Hampshire North May - June 2015 issue 8

ISSUE 8 May/June 2015

EE FR ®

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Birthday Parties Daddy Day Care What’s on in May & June

The Ice Queen Summer holiday fun for 4–7s Put on a fantastic show at our fun-packed drama, dance and singing courses and have the coolest summer ever!

Call 0845 400 1319 or visit perform.org.uk/icequeen

The essential magazine for families with young children in Andover, Basingstoke, Hook, Fleet, Alton, Bordon & surrounding areas

Term-Time Nursery

For Children aged 2 years and above

Free Entitlement available.

For eligible 2, 3 & 4 year olds.

If you would like further information on what Jubilee Gems has to offer then please feel free to contact us or drop in.

Contact Sian on: 01189 834018 info@jubileegems.co.uk Ark House, School Road, Padworth, Berkshire, RG7 4JA. Alternatively, through our contact page on: www.jubileegems.co.uk

St Nicholas’ School FLEET•HAMPSHIRE

CONFIDENT LEARNING OPEN EVENING

Thursday 14th May 6pm - 8pm

01252 850121 st-nicholas.hants.sch.uk For more information please contact the Registrar: registrar@st-nicholas.hants.sch.uk St Nicholas’ School, Redfields House, Redfields Lane, Church Crookham, Fleet, Hampshire GU52 ORF Registered in England Reg. No. 872200 Reg. Charity No. 307341

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Tel: 01256 330147 editor@familieshampshirenorth.co.uk

Contents

Editor’s welcome We’ve recently celebrated our daughter’s 5th birthday, having been counting sleeps to it since January (her, not us)! Children do set great store by their birthday parties and I find that adds to the pressure of ensuring you get it just right. Hopefully, some of the information and advice in our Birthday Parties feature this issue will help you with your planning, especially if your child fancies a sleepover party!

4 – 5

6 Daddy Day Care

As I write this it is a glorious early Spring day in April with warm sunshine and blue skies, and the promise of summer on the way. If you run a holiday club or anything holiday related and would like to be included in our summer holiday issue please get in touch.

Sara Cover by:

Creative thinking designflavour.com

Printed by:

PRINTED BY WARNERS 01778 395111

www.familieshampshirenorth.co.uk Contact details:

Editor: Sara Dawson Email: editor@familieshampshirenorth.co.uk Tel: 01256 330147 N is ex su t e

7 – 8 Childcare & Education

9 – 11 Birthday Parties - How to survive a

Designed by:

bigstockphotos.com

News

sleepover party - Party planning on a budget

- Party directory

12

Holiday News - What’s coming up over the summer

13 – 16 What’s On

July/August– Summer Holidays!

Booking & copy deadline is 1st June

Find us on Facebook and Twitter

familieshampshirenorth

@FamiliesHantsN

Families Hampshire North is part of a group established in 1990 headed by Families South West London. All magazines are independently owned and operated under licence. © All content copyright Families Hampshire North.

Disclaimer: We take care preparing this magazine but the publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents nor for any consequence.

Data protection: If you send us your name & address in order to enter a competition and subsequently win a prize, we will supply your details to the company offering the prize. If you would prefer us not to do this please state this on your entry.

Maths and English Study Programmes Basingstoke North 01256 636233 Basingstoke South 01256 533234 Fleet 01252 759131

Boost your child’s confidence

Fees vary. Please refer to your local study centre.

kumon.co.uk

www.familieshampshirenorth.co.uk 3

News The world’s earliest mechanical fairground ride returns to Hollycombe The Hollycombe attraction in Liphook welcomes this season the return to full working order of Mr Field’s Steam Circus, the world’s oldest surviving mechanically operated fairground ride.

The ride is believed to date from the late 1870s, and features a set of Savage platform horses, or Dobbies.

These were the fore-runner of the Gallopers (which can be ridden at Hollycombe next to the Steam Circus), a later development which saw the introduction of an additional ‘galloping’ motion compared to the Dobbies circular motion. Mr Field’s Steam Circus is driven by a Savage steam centre engine and riders are entertained by an 1880’s 62 key Gavioli trumpet barrel organ.

‘Because of its age we do not run the Steam Circus every day we are open’ explains Hollycombe Trustee Brian Gooding.’ ‘We needed to embark on extensive restoration work on the Dobbies three years ago – a painstaking but rewarding programme for our workshop team, and we are thrilled that the ride is now back in working condition’.

Koalas are the cuddliest critters but just how did they learn to hug?

There’s only one way to find out, so come and hear Karen The Koala tell her story in the family musical How the Koala Learnt to Hug at The Haymarket on Sunday 3 May. Based on the book of the same name by Steven Lee, this charming production is back on tour for its fifth anniversary.

With a host of gorgeous puppet characters, great stories, singalong songs, superb games and first class hugging, all you’ll need are your ears (and your arms!).

The following month, everyone’s favourite Room on the Broom flies in from Friday 5 to Sunday 7 June.

How the cat purred and how the witch grinned as they sat on their broomstick and flew through the wind.

Join the witch and her cat as they fly happily along on their broomstick - until a stormy wind blows the witch’s hat, bow and wand away into the night. A helpful dog, bird and frog find the witch’s things and they all hop on the broom for a ride. But this broomstick’s not meant for five and - CRACK! - it snaps in two!

When a hungry dragon appears, who will save the poor witch? And will there ever be room on the broom for everyone?

Tickets available from the Anvil Arts box office on 01256 844244, or visit www.anvilarts.org.uk.

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Tel: 01256 330147 editor@familieshampshirenorth.co.uk

The Kitschen Café – new independent café in the heart of Basingstoke The Kitschen Cafe is a vibrant new independent cafe in the heart of Basingstoke town centre. They specialise in home cooked food and use produce from local suppliers to bring the best possible quality to their customers. As well as a legendary all day breakfast, they have a range of lunch items such as soup, quiche and sandwich specials that change daily. They also cater for those on a gluten free diet. Recently opened in their basement is ‘The Den’, which is a fantastic space for kids to play and for parents to sit and relax with coffee and a lovely piece of cake. You can book The Den for functions or meetings and they have a menu available for children’s parties.

Find The Kitschen Café at 1 Feathers Lane (off Wote Street), RG21 7AS, or call Kate Morgan on 07429 409986 for further information. Also find them on Facebook or Twitter @Kitschen_ Kate for info about daily specials or offers.

Stagecoach Basingstoke students prepare to Dance the Dream!

Twenty-nine students from Stagecoach Basingstoke are preparing to Dance the Dream at Disneyland Paris this summer. The children ranging in age from 7 to 19 years old have successfully auditioned to perform in the pre-parade at the end of July, and seventeen of the budding performers have also been selected to perform on the huge stage at the Videopolis at Disney’s Paris Resort. Principal Helen Watts said, “I couldn’t be more proud of the students and their teachers. Disney maintain incredibly high standards and all the children have stepped out of their comfort zones to produce work of a truly professional standard.

Go outside, be adventurous, be active What are your most treasured childhood memories? Research suggests a majority will be based outdoors; building dens, climbing trees, rock-pooling? Today things are different and children are spending increasing amounts of time indoors for many reasons.

Adventure, excitement and the great outdoors are important for all young people. The outdoors is a great place for children to practice and master physical and motor skills and develop a healthy, active lifestyle.

Outdoor activities can also help your family develop a range of skills together. Team working, communication and self-confidence can all be reinforced through outdoor adventure and play and what’s more, it helps your family to keep fit and have fun!

