Families North London Issue 97 July - August 2012

Issue 97 July/August 2012

www.familiesnorth.co.uk

North London

Summer fun!

Summer Clubs Fun in the Sun Out and About

Covering the boroughs of Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Hackney, Haringey, Islington and Westminster

Danny Grant Soccer School

Drama Dance Singing Summer Holiday Courses in NW3

Star in exciting, dance shows, musicals & plays!

Plus Saturday morning Street Dance, Drama and Drama Exam Classes in Hampstead. Specialised, fun-based, classes for ages 3-4, 5-6, 7-11 & 12-14 yrs.

020 8446 0891

info@dramarama.co.uk www.dramarama.co.uk

Summer Holiday Football Courses in NW3

PLUS: Exciting football parties for 5-11’s.

We are now recruiting 7-11 year olds to join our training sessions for matches with our teams in Hampstead, Finchley, Highgate, Belsize Park, Mill Hill & Hampstead Garden Suburb.

Call for more details!

020 8446 0891

info@dgsoccer.co.uk www.dgsoccer.co.uk

Individual tutoring and assessments available 5-18yrs children, including children with special educational needs.

Preparation for 11+ state selective and independent secondary school entrance examinations.

Katie Krais

P.G.C.E., Cert. Spld.

Lorrae Jaderberg Cert.Ed., Cert. Spld.

Tel: 07956 111728

www.jaderbergkrais.co.uk

Contents Issue 97 | July/Aug 2012 | Families North London

This Issue 7

Great Announcements, little Change

8

Stay ahead of the 11+ Changes

9

Grandparent of the Year

9

10

13

10 Savvy Saving 10 Launch of Flash-sale Site, Casabu

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22

12 Childcare Vouchers 13 Summer Camps 18 Fun in the Sun

Regular Features 4

News

6

Health

22

Summer Stings and other Things

20 Ed’s Reading Room 21 Out and About

Families North London Magazine 120 Brent Street, Hendon NW4 2DT For all advertising enquiries contact Tel 020 8202 2034 editor@familiesnorth.co.uk Web manager: Listings: Design: Print: Next Issue: Focusing on:

melanie@familiesnorth.co.uk Contact Kathy Brown on listings@familiesnorth.co.uk Positive2 Bishops Printers Issue 98 Sept/Oct 2012 Back to School

Families North London Ltd cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited submissions, manuscripts and photographs. While every care is taken, details are subject to change and Families North London take no responsibility for omissions or errors. We reserve the right to publish and edit any material. All rights reserved.

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Welcome to our Summer Fun issue. Filled with great days out and places to go, we have sourced the best day camps and classes in North London for you to try. So whether you are staying put in good old England or venturing further afield I wish you a fun-filled summer packed with memorable moments to treasure for years to come! Have a great summer.

See you in September.

Sharon Editor

www.familiesnorth.co.uk

3

news

News who why where

Got some news for us?

If you are a North London based group or organisation whose services or products are for families of young children, we’d love to hear from you. Send press releases and pictures to: editor@familiesnorth.co.uk

NEW CHILDREN’S BOOKSHOP OPENING IN CROUCH END 7TH JULY, 2012 Always advocates of independent bookshops, Families North are delighted to say that Pickled Pepper Books will provide a familyfriendly space for everyone to enjoy.

The shop will stock a wide range of classic and new titles for children and young adults.

There will be a café and events programme with weekly storytelling, make and do, and toddler music groups as well as filmscreenings and author/illustrator events.

The knowledgeable staff will be on hand to make great recommendations and provide resources to nurseries and schools.

So if you like books – heaven awaits here!

10 Middle Lane, Crouch End, N8 8PL info@pickledpepperbooks.co.uk

ANGELINA BALLERINA THE MOUSICAL A brand new musical featuring the dancing mouse is touring the UK this summer and will be at the London Hackney Empire from 14th16th September. Tickets from £12.50.

THE JEWISH MUSEUM The Museum is offering a whole host of activities and workshops over the summer from hidden walks to film making. There is something for everyone here! Go take a look.

Box Office 020 8985 2424. www.hackneyempire.co.uk

Raymond Burton House, 129-131 Albert Street, Camden Town, London NW1 7NB www.jewishmuseum.org.uk

ENJOY A BALL Enjoy a Ball is delighted to introduce Physi-ball for all under-3’s in addition to their multi-sports coaching programme for children aged 3-7yrs. Running in Mill Hill, Finchley, Hampstead Garden Suburb, kids have fun learning 10 different ball sports. For more information contact Nicole on: 08452 262694 or visit www. enjoy-a-ball.com.

Dates for Summer Camps: Week 1 – Monday, 23rd July to Friday, 27th July.

Week 2 – Monday, 20th August to Friday, 24th August.

Week 3 – Tuesday, 28th August to Friday, 31st August.

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PERFORM – NEW CLASSES OPENING SEPTEMBER 2012

LOOK BUNNY FIND A great new app for the iPhone – Look Bunny Find is a child and family activity finder.

Completely free to download and use with no In App purchases it provides parents and carers with events, activities and groups to take the children to. What better than for the long summer stretch ahead. It gets a thumbs-up from FN.

The London-based Drama, Dance and Singing workshops are expanding in North London. New events will open in Crouch End, East Finchley, Highgate, South End Green, Harrow and Hampstead Garden Suburb in September 2012.

Principal Lucy Quick says: ‘We are incredibly excited about opening new venues in North London. It’s a creative area and we have found some fantastic people to lead the workshops.’

For more information contact: 0845 400 4000 or visit www.perform.org.uk.

www.familiesnorth.co.uk

news

WONDERFUL WOBURN A bit further afield but still a great day out for the family is Woburn Safari Park in Beds.

There are two extra special events taking place this summer: The Elephant BBQ 21st July-11th August and 25th August -1st September Get to meet the female elephants as they pay in their own private playground or Drakeloe Lake. This is an amazing chance to see the elephants in the natural habitat of

the park. After meeting the elephants you will be driven back to the Safari Park for an amazing BBQ. Sunset Safari 14th July-4th August Enjoy a magical summer evening with the animals and take an exclusive few hour’s safari adventure. Sure to be the highlight of the summer holidays.

Book early to avoid disappointment.

Buy tickets online at: www.woburn.co.uk/ events/article/vip-event-sunset-safari

ALICE BEAVEN PORTRAITS AT LAUDERDALE HOUSE Don’t miss this lovely exhibition of portraits of local children. Entrance free.

10th-22nd July, Lauderdale House, Highgate Hill, Waterlow Park N6 5HG

Don’t forget to say you saw the ad in Families North! familiesnorth.co.uk

We are looking for babies and children between the ages of 0 and 12 years to assist us in a range of fun activities investigating how children see.

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ðšð¹ǯŽȢœĆ?IJșà ǯðŽȢœɹœȢɿșǝœĆ?à ðșƝƙƙʖėș ǝșǝððĆ?șƨĆ?Č™3j~Ä— ÉłÉłÉłÇ˜Ă ÇŻĂ°ÂŽČ˘Ĺ“ÉąĂ°ÉłĹ“ĘŽĹąĹ“Ă™ÇťÇ˜Ă Ć¨ĆˆČ™Č™Č™Č™Č™Ę–ČšĘ–Č™Č‰Č‰Ć™ÄŞČ™Č‘Č‰Ć™Č‰

The Child Vision Lab is based at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology in Central London.

We will refund any travelling costs up to ÂŁ20.

020 7608 6819 www.childvisionlab.org

MIMI'S CLEANING AGENCY No Job Too Small! Professional, reliable and thorough domestic cleaning service just ÂŁ10p/h. s &ULL @TOP TO BOTTOM CLEANING ON A REGULAR ADHOC BASIS s 4ENANCY CLEAR OUTS s /THER ONE OFF CLEANING SERVICES n PLEASE ASK FOR AN ESTIMATE % MAIL MIMISHANDS GMAIL COM OR CALL

Enjoy-a-Ball Sports coaching for 3-9 year olds in a

fun, positive and non-competitive environment. Classes running in Finchley, Mill Hill and Hampstead Garden Suburb.

Children’s parties also available!

Call 08452 262694 to book a FREE trial session.

www.enjoy-a-ball.com www.familiesnorth.co.uk

NEED EXTRA INCOME?

LITTLE EXPLORERS ART CLASS

TEAM LEADERS NEEDED

Little Explorers Art Class provides children the opportunity to explore their creativity through painting, printing, sculpture, drawing, collage and more. We welcome children of all ages. Booking is essential. FREE taster session with no obligation.

£500–£2000+ per month, work from home.

Part time or full time with flexible hours.

Full backup support and training.

33 years of success and growth.

Are you what we’re looking for?

Call Alison or Ian 01923 232242

Tues/Weds 9:30-10:15am, Swiss Cottage Community Centre London NW3 3NR

Susi 0753 863 7433 littleexplorers.artclass@yahoo.co.uk

5

health

Summer stings and other things Most of us will be looking forward to the Summer and the fun that comes with it – warmer weather, frolics in the park, garden BBQ’s, and family picnics.

Yet for some, the warmer weather can bring a number of nasty surprises. This year, don’t be taken by surprise, stock up your first aid cupboard and enjoy what the warmer weather brings!

INSECT BITES & STINGS They’re the unpleasant side of summer: the wasps, bees and midges that seem to come from nowhere to spoil our fun. Savlon® Bites & Stings Pain Relief Gel will cool the itch and burn from stings, whilst the antiseptic and anaesthetic ingredients help to prevent any infection and relieve pain. This is the only bites & stings gel with this unique formula that can cool the itch and relieve your pain when summer starts to bite!

CUTS & GRAZES Accidents often occur when everyone is having fun. So stock up your first aid cupboard now and be prepared for any minor first aid emergencies. Savlon® Advanced Healing Gel provides a moist wound environment and accelerates cell renewal to heal up to 40% faster and reduces the likelihood of scarring. The unique formulation promotes wound healing using a hydrocolloid gel that also soothes pain. Different wounds will often require different treatments for the best healing. Savlon® Plasters are great for smaller grazes or cuts and can help cushion wounds against painful knocks and bumps, whilst Savlon® Dressings offer more advanced first aid care in the home when plasters are not enough to protect the wound from dirt, bacteria and infection.

SUNBURN You should always wear protection when out in the sun, but sometimes the strength of the sun catches us unawares. Soothing Savlon® Antiseptic Cream helps prevent infection and aids natural healing in minor sunburn, blisters, burns and spots, sore or chapped skin, cuts and grazes, and even insect bites and stings.

BLISTERS With the sun comes long summer walks, and with that comes the dreaded blister!

Designed with a special cushioned pad to shield and protect blisters from painful rubbing, Savlon® Blister Plasters will absorb excess fluid, while at the same time making sure the area is kept moist enough to provide the best conditions for healing.

