Families Central Scotland Magazine Jan-Feb 2020

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Central Scotland

IN THIS ISSUE What’s your 2020 Vision?

Birthday Parties in Central Scotland

Falkirk’s newurs! fantastic flavo Now serving fresh homemade soup, Scottish stovies and innovative ice cream flavours every day from 10am until 5pm.

Glen Farm Glen Village Falkirk FK1 3AA Tel. 01324 630703 www.themilkbarn.co.uk

Issue 56 January/February 2020 familiesonline.co.uk

for under 5s SCOTLAND Best d a y o u t fo r U n de r 5 s

LA ND Book your session, party or special SCOT event at:

w w w. k i d z t o w n rol e p l a y. co m www.kidztownroleplay.com

Book your session, party or special event at:

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editor@familiescentralscotland.co.uk Design: 45 Degrees Design & Print Printers: J Thomson Colour Printers Cover Image: Bigstock

Circulation: 12,000 copies distributed directly to schools, nurseries, playgroups, health centres, libraries and leisure facilities, as well as selected tourist attractions, cafes, clubs, classes and shops throughout Stirling, Falkirk, Clackmannanshire and West Lothian, and also available to read online via www.familiescentralscotland.co.uk Please contact us if you wish to receive our media pack in relation to advertising. Bookings are now being taken for the March/April 2020 issue with features on The Early Years and Easter Holidays. The deadline for all advertising & editorial submissions is 3rd February 2020.

Families Central Scotland is part of Families Print Ltd, a franchise company.

All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. Families is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of Families Central Scotland are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families Central Scotland. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, but Families Central Scotland; our distributors, the franchise company, Families Print Ltd, and Lifecycle Marketing cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequence thereof.

FACEBOOK: /FamCS TWITTER: @FamiliesCentral

ISSUE 56: JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020

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Education & News Parent to Parent Well-being Birthday Parties in Central Scotland Families Magazine meets Ross Welford What’s your 2020 Vision?

Out and About

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...to our lucky November/December prize winners!

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Advertising & Enquiries:

In this issue...

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Editor: Fiona Bunting

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Mr K Whitelaw from Stirling won Breakfast with Santa at Kidz Town, Stirling; Gillian from Dunblane won a five-piece Mountain Warehouse ski wear package; Lisa Stewart from Bo’ness and Kelly Hoggan from Cambusbarron won sample recipe boxes from Little Cooks Co; Philip Baker from Maddiston won the family ticket to Aladdin in Falkirk; Lindsey Costelloe from Dunblane won the family ticket to Rapunzel in Stirling; and Linsay Nash from Dunblane won the VIP trip to see Santa in the magical woodland at North Ballochruin Farm, Balfron, on Christmas Eve!

Photo Credit: Adobe Stock

Central Scotland

Photo Credit: Bigstock

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Competition Terms and Conditions: 1. Competitions are open to residents of the UK, aged 18 years or over. 2. Only one entry per household will be accepted. 3. No responsibility is accepted for ineligible or fraudulent entries. 4. Entries must be received by the closing date and proof of sending cannot be taken as proof of receipt. 5. One correct entry and winner (or as stipulated per competition) will be selected and notified by email as soon as reasonably practicable after the closing date of the competition unless otherwise advised. 6. All decisions of Families Central Scotland are final and no correspondence will be entered into. 7. If a winner does not confirm acceptance of a prize within 7 days from notification, he/she automatically foregoes the right to claim the prize. 8. No prize is exchangeable for any other prize.The prize is not transferable. 9. All competitions hosted by Families Central Scotland will close at midnight on the closing date stated. Any entries after this time and date will be void. 10. Automated/bulk entries and entries from third parties will be disqualified. 11. Families Central Scotland is not liable for any delay or failure by the prize provider to deliver any prize or for the quality of the prize or for any loss or damage arising in connection with the prize or competition. 12.The winner agrees to have his/her name publicised in the Families Central Scotland magazine, including the digital publication. 13.The winner agrees to have his/her name, address and email address passed on to the prize provider for the purposes of obtaining their prize. 14. By entering the competition, entrants will be deemed to have accepted and agreed to these terms and conditions. 15.The competition is free to enter and no purchase is necessary.

Family Central

familiesonline.co.uk

a motivator for writing a ‘bucket list’, ticking off things you’ve been meaning to do for ages, reducing your energy bills by switching providers, making plans for the year, reaching a personal goal, or just trying out something completely new. At Families Central Scotland, 2020 marks our 10th year of publication (and the 30th year of Families Magazines in the U.K.). We hope to bring you a range of competitions, offers and discounts throughout the year, as well as topical family-friendly articles, a useful guide to local events, and relevant news and interviews – so please keep a look out for your free copy in Falkirk, Stirling, Clackmannanshire & West Lothian (and also online) every two months.

We don’t know what the ‘20s’ will bring us in terms of politics or news; work or health; relationships or finances; flooding or snow fall… but often it’s our children who can provide us with the stability and safety of the ‘known’. They’re effortlessly unpredictable as individuals – and they’re certainly facing challenges in social media

Photo Credit: Deposit

2020. It doesn’t seem twenty years since the “millennium” and the anticipated global chaos that moving from 1999 to 2000 would bring. Two decades on, we know that the computers didn’t all crash and the world didn’t end - though we may be in a more uncertain position now than ever before.

This new year, however, does mark another fresh new decade – the first year of the 2020s - and new opportunity. A leap year, a Summer Olympics year, and a year of rapidly increasing focus on topics such as mental health, gut health, advancing technology, climate change and sustainability.

In this issue, we have a look at some ecoresolutions and play predictions for the year ahead, as well as some local ideas for making 2020 your best year yet. Family wise, the new year can be the perfect chance to “get things in order”: a time to book the family in for their free eye tests or dental checks; a chance to see a solicitor and put Wills and Powers of Attorney in place, no matter what your age or stage;

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Different decade, same moon and technology that most of us never encountered when we were children. But homework, potty training, school shoes, reading books, assemblies, board games, sports days, rattles, P.E. kits, swimming lessons, lunch boxes and the Man in the Moon don’t tend to change very much. And it’s that constancy, amid the unknown, that can be very reassuring.

Happy New Year to you & your families.

Fiona

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Safe Snacks for Schools MadeGood® have launched the first ever “allergen free” granola snack bar. With two million food allergy sufferers identified in the UK and almost 1 in 12 of them being young children, MadeGood are offering a snack bar free from the most common allergens - including gluten, nuts, peanuts, egg, dairy and soy - and boasting a good source of vitamins from six different vegetables.

Launching with three flavours, the range will include: • MadeGood® Mixed Berry Granola Bars • MadeGood® Chocolate Chip Granola Bars • MadeGood® Chocolate & Banana Granola Bars The bars are organic and vegan friendly– and designed with yummy and comforting flavours so that each mouthful is a real treat as well as a truly healthy snack. Pure sunflower oil is used so that the bars are low in saturated fat and have no trans-fat. They are also a great source of fibre, vitamins and minerals.

