is worth ÂŁ50 and is suitable for ages 7+. To be in with a chance of winning, just answer this question: How many letters are there in the alphabet? a) 24 b) 26 c) 28
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To enter, email your answer to Kids Direct at joyce.m@blueyonder.co.uk Remember to include your name, address and telephone number. The closing date for entries is April 4. All correct entries will be entered into a draw and the first out of the hat wins the prize. The winner will be notified by email.
KD spring CHELTENHAM PROFESSIONAL TUITION CENTRE
GRAMMAR SCHOOL PREP GCSE Maths
English
Sciences
NEW LOCATIONS! Opening March 2 MONDAYS 3.40pm-4.50pm 5pm-6.10pm
The Pavilion Hatherley Cheltenham GL51 6PN
Opening April 14 TUESDAYS 4.10pm-5.20pm 5.30pm-6.40pm
GL3 Community Hub GL3 1HX Churchdown and Longlevens Gloucester
FULLY-QUALIFIED TEACHERS 25 YEARS EXPERIENCE
01452 613335/07436 584436 Email: rogerh-cptc@live.co.uk To advertise call 01452 855384 or email joyce.m@blueyonder.co.uk 7
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Little kings and queens
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HE Little Kingdom is a popular family-run nursery in the heart of the community. The 0-5 age range, along with the excellent staff gives the nursery a real family feel offering the highest quality of care. And it provides exciting and engaging activities for each individual child. The Little Kingdom also offers holiday care for children up to five years old.
FUN FRENCH ®
FUN SPANISH To discover and to improve other languages. We welcome children aged 2+
Enrolments throughout the year
01242 513072
www.fun-languages.co.uk info@fun-languages.co.uk
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"My child adores the nursery and that is down to the loving staff" – Parent 2014 "I was dreading having to leave my child to go back to work and the staff made the transition so much easier" – Parent 2015
Improve your skills
®
Parent & Toddler Sessions Primary Clubs (Key stage 1 and 2) Family Groups Mini-groups or 1-1 tuition (ISEB up to A level exams) MFL Curriculum courses
"We have been so pleased since our son has started at The Little Kingdom, he obviously really enjoys spending time with everybody and is coming on leaps and bounds" – Parent 2014
ENCOURAGING young children to communicate confidently in another language? Language Solutions’ team of native speaker tutors can help you. The lessons are fun but structured with flash cards, songs, activity sheet and games. PARENT & TODDLER MORNING SESSIONS: French on Tuesday and Spanish on Monday FRENCH AFTER-SCHOOL CLUBS ON WEDNESDAYS: ■ Infant (Reception to Y3) ■ Junior Club (Y4 to Y5) ■ Accelerated (from Y5) SPANISH AFTER-SCHOOL CLUB ON FRIDAYS We can set up a group in your school with the headmaster’s authorisation. Call Sylvie on 01242 513072.
KD spring
To advertise call 01452 855384 or email joyce.m@blueyonder.co.uk 9
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What happened when the Easter Bunny met the rabbit of his dreams? They lived hoppily ever after! ster Why did the Ea egg hide? was a Because he n little chicke How can you tell which bunnies are the oldest in a group? Look for the gray hares
What kind of jewe do rabbits w llery ear? 14 carrot go ld Why can’t a rabbit’s nose be 12 inches Because then it would be a foot 10
Join in the fun at the GWR this Easter
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Win
tickets for the Easter Eggspress