WHY SHOULD A GIFTED OR TALENTED BOY COME TO HARROW SCHOOL?

“It means so much to me to be a Beckwith Scholar as I feel I have been given a unique opportunity. Harrow is one of the finest schools in the country and I am proud to have received this path to a better education. The facilities that are available to the boys and the quality of teaching are unlike any other school I can think of.” – A current pupil

FIND OUT MORE Contact Admissions on 020 8872 8007

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www.familiesnorth.co.uk

parental leave

Great announcements, Little change to 52 weeks, paternity leave 2 weeks, The Queen announced in up adoption leave 52 weeks and parental May that her Government leave up to 13 weeks, 26 if you have two children. The right to pay during that would propose measures time differs according to each category.

Under all four types, you are entitled to ‘to make parental leave benefit from the same contractual rights, more flexible so both benefits and obligations whilst you are on leave. The only difference being that parents may share for parental leave and for part of your maternity and adoption leave you will parenting responsibility not be paid. and balance work and family commitments’.

Parents do not want increased

I

t was a grand announcement but little information was provided on how such measures would work in practice and what difference it would actually make to parents.

Parental leave is currently made up of several components: maternity, paternity, adoption and parental leave. Maternity leave can be taken

leave or shared leave; they want a career that works with their children.

So what are the proposed changes and how will it affect us?

According to the EU Parental Rights Directive, adopted in March 2010, the UK Government had to increase parental leave from three to four months by March 2012. Despite this deadline, it was recently announced that this great extension of rights will be delayed until March 2013. In practice this makes very little difference as a very high proportion of employees do not exercise their rights to take existing parental leave because it is unpaid.

In addition, the Government wishes to reduce the default length of maternity leave from 26 to 18 weeks, with the remaining entitlement of up to 38

Parental leave plans: where do they leave you? weeks able to be shared between both partners as they see fit. There would be nothing to stop parents taking their leave simultaneously, while parents could also request to take their leave in any number of blocks of any duration – although employers can refuse this. As great in theory as this proposal may be with the best of intentions in mind, it is unlikely to ever work. A recent survey concluded that only 17% of mothers thought their partner would be willing and able to take some of the shared leave in addition to their statutory two weeks’ paternity leave. Most (41%) thought they would not be able to afford it as a couple, while 14% said their partner would not want to and 28% said that it would not be practical.

What either measures do not tackle, and what was not mentioned in the Queen’s Speech, was how to implement real practical flexible working for parents to fit around their children and their childcare. Parents do not want increased leave or shared leave; they want a career that works with their children. This may not need a great announcement but it would make a great change.

Sarah-Jane Butler, Parental Choice Limited, the one stop source for all your childcare needs.

www.parentalchoice.co.uk – Helping you make the right choices for you and your family.

The Kensington Ballet School French-English Bilingual Nursery School

St George’s Hall Crayford Road (entrance on Carleton Road)

Marylebone:Wednesday

18 Months - 5 Years LA Fitness, 7 Balcombe Street, NW1 6NA

London N7 0ND 020 7697 8110

w

www.familiesnorth.co.uk

07957 650042 www.kensingtonballet.com

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education

Stay ahead of the 11+ changes Even though the holidays are here it is important to remember the new term will be here before we know it. Here is some advice from respected schools transfer consultant Katie Krais.

I am often advising parents to think ahead about what secondary school to send their child to. Choices are limited... it is either state, state selective or private.

But within these three sectors the exam goalposts are always changing so it is important to keep up to date and aware of new formats.

If you choose to send your child to a private school then you need to approach the schools directly and find out what their exam process is – the structure and the timing. You also need to make sure you are up to date with the school’s ethos and admissions criteria. This may change from year to year so when your current year 6 child sits the exam, it might well be different from when their sibling sat the exam two years ago. For example, Mill Hill School, which is the senior school for Belmont School will no longer have Saturday school from September 2012. This has had a huge impact on applications with parents seeing it as a much more favourable option. Indeed, when Highgate School became co-educational a few years back

it immediately became a higher achieving school and considerably more difficult to get into at 11.

If choosing to send your child to a state school or a state selective school then you need to apply via your local authority – using their Common Application Form which is available on line. Often you will need to complete individual school forms too.

What is very important is to be aware of any changes – grammar schools will often test verbal and or non-verbal as their first step filter stage – but it can change from year to year so don’t assume it will stay the same. Also, the timing of the exams can change.

Current year 5 children who are sitting for QE Boys or Henrietta Barnett Schools will know all too well that the exams have been brought forward to this September... bang goes their summer holiday! This is because the admissions process has changed within the Borough of Barnet. Other state selective schools however, such as Latymer in the Borough of Enfield have stayed the same and their

Knowing what is required in the exam is extremely important, but you also need to make sure you are aware of any other changes that are taking place at schools. exams take place after the October half term.

Knowing what is required in the exam is extremely important, but you also need to make sure you are aware of any other changes that are taking place at schools. Be up to date on their staff structure – have they appointed a new headteacher (as is the case with JCoSS and Immanuel College) and if so what are the new values and visions that they will be bringing to the school. Other changes might include being taken over by a School’s Group – as is the case with Northbridge House, now part of Cognita Group, and moving to the premises of The Royal School in London from September.

Also, make sure you are aware of each school’s subject specialism – sometimes they have hidden strengths that you might not know about. For example Dame Alice Owen’s School is a high performing Science School as well as a specialist Language college and International School.

Watercolour and Drawing Classes in NW1 In an artist’s studio in Kentish Town. Children aged 8 and above. All materials provided.

Children will learn to look at the objects they are studying in various ways and learn to mix their own colours. Each class lasts 3 hours. Beginners and adults most welcome.

The Tutor Gabriel Sempill, a practising artist, trained at the Royal College of Art and has worked as an art teacher for years in London. Join a single class or sign up for the term.

Weekly classes including half-term and holidays. Also art parties.

Email: gabriel.sempill@btinternet.com

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Untitled-1.indd 1

Telephone: 0207 482 4118

30/01/2012 18:53

If you would like more information about choosing schools in NW London and for preparing your child for the 11+ as well as academic assessments please contact Katie Krais on: Mobile: 07956111728, Email: kateek@hotmail.co.uk or see www.jaderbergkrais.co.uk and www.katiekrais.com

www.familiesnorth.co.uk

grandparents

RIAS AND YOURS MAGAZINE

‘Grandparent of the year’ Awards return for a second year The 2012 Grandparent of the Year Awards are returning for a second year and will once again celebrate our amazing grandmothers and grandfathers across the UK. The programme continues to recognise the important role grandparents play by offering wisdom, experience, support and love to their families.

Over-50s insurance provider RIAS has again joined forces with Yours Magazine to search the nation for inspirational grandparents who go above and beyond.

The public have until the Friday 3rd August 2012 to nominate their parents, friends, grandparents or themselves into any of the following categories: s Hero Gran (or granddad) – nobody in the family knows how they would cope without her s Granddad – he provides the fun and unforgettable magical memories

www.familiesnorth.co.uk

s ' LAM 'RAN – she looks fabulous and sets the bar in the glamour stakes s 'REAT 'RAN OR 'RANDAD – you will often find an inspirational great-gran at the head of a four-generation family s !CTIVE 'RAN OR 'RANDAD – she’s got more energy than her grandchildren and can pack more into a day than people half her age Each category winner will be in with a chance of being crowned the overall ‘Grandparent of the Year’ 2012.

To nominate a loved one, go online to www.yours.co.uk/gpoty2012.

The judging panel includes celebrity grandparent Janet Ellis, well known broadcaster and mother to singer Sophie EllisBextor and grandmother to Sonny, Ray and Kit; RIAS Marketing Director Sarah Howe; the Editor of Yours Magazine Valery McConnell; Founder and Chair of charity Grandparents Plus Jean Stogdon and Chief Executive of The Grandparents’ Association Lynn Chesterman.

The panel will review all the nominations and decide on the category winner who will win VIP treatment for the day; they will be invited to London for a mini-makeover and photo shoot followed by an awards ceremony at the luxurious London Hilton on Park Lane on Friday 28th September 2012.

The lucky winner will receive a £1,000 of shopping vouchers and runners up will each receive £100 worth of Marks & Spencer vouchers all courtesy of the specialist insurance provider RIAS. Janet Ellis, spokesperson for the awards adds: ‘I’m delighted to be involved with the awards for the second year running. Last year the standard of entries was exceptionally high, and the judging process was an inspiring and emotional process. I can’t wait to read the stories for 2012.’

Last year, Isobel Hoare, from Garway, Herefordshire was crowned the winner after being nominated by daughter Lucy. When one of Lucy’s children developed a life-threatening illness, which required her constant attention, Isobel stepped in to become the emotional and practical support to both her children and grandchildren. With unconditional support, Isobel held the family together and never stopped smiling.

For more information about the ‘Grandparent of the Year’ Awards 2012 and to enter visit www.yours.co.uk/ gpoty2012. To find out about RIAS and the range of products and services it offers, visit www.rias.co.uk.

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family finance

Savvy saving

Top-20 ways to save this Summer

Parents share top-20 ways to beat the squeeze Rising inflation, increases in fuel and energy prices and budget cuts on top of existing financial pressures are driving more and more UK families to join the ranks of the ‘money saving super savvy’ – those voucher-wielding, bargain-hunting mums and dads whose prudent attitude to spending has become a way of life.

MyFamilyClub.co.uk, the UK’s first website dedicated to money saving for families, has polled 6,000 of the nation’s parents and asked them to share their family’s greatest money saving tips. From buying in bulk to keeping chickens, MyFamilyClub.

co.uk unveils the top-20 most popular ways our nation’s families are making savings in these times of austerity.

Founder and CEO of MyFamilyClub.co.uk Gemma Johnson, said: ‘Making small changes can have a surprisingly big affect on your

family’s budget. Our primary aim at MyFamilyClub.co.uk is to make money saving easy for families, so on our website we have a constant supply of the best offers, free activities, deals and discounts, alongside a complete range of family-specific saving advice and guidance. We even have the only ‘best buys’ tables for the weekly shop, which shows parents where they can buy their regular products at the cheapest price.’

Making small changes can have a surprisingly big affect on your family’s budget.

Become

a foster carer Christ Church, Heriot Road, Hendon, NW4 2EG

Full, part-time and sessional day-care for children aged 2-5-years-old Places available starting September 2012 Open Monday-Friday 8am-6pm Open 48 weeks per year Fully-trained staff All welcome Please call to make an appointment to view the Nursery Telephone: 020 8202 5687

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“Fostering has been an amazing experience - it’s really changed our lives” Could fostering be the right challenge for you?