Available from ASDA stores across the UK now, each box contains 6 x 24g bars and costs £2.79 RRP.

GIVEAWAY! Thanks to MadeGood, two lucky readers can win sample boxes of all three of the newly launched flavours. To enter the draw, simply email your name and address to editor@familiescentralscotland.co.uk by 28th February 2020, with “Snacks” in the subject box. Terms and conditions can be found on page 3.

“Gender Reveal Parties”

becoming popular The American trend of “gender reveal parties” to announce the sex of a baby is becoming a growing trend in the UK. Celebrated at an earlier stage in pregnancy than a baby shower, a gender reveal party announces whether expectant parents will be giving birth to a boy or girl.

Sometimes this will be a surprise for the couple themselves, with couples asking the sonographer at their 20-week scan to write down “boy” or “girl” on a piece of paper and put it in an envelope. It is then given to a friend or relative who organises the party.

“Reveals” include a cake with blue or pink sweets hidden inside, a pink or blue confetti-filled piñata or a guest taking off a hat to reveal a pink or blue wig. But more dramatic announcements, including fireworks are also increasing in popularity.

Robert Keane on Unsplash

News & Views

2020: A Year of Coasts & Waters Beautiful Scotland has so much to offer and, with the country celebrating a year of “Coasts & Waters” in 2020, there are lots of opportunities to explore its rivers, lochs and coastline during the school holidays. Events are planned throughout the year, including a Boat Festival, Food Festival and Dolphin Festival.

For more information, see: https://www.visitscotland.com/about/themed-years/

Don’t Be Stuck With A Day That’s Grey And Lonely Hit Broadway musical Annie is heading to the Macrobert this spring and we have a family ticket to give away for the opening night!

Stirling and Bridge of Allan’s longest running musical theatre society SABOS will perform the family favourite from Tuesday 31 March – Saturday 4 April 2020, with tickets from just £12 for youth groups.

Annie tells the story of an orphan in 1930s New York. Picked to spend Christmas with famous billionaire Oliver Warbucks, it looks like Annie’s grey and lonely days will soon be over.

But orphanage owner Miss Hannigan has a wicked plan to ruin Annie’s new life on easy street.

Famous for the song Tomorrow, the show boasts an awardwinning score brimming with toe-tapping tunes from It’s a Hard Knock Life and Little Girls to N.Y.C and Maybe.

Tickets are available now from www. macrobertartscentre. org. For details of special group discounts visit www.sabos.org or email sabosmusicaltheatre@ gmail.com Grace Rocks and Hannah Gregory will be playing Annie on alternate nights.

They are pictured here with an empty dog lead as the hunt for ‘Sandy’ begins! Doggy auditions will be held in January.

WIN For your chance to win four tickets (2 adults, 2 children or 1 adult and 3 children) to the show, just answer this question: What is the name of Annie’s dog?

Email your answer, name & address to editor@familiescentralscotland.co.uk by 20th February 2020, with “Annie” in the subject box.

Terms and conditions can be found on page 3.

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News & Views

Would you rent clothes for your baby?

Babies can get through an alarming number of outfits in a day, so there’s no getting away from the fact that you will need plenty of sleepsuits in different sizes, each of which will only fit for a matter of months or weeks. So how do you avoid ending up with piles of clothes your baby has outgrown?

For more and more new parents, the answer is simple: rent. Two UK companies have introduced a rental service for baby clothes and maternity wear, which they say are affordable, more

environmentally friendly, and reduce time spent on constantly updating your baby’s wardrobe. Families pay a monthly subscription, return outgrown clothes and then receive the next size up, in line with their baby’s growth and the changing seasons. Clothes are professionally cleaned and must pass quality control before being sent to the next renting family.

For more info visit www.bundlee.co.uk or www.bellesandbabes.co.uk

Air Quality is Worse Indoors A new report into the state of air pollution in UK households has found that our homes are experiencing dangerous levels of indoor air pollution.

The report commissioned by Clean Air Day found that nearly half of UK homes have high indoor air pollution as a result of dangerous levels of formaldehyde and other pollutants.

Data also shows that outdoor air pollution adds to indoor air pollution; it builds up in the home, taking longer to disperse inside than outside.

According to the British Lung Foundation, children are particularly sensitive to poor indoor air quality as their lungs are proportionally larger in relation to their body weight than those of adults, and immature immune systems mean they are less able to fight off problems arising from polluted indoor air.

Sources of indoor air pollution include smoking, faulty boilers, open fires, gas cookers and heaters, as well as irritant chemicals from new furniture, air fresheners and household cleaning products.

More info: www.cleanairday.org.uk and www.blf.org.uk

Hippodrome Silent Film Festival In 2020, the Hippodrome Silent Film Festival (aka HippFest) will celebrate 10 years of presenting great silent films with great live music.

The Festival will run from 18-22 March at the Hippodrome Cinema in Bo’ness and other venues across the town.

The programme includes our traditional Saturday morning ‘Jeely Jar’ double bill for all the family - offering 2-for-1 entry if you bring a clean jam jar and lid, and our hugely popular Laurel and Hardy triple bill on Sunday 22 March.

Full details of our 2020 HippFest programme of silent films, workshops, talks, and walks around Bo’ness are announced on 4 February and tickets for our Saturday night romantic drama City Girl (1930), accompanied by the acclaimed skiffle and blues band the Dodge Brothers (featuring Mark Kermode) and Neil Brand, are currently on sale. www.hippodromecinema.co.uk/silent-film-festival/ familiesonline.co.uk

Psychology Kindergarten at the University of Stirling NOW offering up to 30 hours of free childcare for 37.6 weeks per year with funding entitlement.

Call today to discuss your requirements: 01786 467662 or email psychologykindergarten@stir.ac.uk • • •

Graded ‘excellent’ Children’s voices at the centre Exploratory play, emotional wellbeing and outdoor learning Available to children aged 2 years 9 months to 5 years; funded and unfunded spaces available; open from 8.55 am to 3.30 pm Psychology Kindergarten, University of Stirling –Cottrell Building FK9 4LA

https://www.stir.ac.uk/about/faculties-and-services/natural-sciences/business/psychology-kindergarten/

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Parent to Parent

Parent to Parent We start the new year with a lovely local parent, Veronica Clark, who set up her own children’s clothing business from scratch after the birth of her first child. She talks to us about how she juggles family life with running her business.

I’m married to Scot Clark, and we’re the proud parents of two beautiful boys, Aaron (5) and Calum (3). We moved to Stenhousemuir three years ago and have now settled here. I have been self-employed for 10 years; previously as a beauty therapist which I absolutely loved but, after having my first son, my mindset and outlook completely changed. Aaron was born premature and I quickly discovered an overwhelming feeling of not wanting to leave him for a second - and realised that going back to working as a self-employed beauty therapist (often working 45-hour weeks) would simply not work for me anymore.