For a day of activity to remember visit Foxlease Activity Centre. www.foxlease.org.uk

News This year’s festival kicks off on 19 June in Basingstoke’s town centre with a community parade filled with colour, costumes, dance and music.

The 24 day family friendly programme of entertainment running across the borough until 12 July then continues with everything from comedy, music or dance to art, busking and craft exhibitions, street performers and workshops creating an energetic mix of quality events for all ages.

Kids can enjoy Pongo’s Party at The Haymarket Theatre, the Overton Scarecrow Festival and a dinosaur clay workshop at The Willis Museum. For Mums and Dads there is Friday Night Jazz at The Tea Bar, Elvis Costello and Russell Watson at The Anvil, a summer performance of Shakespeare’s ‘As You Like it’ at The Walled Garden, a Cheese and Chilli Festival in War Memorial Park or the finale event, Basingstoke Live. When you add all this to weekend street entertainment, activities and artwork throughout Basingstoke town centre, there really is something for everyone!

Now in its fourth year, the festival is run by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. For more information on all Basingstoke Festival events including details of ticket prices, times and locations see www.basingstokefestival.co.uk.

THE OLIVIER AWARD NOMINATED SHOW FROM THE COMPANY THAT BROUGHT YOU THE GRUFFALO

Based on the best-selling book by

Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler

L ive on Stage

HHHH Sunday Times

HHHH Sunday Express

HHHH Time Out

TH E FA PE TR M RF EA ILY EC T T

Basingstoke Festival 2015

FRI 5 – SUN 7 JUNE THE HAYMARKET

01256 844244 anvilarts.org.uk

A Great Family Day Out!

& THE

OATES COLLECTIONS

Liphook Theatre Club – new after school club Liphook Theatre Club will be running a new, weekly after school club for 5-11 year olds which will offer a unique opportunity for children to be involved in all aspects of putting on a show. This will include helping with props, scenery and costumes, as well as developing skills and building confidence in singing, dancing and acting.

Liphook Theatre Club is led by Vanessa K Breach, in association with The MAD Company, producers of Liphook’s annual February pantomime. The after school club’s summer production will be “Hamelin Rats - The Musical”, with fun songs and witty verse that all ages can enjoy, performed to parents and friends on the last session of term.

The weekly club costs £6 per session (£72 per term, £60 for younger siblings) and runs during the summer term, on Monday evenings, from 4pm - 5.30pm at the Liphook Methodist Church Hall.

All are very welcome. Spaces are limited so please make contact now if you are interested. For booking details and more information please email LiphookTheatreClub@gmail.com or ring Vanessa on 01428 722813.

Advance booking also available for Liphook Theatre Club Summer School, “Roald Dahl’s Goldilocks & the Three Bears”.

From 10th to 14th August, 10am to 3.30pm, performance to parents 14th August. £80 for the week.

www.gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk Selborne . Hampshire . GU34 3JH

Foxlease Outdoor Activity Centre Birthday parties and day trips

Kayaking Canoeing High ropes Tunnels Climbing Archery Crate challenge

Zip wire Abseiling Fencing… …and many more!

Overnights and holidays

Camping and self-catering facilities available

Foxlease

Registered charity number 306016.

023 8028 2638 foxlease@girlguiding.org.uk www.foxlease.org.uk

www.familieshampshirenorth.co.uk 5

Parenting Mr Daddy Day Care – what’s it like being a stay at home dad?

John Adams is a stay at home dad and dad blogger. He is married with two young daughters. He’s also just written his first book ‘A modern father (…and dad blogger)’. Here he tells Families magazine what it’s like to be Mr Daddy Day Care.

I’m often asked what it’s like to be a stay at home dad. I like to think a mum would answer in exactly the same way. My life is busy and demanding. It’s also incredibly rewarding as I watch my children grow and develop knowing I’ve helped them along the way.

I have the two daughters. Helen is six and Elizabeth is two. Of course having daughters presents me with a few additional challenges as I have had to get used to dealing with girls’ haircare and, certainly with my eldest, had to talk about issues such as menstruation.

I may not be best qualified to deal with such things, but as a stay at home dad, I just have to get on and do it!

within the first few seconds that I am the one who looks after the kids and that my wife works full time. When I do this, it tends to get any awkwardness out of the way and I find I am treated appropriately. It’s when I don’t do this, I find things can go wrong and I get accused of “babysitting” my own kids (a comment I hear from time to time).

I became a stay at home dad in 2011. It happened for purely practical reasons. We’d had Helen in nursery full time for a short while and we no longer felt this was appropriate. I wasn’t particularly happy in my job and my wife had the better career prospects. It made sense for me to leave the rat race and stay at home and that’s what I’ve been doing ever since.

If I were to be totally honest, one of the biggest issues I have to deal with is isolation. Support networks and social networks for people with children, especially young children, are almost exclusively set up for mums.

I started a blog about my experiences in late 2012 called http:// dadbloguk.com. At first it was simply a hobby. Over time, and to my great surprise, more and more people started reading and commenting on the blog and so it has become a cottage industry I fit around my family and I eventually decided to write a book.

“I do the overwhelming majority of housework. Cooking is probably 50/50.

My wife works very long hours so I have to be hands on with housework.”

It’s called ‘A modern father (…and dad blogger)’. At 60 pages long it’s a very easy read and it’s been written in a style that you can dip in and out of as you please. It focuses on my experiences as a stay at home parent but I couldn’t resist writing just a little bit about being a dad blogger. It’s available from Amazon in both paperback (£2.75) and Kindle formats (99p).

For me personally, it’s possibly not the biggest issue. I’m reasonably confident and sociable and I have many friends who are mums and many who are dads. As a dad in my position, however, I think it definitely takes that bit longer until women feel comfortable and happy to approach and speak to you socially. I certainly know of other stay at home dads who have struggled with this.

“My wife does sometimes wish she were around more, but she will freely admit she is happy to let me run the household as she thinks I am better at it (...yes really!).”

In the past I have had some horrendous experiences. I once took Elizabeth to have some inoculations and the nurse started physically looking round the room before asking where my wife was. It was an odd question; is a man not capable of booking and accompanying his child to an appointment at the doctor’s surgery?

When it came to registering Elizabeth’s birth, my wife stayed at home and I took our new-born with me to the registrar’s office.

I appreciate the registrar probably meant this as a backhanded compliment, but she told me I was “brave” for going out on my own with my daughter. To her it may have been a compliment, to me it was actually quite offensive. It basically suggested I didn’t have the knowledge to look after her.

Having had a few similar experiences I learned a trick. Whenever I meet a healthcare, education or childcare professional, I tell them

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Tel: 01256 330147 editor@familieshampshirenorth.co.uk

Don’t forget Father’s Day on 21st June!

Childcare & Education NEW RELEASE from Farquhar’s Vocabulary Flash Cards – Vocabulary Opposites for 11+ Market leaders Farquhar’s Vocabulary Flash Cards have unveiled an additional set of Opposites, specifically written for the verbal reasoning element of the Durham University Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring (CEM) 11+ test.

VOCABULARY FLASH CARDS

11+ VERBAL REASONING VOCABULARY FLASH CARDS Expand your antonym and synonym knowledge

These new cards are designed to complement the existing sets, which encourage children to build up a solid bank of advanced vocabulary, synonyms, antonyms and compound words. Each card shows a target word with a child-friendly definition and a list of synonyms. The other side of the card shows its opposite.