FOSTER WITH FCA • Competitive fee, up to £397.25 p/w • Comprehensive and ongoing local support • 24 hour support, 7 days a week

INTERESTED? If you want to make a lasting difference to a child or young person’s life and you have a spare bedroom then get in touch.

We are an established independent fostering agency with 15 years’ experience, specialising in looking after children of all ages.

0800 023 4561 www.iwanttofoster.com www.familiesnorth.co.uk

family finance

Top-20 money saving tips 1

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Name drop. Consider buying value brands for some items, from school uniform to nappies and wipes, you could save a fortune and you’ll never notice the difference.

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Savvy Saver. Open a savings account and pay into it as regularly as you can.

If you don’t have any spare cash try saving your weekly family allowance or child benefit. A little saved week by week will mount up in no time.

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Shop around. Use money saving websites, comparison sites and forums to find the best price before you buy. There are real deals to be had if you look around, from buying holidays to insurance.

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Budget, budget, budget. Assess your income and expenditure and create a budget. That way you’ll be less likely to spend more than you can afford and more likely to stay within your means.

3

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Buy and sell secondhand on auction sites like eBay and in charity shops, and take advantage of hand me downs that are often as good as new. Remember to save the packaging from new items to give you better secondhand resale value.

Before you buy.… Always ask yourself, ‘Can I live without it? Do I really need it?’

Don’t waste money on things you don’t need and can easily do without.

Food glorious food. Plan the family’s weekly meals so you don’t end up throwing away food that’s past its use by date. And always cook more than you need so you can freeze a few portions for another day. Plus try reusing leftovers the next night in a new dish – if you’re inventive, the kids will never know.

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Trolley dash. Do your grocery shop online so you’re less tempted to buy more than you need. If you have to shop in store, draw up a list before you get there and don’t deviate. Also, if possible, leave the children at home so you don’t end up with more in your trolley than you bargained for!

Buy in bulk. Stock up on offers, deals and bargains of items you use regularly. If you have a baby or toddler, take advantage of the special baby events at supermarkets where they heavily discount bulk buys on items like nappies and wipes.

Never pay full price. Before you buy, always look for a relevant voucher or discount code online, and use cashback sites too. And don’t forget to cut out coupons from magazines and newspapers they can be quite generous.

Credit Crunch. Try not to use credit cards. If you do have to, then make sure you pay them off as quickly as possible to avoid costly interest.

Know your worth. Keep a close eye on your finances so you’re in control of your funds. This way you’ll be less likely to incur bank charges. Use internet and telephone banking for quick and convenient ways to check your account status.

Life lessons. Teach your children the value of money by making them work for pocket money, doing household chores for example. And learn to say no sometimes, it’s a valuable life lesson for them.

mi as in ‘my’ ... belonging to me; owned by me. mi sport is kids’ sport.

999. Set aside funds for an emergency situation, whether it’s for a leaking pipe or busted boiler, it’s always helpful to have something in reserve so you don’t have to rely on costly credit arrangements.

Forget the Joneses! Don’t feel under pressure to have what other people do. And teach your children not to worry about peer pressure either, so they don’t feel the need to have all the latest gadgets and brands.

Buyer Beware! Don’t buy too many expensive toys for your children, especially ones that won’t last. Instead, let them use their imagination, it’s free.

Get more from your loyalty. Use supermarket vouchers and loyalty points against family days out instead of against your shopping. You get up to four times the value.

Ruffle a few feathers. Keep chickens they can lay up to 320 eggs a year – which is around one box of eggs a week.

Supply and demand. Contact your broadband/TV/energy/insurance suppliers and tell them you’re thinking of leaving, they’re likely to offer you a better deal.

And check your energy and utility bills and request any overpayments.

Use local services. Make the most of public services like libraries, parks and leisure centres. With library services under threat there’s never been a better time to go there.

With some children reading more than 100 books a year, this could save you a small fortune.

SUMMER HOLIDAY CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOPS (Ages 9 to 12)

at the Highgate Library, N6 5QJ

mi sports camps (school holidays)

www.inkhead.co.uk | 07943 514408

mi sports tutors (1:1 coaching)

Our Story Writing course brings together all aspects of story writing: developing a character; setting the scene; using dialogue; developing

mi fc and mi fc girls mi parties mi sport on saturday mi ski To find out more and to book online go to mi-sport.co Phone 0208 340 8208 / 07958 605561 Follow us on twitter@mi_sport

www.familiesnorth.co.uk

: Dates JULY , 25th th 4 2 23rd, Time: to 1pm a 0 1 m

look at the hero and anti-hero in books and why they help to create taught by writers who love words

11

family finance

Flash-sale site Casabu has launched!

Europe’s coolest brands available at up to 90% off

Casabu transforms the way UK parents shop, with super hot daily deals The exciting and widely anticipated launch of daily deals website Casabu, the UK’s daily flash-sale website for mums, babies and children, is set to change the way that UK parents shop forever!

After a year of scouring the UK and Europe to seek out the hottest and most stylish brands, Casabu will bring parents exciting ranges of fashionable baby and children’s clothing, designer toys, gorgeous maternity wear and treats for mums at unbelievable savings of up to 90%. Casabu is a one-stop shop providing everything a mum needs from pregnancy, throughout childhood and up to pre-teen.

The sales feature UK brands such as, Their Nibs, Ben Sherman, Feu Follet and Koo-di as well as products totally new to the UK such as Swedish street clothes from Novastar.

Fiona Bell – founder of Their Nibs says: ‘Their Nibs are really excited to be one of the first brands featured on Casabu. It’s such a great way for parents to discover small boutique brands like us and with such fantastic discounts all brands will be affordable for parents.’

Flash sales have rapidly become the biggest trend in retail and work very simply; once signed-up to Casabu, you will receive a daily email or mobile alert bringing you news of exclusive sales, each sale lasting

for a limited time. You then simply browse, click to buy, and sit back and wait for your beautifully-packaged items to arrive at your door.

Casabu is the smart, modern way for parents to save money on some of their favourite brand names as well as discover and fall in love with new ones. Members can access Casabu.com via their computer, laptop, tablet or mobile phone and can also keep track of the daily sales by downloading the Casabu app for iPhone/ android or by following the site on Twitter@ casabu_tweets.

To become part of the latest shopping phenomenon sign up for free at www.casabu.com.

Using childcare vouchers to pay for summer/ holiday camps Summer camps are fun and exciting; children can try activities they would not usually experience.

Camps are a great tool to use if you are a working parent and need childcare or to simply encourage your child to engage in more social activities.

The cost of sending children to camps is an important factor. Did you know you can use your childcare vouchers, taken as a salary sacrifice via your employer, to pay for the cost of most summer camps. Be savvy, if you intend to send your child to a camp in the following year you can save up childcare vouchers to pay for the costs.

As childcare vouchers are tax free and national insurance exempt, parents using childcare vouchers taking the full amount, depending on their salary, can save up to £933 per parent, per year on the cost their childcare.

EXTRA INFORMATION: Busy Bees are campaigning to raise the weekly childcare voucher cap from £55 to £75 per week to help parents save more on the cost of the childcare. Raising the cap will increase savings per parent to over £1200 per year. If you want to save more sign the Busy Bees e-petition. For more information please visit www.busybeesbenefits.com.

Mars Montessori Bilingual Nursery Islington Green (Angel). 2-5 year olds.

8.00 am - 6.00 pm 2 days, 3 days or 5 days a week 47 weeks a year

020 7704 2805 www.marsmontessori.com

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summer camps

Summer camps explained....

WHAT TYPE OF CAMP WOULD SUIT YOUR CHILD? Multi activity holidays offer a selection of different activities every day, usually including a range of sports, creative or adventure activities – ideal for the child who does not want to attend a specialist course in a single activity.

Sports Coaching holidays offer specialist courses in a single activity such as football, basketball, tennis, cricket or golf.

So you are thinking a camp might be a great way to keep the kids busy over the long summer break... but what are the differences and how do you know which one to choose? Let us break it down for you...

RESIDENTIAL OR DAY CAMP? Residential Camps are holidays where your child can stay during the holiday course, often further away from your home and sometimes including activities not available locally.

Day Camps are holidays at a local venue where you can take your child on a daily basis. Times may vary but they are usually around 8.30am – 4pm with additional costs for early starts and later finishes.

Outdoor adventure holidays may involve one or more challenging activities such as abseiling, climbing, orienteering or zip wire. Centres offering this type of course may also offer watersports.

Creative arts holiday courses may involve arts & crafts, pottery, sculpture, etc.

Performing arts holiday courses may offer specialist or multi activity courses in activities such as dance, drama, mime, singing or behind the scenes stagecraft.

Computer / Technology courses may be specialist courses or part of a multi activity programme including activities such as computer games, web design, programming, design and technical production skills.

WHAT LOCATION IS BEST FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILD? Most camps offer a variety of locations.

Check our listing in this issue and see our website www.familiesnorth.co.uk/ summercamps for a selection of camps that are local to North London.

WHAT AGE GROUP WOULD BE BEST? Do you want your child mixing with a variety of ages? Would you prefer they were all roughly the same age? Check with the camp provider to see how the children attending are grouped – by age? by ability? by interest?

Lastly always see if you can talk to other kids and parents who have been on the camp, as always, the best form of testimonial is from those who have done it before you!

Let us know of your experiences on Facebook! word of mouth is always the best recommendation for future parents and kids alike, visit our page via our website link at www.familiesnorth.co.uk.

Horse riding holiday courses are available at specialist riding centres offering full or half day courses in riding and stable management.

Watersports centres offer holiday courses in single activities such as canoeing, kayaking, sailing or windsurfing as well as multi watersports courses offering taster sessions in a range of activities.

Action songs and rhymes Music and movement Fun with percussion Musical games

• • •

d no blues ! all r hythm an Hampstead & Notting Hill

•

Muswell Hill, Crouch End & Highgate

•

High Barnet, Mill Hill & Whetstone Southgate, Winchmore Hill & East Barnet

Since 1993 thousands of children across the UK have grown up with Monkey Music. Our unique teaching curriculum was written by classically trained musicians, and introduces music to very young children in a way they can easily understand and enjoy.

Rock ‘n’ roll - from 3 months Heigh ho – from 12 months Jiggety jig – 2 & 3 year olds Ding dong – 3 & 4 year olds It’s fun, formative and a great way of making friends!

www.familiesnorth.co.uk

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summer camps

Children’s Holiday Clubs and Sports Camps Barnet LL CAMPS

WALLACE CHESS

True American-style day multi-activity camps in Bushey. Amazing fun for 4-14year-olds. Speciality camps include Broadway in Bushey! Performing Arts and Magic Theatre, Wimbledon4Kids! Minitennis for 4-8 year-olds. Create! Is your child the next Picasso? Reasonable prices.