What inspired you to set up your clothing business?

Favourite family activity on a sunny day?

When Aaron was born, I also discovered my love for “Traditional Baby” clothing.

I loved dressing my little one in this style but saw how expensive it was.

From this, my idea for Traditional Bebe Ltd was born. I researched the idea for a while as I wanted to make sure I could offer something very special and unique, but also affordable for customers. I wanted to create a business that I was passionate about but, most importantly, that fitted around my family and allowed me to watch them grow.

We love to pack a picnic, jump in the car, drive somewhere like a farm park or beach and spend the full day there. This is normally finished off with a pub meal on our way home!

What is your vision for the business?

I have recently been lucky enough to be able to expand the business through a lot of hard work. I want to offer other parents the opportunity to work from home around their own families so Traditional Bebe Ltd is carrying out an exciting nationwide search for reps for the business. In time I want to continue to grow and eventually become the goto place for unique baby and children’s clothing.

What’s the biggest challenge running a business from home with two young children?

The biggest challenge I have found is trying to make a simple business phone call. It’s been known for me to be chatting to a potential clothing supplier, with Aaron and Calum jumping on me and shouting about Paw Patrol! It can be complete chaos at times but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Favourite family activity on a rainy day?

On a rainy day, we like to stay cosy watching films, eating lots of food and relaxing… bliss!

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Favourite park?

We are so lucky in this area as we have so many to choose from, but we often head to Plean Country Park as it’s close by, there are great walks for the dog and there’s a brilliant play park for the boys - so everyone is happy!

Favourite night out without the kids?

When we do get the rare chance, we love to spend the night in Glasgow, a place I absolutely love! We get dressed up, go for a meal, then club afterwards.

As much as we always have the best time, by the morning we’re itching to get back to see the boys!

Most embarrassing moment?

There are so many as I am such a scatterbrain and so clumsy, much to the amusement of my kids and husband! Most recently when I was at a REALLY busy play park with my youngest son Calum, I’d told him we had to leave as it was time to pick his big brother up from school. He thought it was hilarious to run away around the park every time I tried to take his hand.

Eventually it resulted in me panicking about being late for school pick up and starting to run after him. I managed to trip up, sort of flew through the air, and then landed flat on my face. I stood up with what felt like every person in the park open-mouthed and staring at me.

I was absolutely covered in sand and bark… I think even Calum was mortified as he grabbed my hand and we quickly left. When I told Scot he wasn’t surprised as it’s exactly the type of thing I’m always doing!

Most loved children’s book?

It has to be ‘Aliens Love Underpants’.

I’ve lost count of how many times we’ve read it, but I still giggle every time!

Biggest waste of money?

Electric ride-on toys. We have four in our shed which have all been used less than a handful of times… definitely not worth the money.

What should no parent be without?

Snacks! I always have some form of snack with me when we’re out. If you’re “snack-less” and the kids become hungry, the outcome isn’t normally good!

Best advice you’ve ever been given?

There are a few that I live by, including: Do what works for you and your family … we are all learning new things every day and there is so much pressure on parents to be “perfect”. If your children are happy and well cared for, surely that’s what matters.

You can never spoil a baby …This might sound strange but I have heard it lots of times; people advising new mums not to cuddle for too long or not to keep picking up their babies when they cry.

I am sure many people can relate, but the best advice I was given is that you can never spoil a baby with love. Enjoy the time while they want to sit for hours and cuddle in.

Appreciate what you have… After my dad passed away suddenly two years ago, it made me appreciate life more than ever and be grateful for everything we have. It has also pushed me even more to work towards anything I want to achieve in life. If you have a dream or ambition, find a way to make it work and don’t let anyone tell you differently! www.traditionalbebe.co.uk Facebook.com/Traditionalbebeltd

Health & Wellbeing

Practical Strategies for Supporting an Anxious Child

By Alicia Eaton

Alicia Eaton is a children’s emotional wellbeing specialist based in London’s Harley Street and author of First Aid for your Child’s Mind, available from Amazon (£12.99). For more information, visit www.aliciaeaton.co.uk We often hear that today’s children are more anxious than those in previous generations. Growing up in an environment with worrying news items about climate change and terrorism, a stream of exams and the digital nightmare of social media all contribute to this heightened sense of anxiety. It is little wonder then that many of today’s parents are finding it a struggle to deal with their children’s anxieties.

But there are ways parents can help. Here are some simple strategies which you can incorporate into daily life to soothe anxiety and help your children feel calmer and more at ease.

Practise Breathing Techniques Anxiety can lead to a shortness of breath which in turn creates a pale complexion, sweaty hands and face, tightness in the chest and even giddiness or fainting. “Take a nice deep breath” is a traditional phrase that we’re familiar with, but taking a deep inward breath is precisely what an anxious person doesn’t need to do. Anxious feelings can be caused by having too much air trapped in the lungs, which gives the sensation of not being able to breathe properly.

Toys and games can help children to practise controlling their breathing. Here are some useful ways to introduce this concept: using a hand-held windmill toy with sails; blowing bubbles through a wand; blowing up balloons; blowing bubbles in a drink through a straw; playing blow football; blowing a feather from one side of a table to the other; blowing up an imaginary paper bag through a scrunched-up hand.

Ask them to write down or draw a picture of the worry.

Once they’ve finished, fold the piece of paper and put it into the Worry Box. Put the lid firmly on the box and put it away.

Once a week, sit down with your child and take out all the pieces of paper in the box, then read through the worries one by one. Encourage your child to be pleasantly surprised at just how many worries took care of themselves. Remember: most of the things we worry about never happen!

Encourage an Attitude of Positivity Negative thinking can easily become a habit that’s hard to break.

Switching your child’s thought patterns around will help to prevent this from happening.

Encourage your child to keep a journal. This can be a physical notebook to record events or doodle in, or they can use any devices they may have for the same purpose.

Each day, ask your child to write down three positive things that happened. These can be quite simple to begin with: we had pizza for lunch or the maths teacher forgot to set homework.

If it’s easier, you can introduce this technique conversationally, either in the car or at the dinner table. Start the ball rolling by mentioning something good that happened to you that day. Too many of us fall into the trap of only talking about the problems and difficulties that we encountered during our day.

Not only will your child feel calmer after playing these games, but they’ll get a feel for how to control their breathing more effectively when they are feeling anxious.

Create a Worry Box If you have a child who’s stuck in a cycle of worrying about future events and repeatedly asking “yes, but what if…..,” it may be more helpful to restrict the amount of time given over to discussion about these worries.

Find a box. It can be an old shoebox, or a small, attractively decorated one so long as it has a lid and can be closed easily.

Explain to your child that this is going to be their personal Worry Box. Put a supply of paper and felt-tips inside the box. Each time your child gets stuck in a cycle of worries, ask them to take a sheet of paper from the Worry Box and choose a coloured pen.