Recommended by tutors for the verbal reasoning element of the Durham CEM test

This challenging vocabulary is crucial to meet the rigorous demands of the highly competitive test.

“It has become increasingly apparent that there is a need to focus more energy on mastering opposites,” says creator Mary Farquhar. “This new set of opposite flash cards answers the demand from tutors, teachers and parents.”

“Used in conjunction with the existing sets, including the established Opposites set which has proven very successful, this is the way forward to provide children with the extra challenge they need to help them tackle this tricky test with confidence, and boost results.”

For more information visit www.vocabularyflashcards.co.uk

www.vocabularyflashcards.co.uk

New development checks Parents are to get a complete picture of their child’s development at the age of two, as part of new reforms to help families. With over £2million pledged to support joined-up checks on education and health development, parents will now have a better picture of their child’s progress at this early stage. ‘No parent should be left in the dark about their child’s development,’ said Childcare Minister Sam Gyimah. ‘There should be an accessible check for all at the age of two, which is a pressure point where issues such as speech delay and behavioural problems begin to appear.’ Health Minister Dr Dan Poulter added, ‘we know it’s important to check children’s health and development when they are two, so that if extra support is needed it can be identified early. Integrated reviews and the huge increase in health visitors will lead to better outcomes for children and families.’ The Integrated Review, which will be implemented nationally from September 2015, will be available to children between 24 and 30 months old. Download your ‘What To Expect When’ guide from the Foundation Years website www.gov.uk/dfe.

Walk to School Week Yes, it’s that time of year again. This year’s Walk to School Week takes place 18-22 May, bringing together nearly one million schoolchildren, teachers and parents, and this year’s event promises to be the biggest and best yet! Walk to School Week is part of National Walking Month, which takes place throughout May. It also includes Walk to Work Week, so we parents don’t get out of it either!

This year, Walk to School Week is all about the health benefits of walking. During the week, Walk to School mascot Strider encourages pupils to take his 5-Day Walking Challenge – supported by their fantastic classroom-focused pack. Day 1 focuses on a healthy body, as daily exercise has numerous physical health benefits including helping to reduce the risk of childhood obesity and medical conditions such as cancer and heart disease. Day 2 is health and happiness, as regular walking helps to keep young minds healthy and alert ready for their arrival at school. Day 3 concentrates on healthy habits. An energetic walk at the start of the day encourages healthy eating habits such as having a nutritious breakfast every morning. Day 4 is healthy friends and family, as the walk to school is the perfect opportunity for some quality family time or a good chat with friends. And finally Day 5 is a healthy environment – walking means less pollution and cleaner air – a

benefit for everyone!

And it’s not just the health benefits. Walking to school can also save you money – as much as £400 a year!

There are plenty of fun ways to get involved. Download loads of puzzles, pledges and challenges from their website, and discover more ways of celebrating Walk to School Week. To keep in touch with everything that is going on make sure you sign up online at www.livingstreets.org.uk/walk-with-us/ walk-to-school/walk-to-school-week.

www.familieshampshirenorth.co.uk 7

Childcare & Education Development at Yateley Manor When Yateley Manor School first opened its doors in 1947 it was established on 15 acres of farmland. Housing sprang up around the site and in the 1960s the council compulsorily purchased half of the school’s land to build St Peter’s Junior School.

When St Peter’s and Yateley Infants merged two years ago to form Cranford Park School, Yateley Manor jumped at the opportunity to buy back land it had been forced to sell. Since then the two pieces of land have been amalgamated and the redevelopment of the St Peter’s buildings has gone on apace.

The purchase has given the school more space. A brand new state of the art Music School, with its own performance area and music technology suite, as well as a teaching classroom and individual music lesson and practice rooms will open in September. The redeveloped buildings will also provide new very spacious and light rooms for Art and DT and a new Modern Foreign Languages Department which includes a language laboratory.

Doubling the footprint has allowed the school to create more sports pitches and thereby increase the number of children regularly playing matches on Wednesday afternoons.

Even more excitingly it has allowed the development of a Woodland Learning Area where children can explore and learn in a safe outdoor setting. Teaching is based on the Forest School principle, an innovative approach which uses the outdoors as an inspirational educational environment. Groups explore nature in a hands-on approach and learning is childled as opposed to outcome-led. Woodland Learning has been shown to help build confidence, independence and self-esteem as well as giving children new life skills.

Children in the Nursery and Pre-Prep love their visits to the Woodland Learning Area whether it be searching for minibeasts, making mud pies, creating nature hats, swinging on the tyre swing or sitting on the logs around the campfire drinking hot chocolate and eating toasted marshmallows!

It’s gold for St Neot’s Pupils and staff at St Neot’s Preparatory school are delighted that their school has been awarded the Artsmark Gold award, which recognises achievement and excellence in arts and cultural provision. The news follows a successful debut in the Southern heat of the international JRock competition in Southampton recently, with the school winning 8 awards for their 8 minute entry which told the life story of Roald Dahl through dance and drama. On attaining the Artsmark Gold award, Deputy Head and Head of Art, Jo Cooke, commented ‘We are very lucky to have so many skilled and enthusiastic staff who encourage the children in Dance, Music, Drama and Art.’ Artsmark validator, Rob Nash, praised the school, remarking ‘My visit to St Neot’s was notable for the enthusiasm and excitement of the pupils when talking about their arts’ experiences and the evidence of vibrant and exciting work taking place in all key art forms. There is a strong vision for the arts coupled with a passionate belief in the importance of the arts as an entitlement for all pupils.’

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Tel: 01256 330147 editor@familieshampshirenorth.co.uk

Local Independent School Open Days Alton Convent Prep School, Anstey Lane, Alton Tel. 01420 82070 www.altonconvent.org.uk Taster day for Year 7 entry 2016: 14th May Open day: 16th May 10am to 1pm

St Nicholas’ School, Redfields Lane, Church Crookham Tel. 01252 850121 www.st-nicholas.hants.sch.uk Summer open evening: 14th May 6pm to 8pm

Lord Wandsworth College, Long Sutton, Hook Tel. 01256 862201 www.lordwandsworth.org Open morning: 9th May Contact the school to reserve your place.

St Nicholas’ School Church Crookham educates girls from 3-16 years and boys from 3-7 years and is consistently at the top of the GCSE league tables.

It is situated in an extensive rural campus with superb facilities for science, sport, art, music and the performing arts. The school runs an optional extended day from 8am to 6pm with an exciting co-curricular programme.

School buses run from Farnham, Basingstoke, Fleet, Alton, and Farnborough areas.

Rookwood School – Paddock Prep, Weyhill Rd, Andover Tel. 01264 325912 www.rookwood.hants.sch.uk Open day: 7th May 9.30am to 12.30pm

Treloar School, Holybourne, Alton Tel. 01420 547425 www.treloar.org.uk Open day: 14th May 10am to 2.30pm & 17th June 1.30pm to 4pm

Churcher’s College Junior School, Midhurst Rd, Liphook Tel. 01730 236870 www.churcherscollege.com Open day: 16th May 9.30am to 1pm Churcher’s College Senior School, Ramshill, Petersfield Tel. 01730 263033 www.churcherscollege.com Annual summer open day: 27th June 10am to 2pm

Sparsholt College, Westley Lane, Sparsholt Tel. 01962 776441 www.sparsholt.ac.uk Course information open evening: 25th June 4pm to 7pm

St Neot’s School, Eversley, Hook 0118 9739650 www.st-neots-prep.co.uk Open day: 8th May 9.30am to 11.30am • Outstanding Early Years ISI Inspection • Outdoor Learning zone with Forest school and Challenge activity stations • Small class sizes with classroom assistants up to Year 4 • Strong pupil, parent and staff community • Proven academic success • Co–educational, 3 months to 13 years • Day school with boarding options

Providing education, care, therapy, medical support & independence training to young people with physical disabilities.