Bushey Manor Junior School, WD23 2QL Tel: 020 7870 1073

SPORTSCOACH MILL HILL

MICHAEL VAUGHAN CRICKET A week-long summer cricket camp in Elstree for 5-10 year-olds that uses fun cricket games and exciting competitions to develop the cricket skills and techniques of all abilities.

Elstree – North London Tel: 0845 643 5277

Easter and summer camps for 6-16 year-olds at Mill Hill School. Football, netball, volleyball, basketball, unihoc, cricket, rugby, American football, archery, fencing, martial arts, orienteering, athletics, tennis, fitness, aerobics, badminton.

Mill Hill, NW7 1QS Tel: 020 8920 9701

Camden SCHOOL OF COMEDY

FURZEFIELD CENTRE POTTERS BAR Easter, half-term, summer, school holiday play schemes, Kiddie Kamps for 4-7 year-olds, Day Kamps 8-15 year-olds. Soft play, circus, treasure hunts, creative activities trampolining, football, rounder’s, Shokk gym, and fitness, swimming pool games, team challenges.

Potters Bar, EN6 3BW Tel: 01707 850 500

Summer holiday courses in Primrose Hill for youngsters aged 10-14 years old. A one-off special course – well-known TV guest comedians will be working with the children each day. Takes place at The Pembroke Castle, home of the Hampstead Comedy Club.

Primrose Hill, NW1 8JA Tel: 07912 222670

FIT FOR SPORT MAD SCIENCE LONDON School holiday science camps based at Martin School, East Finchley, offering an action-packed, rocket-fuelled journey into the exciting world of science. For 4-11 year-olds.

East Finchley, N2 9JP Tel: 020 8832 7447

Kids camp at Brookfields Primary Archway and St Christina’s St John’s Wood, over half-term and school holidays for children from 3-12 years-old.

Children grouped by aged, half, full, extended days, indoor and outdoor multi-purpose and sports facilities.

Archway – St John’s Wood Tel: 0845 456 3233

Baker Street and Swiss Cottage chess courses in Central London run by IM and two-time Australian Chess Champion John-Paul Wallace. Easter, summer holiday and half-term chess camps and clubs for kids aged 4-16 years-old. Discounts for advance bookings.

Baker Street – Swiss Cottage Tel: 07879 655581

FILM STEPS Film-making for 7-16 year-olds.

School holiday workshops and 5-day summer courses in Belsize Park. Act, direct, storyboard, location management, camera operating, wrap parties and cinema screening. Saturday morning term-time courses.

Belsize Park Tel: 0844 324 5414

THE LITTLE GYM HAMPSTEAD Themed school holiday camps in Hampstead for children 3-12 years-old. Kids 3-6 enjoy programmes that stimulate physical and motor skills development with games and creative workshops.

Qualified gymnastic coaches for children of all levels aged 6–12.

Hampstead Tel: 020 8977 0099

Holiday & term time swimming lessons available at the Fitness First Health Club, Avenell Road, Highbury Square We teach non-members of the health club to swim in 1:1 & 2:1 classes Introductory Promo 25% discount for all our 1:1 holiday courses.

020 7644 2472 | aquanautsswimmingschool.com

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14/02/2012 13:56

summer camps

Enfield

TEAM SPORT KARTING School holiday activity days in Edmonton for kids from 8 years-old and teen track days for the next generation of F1 superstars, 13-16 year-olds in Edmonton. Skill sessions, games, practice sessions, team endurance race, grand prix.

Edmonton, N18 3BA Tel: 0844 998 0000

MOTHER NATURE SCIENCE CAMPS Mother Nature scientists are ready to welcome all young scientists and engineers to their supercharged 5-day summer science camp at Queen Elizabeth’s School, Hadley Wood, for children 5-12 years-old. Action-packed hands-on experiments around all cool things.

Hadley Wood, EN5 5RR Tel: 020 8863 8832

PONY CAMP Trent Park’s pony camp runs throughout all school holidays, including half-term, and includes a combination of riding lessons, grooming, lectures and all forms of horse care. Fun, safe, exciting for children aged 5-15 years-old.

London, N14 4UW Tel: 020 8363 8630

OASIS ACADEMY YOUTH CENTRE Oasis Youth Centre offers activities, projects, workshops during the holidays including fun trips to Brighton, Thorpe Park, canoeing, to workshops involving music, DJ-ing, first aid, graffiti art. Practical courses on mechanics and beauty.

Enfield, EN3 7XH Tel: 07703 317675

SOCCERKIDZ SCHOOL HOLIDAYS Holiday football courses for boys and girls of all abilities aged 5-14 years-old. Run by experienced and professional coaches during half-term and summer holidays at venues across Enfield and surrounding London areas.

Enfield Tel: 07980 336693

Hackney HACKNEY EMPIRE ARTIST DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME ADP is a two-week summer programme for young artists aged 13-18 years-old with an interest in performing arts. ADP has now become Hackney Empire’s flagship education programme. Series of workshops, auditions, final performance on the Empire’s stage.

Hackney, E8 1EJ Tel: 020- 8510 4396

GEFFRYE MUSEUM The Geffrye Museum in Shoreditch runs school holiday activities including special tours and creating fabulous crafts for your home that reflect your world trip around the museum. Free for children 5-11 years-old.

Shoreditch, E2 8EA Tel: 020 7739 9893

www.familiesnorth.co.uk

CIRCUS SPACE Half- and full-day circus workshops for children aged 14+ in Hackney, North London. Featuring tightropes, trapeze, tumbling, whip-cracking, knifethrowing and lasso.

Hoxton, London Tel: 020 7613 4141

THE CASTLE CLIMBING CENTRE School holiday climbing. Two-hour fun climbing sessions for youngsters over the age of nine and under 18.

These sessions allow kids to try out bouldering, top roping and abseiling.

Stoke Newington, N4 2HA Tel: 020 8211 7000

HACKNEY CITY TENNIS CLUB Popular half-term and school holiday tennis programmes with sessions at Clissold Park and London fields.

Mini camps for children 5-8 years-old and main camp for 9-15 year-olds.

Clissold Park, N16 9HJ T el: 020 7254 4235

Haringey URBAN RUGBY Summer holiday courses run by London Skolars Rugby League Club – a non-contact derivative of the game that can be played on any surface and virtually any size pitch.

Oriory Park, Lordship Lane, White Hart Lane Tel: 020 8888 8488

STUDIO FILM SCHOOL Film-making activities for ages 7-16 years-old based in Muswell Hill. Weekly workshops, summer film shoots, holiday workshops, birthday parties, special events and more.

Muswell Hill, N10 1PS Tel: 0845 533 3763

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summer activities THE ENFORCERS SKATERS HOCKEY CLUB

THE LONDON FOOTBALL ACADEMY

Youth and juniors free come-and-try sessions for boys and girls aged 11-17 years-old. Skates and equipment can be provided. The club is based and trains at Northumberland Park Community School, Tottenham.

Tottenham, N17, Tel: 07984 165664

HARINGEY’S HOLIDAY FUN Half-term and holiday fun in Haringey for 1-19 year-olds. Holiday play schemes 0-5 years-old.

Football, basketball, multisports, media, arts, crafts, cooking, rollerskating, farm, urban rugby, trampolining, tennis, dance, swim sessions, lifeguard courses.

Tottenham, Hornsey, Wood Green, Muswell Hill, Finsbury Park, Stamford Hill, Tel: 020 8489 0000

Holiday soccer schools at venues in North London including Alexandra Palace, N22. Limited places on LFA courses for boys and girls aged 5-14 years-old regardless of ability and previous playing experience.

London, N22 7AY, Tel: 020 8882 9100

Islington PLEASANCE THEATRE The Just So stories by Rudyard Kipling for children at the Pleasance Theatre, Islington. Perfect for children aged 4+. Located near Caledonian Road tube station.

Islington, N7 9EF, Tel: 020 7619 6868

FREE MUSIC AND MEDIA COURSES Free accredited media courses during school holidays. Choose from web marketing, radio broadcasting, music production, DJ-ing, film production, street dance, graffiti art, singing and songwriting and many more.

Penn Street, N1 5DL, Tel: 020 7729 4884

FUTURE ELEMENTS Future Elements gives young people aged 13-16 years-old the chance to work with a team of professional Hip Hop artists including Breakin’ Convention’s Jonzi D to write rhymes, create choreography, create music, create graff, film and edit their own music video.

Sadler’s Wells Theatre, EC1R 4TN Tel: 020 7863 8214

FREIGHTLINERS FARM A small farm in Holloway with a wide-variety of animals ranging from rare-breed pigs and goats to newborn lambs and chicks. Holiday activities for children of all ages and special events throughout the year.

Holloway, N7 8PF, Tel: 020 7609 0467

Local venues

Nurseries

Schools

Children’s Centres

FINSBURY LEISURE CENTRE Free holiday sports coaching. Table tennis and badminton sessions run by fully-qualified coaches.

Sessions include skills, fun games, matches and competitions. Ages 8+.

London EC1 3PU, Tel: 020 7253 2346

Parties

Baby Story Play

Imagination takes you everywhere...

story

drama

play

6 months – 7 years

www.debutots.co.uk

Dipping their tiny toes into the world of stories, words and sounds, babies and toddlers delight in a multi-sensory blend of storytelling, puppets, bubbles and music.

Early Years Drama Growing in age and poise, children are inspired by each week’s magical tale to share their own ideas and feelings as they creatively explore the characters, scenery and sounds together.

Family Story Play An engaging blend of our two class formats – perfect for siblings, childminders and children’s centres.

keeley@debutots.co.uk, 020 8211 3389 – Islington, Camden, St John’s Wood ennifer@debutots.co.uk, 020 8442 2380 – Finchley, Hampstead, Muswell Hill

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6/18/12

9:23 AM

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FAMNORTH

The Ultimate Indoor Adventure Park

Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer Please present this voucher to redeem the offer Valid until end of August 2012

for more information call 01708 768003 www.kidspaceadventures.com The Brewery, Waterloo Road, Romford, Essex RM1 1AU

Established

1979

The springboard to confidence for your child Tumble Tots is Britain’s leading National Active Physical Play Programme for children from 6 months to 5 years Using specifically designed equipment your child will learn agility, balance, climbing and co-ordination skills appropriate to their age A structured programme designed to build self confidence and develop essential listening and language skills Supervised by trained staff in a fun and caring environment

For Tumble Tots classes in Muswell Hill, Finchley Central and St John’s Wood Call: 020 8381 6585 Email: fun@tumbletotsnorthlondon.co.uk www.tumbletots.com/hampstead

www.familiesnorth.co.uk

17

fun in the sun

Fun in the Sun As the Summer holidays creep closer and closer, the thought of keeping your little ones entertained for six weeks can be daunting.