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HIS is your big chance to catch the Easter Eggspress on Easter Monday at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway – and one lucky family can ride on it for free. The Eggspress will be leaving from both Toddington and Cheltenham Racecourse Stations and will be dropping passengers off at Winchcombe Station where the Easter bunny will be waiting to greet you. There will also be an Easter egg hunt, Easter games on the grass behind the platform and lots of indoor craft activities. We hope many of the children will make and wear their own Easter bonnet. The best bonnet on each train will be awarded a special prize. There is no extra cost for this event so normal ticket prices apply. And this year Kids Direct and the GWR have combined to offer a family ticket for two adults and two children (value £42) as a competition prize. The ticket is a rover ticket so families can ride on as many trains as they wish (see website for timetable). Entry is simple – all you have to do is answer the following question:
address and telephone number. The closing date for entries is March 23. All correct entries will be entered into a draw and the first out of the hat wins the prize. The winner will be notified by email and tickets will be sent by post. If you are not lucky this time, tickets can be bought on the day from Toddington, Cheltenham Racecourse or Winchcombe Station. ■ For more details about GWR, visitgwsr.com
Which animal do you most associate with Easter? a) Reindeer b) Dog c) Rabbit To enter, email your answer to Kids Direct at joyce.m@blueyonder.co.uk Remember to include your name, To advertise call 01452 855384 or email joyce.m@blueyonder.co.uk 11
EASTER GIFTS
Personalised Chocolate Bar, £5.99, from gettingpersonal.co.uk Create your own chocolate egg heads with this fun kit. Melt & Make Chocolate Easter Egg Heads, £12.95, at cucklooland.com
Soft bunny, £12, from Marks & Spencer
Once Upon A Time Crochet Humpty Dumpty, £26.99, from cloth-ears.co.uk
Easter chocolate egg jar, £9.50, from ellieellie.co.uk
Make Easter eggxtra special with a treat to make them smile
Easter Rabbit Headband from Poundland
Easter Yolk Folk, £6.50, from clareloves.co.uk
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Easter Cupcake Set from Poundland
You’ll find Peter Rabbit, Benjamin Bunny, Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail and all their rabbit friends inside this special Beatrix Potter Easter Biscuit Tin from British company Biscuiteers. All handmade and hand iced, the tin is £39.50 plus p&p from biscuiteers.com
Gold Bunny and Fluffy Ears, £4.99, from Lindt at major retailers
Keep warm with these cute Easter rabbit slippers, handmade using eco-friendly, fair-traded natural felt fibres. Each pair, delivered in an organic cotton drawstring bag, is £24.95, from cuckooland.com
Wild & Wolf Mr Men and Little Miss egg cups £5.95 each at wildandwolf.com
Retro Easter Garland, £12, from The Contemporary Home at tch.net
To advertise call 01452 855384 or email joyce.m@blueyonder.co.uk 13
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Dance-Tec
Dance, parties and so much more DANCE-TEC offers street dance, street poms, lyrical hip hop, fitness classes, dance parties, exams and so much more, all available at this fun, friendly dance school. We have danced in Paris, London and taken part in competitions and shows. All this is available to all dancers but not compulsory. Classes are in Cheltenham and Tewkesbury for ages four to 50. For more details, contact Rachel on 07778 599670 or email dance-tec@hotmail.co.uk. Visit our website at www.dance-tec.co.uk
Kids & Adults Funky Street Dance for more info contact Rachel 07778 599670 www.dance-tec.co.uk
Swim with StarFish SWIMMING LESSONS
DO you want your child to learn to swim? Then why not join the StarFish Swim Club at the National Star College. Contact us to find out availability for learn to swim or higher ability classes for children wanting to improve their stroke. Classes take place on Wednesday evenings and Saturday or Sunday mornings. A course for adults wanting to learn to swim or improve their stroke takes place on Wednesday evenings. The water is lovely and warm and the teachers are prepared for those who may be nervous about learning to swim. Please give the StarFish administrator a call on 01242 527631 ext 3381 to find out more or email starfish@natstar.ac.uk As always at the National Star College, there’ll be “warm water and a warm welcome”.