You must pre-book your visit by calling the school or using online booking system.

Yateley Manor, Reading Rd, Yateley Tel. 01252 405500 www.yateleymanor.com Contact the school to make an appointment to visit outside of regular open days • Co-educational day school 3 -13 years • Excellent academic results • Woodland Learning Area • Inspirational teaching in superb facilities • New Creative & Performing Arts building opening September 2015 • New Modern Languages suite opening September 2015 • National leader in chess and sport • Safe, vibrant, stimulating environment • Inclusive fee structure • Scholarships and bursaries • Coaches from Camberley, Farnborough, Fleet, Odiham and Hook • Work-friendly hours (8.00am6.30pm) • 49 weeks’ care for younger children

Birthday Parties Planning a birthday party? The next few pages might help a little…

How to survive a sleepover party!

Love them or hate them, you will be asked at some point to host a sleepover. Sarah Butters looks at how best to survive them and how to avoid repeating the experience in the future.

LATE DROP, EARLY COLLECT

KEEP IT SIMPLE

The thought of a sleepover is bearable if you know there is an end to it all. Make it clear at the point of invite when your hospitality begins and ends. I’ve found a late afternoon drop – coinciding with teatime – is best with a pick up between 9 and 10am. This means your exhausted guests, now also suffering from an additive hangover, can have their post sleepover meltdown in the comfort of their own home. You are then left with a full day to scrape melted chocolate and squashed Haribo from your beige carpet.

Think camping indoors and you’ve got the perfect sleepover. One of my daughter’s favourite nights away from home saw seven children sleeping top to toe, in sleeping bags on the bedroom floor of their friend. Not a king size Aerobed in sight. We’ve invested in our new favourite wearable sleeping bag, the SLPY for sleepover invites. Get yours at www.slpy.com.

HAVE A PLAN Don’t imagine that five 8 year olds will be able to occupy themselves without incident. They won’t. Well they will, but rest assured it will end in a lot of tired tears. Follow teatime with a fun activity – karaoke, Wii fun or a board game – before a DVD to take you through until bedtime. I have heard reports of parents putting their children through 100 bounces on the garden trampoline prior to heading upstairs to maximize exhaustion but you may feel that’s a step too far.

PREPARE FOR LATE NIGHT LEAVERS There’s a pretty high chance that one of your guests will want to leave. The reality of a night spent away from home can be a little too much for some children. Be warned, homesickness is catching and once one begins to wobble, you could find your other guests follow. Make sure you have the parents contact details for all your guests if you do need to make a late night collection call.

ADMIT DEFEAT You aren’t going to be able to stay up late enough to check your guests are all asleep.

Their very purpose is to out ‘stay up’ the adults in the house so in many ways, reminding them you are still awake only makes for a later bedtime. Lay out the ground rules when you say your final (ish) goodnight and leave them to it. Some will fall asleep, some will chat and only in the very worst case scenario will they raid your sweet cupboards in the early hours to replenish their sleep starved bodies. Removal of electrical devices is a good move – especially with ‘tweenage’ girls – as the cyber world can be an inviting but frightening place in the small hours of the morning.

KEEP YOUR DIARY CLEAR Plan nothing for the following day. You will have slept like a meerkat balancing on a branch. Your child will have crashed late and woken with the lark. In short, your family is fit for nothing and planning even the most straight forward activity is doomed to failure. Then, as night falls, raise a glass to the fact you survived your first sleepover. Like childbirth, you’ll need some time to forget the pain before you do it all again!

Planning a party on a budget? Here are a few tips!

Tip 1 - Share your party You’ll halve the cost at least and the more the merrier – however, beware of parties with flocks of children as they can be impersonal and a little unruly.

Tip 2 - Avoid expensive party bags - use brown paper bags or even sandwich bags - have the cake as the sweet treat in your party bag - do away with party bags altogether and have simple, inexpensive gifts instead ie, packs of books from www. thebookpeople.co.uk can cost less than £1 each Tip 3 - Simplify your party menu Put a couple of large frozen pizza in the oven - kids love pizza! For drinks do jugs of squash rather than individual juices. Do jelly & ice cream instead of biscuits and fairy cakes.

Tip 4 - Get creative with your party entertainment It’s much more fun (although hard work) to do it yourself rather than hiring an entertainer. Try some of these traditional games eg, pass the parcel with forfeits, musical statues, musical bumps etc. Or how about painting a plant pot?

This doubles as an activity and a going home gift and you could add seeds like sunflowers or cress.

Tip 5 – Do your venue research If you don’t have space to have the party at home, and hiring a venue is necessary, then check out your local community centre.

Many offer discounted rates on room hire to members of the community association so it might be worth signing up.

www.familieshampshirenorth.co.uk 9

Birthday Parties

Party Directory

Our pick of selected party venues, entertainers & suppliers in the Hampshire North area. See our website for a slightly longer list… www.familieshampshirenorth.co.uk/directory/childrensbirthdayparties

Venues with facilities to hire

Alton Community Centre Alton Community Centre is the perfect venue for any kind of celebration. Please call 01420 85057 and speak to our friendly staff who will ensure that your event runs smoothly. There is no extra charge for room set up or extra resources. We have a PA system, disco lights, glitter ball and can offer catering packages from our in house café or you can bring your own food. We can also provide a fully staffed licensed bar all included in your room hire. www.altoncommunitycentre. org.uk

Cliddesden Millennium Hall 01256 461034 www.cliddesden-hall@ hampshire.org.uk

Elizabeth Hall - Hook

01256 760442 www.hookvillagehalls.org.uk

Greatham Village Hall

01420 538310 www.greathamvillagehall.co.uk

Hatch Warren Community Centre 01256 811262 www.hatchwarren.org

Holybourne Village Hall 01420 549074 www.holybourne.com

Old Basing Village Hall 01256 477637 www.oldbasing.gov.uk

Overton Community Centre 01256 770061

Sherfield Park Community Centre 01256 883967 www.sherfieldparkcommunity. co.uk

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Sherborne St John Village Hall

Entertainers Cookery Doodle Doo

www.ssjvillage.org

The Gill Nethercott Centre 01256 896270 www.gillnethercottcentre.org.uk

Basingstoke Aquadrome

Zebon Copse Community Centre The Zebon Copse Centre located in Church Crookham offers bright, modern hall facilities ideal for children’s birthday parties. The Centre is located in an attractive setting adjacent to playing fields and children’s play areas and offers two halls available for hire by the hour after school and throughout weekends. Included within the hire is access to a fully equipped kitchen, chairs/ tables and plenty of on-site parking. AV facilities are also available for hire. For booking enquiries call: 01252 615003. www.zeboncopsecentre. org.uk

Venues for organised parties Asomo Crafts

Amazing creative space available for children’s parties. Lots of projects to choose from - hats, masks, paper crafts, fabric painting and much more. All you need to do is bring the food!

Exclusive use of premises available Friday or Saturday afternoons.