No-one wants to hear the cry of ‘I’m bored!’ and no-one wants to station their kids in front of the TV for weeks on end. There is an avalanche of summer activities for your child to get involved with, but summer camps, classes and workshops can all start to add up – especially if you’re also taking a family holiday.

What can be even more special and memorable is playing at home: the summer holidays are a wonderful opportunity for imaginative and creative play. Without too much effort, and a little imagination children can have huge amounts of fun playing happily at home.

Here are my suggestions for summer fun at home:

A home away from home nursery!

Dreamcatcher Parties’ Summer Holiday Tips

UÊ SÊ tart a recycling box now and fill it with used cereal boxes, toilet rolls, milk cartons – when the summer holidays start you’ll have plenty of bits and bobs for the kids to use for arts and crafts.

UÊ SÊ et a theme for a day/week: the first week could be ‘under the sea’, the children have to follow the theme in parts of creative play. They can create an underwater den, and then make fishy crafts. The following week could be the ‘enchanted forest’.

UÊ Ê ÛiÊ ÌÌ iÊ iÃÊsticks of chalk and ask them to trace their shadow.

UÊ -Ê «i `Ê>Ê À }Êbaking and making, make silly sandwiches using cookie cutters, create veggie dip by mashing up avocados and follow them with coloured fairy cakes.

Eat lunch outside at least once a week, and if it’s raining have a picnic indoors.

UÊ Ê ii«ÊÞ ÕÀÊ `ÊV Ì iÃÊv ÀÊ>Êdressing up box, Disney costumes are great but it’s a lot more fun to wear grown up clothes for an afternoon.

UÊ Ê ÌÊÌ iÊÃÌ>ÀÌÊ vÊÌ iÊ `>ÞÃÊplant some seeds, and encourage the children to tend to them over the summer holidays.

Keren's

Keren's Nursery Belsize Park Ofsted Outstanding

Ages 15 months - 5 years old Both English and Hebrew Spoken Freshly cooked Kosher Food To book a visit:

020 8455 9646 c o n t a c t @ k e r e n s n u r s e r y. c o m

w w w. k e r e n s n u r s e r y. c o m

Wildflower, cress and sunflower seeds will show early results, and the children can be responsible for them over the six weeks.

UÊ G Ê et the kids outside and playing!

In hot weather have a water fight without any restrictions, let them get soaked! Climb trees, dig in the sand and chase butterflies!

Create an outdoors play space using nature: plants, trees, rocks, mud and water.

UÊ Ê iÌÊÌ iÊ `ÃÊ >ÛiÊ>Êfloppy afternoon and curl up on the sofa in front of a favourite movie; make popcorn and the kids can create their own cinema tickets.

UÊ Ê >Ì iÀÊÃ iÊ `ÊL Ã]ÊÌÕÀ Ê them up side down and form a noisy drums band.

UÊ Ê Ê}Ài>ÌÊ>ÀÌÊ«À iVÌÊ for older children is to create collages. Buy some blank canvases,

NEW NURSERY

IN BELSIZE PARK

51 Belsizetogether Square, Belsize NW3 4HX Working to makePark the best choice for you and your family.

Parental Choice is the essential “one-stop shop” A bilingual English/Hebrew nursery for your childcare needs and advice on your legal rightswith before, during and after pregnancy. awarded an Ofsted Outstanding grading has arrivedChildcare to Belsize Park. options clearly presented Employment legal rights explained

Nanny employment Enrolling now children aged and 1–payroll 5 years. services.

The nursery is open throughout the year including Our servicesschool include:half-terms and most of August.

Advice on maternity and paternity employment rights

Complete childcare package sourced for you Kosher Israeli breakfast and a freshly cooked lunch Guidance on all your childcare options and the costs Nursery search to find theserved best nursery closest to you are daily.

Advice on employing nannies Bespoke employment contracts and payroll services.

Opening hours are 9am-3pm with an option for extended hours (8am-6pm).

Parental Choice: dedicated to helping you make the right choices for you and your family.

www.parentalchoice.co.uk

Please use code: FMPC1 for a 5% discount For further information and to arrange a visit please call:

18

www.familiesnorth.co.uk 020 8455 9646

Belsize@kerensnursery.com

fun in the sun

they are pretty inexpensive from arts and crafts/homeware stores. Gather some old newspapers, magazines and postcards, cut out interesting pieces and pictures. Then using PVA glue and paint create a summer collage on the canvas. Once they’re dry the canvases can be hung on bedroom walls.

UÊ Ê vÊÞ ÕÊ >ÛiÊ>ÊLÕ`` }Ê ÕÀ > ÃÌ]ÊÜ ÞÊ not encourage them to start their own online blog? There are easy ways to start blogs using blogger.com and you can protect the settings. They can use the blog to record their summer

holidays, upload pictures and for creative writing.

UÊ P Ê ut on shows! Younger children can re-tell their favourite fairytales and stories to an audience, older kids can stage new pieces or perform a mini X-Factor. Encourage shyer children to be make-up artists, lighting and sound technicians.

Most importantly, let the children create their own play – once their imaginations are turned on they can create a whole world from nothing.

What can be even more special and memorable is playing at home: the summer holidays are a wonderful opportunity for imaginative and creative play. www.dreamcatcherparties.co.uk Twitter: @Dreamcatch

Beginners Classes: Wednesday 16.30 Hampstead Garden Suburb Thursdays 17.30 Swiss Cottage

020-8445-2588

www.panthakarateclub.co.uk info@panthakarateclub.co.uk

for children aged 5 to 14 years

www.familiesnorth.co.uk

www.firstimpressions.org.uk 020 8346 8666

your child’s hands or feet - also as cufflinks, keyring or delicate charm in silver or bronze.

19

book corner

Hi kids, parents, grandparents, teachers – and book lovers everywhere! I’m Ed and here is my early Summer book selection for you to enjoy. The books are all available online from Ed’s Reading Room at www. edontheweb.com.

ROOM

Reading

Ed’s Ed’s Reading Room is an exciting free online book and story club for primary children in homes and schools. Each month, recently published books are selected as Ed’s Books of the Month for Owlets (age 5-7) and Owls (over 7s). On the website, there are fun literacy activities to accompany each book, including wordsearches, quizzes, poetry and reviews, and there are new original stories in Edtime Stories.

There are also lots of other fun online activities, complementary to the curriculum. Check out Ed’s Archive for Ed’s Books of the Month from previous months.

FOR AGES 5-7 YEARS

5-7

Paddington Races Ahead

by Michael Bond

Guinea Pigs Online

the idea of the Dinosaur Olympics.

Much hilarity ensues while the dinosaurs attempt to get into shape for the games.

‘This very funny story is the latest action-packed adventure from this fantastic author. It is complemented by wonderful illustrations throughout.’

by Jennifer Gray and Amanda Swift (Quercus Books £4.99)

Long Lankin

‘This is a brand new book about an old favourite character by the wonderful Michael Bond. Paddington continues to delight children and grown-ups alike with his madcap adventures.’

Ed Says: ‘Fuzzy and Coco are two very different characters. Fuzzy adores cooking and computers whereas Coco loves being pampered and living a life of luxury. Fuzzy sees an ad by a glamorous chef – Guinea Pigs Wanted – and is keen to follow it up but Coco realises things aren’t always what they seem. When Fuzzy goes missing, Coco has to go online and find Fuzzy. Can Fuzzy be tracked down before he ends up on Scarlet Cleaver’s menu?

‘Here is a laugh-out-loud adventure about these fantastic crazy characters.

Boys and girls alike will enjoy this exciting book with its super illustrations.’

FOR AGES 7 YEARS PLUS

(HarperCollins £10.99)

Ed Says: ‘Paddington Bear finds himself in the midst of all sorts of misunderstandings as he tries to see the importance of oysters when travelling on a London bus and attempts to take up an offer with a personal trainer. And Paddington is to star in a film – as a famous Peruvian athlete. Thank goodness for the certainty of Mrs Bird and her home-made marmalade and elevenses each day with Mr Gruber!

20

7+

by Lindsey Barraclough (Random House Children’s Books £6.99)

Ed Says: ‘Beware of Long Lankin… Cora and her younger sister Mimi are sent to stay with their Aunt Ida who offers them a rather cold welcome.

Their arrival has awoken an evil that has lurked around for years. Cora and Mimi find friendship from people in the village but they would dearly love to go back to London to their former life. They hear eerie voices and see mysterious warnings – but can Cora protect her sister from such an ancient evil?

‘Inspired by a haunting ballad, this book is descriptive and atmospheric, chilling and thought-provoking. It is brilliantly written and grips the reader from beginning to end.’

Dinosaur Olympics

by Jeanne Willis (Piccadilly Press £5.99)

Ed Says: ‘The stegosauruses are throwing a party for Uncle Loops’ 190th birthday – a great excuse for a celebration but also an opportunity for the Downtown Dinosaurs to gatecrash their fun. It seems as if the proceedings will descend into a dinosaur battle but perhaps the dino-mayor can establish peace with

Ed’s Reading Room is part of www.edontheweb.com, a DTI awardwinning website. It was created by Maggie Humphreys, a teacher of more than 25 years, and Les Snowdon, who together are authors of several books on fitness walking and healthy eating.

You are very welcome to contact Maggie on 01753 730019 or by email at mgh@edontheweb.com about the website or about Ed on the Web Spelling Bees in schools.

www.familiesnorth.co.uk

cinema • museums • exhibitions out & about

Out & About Your guide to North London family entertainment

Cinema (THE) LUNA CINEMA thelunacinema.com Open-Air Cinema Events July & August Classic films on a big screen at various venues during the summer months.

PHOENIX CINEMA 52 High Road, N2 9PJ ( East Finchley) 020 8444 6789 phoenixcinema.co.uk Saturday film club for 5 – 10 years with bookable free activities. Cost £2.

A Monster In Paris 2D (U) July 7 Toy Story 3 (U) July 14 BBFC: Close Up Classification (U) July 21 How films are made.

The Itch of the Golden Nit + Wallace & Gromit: A Matter of Loaf & Death July 28 Aardman Films animation created by children followed by the Wallace & Gromit film.

RIO CINEMA 107 Kingsland High Street, E8 6LJ (Dalston Kingsland ) 020 7241 9410 riocinema.org.uk Playcentre Matinees July 3, 10, 17 Cost £3/£2.

A Turtle’s Tale: Sammy’s Adventures 3D (U) July 7 Cost £3/£2.

Tales of the Night 3D (PG) July 14 Cost £3/£2.

The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists 3D (U) July 21 Cost £3/£2.

Summer Holiday Matinees: Top Cat – The Movie 3D (U) July 24 – 27, July 30 – August 2 Cost £7.50/£5.50/family £23.