Having a good selection of coloured pens is useful because you can ask your child what colour they think this particular worry is. familiesonline.co.uk

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Birthday Parties

Parties come in all shapes, sizes and styles.

We’ve asked 10 of the top local party providers across Central Scotland to tell us about what they offer, taking the party stress and mess out your hands so you can sit back and enjoy your child having a day to remember!

Music Bugs Birthday Parties A Music Bugs Birthday Party brings all the fun and magic from our weekly classes to your home or a venue of your choosing. Suitable for children aged 1-5, we offer 45 minute or 60 minute party packages. Just let us know your child’s favourite props, songs and party games and we will do the rest. A typical party includes party games, silly songs and fantastic props – and with each booking you will receive 20 party invitations plus a birthday card and small gift for the birthday child. Our birthday party slots tend to book up well in advance, so please contact us as soon as possible.

For further details, please contact Roslyn Dale on 0844412-8197, or email roslyn@musicbugs.co.uk You can access further information about our birthday parties here: www.musicbugs.co.uk/stirling/party

Are you stressing out at the mere thought of organising another birthday party?

Fear not. With Enjoy-a-Ball you can create an unforgettable and very enjoyable day for your child, their guests and, yes, even you. With fun, games and plenty of action for children aged 4 to 9 we will take the stress out of your child’s special day, and hopefully tire them out in the process!

Parties can be tailored to suit anything from 12 up to 30 children (depending on venue), with prices starting from as little as £98.

So for more information on the most fun and active party your child has ever had, please call Magic Mark on 07979626617 or email Falkirk@enjoy-a-ball.com

Jo Jingles A Jo Jingles birthday party ideally caters for children ages 1yr - 5yrs. We will tailor our music, movement & props to suit your wee one’s party theme. We can travel to any venue in the Falkirk or Stirling area. You can get more info by emailing us at mandy.jojingles@gmail.com or sending us a message through our FB page jojinglesstirling2falkirk - or you can give Mandy a call 07844398150. We look forward to hearing from you!

We are delighted to be able to offer readers a special 20% discount on parties booked with Mandy at Jo Jingles.

Simply quote Families2020 when booking your party to receive your 20% discount on the party price!* *Discount not valid in conjunction with any other discounts or promotions.

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The Milk Barn The Milk Barn Ice Cream Parlour is a great place to hold your birthday party! We have parties for Tiny Moos (between 2 and 5 years old) for £12 per child; and for Mini Moos (between 6 and 12 years old) for £16 per child. Our parties include party food, ice cream sundae decorating, traditional party games, party music, crafts, face painting, cake ceremony (cake and candles are not included so you can choose your own), invitations and balloons, unlimited juice, use of our play areas and The Milk Barn party organiser staff. You’re sure of a great time and the most fabulous ice cream in Falkirk! Visit our website at themilkbarn.co.uk to book your party or email us at info@ themilkbarn.co.uk if you have any questions.

Birthday Parties

Falkirk Community Trust If you’re looking for a cost-effective birthday party with a difference, look no further than Falkirk Community Trust.

A pool party, soft play, cinema experience or sportthemed party can bring a fresh new option for families who have done it all! Party options include pamper parties at Bo’ness Recreation Centre and Run Jump Throw! athletics themed parties at Grangemouth Stadium. Polmonthill Ski Centre can provide a more adventurous celebration with a difference, with its tubing parties.

Visit the website at www.falkirkcommunitytrust.org

KIDZ TOWN role-play, in the heart of Stirling, has become synonymous with hosting fantastic Birthday Parties since opening its doors in 2018. Guests are welcomed to your choice of party room before a fun filled role-play session begins in KIDZ TOWN, with its 14 role-play areas. Then it’s upstairs to your party room for great party food and more excitement! You can also book Kidzy Bear, the Mayor to come and join the fun at your party upstairs. Your party package includes party bags, invitations, food, drinks, party hats & party host - and there is an opportunity to add other options too.

We are running two very special promotions with Families Central Scotland Magazine*.

1. Book your party before the end of February 2020, and receive 10% off the total cost by using code: Familiesparty 2. Receive a discount of 20% for all standard play sessions up to the end of February 2020 by using code: Families20 For details of how to book your party and a chance to look at the packages and add-on options, go to www.kidztownroleplay.com *Offers not valid in conjunction with any other discount or promotion.

Krafty Kids Alloa Krafty Kids Alloa specialise in Parties, Workshops & Events.

We can attend events such as: Birthday Parties, Weddings, Christenings, Family Gatherings, Schools/Nurseries, Youth Groups Why not get in touch when you’re planning your next event? We can provide Arts & Crafts, Messy/Sensory Play, Slime Workshops & Make your own Bath Bombs! We can tailor our services to suit all budgets & all settings.

We attend your venue & remove any stress - we set up, tidy up and keep the kids thoroughly entertained.

Krafty Kids Alloa is a PVG Disclosure checked company so you can have peace of mind that your kids are in safe hands.

For more information contact: Marnie Griffiths 07786 374 828 griffithsmarnie@gmail.com Find us on Facebook & Instagram

Rugbytots Stirling & Clackmannanshire We offer parties for the little ones for many occasions.

We are competitive in price and offer a 1-hour party which is fun and energetic. We offer a different, distinct and dynamic party session which is full of party games and group participation. All equipment is provided and included in the price. We can cater for large or small numbers but the parties are ideal for around 10 - 20 children. We provide Rugbytots party invitations and a gift for the birthday boy or girl. We can add other elements to the party to make it as big and as special as you like, such as a visit from our Mascot Arty, balloons gift bags and much, much more. Please get in touch for more information. Any questions, email david.grainey@ rugbytots.co.uk or call on 0345 313 0424. Alternatively, message us on Facebook www.facebook.com/RugbytotsStirlingandClacks.

familiesonline.co.uk

Give your party the WOW factor…

Dreams & Themes have been decorating parties, celebrations & weddings since 2007. They pride themselves on offering a personalised, bespoke service throughout Central Scotland, catering for all budgets and events.

They can give your party the “wow” factor with items such as themed backdrops, chair décor, table linen and skirts, round plinths (which can be personalised), dancefloors, balloons for all occasions, table centre pieces, aisle décor, giant ‘LOVE’ lettering and so much more! Ideal for kids’ birthday parties, baby showers, anniversaries, weddings, housewarmings – or any other celebration.

If you would like to find out more, discuss options or get a free no obligation quotation, check out @ DreamsThemesEvents on Facebook, send them a direct message, or phone 07738203497.

McLaren Leisure From running and playing to swimming and climbing, we have a wide range of exciting birthday parties on offer at McLaren Leisure to make your child’s birthday as great as it can be. Our coached parties offer minimal stress for parents, giving you time to enjoy the party too!

Choose from climbing, swimming, sports, bouncy castle, games, laser tag, Ninja Trials, or Spike Island (pool inflatable fun run). We also offer you the opportunity to hire a space and run your own party in our soft play, swimming pool or sports hall.