Call 01252 844210 for more information. www.asomocrafts.co.uk

Tel: 01256 330147 editor@familieshampshirenorth.co.uk

Wet & wild parties from £9.50 per person. Our party hosts will supervise and organise your party for children aged 8 years and above who can swim at a reasonable level.

A meal and goody bag is included for each child. www.basingstokeleisure. com/aquadrome

Basingstoke Sports Centre

Various sports related and soft play party options.

01256 326331 www.sportscentre.org.uk

Finkley Down Farm

Activity farm with two party options, both involving the animals!

01264 324141 www.finkleydownfarm.co.uk

Fun House

Soft play centre hosting children’s parties.

01256 471066 www.funhousebasingstoke.co.uk

Newlyns Farm

Young chefs cooking party with a difference!

01256 704128 www.newlyns-farmshop.co.uk

Planet Ice

Skating session plus party tea - you can add on extras if you want more.

01256 355266 www.planet-ice.co.uk

Playdays

Soft play centre hosting children’s parties.

01256 346173 www.playdays-basingstoke.co.uk

Cooking and food craft parties. Provides all equipment, ingredients and aprons; can also provide party bags if required.

07473 958402 www.cookerydoodledoo.com/ northhants

diddi dance

Winchester, Alton, Cranleigh & surrounding diddi dance parties are held at your choice of location; they will enjoy an hour of great activities including dancing games, action songs, hoops, ribbons, bubbles, balloons and lots of fun! Our parties offer fantastic, fun and affordable entertainment ensuring your little one’s party is the talk of the tots! We offer various time lengths depending on guest’s ages. For more info contact Emma on 07850 312528 or emma.phillips@ diddidance.com. www.diddidance.com

Monkey Music

Singing, dancing and musical party games.

01252 501910 www.monkeymusic.co.uk

Party Workshop

Everything you need for any kind of party.

01256 329414 www.partyworkshop.co.uk

Rainbow Cakes

Small bespoke celebration and wedding cake company.

01256 880166 www.rainbowcakes.biz

Birthday Parties

Party Problems – SOLVED Planning a party? Need some advice?

Sarah Butters takes a look at the very latest party problems posed by parents and gives you some top tips on avoiding serving a can of worms at your child’s next celebration.

Exciting forest activities for all ages.

Magic forest in a box, Forest survival, Wild Learning Holiday Club plus A Midsummer Night’s Dream on 19 June and more!

Booking essential call 0300 067 4448 forestry.gov.uk/aliceholt Alice Holt Forest

CAN YOU….say no to siblings?

Most of us wouldn’t dream of turning up to a party uninvited. Yet some parents feel it acceptable to bring along a string of siblings and presume they too are welcome.

“They won’t eat. In fact you won’t even know they’re here,” cry the parents as they sprint out of the door, while said siblings begin pilfering from the pre prepared party bags. The point is if you’ve budgeted for 20 and catered for 20, you’re ready for 20 children – not 25. Very often entertainers insist on a maximum number and siblings can tip you over the limit, and in turn, tip you over the edge. Prevent the problem at the point of invite and make the sibling rule clear. A simple ‘Sorry, no room for siblings!’ means there’s no question. I find the addition of an exclamation mark makes the comment seem less mean.

CAN YOU…..exclude individual children?

This is a tough one because as a general rule, you should stick to one of three party invite rules.

- Invite the whole class – this is perfect for Reception age children.

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09/03/2015 11:14

GET READY FOR A FUN PACKED

SCHOOL HOLIDAY

- Invite all the girls or all the boys – this becomes popular as children head into KS2 and the opposite sex become toxic.

22ND – 31ST MAY

- Invite a few close friends – this works when you’re keeping the budget down or as you head towards the end of primary school.

Stepping Stones rs Water Walke le b ta a fl In Giant Mats & Balls Jelly Babies

However there are exceptions. If your child is the victim of a classroom bully, you’ve grounds to exclude that individual. This is YOUR child’s special day and they’re entitled to enjoy it without fear. Excluding problematic children is more difficult if your child wants to invite them. Instead, it’s best to ask the parents of said child to stick around to offer a helping hand.

BRAND G NEW CHAITNIEGSIN FACIL Y AT TADLE POOL!

CAN YOU…..fine a parent for a ‘no show’?

There is nothing more irritating than the parent who confirms their child will be joining the party, only for them to leave an empty chair at the birthday table. The tale of the mum who billed a parent after they failed to show up to her son’s skiing party certainly made party no shows THE talk of the playground. Was she right to have sent the invoice? The reality is there will always be ill-mannered individuals who chose to accept an invite, and go on to make other plans without letting you know. In a world of text messages and emails, a ‘no warning-no show’ is simply unacceptable. But it’s also inevitable at some point in your party-throwing life. Invoicing a parent may make the headlines and also make you feel better for a while, but it’s likely to alienate your child and make YOU the subject of ridicule at the school gates. Our advice is to make a point of asking what happened to those no shows when you next bump into the parent. In my experience you maximize the embarrassment the more parents there are to witness it.

summer...

we

WAVE RARVTEY POOL PA EVERY FRIDAY

PLUS MUCH MORE!

at BASINGSTOKE AQUADROME and TADLEY SWIMMING POOL FREE

TO FIND OUT MORE, CONTACT PARKING YOUR LOCAL CENTRE OR VISIT: www.basingstokeleisure.com Basingstoke Aquadrome

Tadley Swimming Pool

Tel: 01256 472 343

Tel: 0118 981 7818

Worting Road, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG22 6PG

New Road, Tadley, Hampshire RG26 3LA

SHARE WITH FRIENDS

Do you have any clever solutions for other common party problems? Email editor@familieshampshirenorth.co.uk and we’ll share them on our Facebook page.

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Holiday News Summer in Morzine Morzine, just on the French side of the Swiss French border and south of Lake Geneva, offers families a special experience.

From walking to local mountain villages and tasting their local cheeses to a day out in a hot-air balloon or white-water rafting, Morzine has it all.

To experience the area at its best, call Paul and Francesca Eyre at Chilly Powder. Choose a self-catered chalet (with optional chef) – or join the Chilly Powder party next door at ‘Au Coin du Feu’ for dinners that you usually only dream of. With drinks in the bar – or in the Jacuzzi on the terrace – early evening meals for the children and a daytime crèche for little ones not quite so active as you, Paul and Francesca will make you wish that this was home! www.chillypowder.com

Super Camps Holiday Childcare An exciting new programme is in place for 2015 featuring more than 40 sports, arts and crafts for children aged 4 to 14.

Book your children into camps at the following venues for either May half term or the summer holidays:

Great value family fun at Basingstoke Aquadrome & Tadley Pool Have you checked out your local leisure centre for things to do this May half term? If not, then check out what’s happening at the Basingstoke Aquadrome and Tadley Pool right now. There is something for everyone from toddlers to teenagers and parents of course.

The Aquadrome starts off the holiday period with their regular Friday evening Wave Rave Pool Party from 6pm to 8pm with a live DJ playing all the latest and classic party tunes. To jump the queue, you can book online up to 8 days in advance. The Aquadrome also has three of the biggest flumes in the region for those that like a thrill: Space Bowl, Master Blaster, and Yellow Peril. For the smaller ones, there are water features, a spa pool and the baby beach. We also have Water Walkerz and Stepping Stones just for the holiday period. To make it a full fun day out, there’s a café that serves hot and cold food and beverages so that you don’t have to worry about finding somewhere to eat.