Arrietty (U) July 28 Cost £3/£2.

www.familiesnorth.co.uk

RIVERSIDE STUDIOS Crisp Road, W6 9RL ( Hammersmith) 020 8237 1111 riversidestudios.co.uk Kid’s Film Week July 23 – 27 Tickets £4/£2 with free kids drink and popcorn.

Tales of the Night July 23 French animation.

Moonrise Kingdom (12A) July 24 Top Cat: The Movie (U) July 25 StreetDance 2 (PG) July 26 The Muppets (U) July 27 SOMERSET HOUSE Strand, WC2R 1LA ( Temple) 0844 847 1715 somersethouse.org.uk Open Air Cinema August 16 – 27 Varied film programme on outdoor giant screen. Early booking recommended.

Georgian Homes August 28 Model Georgian terraces in 3D. Booking available. 5 – 11 years. Cost £5 per child.

‘Print This!’ at Benjamin Franklin House

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN HOUSE 36 Craven Street, WC2N 5NF ( Charing Cross) 020 7839 2013 benjaminfranklinhouse.org Bones in the Basement July 24 Activities to explore the history of the house. Part of the Festival of British Archaeology. Booking available. 7 – 14 years. Cost £5 per child.

Summer Fete – Print This!

August 21 Various activities based on printing techniques. 5 – 14 years. Booking available. Cost £7 per child.

BRITISH MUSEUM Great Russell Street, WC1B 3DG ( Tottenham Ct Road) 020 7323 8000 britishmuseum.org Winning at the Ancient Games Until September 9 Victory trail around the galleries with an Olympic theme – ancient and modern. Free.

The Horse: from Arabia to Ascot Until September 30 Past and present objects of interest.

Check web for special activities for families based on the exhibition.

Free entry.

Shakespeare: Staging the World July 19 – November 25 Family Days: August 17, 24 Exhibition as part of the World Shakespeare festival. Cost £14/ children free.

Manga Comic Workshop August 19 Create characters and a comic book.

Booking required. 7+ years. Free.

‘Winning at the Olympic Games’ at the British Museum.

WATFORD PALACE THEATRE Clarendon Road, Watford (Watford Junction) 01923 225671 watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk Tales of Beatrix Potter August 26 Screening of the ballet from the Royal Opera House. Cost £15.

Museums & Exhibitions BANK OF ENGLAND MUSEUM Bartholomew Lane, London EC2R 8AH ( Bank) 020 7601 5545 bankofengland.co.uk A Golden Opportunity July 23 – August 31 Visit the ‘Gold’ exhibition, take part in activities, watch a lunchtime film on gold and enter a competition. All ages. Free.

21

out and about museums • exhibitions MUSEUM OF LONDON 150 London Wall London EC2Y 5HN ( St Paul’s) 020 7001 9844 museumoflondon.org.uk London & the Olympics July – September Exhibition on past London games.

Festival of British Archaeology July 21, 22 Activities and hands-on sessions based on pots and ceramic objects.

5+ years. Free.

Mini Olympics August 15 Games and activities. Under 5 years.

Free ticketed event.

Festival of British Archaeology at the Museum of London.

FOUNDLING MUSEUM 40 Brunswick Square, WC1N 1AZ ( Russell Square) 020 7841 3600 foundlingmuseum.org.uk Free workshops for children and two accompanying adults. 3 – 12 years.

Booking required.

Peephole Garden July 7 Construct a secret garden.

Fancy Fans August 4 Decorate a fan. Limited places.

GEFFRYE MUSEUM Kingsland Road, E2 8EA ( Old Street) 020 7739 9893 geffrye-museum.org.uk Big Dance Special July 7 Art activities and stories. All ages.

Free.

Workshops for Young People July 7, August 4, September 1 Admission on first-come basis 30 minutes before start. 11+ years. Free.

Sunburst Hats & Headdresses August 4 Creative activities. 5 – 11 years. Free.

Back to School Baking September 1 Bake biscuits and decorate a box to put them in. Free ticket allocation.

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HANDEL HOUSE MUSEUM 25 Brook Street, W1K 4HB ( Bond Street) 020 7495 1685 handelhouse.org Family Concert July 14 Baroque instruments. Booking essential. Cost £6/children free.

JEWISH MUSEUM Raymond Burton House, 129 – 131 Albert St. NW1 ( Camden Town) 020 7284 7384 jewishmuseum.org.uk Family Touch Tours July 15, August 12 Handle objects. All ages. Free with museum entry£7.50/£3.50/under 5s free.

Messy Play August 9 Shabbat Shalom August 9 Hands-on activities. 5 – 11 years.

Free with museum admission.

LONDON CANAL MUSEUM 12-13 New Wharf Road, N1 9RT ( Kings Cross) 020 7713 0836 canalmuseum.org.uk Boat Trip Fun August 7, 14, 21, 28 Boat trips and activities. 6 – 12 years. Cost £4.

NATIONAL GALLERY Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DN ( Charing Cross) 020 7747 2885 nationalgallery.org.uk Magic Carpet Story Telling July 8, 15, 22, 29 Interactive story sessions. Under 5 years. Limited free places allocated 1 hour before event.

Relay Mix July 8 Speeds, materials and shapes. 5 – 11 years. Free.

Jump for Victory July 1, 15 Make a trophy. 5 – 11 years. Free.

Bodies in Motion July 22, 29 Clothed life drawing sessions. 5 – 11 years. Free.

NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY St Martin’s Place, WC2H OHE ( Leicester Square) 020 7306 0055 npg.org.uk Road to 2012 July 19 – September 23 Collection of photographs of key figures behind the London 2012 Games. Free.

shown daily in the Attenborough Studio

ROYAL ACADEMY OF ARTS Burlington House,W1J OBD ( Green Park) 020 7300 8000 royalacademy.org.uk Summer Exhibition Family Workshops July 20, 25, 27, August 1, 3 Exhibition tour and hands-on sessions. 5+ years. Booking required.

Cost £10/£4.

ROYAL AIR FORCE MUSEUM Grahame Park Way, NW9 5LL ( Colindale) 020 8205 2266 rafmuseum.org.uk Summer Fun July 30 – September 2 Free themed family activities.

Wild Bird Week July 30 – August 5 Wild bird displays.

Land Army Week August 6 – 12 Learn how households fed themselves during WW2 and meet some farm animals.

Tales for Future Olympians August 13 – 19 Stories of flight and ancient Greece.

Airfix Fortnight August 20 – September 2 Make and paint an Airfix model.

SCIENCE MUSEUM Exhibition Rd, SW7 2DD ( South Kensington) 0870 870 4868 sciencemuseum.org.uk Make it in Britain July 24 – September 9 Exhibition on British manufacturing developments and their impact on our lives. Free.

Workshops July 21, August 2, 18 Story telling and art activities. 3+ years. Free.

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM Cromwell Road, SW7 5BD ( South Kensington) 020 7942 5000 nhm.ac.uk Animals Inside Out Until September 16 Body makeup of animals including an elephant, shark and gorilla. Cost £8.10/£5.40/under 4s free.

Who do you think you really are?

Interactive film about evolution,

Workshops at Sir John Soanes Museum.

SIR JOHN SOANE’S MUSEUM 13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, WC2A 3BP ( Holborn) 020 7405 2107 soane.org Whole day and half-day workshops for 7+ years. Cost £20 or £12.

Booking online.

www.familiesnorth.co.uk

museums • exhibitions • theatres • concerts out & about Olympic Victory!

August 1 Heads Up! August 2 Luminous!

August 7 Grow your own City August 8 Mirror Madness August 16 Shining Suncatcher August 17 Peep into the museum August 21 Doh! August 22 Majestic Mirrors August 23 Block Printing August 29 Mini Model Mummy August 30 & 31 Building Olympics August 30, 31

SOMERSET HOUSE Strand, WC2R 1LA ( Temple) 020 7845 4600 somersethouse.org.uk Space Race July 1 Sci-fi games, songs and crafts. Under 5 years. Free tickets on the day.

Drawn-in July 7 Art workshop using different techniques. 6 – 12 years. Free tickets on the day.

V&A MUSEUM Cromwell Road, SW7 2RL ( South Kensington) 020 7942 2000 vam.ac.uk Make-It July 14, August 28 Themed art and craft workshops.

Booking essential. 10 – 12 years.

Charges apply.

Pop-up Performances July 7, August 4 Puppets and stories. 3+ years. Free.

Pop-up Performances July 14, 21, 28, August 11, 18, 25 Interactive show with a Royal theme.

7+ years. Free.

Exhibition Road Show July 28 – August 5 Games, dance, music and aerial displays to celebrate the work of young artists. Free.

Imagination Station August 13 – 17, 20 – 24, 27 – 31 Invent a fantasy boat. Weekday family activities. Free.

Make It August 14, 15, 22, 29 Themed art and craft workshops.

Booking required. 5+ years. Charges apply.

www.familiesnorth.co.uk

V&A MUSEUM OF CHILDHOOD Cambridge Heath Road, E2 9PA ( Bethnal Green) 020 8983 5200 museumofchildhood.org.uk Mascots of the Olympic Games Until October 28 Display of 38 mascots since 1972.

Summer Festival July 29 Live music, dance, craft activities, rides and games. Free Summer Games August 1 – 31 Outdoor family activities with a team of helpers. Free.

Puppet Making Fun August 10, 17, 24, 31 Create a puppet with puppet makers from the Little Angel theatre.

Booking required. Accompanied 5 – 11 years. Cost £5.

Puppet Festival Fridays August 10, 17, 24, 31 Outdoor puppet shows, sand boxes and design a t-shirt for £5 or bring your own to design. Free entry.

THE WALLACE COLLECTION Hertford House, Manchester Square, W1U 3BN ( Bond Street) 020 7563 9500 wallacecollection.org Bugs & Butterflies July 23 Create a window sticker. Booking essential. 7+ years. Cost £7.

‘The Boy who fell into a Book’ at the Soho Theatre.

In the Night Garden Live July 7 – 22 Live show in a purpose-built show dome with favourite characters Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy and Makka Pakka. Book online. Cost £10 – £27.50.

CAMDEN FRINGE The Etcetera Theatre, NW1 7BU camdenfringe.org July 30 – August 26 Programme of events around North London with theatre, comedy and music at participating venues – mainly for an adult audience.

English National Ballet School July 12, 13 Performances by Summer school students. Cost £20/£12.50.

CHICKENSHED THEATRE Chase Side, Southgate, N14 4PE ( Cockfosters/Oakwood) 020 8292 9222 chickenshed.org.uk Tales from the Shed July 6, 7, 13, 14 Early years educational show. 0 – 7 years. Cost £5.50/under 6mths free.