Continue to make your life easier by booking your party food with us. Our café can offer you hot or cold party options with sides and unlimited juice. Or if you prefer to bring your own buffet, you can just hire one of our meeting rooms.

For full details on our parties please visit our website www.mclarenleisure.co.uk or call 01877 330 000 9

Author interview

Families Magazine meets Ross Welford

We love a good read here at Families: whether it’s curling up with a book and a cuppa ourselves (or remembering when we had the time to do so!), or sharing a story with the kids, books are an important feature in our family lives. Often we suggest our top picks for stories to share with younger children, but this month Rachel Bailey has been talking to Ross Welford about his best-selling novels for young readers (aged 8+) and, to celebrate the publication of his newest book The Kid who came from Space, we have a full set to give away!

What made you swap the glamorous world of television to become a full-time writer?

It was necessity, really. TV is a tough job: it’s long hours, the pay isn’t especially good and it honestly isn’t all that glamorous! The interesting jobs began to dry up and I realised I needed a new career path…

You’ve worked on many well-known shows. Have your days in television provided you with inspiration for any of the characters in your novels?

There’s a minor character who pops up in a few of my books called Jamie Bates. He’s a broadcast journalist who is usually fairly benign, but in my next book he’s much more vain and devious. He’s an amalgamation of several presenters I worked with!

Your first novel was Time Travelling With A Hamster and that was followed by What Not To Do If You Turn Invisible. Is there a particular superpower you wish you had?

Oh yes: the ability to write a full-length book once a year effortlessly. It’s not exciting like invisibility, but it’s a power that I would do almost anything to possess.

As well as having a talent for writing, we’ve heard you put on a pretty impressive event when you visit schools/festivals. What do you enjoy most about sharing your books with young fans?

It’s a privilege simply to meet readers. I especially like it when a teacher introduces a child saying “He/she didn’t like reading until they discovered your books…”. The knowledge that I have made a difference like that is awesome: that’s a proper superpower!

You describe yourself as a life-long magicnerd. Care to elaborate?

I enjoy writing about impossible things becoming possible, and that is exactly what magic tricks do. It’s an interest I have had since I was quite small, and this year I was admitted to the Magic Circle, which was a very proud moment. I include magic in all 10

Families Central Scotland

my school and festival presentations, and the tricks all have a relevance to my books, or to reading generally.

Failing that, you could just let them be truant for the day and say they went as Ethel from “What Not To Do If You Turn Invisible”….

What’s the thought behind your re-writing competition, and can anyone enter?

What’s your favourite way to spend time with your family?

I had been doing an “improvised story” with school and festival groups since the start, and the end results are often hilarious. But I worried that I was leaving the children with the impression that that’s how books get written! So I stress that everything needs to be re-written if you hope that other people will read it. I invite the students to re-write what we come up with and submit the results to my competition via my website. It has proved very popular!

They are teenagers now, so I’m pathetically grateful for any scraps of time that they deign to spend with their dad. That said, Sunday lunch is always good, and beach holidays.

The Kid who came from Space is available from 9 January 2020 priced £6.99.

What’s your favourite childhood book/ author?

Growing up I loved The Magic Faraway Tree books by Enid Blyton and loved them again when I read them aloud to my own kids. She was phenomenal: the sheer volume of her output was astonishing. There are occasional lapses of quality, but they are pretty rare and she seldom repeats herself.

Which book do you wish you had written?

I recently read The Bridge To Terabithia by Katherine Paterson. American children’s literature can sometimes come with a rather heavy-handed “message” but this book, from the 1970s, packs a knockout punch with delicacy, honesty and wonderful brevity. I aspire to write like that.

World Book Day is coming up again soon.

Whilst I am fully behind anything that aims to encourage a love of books, I still experience the homemade costume panic every year. Do you have any tips?

I love seeing kids dressed as characters from my books! I have seen someone as a hamster in a football top (Alan Shearer from Time Travelling With A Hamster); a Viking boy (Alfie from The 1,000 Year Old Boy) and a white-coated mad professor (Dr Pretorius from The Dog Who Saved The World)

Visit Ross’ website: rosswelford.com

WIN

Families Central Scotland have one full set of Ross’ books: Time Travelling With A Hamster, What Not To Do If You Turn Invisible, The 1,000 Year Old Boy, The Dog Who Saved the World and The Kid who came from Space to give away to a lucky reader!

For your chance to win, all you have to do is answer the question below and email your answer, name and address to editor@ familiescentralscotland.co.uk What is the name of Ross’ new book?

A The Child who came from Space B The Dog who Saved the World C The Kid who came from Space Closing date for entries is 28 February 2020 Competition terms and conditions can be found on page 3.

What’s your 2020 Vision?

Fresh New Year, Fresh New Decade… Fresh New You? Whether you want to become greener, leaner or in better financial shape; freshen up your home, learn a new skill, or improve your health; we look at some ideas for making 2020 your best year yet!

Top 8 Eco-Resolutions for 2020

By Claire Winter

Resolutions are on everyone’s mind at this time of year. Whether you love them or loathe them, there’s no avoiding that they can be a great way to kickstart the new year.

as possible. Buy your food in glass jars and investigate local shops that offer refill services for your shopping basics. Swap to bar soaps and shampoos- and try reusable sanitary products.

2019 was a turbulent 12 months which, among other things, saw a significant rise in eco-activism.

Greta Thunberg inspired school strikes and protests around the world. Consuming less and being more environmentally aware has never felt more urgent.

Rain barrels are an easy way to save water.

Head to a local home improvement store or surf online stores for a rain diverter.

Install to gather the rainwater from your gutter system. You can use this water during the summer for your lawns, garden or animals (though the Scottish weather means most outdoor plants are well watered in any event!).

So why not make your sure your list of resolutions includes sustainability this year?

Composting is a great way to reduce the amount you throw away. Composters work better in the sun as they yield the best results at high temperatures. Ensure that the compost receives heat and water and make sure to rotate the contents in the compost bin occasionally. You can fill your compost bin with lawn clippings, brown paper bags, and organic food scraps. This will help you to reduce food waste and create nutrient-rich soil that you can use in your garden.

Take a No-Waste Pack Encourage the whole family to be prepared and to take a refillable water bottle, coffee cup, and canvas bag with them when they go out. More and more restaurants are welcoming the use of customers’ own containers for takeaway drinks and meals. Cutting down on disposable coffee cups, plastic water bottles and bags will dramatically reduce what you add to landfill each week.

Skip Meat One Day a Week Research shows that raising cattle and other livestock can have drastic effects on the environment. Raising meat consumes both water and land. Why not start dropping meat from your family’s diet one day each week? Start with a meatfree Monday and remember that every meatless meal you consume can help the environment.

Avoid Plastic Plastic is terrible for our environment as it requires a huge amount of petroleum to produce it. It doesn’t break down and adds to the water problem the world is currently facing. Set a goal to avoid plastic as much familiesonline.co.uk

Install Rain Barrels

Start a Compost Bin

buying throwaway high fashion clothes.