Tadley Pool has a great programme too with family fun sessions with floats and a giant inflatable, a Wave Rave of its own and mats and balls sessions. Toddlers can also splash around during the Jelly Babies sessions. With a brand new changing village to enhance the site, Tadley is a welcoming place to spend time with your family.

Rookwood School, Weyhill Road, Andover, SP10 3AL

Both centres have free parking as well to make your visit convenient.

20th July to 27th August

www.basingstokeleisure.com/aquadrome

Sherfield School, Sherfield-on-Loddon, Hook, RG27 0HU 26th to 29th May 6th July to 4th September Contact 01235 467300 for more information or see their website for details. www.supercamps.co.uk

Book Review The Countryside Book, by Tessa Wardley Reviewed by Sara Dawson, Editor ‘101 ways to play, watch wildlife, be creative and have adventures in the country’. This book is written with the aim of encouraging people to enjoy the British countryside, and does so in a very straightforward way. Similar books can often feel overwhelming with the amount of detail and facts, but this book gives simple ideas of what to do, the best places for doing them, and some useful information which may be of interest. It focuses a great deal on ‘every day’ ideas which can be enjoyed almost spontaneously, like cloud watching, gate spotting and kite flying, and not just things you have to plan more in advance. Each section contains safety tips and warnings, as well as reminders about countryside etiquette. A beautiful book, with lovely photographs, which I can see being of great use throughout the whole year and not just in warmer months, but especially with the May half term and summer holiday seasons around the corner.

The Countryside Book is out in paperback now.

12

Tel: 01256 330147 editor@familieshampshirenorth.co.uk

Family Fun with Wild at White’s African Safari Follow in the footsteps of Victorian Explorer Frank Oates this half term with an “African Safari” for the whole family to enjoy at Gilbert White & The Oates Collections in Selborne. Set out on your very own adventure, hunting for the now extinct Quagga in our 30 acres of historic garden and parkland from Saturday 23rd to Sunday 31st May. Quaggas were a sub-species of plain zebra which lived across South Africa during the period Frank Oates, (uncle of the famous Captain Lawrence Oates of the Scott Antarctic Expedition,) began his travels in Africa. Over 140 years ago he set out from England to follow his hero David Livingstone and reach the largest waterfall in the world: Victoria Falls.

Take time to enjoy lunches and tea-time treats in our awardwinning Tea Parlour, before discovering more about Frank Oates and his African adventures in our dedicated gallery, with lots of fun safari themed activities to do.

The Wild at White’s African Safari trail will run half term week, during our normal opening hours. Free parking is available in the village car park behind the Selborne Arms. Everything is included within our usual admission price, providing you with access to the beautiful gardens, as well as the museum and its three tales of discovery, science and adventure. For more information visit www.gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk.

WHat’s ON Half term May Half Term at Manydown Family Fun Scrapps Hill Farm, 550 Worting Road, Basingstoke, RG23 8PU 23rd to 31st May Through the whole of half term the ‘Fun Field’ will be open to enjoy all the activities on offer including: inflatable fun, the all new crazy golf area, adventure play, animals on the farm, woodland walk, under 3s area and loads more.

Not forgetting animal handling, where children can come and hold rabbits and chicks. 10am to 4pm. Adults £9, children 2 yrs & over £8.50, family (2+2) £32.

See website for further online discounts. www.manydownfamilyfun.co.uk

Wild Learning Holiday Club 27th & 28th May From the secret camp deep in the woods venture out to try den building, fire making, mud sculptures, tree climbing, stream dipping and more. For ages 5 years+. 10.15am to 4pm. £37.50 per day. See www.wild-learning. net for more info.

Forest Survival Day 30th May Do you know anything about surviving in the woods? Learn the skills like Ray Mears and Bear Grylls. Join Nigel for some serious fun. Bring your own packed lunch and an adult. 10am to 3pm. £15 per child.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream 19th June A family friendly version of this play with a magical forest, star-crossed lovers and playful fairies! 6.30pm.

Adults £14, children £10, family £42. Tickets & info from Farnham Maltings on 01252 745444 or www.farnhammaltings.com.

Booking is essential for all activities at Alice Holt. Call 01420 23666 or see www. forestry.gov.uk/aliceholt.

Wild at White’s African Safari Gilbert White’s House, High Street, Selborne, Alton, GU34 3JH 23rd to 31st May Become an African Explorer like Frank Oates and hunt for the elusive Quagga in 30 acres of garden and parkland. Half term trail and quiz and plenty of family fun. Normal admission charges apply. www.gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk

Activities at Alice Holt Forest Bucks Horn Oak, Farnham, GU10 4LS Magic Forest in a Box 26th May The woodland world in miniature comes to life. Create your own little forest that continues to grow at home. For ages 6yrs+. 10.30am to 12 noon. £6 per child.

Peppa Pig at The Watercress Line Mid Hants Railway Ltd, The Railway Station, Alresford, SO24 9JG 26th to 29th May It’s going to be a really exciting day out! Come and meet Peppa Pig who will be making personal appearances at various intervals on each day at Alresford station!

Then you can do some of Peppa’s colouring, watch her DVD show and have your face painted. After you’ve seen the cheeky little piggy you can visit the petting farm at Ropley station to tickle the piglets tummies and enjoy the piggy washing too! Then you can do some piggy crafts and find out who is riding on the model train!

And it’s excellent value too! Ride the BIG steam trains as many times as you like on the day of

We take every care preparing these entries but please check websites in case details have changed.

your visit! Find out more and book your tickets in advance at www. watercressline.co.uk or simply pay on the day.

Tudor Crafts The Vyne, Vyne Road, Sherborne St John, Basingstoke, RG24 9HL 26th to 29th May Celebrate Tudor Month this May half term and bring the family along for some Tudor themed fun.

12pm to 3pm. £2 per child, plus normal admission charges apply. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/vyne

Still Life Photography Allen Gallery, Church Street, Alton, GU34 2BW 26th May Work with a member of the Learning Team to explore some of their collections through photography. Bring your own camera and meet at the Allen Gallery. Suitable for ages 8-12 years. Pre-booking is essential.

1pm. £5 per child. www3.hants.gov.uk/allen-gallery

Ball Buddies - needle felting with Rebecca Anning Whitchurch Silk Mill, Whitchurch, RG28 7AL 30th May Come and join Rebecca for a children’s ‘Ball Buddies’ workshop, and using a basic shape create your own friend. Maximum class size is 10 children so booking is essential. 10.30am to 12.30pm. £15, to include all materials. www.whitchurchsilkmill.org.uk

Activities at The Lights West Street, Andover, SP10 1AH Dear Zoo 26th May A fun introduction to drama and storytelling with tutor Amanda.

For ages 2-5 years (older siblings welcome). 11am & 1pm. £5.

Into the Woods - Play in a Day 27th & 28th May This play in a day invites you Into the Woods and out of the woods and home before dark. Wear comfortable clothes and bring a packed lunch. For ages 6-12 years. 10am to 3pm. £16.50.

Windmills, Wind Chimes and Wind Socks 27th May Joint tutor Alex and come and

make beautiful things to hang in the garden and catch the breeze!

For ages 5-7 years, 10am to 12pm; for ages 7-11 years, 1pm to 3pm. £8.50.

Neverland 28th May Join in for this movement workshop with tutor Lauren as she whisks all you pirates and fairies to Neverland. Fancy dress is a must!

For ages 2-5 years (older siblings welcome). 1pm to 2pm. £5.