Big Dance 2012 July 14 Dance routine performed by BTEC students at Trafalgar Square. Free.

Tales Big Day Out July 21 – 22 Performances, stalls and creative activities. 0 – 7 years. Cost £7.50/ under 6mths free.

Summer Shed July 23 – 27, July 30 – August 3 Create and perform a show. 6 – 12 years. Cost £120 per week.

Tales – Run, Brer Rabbit, Run July 26 – August 4 Crazy adventures and a lot of noise!

0 – 7 years. Cost £5.50/under 6mths free.

BRENT CROSS CENTRE Hendon, NW4 3FP ( Hendon Central) brentcross.co.uk nightgardenlive.com

LITTLE ANGEL THEATRE 14 Dagmar Passage, N1 2DN ( Angel or Highbury Islington) 020 7226 1787 littleangeltheatre.com

Summer Art School July 24, 25 Painting techniques. Booking essential. 10+ years. Cost £22.

Sculpture Workshop July 26, 27 Booking essential. 10+ years. Cost £22.

Summer Fun! August 14, 15 Family trail around the galleries. Free admission.

Theatres & Concerts BLOOMSBURY THEATRE 15 Gordon Street, WC1H OAH ( Euston) 020 7388 8822 thebloomsbury.com

Summer Party July 7 Performances, puppet making workshops, demonstrations and tours. All ages. Free drop-in.

Puppet Making Days July 24, 26 Held at Islington Museum.

Workshops to make a puppet of favourite cartoon characters. 5 – 11 years. Cost £35/£65.

LITTLE OAK WOOD THEATRE Addison Way, Hampstead Garden Suburb, NW11 6QS 020 7723 6609 gardensuburbtheatre.org.uk Hamlet July 5 – 8, 11 – 14 Open-air performance by Garden Suburb theatre group.

LONDON COLISEUM St Martin’s Lane, WC2N 4ES ( Charing Cross) 020 7836 0111 0871 911 0200 eno.org Swan Lake August 3 – 11 English National Ballet. Cost £10 – £67.

LYRIC THEATRE (LONDON) Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D 7ES ( Piccadilly Circus) 0844 412 4661 thetigerwhocametotealive.com The Tiger Who Came to Tea July 4 – September 2 Sophie and her mum are joined for tea by an uninvited guest. 3+ years.

NATIONAL THEATRE South Bank, SE1 9PX ( Waterloo) 020 7452 3000 nationaltheatre.org.uk/insideout Inside Out July 2 – 8

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out and about theatres • concerts • workshops Summer festival with performances, tours and workshops for various age groups.

Cupboard of Surprises July 7, 8, 21, 22, 24 – 27 A magical, musical world full of secrets and surprises. 2 – 5 years.

Cost £2.50.

The Pop-up Workshop July & August Puppets, props and performance workshops. Free ticketed events.

Cesario August 22 – 25 Part of the World Shakespeare Festival. 7+ years. Cost £2.50.

PUPPET THEATRE BARGE Blomfield Road, Little Venice, W9 2PF ( Warwick Avenue) 020 7249 6876 puppetbarge.com The Town Mouse and The Country Mouse July 1, 7, 8, 14, 15 Puppet shows on a floating barge.

3 – 8 years. Cost £10/£8.50.

Richmond Season August 1 – September 30 The Barge will be moored at Richmond-on-Thames.

SOUTH BANK CENTRE Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX. ( Waterloo) 020 7960 4200 southbankcentre.co.uk The Magician’s Daughter July 14 – 19 Written by Michael Rosen and based on The Tempest, with puppets and music. 3+ years. Cost £10 & £15.

Slap Dash Galaxy July 22 – 27 Shadow puppet adventures with monsters and aliens. 7+ years. Cost £10 & £15.

Handa’s Surprise August 17 – 26 Travel to Kenya with puppets, music and song. 2 – 5 years. Cost £7.50.

The Bee Detective August 31 – September 2 A honeybee murder mystery staged in a tent outdoors, with workshops and activities. Cost £12/£6. 6+ years.

UNICORN THEATRE 147 Tooley Street, SE1 2HZ ( London Bridge) 020 7645 0560 unicorntheatre.com How Was it For You? August 29 – Sept 1 Dance and movement to relive the Olympics and the impact it had on Londoners. All ages. Cost £15/£10/ family 20% discount.

Workshops AQUANAUTS SWIMMING SCHOOL At Fitness First Highbury, N5 1FE. aquanautsswimmingschool.com Summer Holiday Courses Individual tuition or 2:1 classes.

‘The Town Mouse and The Country Mouse’ at the Puppet Theatre Barge

ROYAL ALBERT HALL Kensington Gore, SW7 2AP ( South Kensington) 0845 401 5045 royalalberthall.com BBC Proms 2012 July 13 – September 8

SOHO THEATRE 21 Dean Street, W1D 3NE ( Tottenham Court Rd) 020 7287 5060 sohotheatre.com The Boy Who Fell into a Book July 18 – 28 In a fantasy adventure, Kevin must travel through all the books on his bookshelf to find his way home. Part of the London 2012 Festival with activities for children around the theatre. Cost £10 – £15.

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CRAZEE KIDS 020 8444 5333 crazeekids.co.uk Summer Workshop – Time Travel July 30 – August 3 At Weston Park Primary School, N8 9TA. Dance, drama, music and art.

3 – 10 years.

Summer Workshop August 28 – 31 At Jacksons Lane, N6 5AA. 3 – 10 years.

CREATIVE MOVEMENTS At St Marys, Primrose Hill, NW3 3DJ. 020 7435 8217 creativemovements.co.uk Summer Holiday Workshops July 24 – 26, 27, July 31 – August 2, August 7 – 9, August 14 – 16, 17, 21 – 23, 28 – 30, 31, September 3–5

Artwork, prop making and final performances. Age groups 2 – 4 years, 3 – 6 years and 4 – 8 years on selected dates.

CREATIVE WIZ KIDS 020 7794 6797 creativewizkids.com Summer Club July 16 – 20, 23 – 27 At St Judes, Hampstead Garden Suburb, NW11 7AH. Painting, drawing and free art time.

Summer Club July 30 – August 31 At St Peters, Belsize Square, NW3 4HJ. Weekly bookings.

Mother Toddler Groups Tuesdays & Thursdays At St Judes, NW11 7AH.

DANNY GRANT SOCCER SCHOOL (formerly League One Sports Academy) 020 8446 0891 dgsoccer.co.uk Fun-based introduction to football to develop fitness, skills and confidence.

3 – 4 years and 5 – 12 years.

Summer Holiday Course July 16 – 20 Venue to be confirmed.

Summer Holiday Course July 23 – 27, July 30 – August 3 At Whitefield School, NW2 1TR. Weekly After School Football Clubs Held in schools in North and North West London.

DEBUTOTS 020 8442 2380 debutots.co.uk Magical Adventures 2012 August 13 – 17 At Muswell Hill, N10. Includes drama, storytelling, arts and crafts, circus skills, drumming and street dance. 4 – 7 years.

DRAMARAMA STAGE SCHOOL At South Hampstead Junior School / The Intimate Theatre, N13 / Whitefield School NW2.

020 8446 0891 dramarama.co.uk Summer Holiday Courses July 16 – 20, 23 – 27, July 30 – August 3 Drama, dance and musical theatre courses. Groups 3 – 4 years, 5 – 6 years and 7 – 11 years.

Saturday Morning Classes Held during term-time in NW3.

After School Clubs Held in schools in North and North West London.

FRENCH FENCING FACTORY 07939 145161 thefrenchfencingfactory.co.uk Summer Camp July 23 – 27, July 30 – August 3 At Jacksons Lane, N6 5AA. 7+ years.

Cost £95 per week.

Summer Camp July 23 – 27 At Hornsey Vale Community Centre, N8 9LP. 7+ years. Cost £95.

HARINGEY SHED Pretoria Road, Tottenham, N17 8DX 020 8801 7209 haringeyshed.org Summer Children’s Theatre August 6 – 10 Create original music theatre devise the script, write the songs and choreograph the movement.

Courses held at Haringey 6th Form Centre with final performances at the Bernie Grant Arts Centre. 7 – 10 years.

Summer Youth Theatre August 13 – 23 Final performances held at the Bernie Grant Arts Centre and Stratford-upon-Avon. 11+ years.

ISLINGTON TENNIS CENTRE Market Road, N7 9PL 020 7700 1370 aquaterra.org Holiday Programme July 23 – August 24 Weekly 5-day intensive tennis tuition courses. 5 – 8 years & 9 – 15 years.

LAUDERDALE HOUSE Highgate Hill, Waterlow Park, N6 5HG ( Archway) 020 8348 8716 lauderdalehouse.co.uk Musical Mayhem July 24 – 27 6 – 10 years. Cost £65.

Making your own Toys August 7 – 10 5 – 8 years. Cost £65.

Drawing & Painting August 7 – 10, 14 – 17 5 – 8 & 7 – 10 years. Cost £65.

Arty Accessories!

August 21 – 28 10 – 14 years. Cost £65.

PERFORM 0845 400 4000 perform.org.uk Wizard of Oz July 23 – 27, July 30 – August 3, August 6 – 10, 13 – 17 Take a trip down the Yellow Brick Road with drama, dancing and singing workshops at Belsize Park, Hampstead, Highgate, Highbury, Northwood, Pinner, Primrose Hill and St John’s Wood.

www.familiesnorth.co.uk

workshops • special events out & about STUDIO FILM SCHOOL Muswell Hill, N10 0845 533 3763 studiofilmschool.co.uk Summer Film Shoot July 30 – August 3 Direct, shoot, perform and edit a movie. 7 – 16 years.

Special Events

The Wizard of Oz at Perform.

(THE) PLACE 17 Duke’s Road, WC1H 9PY ( Euston) 020 7121 1000 theplace.org.uk Summer Shakers July 23 – 26 Dance courses with an Olympic theme. 6 – 16 years.

RAZZAMATAZ THEATRE SCHOOL 01923 805846 (Barnet) 020 8150 7198 (Hampstead) razzamataz.co.uk Summer Stage Academy July 30 – August 3 At Ashmole Academy, Cecil Road, N14 5RJ. Songs and dances. 4 – 18 years.

Summer Stage Academy August 6 – 10 At St Paul’s Primary School, NW3 3DS. Drama, dance and singing with end performance. 4 – 18 years.

BARBICAN CENTRE Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS ( Barbican) 0845 120 7528 barbican.org.uk Designing 007 – Fifty Years of Bond Style July 6 – September 5 Costumes, gadgets and special effects exhibition. Cost £12/£8.

BIG DANCE 2012 bigdance2012.com Big Dance Week July 7 – 15 Festival of dance activities around London.