For children, hand on pieces to friends and family when they are too small, try charity or pre-loved stores (Babes in the Wood in Stirling is a great example), or consider renting baby clothes.

Buy Seasonal and Local Foods Consider your purchasing decisions around the food you buy for the family.

Make it your new year’s resolution to only buy seasonal and local foods. If you can afford it, buy organic because fewer pollutants and pesticides are used in the production of organic food. Visit your local farmer’s market to buy soap, honey, and jewellery from the stallholders. Investigate the journey each food makes and buy goods with the shortest travel time. Do you really need asparagus or green beans from another continent?

If one girl protesting outside the Swedish parliament can start a global protest movement against climate change, we can all do our bit. Small actions undertaken by large numbers of people really can make a big difference.

Avoid Wet Wipes Wipes that are flushed away are responsible for clogging up our sewers.

Even if you don’t flush them, they are another single-use disposable that is filling up our landfills every day. If you have them for makeup removal, could you make reusable wipes from soft cotton squares that you simply wash and reuse?

Avoid Fast Fashion Fast fashion is killing the planet. The resources needed to produce and dispose of all the clothing produced globally earns the fashion industry the title of one of the world’s biggest pollutants. Start thinking about what you purchase. Can you buy second hand clothes or reduce the amount you are buying? Think about investing in a smaller capsule wardrobe, with interchangeable pieces instead of 11

What’s your 2020 Vision?

2020 Play Predictions Early Years Specialist, Claire Russell, predicts the top 5 children’s play trends for the year to come.

Versatile toys and play resources As awareness steadily grows around sustainability, parents will start thinking more about how many toys their children have and how much they actually need, steering their little ones towards those resources which offer greater potential for play i.e. the more ways something can be played with the better!

Making memories - Leading on from the first point, 2020 will see a greater emphasis on making those precious moments together count. Instead of buying more toys or giving actual tangible gifts, we’ll put a higher priority on spending our time and money making magical memories.

Learning about the natural world - We will continue to seek out activities that teach our children about, and encourage their curiosity in, nature - giving them a greater appreciation and understanding of the world around them and an increased motivation to better look after it as they get older. Are you spotting a theme here yet?

Expressing our feelings and emotions - This was one I made last year and with mental health being talked about more and more, we will in turn seek to give our children the space, tools and language required to better express their feelings and emotions.

More coding and ICT - As artificial intelligence continues to gather pace with a fifth of our workforce estimated to be automated by 2030,* we will be investing more in the kind of play which will help our children learn and develop the skills which will become essential components of the future workplace.

As we seek to live more responsibly, parents and carers will be enlisting the help of toys and resources which support this ethos, encouraging sustainability and helping raise ethically minded children.

Future proofing our children, both emotionally and from a practical point of view, will become more important - building their resilience and preparing them for an ever-changing professional landscape which continues to be influenced by the growth of technology.

We are starting to see a backlash to consumerism, partly in line with the rise in sustainable living, and people are beginning to place more value in experiences over things. We are becoming increasingly aware that we not only need to educate our children about the importance of protecting our planet for future generations - but also ensure that they are prepared for what the world might look like in another 10-20 years.

Claire Russell is the founder of playHOORAY! She is passionate about play and keeping kids playing for longer.

After having her son in 2014, she decided to use her teaching experience to create and share activities online, inspiring other parents and practitioners working with young children. For further information please visit playhooray.co.uk *McKinsey Global Institute

Would you like to learn a skill that could save a life?

You never know when life might throw unexpected events in your direction.

Would you know what to do if a child was choking, having a febrile seizure, or had stopped breathing?

Daisy First Aid’s two hour classes are fun and friendly, and aimed at parents, new parents, parents-to-be, grandparents … Or perhaps you are someone who does regular babysitting, or work in a restaurant where children are amongst your customers? Daisy First Aid’s award-winning classes cover recovery positions, CPR (including the use of defibrillators) and choking for babies, children and adults, as well as allergic reactions, bleeding, burns, shock, febrile convulsions, meningitis, and more.

You can attend one of our venue classes, or arrange to have a class in the comfort of your own home. To find out more, contact stirling@daisyfirstaid.com

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Families Central Scotland

What’s your 2020 Vision?

McLaren Leisure Art with a twist If you are looking for fresh new art for your walls this year, check out Twist My Picture. The new Scottish design service offers striking prints of iconic Scottish landmarks, with high quality photography digitally edited to create truly captivating pieces of art. The pictures can be purchased either mounted or framed, with images including The Kelpies, The Falkirk Wheel and The Forth Rail Bridge. Various style options are available, such as Photographic, Contemporary, Watercolour style and Abstract style.

For completely unique art, your own photographs can also be made into customised prints, creating a stunning new way to display your family memories or your ultrasound scan pictures. We think they’d make an ideal gift!

For more information or to enquire about creating an intriguing piece of art: twistmypicture.co.uk facebook.com/twistmypicture hello@twistmypicture.co.uk

TOP TIPS to help you save money on your energy bill this winter!

Managing your gas and electricity bill can be a struggle, especially over the winter months. We’ve put together some handy top tips for saving money this winter.

1

Switch and save! Switching your energy supplier can help you save hundreds on your bills, especially if you’ve never switched before. Use the Citizens Advice Energy Compare site to find the best deal for youwww.energycompare.citizensadvice.org.uk

2 Turn it down! Turning your heating down by 1 degree could save you £85 per person per year. Keeping it between 18-21 degrees will save you money while keeping your home cosy.

3 Turn them off! Turning appliances off standby could save you £30 per person per year.

4 Claim it! If you’re on benefits or have a low income, you might be able to claim a discount of £140 on your electricity bill through the Warm Home Discount scheme. Check with your supplier or visit your local CAB to see if you’re eligible.

5 Improve your home! You may be able to claim free home energy efficiency improvements through the Scottish Government Warmer Homes scheme.

Get free support and advice on any of your energy issues from your local Citizens Advice Bureau. Our trained Energy Best Deal advisers can help you in lots of ways – like dealing with outstanding debts, saving money by reducing your energy use, switching supplier, complaints, accessing financial help and more.

Find your local Citizens Advice Bureau and book an appointment today - www.cas.org.uk/bureaux familiesonline.co.uk

At McLaren Leisure we are passionate about helping you stick to your health and fitness resolutions in 2020. Grab one of our winter offers while they last: until 31 January 2020, we are offering you fitness bargains such as 8 for 6 on your favourite activities and amazing deals on our monthly direct memberships. They are not to be missed! We also have some exciting new fitness classes coming your way, giving you plenty of class options to choose from to achieve your fitness goals. For more details follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, visit www.mclarenleisure.co.uk or give us a call on 01877 330000.

Shaw Martial Arts Classes in Falkirk, Larbert, and Denny

Do you lack motivation going to the gym or feel you are getting bored of the same exercise routines?