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“Warm water and a very warm welcome” Small classes Qualified teachers ● Experienced lifeguards ● Learn to Swim ●
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Stroke improvement Family swim sessions for those with children with a disability
Classes for: Children aged 4+ – Weds eve/Sat and Sun mornings Adults – Getting Going / Improvers – Weds eve To find out more please contact: Starfish Administrator, National Star College Ullenwood Cheltenham GL53 9QU Tel: 01242 527631 ext 3381 starfish@natstar.ac.uk
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Families drop in to The Aviator FAMILIES are welcome at The Aviator. We know how important it is for families to go somewhere that is friendly and relaxed, so come and see us soon. The Aviator Cafe Pub Restaurant is on Gloucestershire Airport at Staverton and has superb views of the airfield. It has something for everyone, whether you are an aviation enthusiast, bringing your children to watch the planes, calling in for a coffee and homemade cake or having lunch or an evening meal. The spacious, enclosed beer garden is great for families and fantastic throughout the spring and summer. All our food is cooked on site using local suppliers, which allows us to be flexible with our menus. We have speciality fresh ground coffee, tea and homemade cakes which are available all day. We serve breakfast
every day from 9am. Our main menu, which changes with the seasons, is served Monday-Sunday from 12noon. We also serve traditional roasts every Sunday. We welcome children at any time, and have a children's menu for them to choose from. It is a varied menu with lots of choice, from hot meals to sandwiches. From Monday, March 23 we will also be starting a Pick 'n' Mix menu for children too. ■ Book now for Mother’s Day on March 15. ■ KIDS EAT FREE from March 27-April 12 inclusive. For every adult who purchases a main meal, a child will eat free from the children’s menu. Visit www.theaviatorglos.co.uk or call 01452 714442.
The Aviator Cafe Pub Restaurant Gloucestershire Airport, Staverton, Cheltenham, GL51 6SR
A Cafe Pub Restaurant located on Gloucestershire Airport which has superb views of the airfield. We have a spacious, enclosed beer garden, which is great for children and families, and fantastic to enjoy throughout the spring/summer time
MOTHER’S DAY SUNDAY MARCH 15 – BOOK NOW WHAT’S ON AT THE AVIATOR DURING THE EASTER SCHOOL HOLIDAYS KIDS EAT FREE Friday March 27 - Sunday April 12 inclusive. Every adult who purchases a main meal, a child will eat free from the children’s menu Free Wifi access, alcoholic and soft beverages, speciality fresh ground coffee, tea, homemade cakes. Breakfast from 9am. Main menu and lighter bites from noon. Children’s menu and specials board daily, Sunday roasts and Sunday menu
01452 714442
www.theaviatorglos.co.uk
Email: info@theaviatorglos.co.uk
To advertise call 01452 855384 or email joyce.m@blueyonder.co.uk 15
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Take a trip on Perrygrove Railway A great adventure awaits in the Forest of Dean where trains wind their way through ancient woods and farmland. Spend a day exploring‌ and don’t miss out on their new Toddler Tuesdays
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ISCOVER a world of treehouses and treasure hidden in the trees on the edge of the Forest of Dean. Perrygrove Railway trains wind their way along a three-quarter mile track through farmland and woods. There are four stations each with paths to walk through the ancient Perrygrove Wood on the edge of the Forest of Dean. A trip takes just over 20 minutes but most passengers get off to go to the picnic and play area at Foxy Hollow, or to go treasure hunting. There is no charge for extra rides – your ticket lasts all day and you can ride the train as many times as you like. Have an adventure or a picnic in our ancient oak wood where the miners of long ago have left their mark. There are four stations on our railway, each with paths leading to lovely walks through beautiful woodland. Our indoor village is fun for kids and just about big enough for most grown-ups too. It’s home to five houses connected by secret passages – they’re the perfect place for a game of hide and seek. You are welcome to bring a picnic – we
have a picnic site at our top station next to the Foxy Hollow play area. All we ask is that you take your rubbish home. Open every weekend throughout the year and daily in the school holidays, Perrygrove is the perfect place for birthday parties. Children even get their name on the engine’s headboard for the day.