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt Play in a Day 28th May A great introduction to physical theatre, with tutor Amanda, bringing this classic story to life.

Wear comfortable clothes and bring a packed lunch and drink.

For ages 5-7 years. 10am to 3pm. £16.50. www.thelights.org.uk

Felt Making Willis Museum, Market Place, Basingstoke, RG21 7QD 28th May Join us for this fun family felt making workshop. Children must be accompanied. Booking in advance is required. 11am. £7 per child. www3.hants.gov.uk/willismuseum

Kids’ Drumming Workshop The Phoenix Theatre & Arts Centre, Barbados House, Station Road, Bordon, GU35 0LR 28th May Learn how to drum in a day! Work with a professional drummer to learn simple rhythms on a variety of drums, leading towards a short performance at the end of the session. For ages 7+. 10.30am to 2pm. £10. www.phoenixarts.co.uk

Monster Truck Animation Andover Museum, Andover, SP10 1DP 28th May Create a model of a First World War lorry then work with Broken Physics Productions to bring it to life with the power of stop motion animation. Suitable for ages 8-12 years. Pre-booking is essential.

10am. £10 per child. www3.hants.gov.uk/andovermuseum

www.familieshampshirenorth.co.uk 13

WHat’s ON Out & about

Events at Finkley Down Farm

Activities at the Hawk Conservancy Trust

Andover, SP11 6NF Superhero Weekend 13th & 14th June Dress up as your favourite Superhero, follow the Batman trail and find the clues to decipher the secret code for Batman and win yourself a prize. There will be several Superheroes visiting the farm this weekend for you to meet as well. Normal admission charges apply.

Andover, SP11 8DY 1960’s Revival Weekend 2nd to 4th May To celebrate our 50th anniversary there will be a weekend of special events around the park. Come along dressed in a FULL 1960’s outfit and receive 20% discount off normal admission prices.

Outdoor Theatre Production: Wind in the Willows 25th to 27th June Presenting Kenneth Grahame’s classic tale of Mole, Ratty, Badger and Toad. Come early and bring a picnic or enjoy a meal or drinks in Feathers. 7pm (doors open 6pm).

Adults £20, children £10, family (2+2) £55. www.hawk-conservancy.org

The Big Tree Climbing Company comes to The Vyne Vyne Road, Sherborne St John, Basingstoke, RG24 9HL 2nd & 29th May Two friendly instructors help all ages reach new heights in an oak tree deep in the woodland.

Suitable for ages 6 to 100! 11am to 4pm. £18.50. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/vyne

Events at Hollycombe - Steam in the Country Liphook, GU30 7LP Seasonal Opening Every Monday & Sunday from 1st May Working steam museum with traditional fairground. Hollycombe is now open for the 2015 season to mid-October. Revisit free of charge as many times as you like during a calendar year from date of first purchased entry. 11am to 5pm. Adults £14, children £10, family tickets available.

Magic Lantern Shows 3rd & 4th May Magic Lantern shows, the forerunner of film, will be shown in the Bioscope throughout the Sunday and Monday afternoons giving a taste of the very earliest type of cinema. Normal admission charges apply.

Steam in Miniature 9th & 10th May See members and friends of the West Surrey Model Traction Engine Club join in for the annual ‘Steam in Miniature’ weekend. Normal admission charges apply.

Explore and take part in Sparsholt College’s Countryside Day Sparsholt College, Sparsholt, Winchester, SO21 2NF 16th May Sparsholt College is renowned for its beautiful campus and top class facilities, both of which can be explored and enjoyed by all at the College’s showcase event, Countryside Day. From 9.30am until 5.00pm on Saturday 16 May 2015, the entire College will be open with a wealth of activities, displays and entertainment for the entire family to enjoy. Tickets will be available on the gate and online – for further information please see the website. www.sparsholt.ac.uk

Apple Arbour....

Performance by Hoodwink Basing House, The Street, Old Basing, Basingstoke, RG24 8AE 23rd to 24th May Hoodwink bring the secrets of the garden to life with fun interactive encounters for all ages to enjoy.

Bring a picnic, wander and enjoy.

11.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 3.30pm. Normal entry fees apply. www.basinghouse.org.uk

www.finkleydownfarm.co.uk

Old Basing Carnival The Recreation Ground, The Street, Old Basing, Basingstoke, RG24 7DA 20th June Come and join in an afternoon of fun, music, colourful children and community spirit with a Countries of The World theme. Carnival procession led by carnival prince and princess in horse drawn carriage followed by costumed community groups and marching band who will parade through the village to the recreation ground.

Arena events and attractions including: craft tent, vintage car display, steel band, Punch and Judy, ice cream, tea tent, bar, BBQ, Fun Fair, side shows and much more. From 1pm. Adults £1, accompanied children go free.

Chawton, Alton, GU34 1SJ 13th & 14th June The grounds of both Chawton House Library & Jane Austen’s House Museum will open as well as up to 10 other charming village gardens. You can also take a walk from Chawton to Farringdon – a walk that Jane is certainly to have taken on a regular basis. 1pm to 5pm. £5 per adult, accompanied children go free. www.chawton.info

Tel: 01256 330147 editor@familieshampshirenorth.co.uk

Busy Bees Craft Group Elizabeth Hall, Raven Road, Hook, RG27 9HH Ongoing, Fridays only Local pre-school children’s craft group run by parent volunteers.

Term time, Fridays only. 9.45am to 11.15am. £1.50 under 18 months; £3 over 18 months (each additional child is £1). www.hookvillagehalls.org.uk

Disco Tots Alton Community Centre, Amery Street, Alton, GU34 1HN Ongoing, Fridays only Parent and toddler group, running every Friday during term time.

9.30am to 11am. £2.50 per family. www.altoncommunitycentre. org.uk

80’s Party Night Disco The Lights, West Street, Andover, SP10 1AH 8th May Make it a night to remember with all the 80’s hits to get you up on your feet and dancing the night away. 7.30pm. £8. www.thelights.org.uk

Saturday Sewing The Phoenix Theatre & Arts Centre, Barbados House, Station Road, Bordon, GU35 0LR 9th to 30th May Build on existing skills and make a sewing project of your own choice in a relaxed atmosphere under our guidance. Limited sewing machines are available but if you have your own and it’s in good working order please bring it along. Includes coffee, tea and cake! To book email aliceandginny@googlemail.com.

10am to 1pm Saturdays only. £100 for 4 sessions. www.phoenixarts.co.uk

Activities at Basingstoke Discovery Centre

Walk in the footsteps of Jane Austen at Chawton Village Open Gardens

www.hollycombe.co.uk

14

Pirates Weekend 27th & 28th June Come dressed in Pirate costume and join in the swashbuckling fun.

There is Blackfoot the Pirate, a giant inflatable Galleon ship, Pirate magic shows, and a chance to win a prize by following the Pirate Treasure Trail. Normal admission charges apply.

Indoor Fun

Festival Place Shopping Centre, Basingstoke, RG21 7LS Saturday Activities for Children 9th May to 20th June Film, craft and board games. From 10am. See website for detailed schedule.

Unusual Plant Fair at White’s Gilbert White’s House, High Street, Selborne, Alton, GU34 3JH 20th & 21st June This annual plant fair is the perfect family day out for Father’s Day. With plenty to see and enjoy, especially good for the keen gardener. www.gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk

Miniprofessors 22nd June These classes are especially tailored for young scientists aged 2-4 years old. Adults are also expected to join in with the songs, experiments and stories, which are hands-on, interactive, educational and, most importantly, FUN! 1pm & 1.50pm. £6.