Come along to the ladies only Fitness Kickboxing classes in the Falkirk area. We set goals for you: whether it is for weight loss, muscle tone, flexibility, self-defence, or general fitness and wellbeing, we cater for everyone. You don’t have to be fit to join as that is our job… to get you fit!

Shaw Martial Arts is a family orientated school, and we offer classes to suit everyone including, TKD Tigers for age group 3-6 years, teaching life skills and Martial Arts.

Taekwon-do for age 7 years+. Korean Kickboxing for both males and females.

Check our website at www.shawmartialarts.co.uk, Tel: 07734 461615 or 01786 818602 Facebook--Garry Shaw Martial Arts Twitter @GarryShaw Instagram - gshawmartialarts

Mums on the Run

All round fitness class for busy mums Mums on the run is designed to support you getting back into shape with no need for a sitter while you work out. The sessions are either 35mins indoor toning only (kids of any age are welcome to run about, sleep or join in) and also suitable if you are pregnant and keeping active. The other choice is 1 hour out and about, keeping on the move with some cardio mixed in with toning - suitable for all levels of fitness post baby (post 6-week check). Classes around Kidz Town, Bridge of Allan and The PEAK. Please contact Jenny on 07555 964 201 or email mumsontherunstirling@outlook.com

Join A Falkirk Community Trust Gym Join Falkirk Community Trust gyms in January and there’s no joining fee, your membership includes all four clubs, there’s over 200 classes to choose from and our friendly, professional staff are ready to help your Best get even Better.

Whatever your fitness goals – whether it be weight loss, strength or just general toning, call us on 01324 503300 or visit falkirkcommunitytrust.org/fitness 13

Out & About

We take great care in compiling our events guide, but check with the venues before you leave home just in case details have changed since we went to print.

FRIDAY 3RD JANUARY BASKETBALL WINTER SKILLS CAMP AT GRANGEMOUTH SPORTS COMPLEX Come and try out your basketball skills. Sessions for ages 6-9, 9-12 and 13-15. For tickets and information visit www.falkirkcommunitytrust.org

FRIDAY 3RD TO THURSDAY 9TH JANUARY STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER Bo’ness

Hippodrome, various times. www.hippodromecinema.co.uk

SATURDAY 4TH & SUNDAY 5TH JANUARY FUNBOX PRESENT TROUBLE IN TOY TOWN Start the year with some family fun! Howden Park Centre, Livingston – 01506 340 700

SATURDAY 4TH TO SATURDAY 11TH JANUARY (EXCLUDING MONDAY AND TUESDAY) FOREFRONT STAGE SCHOOL PRESENT BEAUTY AND THE BEAST AT ALLOA TOWN HALL The wee county’s leading Stage School is proud to present this year’s spectacular pantomime. www.alloafirst.co.uk Photo credit Shutterstock

NOW UNTIL SUNDAY 19TH JANUARY

WEDNESDAY 1ST AND THURSDAY 2ND JANUARY

WINTERLAND AT CALLENDAR HOUSE, FALKIRK An exhibition

FIRE AND LIGHT 2020 AT THE HELIX See The Helix transformed

featuring the work of print makers Flora Cottingham, Sally Elford, Linda Farquarson, Sally Winter and Gordon Wright. There will also be items for sale in the shop including hand-crafted cards, ceramics, mosaics and textiles. www.falkirkcommunitytrust.org

into a wonderland of incredible experiences, spectacular fire performances and illumination. For tickets and information visit www.thehelix.co.uk or phone 01324 506850.

THURSDAY 2ND JANUARY NOW UNTIL WEDNESDAY 29TH JANUARY VOYAGE TO ANTARCTICA PHOTOGRAPHS BY FRANK OWENS AT FTH THEATRE

Taken whilst on trips to South Georgia and Antarctica, these photographs capture the majesty and wonderment of the wildlife and landscapes. www.falkirkcommunitytrust.org

MONDAY 30TH AND TUESDAY 31ST DECEMBER AND THURSDAY 2ND AND FRIDAY 3RD JANUARY BLACK BUN SPECIALS AT BO’NESS STEAM RAILWAY

Complimentary traditional Scottish Hogmanay Black Bun and a hot drink whilst travelling aboard the nostalgic steam railway, with juice and shortbread for the kids. www.bkrailway.co.uk

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Families Central Scotland

STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER Macrobert Arts

Centre; 1.15pm and 4.30pm https://macrobertartscentre.org/

CATS Macrobert Arts Centre; 1.30pm, 4.45pm and 8pm https:// macrobertartscentre.org/ FROZEN 2 Macrobert Arts Centre; 11am (baby friendly) https:// macrobertartscentre.org/

THURSDAY 2ND AND FRIDAY 3RD JANUARY SCOTLAND’S NATIONAL HERO AT THE WALLACE MONUMENT

Listen as a costumed actor gives a short presentation on the life of William Wallace. Admission prices apply should you wish to climb the monument. www.nationalwallacemonument. com

THURSDAY 9TH – SATURDAY 11TH JANUARY SNOW WHITE, LINLITHGOW

Brighten up your January with a family panto www.linlithgowplayers.org.uk

SATURDAY 11TH JANUARY WINTER BIRD WATCH AT JUPITER WILDLIFE CENTRE To

celebrate Big Garden Birdwatch, see how many birds you can spot at Jupiter and make some tasty treats for garden birds. There will also be a chance to build your own bird nest box to take home.

Suitable for ages 5-12. Booking essential. Contact the ranger on falkirkranger@scottishwildlifetrust. org.uk

RUN STIRLING FUN RUN As part of the Stirling Great Run, there will be a 1K run suitable for primary age children 8 years and over in the Kings Park, Stirling. For those adults brave enough to sign up for the Great Stirling Castle Run 7.4K multi-terrain course visit www.greatrun.org

SATURDAY 11TH AND SUNDAY 12TH JANUARY STARDOG AND TURBOCAT BO’NESS HIPPODROME, various times. www.hippodromecinema.co.uk

SUNDAY 12TH JANUARY BIRDWATCHING FROM THE BATTLEMENTS AT BLACKNESS CASTLE Look out on the

surrounding environment and learn about the wildlife that call this area home. Included in general admission price. Contact the HS Rangers on 0131 6528150 or rangers@hes.scot

SATURDAY 18TH JANUARY FOR THE LOVE OF EILIDH CHARITY CONCERT AT MACROBERT ARTS CENTRE In

memory of Eilidh Brown, enjoy a great night full of laughter and music and help raise money for a very special holiday home for children and families touched by cancer. www.macrobertartscentre.org

SATURDAY 18TH AND SUNDAY 19TH JANUARY JUMANJI: THE NEXT LEVEL

Bo’ness Hippodrome, various times. www.hippodromecinema.co.uk

SUNDAY 19TH TO WEDNESDAY 22ND JANUARY CENTRAL THEATRE PRODUCTIONS PRESENT PETER PAN AT FTH THEATRE FALKIRK Central Theatre

Productions are back with this timeless classic musical which will whisk you away to a place where dreams are born and no one ever grows up! www.falkirkcommunitytrust.org

SATURDAY 25TH JANUARY BURNS SUPPER DRIVE THRU AT THE BATTLE OF BANNOCKBURN Enjoy a Burns

Supper with a twist at the first ever Bannockburn Burns Supper Drive Thru! Drive into the Visitor Centre, order your meal and then enjoy in the comfort of your own car or take it away. You may even happen across a bit of poetry or a song. 3.30-6.30pm. Adults £6.50; Children’s menu available for £4.50 www.nts.org.uk

Out & About

We take great care in compiling our events guide, but check with the venues before you leave home just in case details have changed since we went to print.