NEW FOR 2015: TODDLER TUESDAYS
Perrygrove is going to be open from 10am-3pm, every Tuesday from April 14-October 20. The entrance fee for Toddler Tuesdays is £7 per adult, which includes one complimentary hot drink and one free child entrance (each additional children will be charged at half the normal entrance fee). Under threes go free. Disclaimer: This offer is not available during local school holidays, (please see the calendar on our website for these dates). We’re only 50 minutes from Cheltenham, with free on-site parking. Like us on Facebook for regular updates and offers. For more information visit perrygrove.co.uk
To advertise call 01452 855384 or email joyce.m@blueyonder.co.uk 17
KD spring calendar Theatre and Music March 23. Jurassic Adventure. A dinomite show for ages three and more. Cheltenham Town Hall. 11am. Info: cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk March 28-April 4. Tinkerbell and the Legend of the NeverBeast (U). Tink and her friends encounter a strange beast. Gloucester Guildhall, Eastgate Street. Info and tickets: 01452 503050 or visit venues.gloucester.gov.uk March 21. Mosaics. Transform a picture with this workshop. The Roses, Tewkesbury. 10am. Info: 01684 295074 or visit rosestheatre.org March 22. Sleeping Beauty. Vienna Festival Ballet. Bacon Theatre, Dean Close School, Cheltenham. 5pm. Info: 01242 258002 or visit bacontheatre.co.uk March 30. Pom Poms & Twirling. Love to dance? Learn new skills and moves. The Roses, Tewkesbury. 10am. Info: 01684 295074 or visit rosestheatre.org March 30. The Amazing Bubble Man. Internationally-acclaimed show features bubble art, magic, science and fun. Cheltenham Town Hall. 11.30am and 2.30pm. Info: cheltenhamtown hall.org.uk March 31. My Friend Mole. Birdsnest Theatre present a gentle tale of friendship for ages three to six. Stroud Subscription Rooms. 12.30pm and 2.30pm. Visit subscriptionrooms.org.uk March 31. Pop! Clowning and magic show. The Roses, Tewkesbury. 2.30pm. Info: 01684 295074 or visit rosestheatre.org March 31. The Lego Movie. Bacon Theatre, Dean Close School, Cheltenham. Easter activities from 1pm, film starts at 2pm. Info: 01242 258002 or visit bacontheatre.co.uk April 6. Journey of the Turtle. Follow the story of the turtle with puppets, shadows and more. Ages five and over. Cheltenham Town Hall. 2.30pm. Info: cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk
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Jump Rope Club Reforming of The Hopping Mad Jumping Jacks Runs 4-5pm every Tuesday at Patesians Sports & Social Club, Everest Road, Leckhampton, Cheltenham. Non-members £5. Speed rope, long rope and Double Dutch. ■ Two FREE taster sessions with this advert on March 31 and April 7. To book your place and for more details, contact Gary on 01242 525665.
April 7. Danny The Champion of the World. Story of Danny and his dad as they take on a local developer. The Roses, Tewkesbury. 2.30pm. Info: 01684 295074 or visit rosestheatre.org April 8. Tweedy’s House of Fun. Everyone’s favourite clown has just moved into a new house. Lots of laughs for the whole family. Cheltenham Town Hall. 2.30pm. Info: cheltenhamtown hall.org.uk April 9. Play in Two Days. Explore your favourite Roald Dahl characters and create a show for family and friends. The Roses, Tewkesbury. 10am. Info: 01684 295074 or visit rosestheatre.org April 22. Hugless Douglas. Family show for three-seven year olds. Bacon Theatre, Dean Close School, Cheltenham. 10.30am. Info: 01242 258002 or visit bacontheatre.co.uk April 4-6 Charlie and Lola’s Extremely New Play. Parabola Arts Centre, Cheltenham. Puppets and live action, Suitable for ages three and more. Tickets from Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham. Info: 01242 572573.
KD spring calendar April 29-May 4. Cheltenham Jazz Festival. Look out for family-friendly events. Visit cheltenhamfestivals.com May 5-17. Cheltenham Festival of Performing Arts. Cheltenham Town Hall and other venues. Visit cheltenham festivalofperformingarts.co.uk May 15 onwards. Giffords Circus. Various venues until September. Info: giffordscircus.com
Lucky Dip Daily. Meet the chicks, lambs, piglets & rabbits at Adam Henson’s Cotswold Farm. Meet the new arrivals, 10.30am4pm. Info: 01452 850307. March 15. Mother’s Day at GWR. Heritage trains and special menu at the Flag & Whistle. Gloucester Warwickshire Railway, The Railway, Toddington. Info: 01242 621405 or visit gwsr.com. March 15. Mother’s Day at Dean Forest Railway. Enjoy Sunday lunch and spectacular scenery. Norchard, Lydney. Info: 01594 845840 or visit deanforestrailway.co.uk. March 28-April 12. Easter Fun at Primrose Vale Farm Shop. Shurdington Road, Bentham. Farm trail and Easter activities. 10am-4pm. March 28-April 12. Giant Duck Hunt. Pick up an activity sheet and spot the oversized ducks in the grounds. Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust. Info: 01453 891900, email info.slimbridge@wwt.org.uk or visit wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/slimbridge/ March 28-April 12. The Big Batsford Chicken Hunt. Batsford Arboretum. Follow the trail to find the chickens that laid the eggs. 10am to 5pm. Visit batsarb.co.uk March 30-April 9. Easter Challenge Explore the arboretum and claim a sweet reward. Westonbirt Arboretum. Info: 01666 880220 or visit forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt-families April 1-8. Easter Celebrations. Events every day plus Easter dragons April 5-6.