WHat’s ON Make a Woolly Creature 27th June Come and make a woolly creature.

Have a go at crochet. All materials provided. Different techniques will be carefully explained and demonstrated in this activity for children of all ages and abilities.

10.30am to 12.30pm. £7. www.hants.gov.uk/bsdc

Pre-school Storytelling Workshops 14th May Andover Museum, Andover, SP10 1DP – 10.30am Allen Gallery, Church Street, Alton, GU34 2BW – 1.30pm Bring your little ones along to see Treehouse Theatre retelling the story of the Gingerbread man! Limited space, pre-booking recommended. 1.30pm. £5 per child. www3.hants.gov.uk/museum

Disco Skate The Harlington, Fleet Road, Fleet, GU51 4BY 15th May & 12th June DISCO SKATE bring you family roller disco nights once a month.

6pm to 9.30pm. £6 per person inc. skate hire. www.discoskate.co.uk

Family Activity Afternoon – It’s a Wonderful World!

St Philip and St James Church, Kings Road, Fleet, GU51 3AR 16th May Themed Games, Craft & Afternoon Tea. 2pm to 4pm. For more details contact our parish office, office@ parishoffleet.org.uk or 01252 812114. www.parishoffleet.org.uk

Made for Walking Curtis Museum, High Street, Alton, GU34 1BA 16th May Join as we celebrate Alton’s Walking Festival by exploring shoes from our collections. Free drop-in family activity - donations welcome. 11am to 1pm. www3.hants.gov.uk/curtis

13th June to 27th September Discover some of the earliest dinosaur hunters, and marvel at some of the creatures living in our seas 190 million years ago before encountering five life-size animatronic dinosaurs. You can even book on to the fossil dig to unearth finds of your own. Normal admission charges apply. Tue to Sun. www3.hants.gov.uk/milestones

Performances The Anvil Churchill Way, Basingstoke, RG21 7QR Hampshire County Youth & Youth String Orchestras 2nd May, 7.30pm 28th June, 4pm Come and celebrate with the best and most talented of Hampshire’s young musicians. Youthful exuberance matched with strong commitment and a real desire to perform will make for a memorable and unforgettable performance.

From £13.

Basingstoke Area Youth Orchestra 9th May, 7pm Eight of the Basingstoke Area Youth Ensembles and choirs from several local schools, featuring over 300 of the area’s most talented instrumentalists and singers, present a showcase performance for all the family.

From £9.

Basingstoke Primary Schools – Yanomamo 23rd to 24th June, 7pm With a massed choir, children’s orchestra and dancers from primary schools in and around Basingstoke, Yanomamo, written

by Peter Rose and Anne Conlon, is a colourful and exciting performance celebrating the rich yet controversial life of the Rainforest. £11. www.anvilarts.org.uk

The Haymarket Wote Street, Basingstoke, RG21 7NW How the Koala Learnt to Hug 3rd May, 2.30pm Koalas are the cuddliest critters but just how did they learn to hug?

There’s only one way to find out, so come and hear Karen the Koala tell her story in this family musical, written especially for parents to enjoy with their children. £10.

Sister Act 12th to 16th May, 7.30pm 16th May, 2.30pm

Dinosaur Hunters at Milestones Museum Churchill Way, Basingstoke, RG22 6PG

Based on the film starring Whoopi Goldberg and Maggie Smith, Sister Act is the zany, joyful musical comedy in which two very different worlds collide! £22.50.

Nearly New Sales

Room on the Broom 5th June, 1.30pm 6th & 7th June, 10.30am & 1.30pm How the cat purred and how the witch grinned as they sat on their broomstick and flew through the wind. Songs, laughs and scary fun for children aged 3 and up (and their grown-ups!). £12.50.

Cinderella 19th June, 7.30pm The award-winning Ballet Cymru presents a sparkling and refreshing ballet based on the eternal fairy tale. Adults £17, under 16s £15.

Bramley School - Edith’s Wartime Scrapbook 1st July, 6.30pm Year 6 pupils at Bramley Primary School present a rousing school musical that educates and entertains. Learn how families and communities cared for and supported each other during the war, and triumphed in the face of adversity. £8. www.anvilarts.org.uk

The Phoenix Theatre & Arts Centre Station Road, Bordon, GU35 0LR Afternoon film: Paddington 2nd June, 2.30pm A young Peruvian bear with a passion for all things British travels to London in search of a home. £5. www.phoenixarts.co.uk

The Lights West Street, Andover, SP10 1AH Arabian Nights 9th May, 11am A world of mysterious marvels retold with music, puppetry and theatrical magic. By Story Pocket Theatre. £6.50. www.thelights.org.uk

The Harlington Fleet Road, Fleet, GU51 4BY Comedy Club 4 Kids 20th June, 2pm Recommended for children ages 6+, although younger may attend and thoroughly enjoy! This 60 minute show features the best comedians on the UK circuit, giving children the feel of a real comedy club - just without the rude bits!

Tickets £7; family (2+2) £25. www.theharlington.co.uk

Bordon Sunday 10th May Lindford Village Hall, 35 Sycamore Road, Lindford, GU35 0RD. 10am to 12pm. Contact tracyh@ babyandchildrensmarket.co.uk.

Basingstoke Saturday 23rd May Aldworth School, Western Way, Basingstoke, RG22 6HA. 2pm to 4pm.

Contact tom@babyandchildrensmarket. co.uk Alton Sunday 7th June Wessex Arts Centre, Old Odiham Road, Alton, GU34 2LX. 10am to 12pm. Contact tracyh@ babyandchildrensmarket.co.uk.

Tadley Saturday 13th June The Hurst Leisure Centre, Brimpton, Baughurst, Tadley, RG26 5NL. 2pm to 3.30pm.

Contact tom@babyandchildrensmarket. co.uk www.babyandchildrensmarkets.co.uk

Alton Sunday 10th May Assembly Rooms, High Street, Alton, GU34 1BA. 2pm to 4pm.

Contact info@aineesbazaar.co.uk Basingstoke Saturday 20th June Chineham Village Hall, Thornhill Way, Chineham, RG24 8YE. 1.30pm to 3.30pm.

Contact info@aineesbazaar.co.uk

Fleet Saturday 9th May Court Moor School, Spring Woods, Fleet, GU52 7RY. 10.15am to 11.30am. www.nct.org.uk

Craft Markets Proteus Vintage Market Sunday 10th May

Proteus Creation Space, Council Road, Basingstoke, RG21 3DH A Handmade, Vintage & Artisan Market presented by VJ Vintage. Browse vintage & handmade craft stalls for timeless treasures and funky finds.

Enjoy live music and entertainment, as well as activities & crafts for children.

11am to 4pm. £1. www.proteustheatre.com Ainee’s Bazaar - Arts & Craft Market Saturday 16th May Chineham Village Hall, Thornhill Way, Chineham, RG24 8YE A fabulous collection of local businesses, crafters and artisans, selling a unique range of products you won’t find on the high street. 1.30pm to 3.30pm. Adults £1, under 16s free. www.aineesbazaar.co.uk

www.familieshampshirenorth.co.uk 15

Countryside Day 16 MAY 2015 9.30am - 5pm amily Fabulous f e s country id day out!

15% Early bird discount - Buy tickets online now!

01962 776 441

sparsholt.ac.uk