SATURDAY 25TH TO MONDAY 27TH JANUARY

Andy Hay rspb-images.com

THE BIG GARDEN BIRDWATCH The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch takes place from 25 to 27 January and is the largest wildlife survey in the world. The information collected helps monitor bird species in the UK, and is great fun for children.

To take part, you need to watch the birds in your garden or local park for just one hour at some point over the three days and report your results to the RSPB. You can request a FREE Big Garden Birdwatch pack from the RSPB which includes a bird identification chart and advice to

SPIES IN DISGUISE

Bo’ness Hippodrome, various times. www.hippodromecinema.co.uk

SATURDAY 8TH FEBRUARY WILD WINTER OLYMPICS AT JUPITER WILDLIFE CENTRE

Discover nature’s fastest, tallest and strongest creatures and try out some woodland challenges!

Suitable for ages 5-12. Booking essential. Contact the ranger on falkirkranger@scottishwildlifetrust. org.uk

Eleanor Bentall rspb-images.com

help you attract wildlife to your garden. To make it fun, challenge your children to see who can spot the most birds. Take a bike ride to a local park to look for birds, or make a day trip out of it and spot birds in a new place.

in to the castle and give wildlife a helping hand this winter. Make a bird feeder, bird box or minibeast home to take away. Included in general admission price. Contact the HS Rangers on 0131 6528150 or rangers@hes.scot

FRIDAY 14TH FEBRUARY THE SNOW QUEEN AT FTH THEATRE, FALKIRK Winter is

coming. When Kai is abducted to an enchanted frozen palace, his best friend Gerda sets out to rescue him but will she reach the Snow Queen before it’s too late? A magical theatre experience for all the family, suitable for ages 5+ www.falkirkcommunitytrust.org

familiesonline.co.uk

BOX OFFICE: 01324 506850 THE HIPPODROME, 10 HOPE STREET, BO'NESS EH51 OAA HIPPFEST.CO.UK |

More info at www.rspb.org.uk

FRIDAY 14TH AND SATURDAY 15TH FEBRUARY

WEDNESDAY 26TH TO SATURDAY 29TH FEBRUARY

BALLET WEST PRESENT SWAN LAKE AT MACROBERT ARTS CENTRE Ballet West

OOR WULLIE AT MACROBERT ARTS CENTRE Jings, Crivvens,

make a welcome return with this classical ballet favourite.

Tchaikovsky’s stirring score and a moving adaptation of the original choreography combine to tell the story of the beautiful Odette, and the Prince who falls in love with her. www.macrobertartscentre.org

SUNDAY 16TH FEBRUARY WINTER WILDLIFE WORKSHOP AT BLACKNESS CASTLE Drop

WEDNESDAY 18 - SUNDAY 22 MARCH 2020

RUBBER CHICKEN THEATRE COMPANY PRESENT A SHOW IN A DAY AT MACROBERT ARTS CENTRE The Rubber Chicken Theatre Company attempt to break a World Guinness Record by putting on a show in a day. For tickets visit www.macrobertartscentre.org

Help Ma Boab! Scotland’s cheekiest, spiky-haired scamp is back! Join the Sunday Post gang in a brand new musical adventure celebrating over 80 years as Scotland’s most beloved comic strip. www.macrobertartscentre.org

TUESDAY 3RD TO THURSDAY 5TH MARCH ANNIE AT FTH THEATRE, FALKIRK After two years at the

Edinburgh Fringe, with sell out audiences and great reviews, Captivate is bringing this muchloved family favourite to FTH Theatre. www.falkirkcommunitytrust.org

SATURDAY 7TH MARCH WOODLAND MAGIC AT JUPITER WILDLIFE CENTRE

Discover the magical inhabitants of Jupiter. Come along to find the fairies and elves hiding in the woodland and make them a new home. Suitable for ages 3-10. Booking essential. Contact the ranger on falkirkranger@ scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk

YDANCE DESTINATIONS 2020

at Macrobert Arts Centre Offering a diverse line-up of high-quality performances, Destinations is a vibrant showcase of the best youth dance companies from across Scotland. www.macrobertartscentre.org

SUNDAY 22ND FEBRUARY THE SECRET GARDEN AT FTH THEATRE, FALKIRK When Mary

arrives from far away to live with her uncle, she is grumpy, difficult and lonely. Then one day a robin helps Mary find the key to a mysterious garden, and there she discovers a wonder and magic that she had never imagined possible. www.falkirkcommunitytrust.org

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Offering 1140 funded hours for eligible 3 & 4 year olds

Arnhall Nursery is a private day nursery that provides high quality childcare from 3 months to school age.

• Graded Excellent and Very Good by the Care Inspectorate • Set in beautiful surroundings near Dunblane with ample parking • Access to daily Forest Schools • Open all year round from 7.30am to 6.30pm • All meals included - home cooked by our in-house chef • Fully qualifed & trained staff For further details or to arrange a visit please contact the Nursery direct

on 01786 822 391 Keir Estate, Dunblane FK15 9NU www.arnhallnursery.co.uk

Struggling with your energy bills?

GARRY SHAW

MARTIAL ARTS

ITF TAEKWON-DO THE KOREAN MARTIAL ART OF SELF DEFENCE FITNESS KICKBOXING AND SELF DEFENCE

This class is for all age groups FREE FIRST LESSON

LADIES ONLY CLASSES! Our tailored programme is designed to increase fitness, improve stamina, build self-confidence, tone muscle, increase flexibility, develop body awareness and aid with weight management.

We can help To find the best energy deal for you, or for help with your energy issues visit: www.cas.org.uk/bureaux The Scottish Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux Citizens Advice Scotland. Scottish charity (SC016637) and company limited by guarantee (89892)

KOREAN KICKBOXING FREE FIRST LESSON

World class tuition in Korean Kickboxing from beginner level through to black belt and beyond.

Classes on Mondays at Westfield Community Centre Falkirk and Thursdays at St Modans Church Hall Falkirk.

Call or visit our website for more details on all classes:

07734 461615 / 01786 818602 www.shawmartialarts.co.uk

Garry Shaw Martial Arts

@GarryShaw

gshawmartialarts