Berkeley Castle. Visit berkeleycastle.com April 3-6. Easter Eggstravaganza. Hidcote Manor Gardens, Hidcote Bartrim, near Chipping Campden. Follow the Easter trail. Free to National Trust members. 10am-4pm. April 3-21. Perrygrove Railway, Forest of Dean. Easter egg treasure hunt, train rides. Perrygrove Railway. Forest of Dean.10.30am-4.15pm. April 3-6. Gloucester Quays Garden Party. Live music and activities for the kids plus 100 stalls to browse. April 6. Easter Eggspress. Easter fun for all the family. Gloucester Warwickshire Railway, The Railway, Toddington. Info: 01242 621405 or visit gwsr.com. April 14. Museum Tots. Animal-themed activities. Gloucester City Museum. 10.30am-12.30pm. April 25-26. Prescott Hill Climb. British Championships Weekend. Prescott, Gotherington near Cheltenham. Bring a picnic and watch the racing. 8.30am onwards. April 25. The Museum Detectives Club. Activities, crafts, stories and trails. For ages 5-11. Gloucester City Museum. 10.30am-12.30pm. April 26. Forest Activities Festival. Speech House Hotel, Coleford. 10am5pm. Have a go at activities and learn about the flora and fauna of the Forest of Dean. Tel: 07980 357747 or visit forestactivitiesfestival.co.uk May 10. CLIC Sargeant Dragon Boat Regatta. Gloucester Docks. Dragon boat racing, funfair, bands and food stalls. 10am-6pm. Spectators free. Visit clicsargent.org.uk May 25. Woolsack Races. Tetbury. Day out for all the family. Watch the races up Gumstool Hill and browse the all-day street market. May 29-31. Wychwood Music Festival. Cheltenham Racecourse. Family-friendly festival with children’s activities. Visit wychwoodfestival.com
To advertise call 01452 855384 or email joyce.m@blueyonder.co.uk 19
KD spring 2015
You can be a squash wizard WIZARDS Squash is held at Old Pats Club and Sacred Hearts Club in Cheltenham. The emphasis at Wizards Squash is having lots of fun while learning how to play squash, with group and individual sessions for all ages from five through to 18 years. Group sessions are held most weekdays and Saturdays with extra morning sessions during the school holidays. Wizards Squash is now in its 17th year. It offers a structured programme of sessions (by ability not age), with each player’s performance recorded for their continuing assessment. Through this method each player has personal feedback on their progress for all the main skills (with our Wizards Squash Skills tests). To play squash you need to be very fit. To achieve this we use outdoor facilities – a large playing field and Leckhampton Hill. We include outdoor running of various distances such as a 684m lap of the field, Cooper’s test, hill sprints, tree shuttles and stair sprints, to mention but a few. Other fun ways of attaining the skills and fitness required to play squash include tag, Mission Impossible, tag relay, hit ball high, hit ball far, mini-court (a smaller court inside the full size one) and lots more. Prize points are awarded for personal
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Free coaching offer during school holidays Want to get started but don’t know how? Well, Gary is offering free 30 minute taster sessions. All you have to do is phone Gary to book a convenient time for you and your child (usual fee £10). Call Gary on 01242 525665.
WizardsSquash@hotmail.com
01242 525665 bests at a skill or fitness test and usually for winning group session competitions. Prize Points equal pence – a few years ago a junior player saved up enough Prize Points to buy a racket! Free taster sessions are held during school holidays or can be booked at other times with a fee of £10. Please come along and give us a try. Give Gary Powell a call on 01242 525665 or email wizardssquash@hotmail.com
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Don’t get left behind. FREE website listing when you advertise in Kids Direct. Visit www.kidsdirect.org
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Next issue: SUMMER TERM. Call 01452 855384 or email joyce.m@blueyonder.co.uk
KD spring
Children tuned in to music
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NTRODUCE your little ones to the wonderful world of music Did you know the ear is the first organ to develop fully in the womb – meaning babies can start to take comfort from the sound of their mother’s voice from just 11 weeks? Early exposure to singing, listening to and playing music can sharpen up a range of skills. In babies and infants, greater exposure to music increases cell changes in the area of the brain concerned with speech. And since music uses both sides of the brain, it boosts other areas too, such as movement, creativity, spatial reasoning, memory and emotional intelligence. Monkey Music is the UK’s leading preschool music group with classes across Cheltenham and Gloucester for babies from three months to children of four years. The aim is simple, to educate and entertain through song, dance and play. Classes are held: Monday: Up Hatherley and Highbury Church, Cheltenham. Tuesday: Bourton-on-theWater, Bishop’s Cleeve and Walton Cardiff, Tewkesbury. Wednesday: Churchdown and Charlton Kings. Thursday: Leckhampton. Friday: The Playfarm, Cheltenham. Saturday: Whole Foods Market in Cheltenham. Teacher Sian Ferris, a local mum-of-three, brought Monkey Music to the area in 2002.
She said: “Music and rhythm can engage children at an incredibly early age and there’s a great deal of research to show how important it can be in the development of young minds. “We introduce music to very young children in a way they can easily understand and enjoy. Catchy songs are mixed with a multitude of instruments and visual props, something for all musical maestros to get to grips with. And it’s great fun for the grown-ups too.” To book your FREE TRIAL CLASS – call Sian on 07768 457403 or head to www.monkeymusic.co.uk for more.
To advertise call 01452 855384 or email joyce.m@blueyonder.co.uk 21
KD spring
Fun for all at the farm park
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HE Dick Whittington Farm Park has many attractions and educational features ideal for families with youngsters up to 10 years old, offering both great indoor and outdoor activities. The heated indoor Farm Play Barn covers about 10,000 square feet and includes ball pools, climbing frames, trampolines, four sets of slides and padded activity areas. Groups and party visits use the themed castle room to congregate and have their lunches. The farm park, at Longhope, has a wide range of farm animals, reptiles and small pets. The reptile house is very popular, as is the pets room. Easter is very active with the birth of lambs, chicks and many other spring arrivals. And there is a restaurant that can seat up to 80 people with a selection of hot and cold foods suitable for adults and children.
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Group visits throughout the year are welcome by appointment. Special Animal Encounter talks can be provided as well as talks on the farm animals, the history section and the valley’s environmental work. The farm park is named after Dick Whittington who was born in medieval England. The history of the period is particularly interesting with no fewer than four Kings living during the time Dick Whittington was alive. There was also the Black Prince, the Battle of Agincourt and a number of other notable events. Whatever the weather, there is always fun to be had at the Dick Whittington Farm Park. For more information telephone 01452 831000 or visit our website at dickwhittington.org Dick Whittington Farm Park is at Little London, Longhope.
KD spring
Make an Easter decoration Egg-cellent fun and no sewing needed What you need ● Plastic or polystyrene egg – you can get these from Hobbycraft or Abakhan fabrics. ● PVA glue ● Scissors ● Fabrics or wrapping paper pieces ● Ribbon for decoration and hanging loop ● Button for decoration ● Paint brush
around the egg and cut it long enough so you can tie it in a bow at the top. 6. Take another piece and tie around the top of your bow or glue to create a hanging loop, so you can hang your egg. 7. Glue a button in place where you would like it. They also look lovely without a hanging loop and sitting in a nice basket in the middle of the table.
Instructions 1. Cut up small pieces of your chosen fabrics or wrapping paper. 2. Glue your first piece of fabric or paper on to your egg using your paint brush and glue. 3. Paint a layer of glue over the top. 4. Keep glueing and layering your pieces until your whole egg is covered. 5. Glue or tie a piece of contrasting decorative ribbon
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