Trafalgar Square July 14 Dance routine involving over 1000 performers from 40 dance groups.

Free to watch.

Just Dance July 14, 15 Islington Arts Factory, N7 OSF. Weekend of classes, workshops and performances in all styles of dance.

Dancing in the Square July 15 Hornsey Town Hall, N8 9JJ. Dance taster classes and workshops. All ages, young and old. Free.

STEPS At Haverstock School, Belsize Park, NW3 ( Chalk Farm) 0844 324 5414 stepsiscool.com

BT LONDON LIVE Hyde Park/Victoria Park/Trafalgar Sq. btlondonlive.com London 2012 – Hyde Park July 28 – August 11 Watch the Games beamed live on giant screens, enjoy sports activities and listen to live music. Free entry on the day subject to capacity or pre-book.

Victoria Park July 27 – August 12 The best of the Olympic Games shown on a giant screen with entertainment and games sessions.

Free and guaranteed tickets available to book.

Trafalgar Square August 29 – September 9 Big screen Paralympic Games coverage, live music and sports activities.

Summer Film School July 23 – 27, July 30 – August 3 Make a movie – includes stunt workshop. 7+ years.

BRITISH LIBRARY 96 Euston Road, NW1 2DB ( Kings Cross) bl.uk

STAGECOACH Primrose Hill stagecoach.co.uk 020 8444 2220 primrosehill@stagecoach.co.uk Street Beat July 23 – 27 Street dance and percussion. 7+ years.

Musical Workshop July 23 – 27, July 30 – August 3 4 – 7 years Musical Theatre July 30 – August 3 7+ years.

www.familiesnorth.co.uk

Olympex 2012: Collecting the Olympic Games July 25 – September 9 History of the Games seen through 2500 postage stamps, postcards and letters. Free.

Are you sitting Comfortably?

August 14 – 16, 21 – 23 Storytelling and creative workshops based on the ‘Writing Britain’ exhibition. 6+ years. Free.

BUCKINGHAM PALACE SW1A 1AA ( Victoria) 020 7766 7300. royalcollection.org.uk Diamonds: A Jubilee Celebration July 31 onwards (closed July 9 – 30) All about diamonds and The Queen’s personal jewels. Admission to three sites £31.95/£18.20/family £83 (2+3)

CAPEL MANOR GARDENS Bullsmoor Lane,Enfield, EN1 4RQ (M25/J25) 08456 122122 capelmanorgardens.co.uk Teddy Bears Picnic August 18 Music, games and stories. Cost £6/£3/family (2+3) £15/under 3s free.

FESTIVAL OF BRITISH ARCHAEOLOGY britarch.ac.uk/festival July 14 – 29 Learn about local heritage and see archaeology in action at museums, heritage organizations and parks.

GOLDEN HINDE Clink Street, SE1 9DG ( London Bridge) 020 7403 0123 goldenhinde.com Overnight Experience July 21, 28, August 18, 25 Become part of the crew in an overnight stay with dinner and breakfast! Accompanied 6 – 11 years. Cost £42.95.

Holiday Events Pirate workshops, guided tours and fun days. Cost £7/£5.

HAMPSTEAD HEATH ( Kentish Town/Hampstead) 020 7332 3322 cityoflondon.gov.uk/hampstead Water Awareness Week July 30 – August 3 Parliament Hill Lido. Fun water activities. 8 – 15 years.

Wild & Wacky Olympics August 7 Golders Hill Park. Drop-in event.

The Secret Summer Garden August 7, 14, 21, 28 Parliament Hill. Drop-in event.

Rookie Rangers Wildlife Club August 8, 15, 22, 29 Booking required. 8 – 12 years.

Wild & Wacky Olympics August 9 Parliament Hill bandstand – drop-in event.

Zoo Day August 9, 16, 23, 30 Golders Hill Park. Drop-in.

Waterworld Water Play August 10 Adventure playground. 5+ years.

Studio Film School

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out and about special events • further afield (under 8s must be accompanied by an adult) Stories under a Summer Sky August 22 Parliament Hill and Golders Hill Bandstand.

RM VILLAGE FA

Sum m

HIGHGATE WOOD 020 8444 6129 cityoflondon.gov.uk/highgatewood

lar u c ta er Speecmber 2012

The Story Telling Tree July 31 Free event.

21st July nd Sept -2

The Big Tree Climbing Co. August 7, 8, 28, 29 Climbing activities – charges apply.

Wild & Wacky Olympics August 10 Birds of Prey Display August 15 Wild Play Day August 17 Climb, Swing, Bounce August 24

Find your way out of our A-maize-ing Maze!

Summer Sports Day Races

Young Drivers Zone

Captain Chicken’s Egg Dodge

Ride on Rabbit Racers

Young Chicks Activity Area

Animal Feeding Areas

Woolly's Workout Agility Play Trail Sheep Racing Build ‘n Play

Frisbee Golf

Adventure Play

Farmyard Favourites

Childrens Shows Fun Fair Rides Pan for Gold

Childrens Disco

Scarecrow’s Animal Friends

Woolly Jumpers indoor play barn

Programme subject to change.

RM VILLAGE FA

*This voucher admits one child free to Willows Farm Village with one full paying adult day ticket.

1. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer, school/group bookings, birthday parties, online tickets or Willows Membership. 2. This voucher is valid until 19th October 2012 3. Only one child (up to 13 years old) admitted free with one full paying adult day ticket (aged 14+) per voucher. 4. No forged, defaced or photocopied vouchers or downloaded copies from electronic versions of publications accepted. 5. This voucher can only be used once and must be given up at the time of use.

www.willowsfarmvillage.com

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London 2012 Festival london2012.com/festival Until September 9

The Olympic Journey July 28 – August 12 At the Royal Opera House, WC2. The Story of the Games exhibition. Free.

15644a 04.12

Open daily 10am - 5.30pm

Tel: 0870 129 9718 www.willowsfarmvillage.com

Ring any bell for 3 minutes between 8 – 8.03am to launch the start of the Games. Register on allthebells.com.

Range of activities and events in dance, music, theatre and arts at different locations.

Falconry Displays

Just 300 metres from Jnc.22 M25. Willows Farm Village, Coursers Rd, London Colney, St Albans, Hertfordshire AL4 0PF

Teddy Bear’s Picnic July 25, August 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Favourite songs, poems and stories.

Bring a teddy! Under 5 years. Free.

LONDON OLYMPICS 2012 london2012.com July 27 – August 12

Sing-a-long-a-Woolly

Tristan the Runaway Tractor

KEATS HOUSE Keats Grove, NW3 2RR ( Hampstead) 020 7332 3868 cityoflondon.gov.uk/keatshouse

Paralympic Games August 29 – September 9

PARLIAMENT SUMMER OPENING 2012 Westminster ( Westminster) 0844 8471672 parliament.uk

Summer Organ Festival July 16, 23, August 13, 20 One hour of organ music. Cost £5.

SUTTON HOUSE NATIONAL TRUST 2 & 4 Homerton High St, Hackney E9 6JQ ( Bethnal Green) 020 8986 2264 nationaltrust.org.uk Family Day July 29 Opening of new outdoor play space with trails and activities. Cost £3/£1/ family £6.90.

Outdoor and Indoor Treasure Chest August 9 Art activities, treasure hunt and musical instruments. Family fun. Cost £3/£1/family £6.90.

WILLOWS FARM VILLAGE Coursers Road, St Albans, AL4 OPF willowsfarmvillage.com Summer Spectacular July 21 – September 2 Summer fun with A-maize-ing Maze and sports day races.

Activity Day Camps July 23 – August 31 All day action packed activities. Extra charges apply.

Further Afield BASILDON PARK – NATIONAL TRUST Lower Basildon, Reading, RG8 9NR (M4/J12) 0118 984 3040 nationaltrust.org.uk Grimm Fairy Tales July 20 Family outdoor theatre. Booking required. Cost £14/£9.50.

Crafty Kids July 25, August 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Drop-in art activities. Admission £10/£5/£25 family.

CAMP BESTIVAL 2012 Lulworth Castle, Dorset 0844 888 4410 campbestival.net

Summer Tours July 27 – September 1 Ideally for older children as a lot of walking involved. 5+ years. Cost £15/£6/under 5s free tickets.

Camping Festival July 26 – 29 Family friendly outdoor festival with a range of entertainment for children and a jousting tournament.

Cost weekend £185/£110/£95/ Under 11 years free with ticket. Day tickets £60/£30/under 11s free with ticket.

ST MARTIN-IN-THE-FIELDS Trafalgar Square, WC2N 4JJ ( Charing Cross) 020 7766 1100 smitf.org

DR JOHNSON’S HOUSE 17 Gough Square, EC4A 3DE ( Temple) 020 7353 3745 drjohnsonshouse.org

www.familiesnorth.co.uk

further afield • subscriptions • classified out and about Family Events Visiting families can dress up in costumes and take part in activities. Special events on selected dates. Entry cost £4.50/£1.50/ family £10.

EPPING FOREST Visitor Centre, High Beach, IG10 4AE (M25/J26 – Epping) 020 8508 0028

cityoflondon.gov.uk/eppingforest Wanstead Park Open Air Theatre July 21: Gilbert & Sullivan August 21: Roald Dahl, The Twits Pre-book. Tickets£12.95/£6.95 /£1.95 for 3 years and under.

HOLLAND PARK THEATRE Holland Park, W8 6LU ( High Street Kensington) 0300 999 1000 rbkc.gov.uk/operahollandpark Big Dance July 7, 1pm

Original works on stage. Cost £5.

Fantastic Mr Fox July 17, 19, 21, 26, 28, 31 August 2, 4 Operatic experience for young people. Phone bookings.

Singing in the Rain (U) August 17 Pop-up cinema event. Cost £9.50 – £19.50.

KENSINGTON PALACE Kensington Gardens, W8 4PX ( High Street Kensington) 0844 482 7777 hrp.org.uk Kensington Palace Party July 7, 8 Outdoor dance workshops. Limited places. Free event.

The Taming of the Shrew & The Tempest August 15 – 21 Open-air theatre. Bring a picnic and seats. Cost £18/£12.

Fun Fridays August 17, 24, 31

SUBSCRIPTIONS

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Drop-in sessions. Entry ticket £14.50/children free.

KEW GARDENS Kew, Richmond, Surrey ( Kew Gardens) 020 8332 5655 kew.org Summer Story Telling Sessions July 1 – August 26 Drop-in story telling sessions inside the Temple of the Imagination.

Entry cost £14.50/children free.

ROYAL MUSEUMS GREENWICH National Maritime Museum, and Royal Observatory, SE10 9NF (DLR Cutty Sark) 020 8858 4422 rmg.co.uk London 2012 Olympic Games July – September Opening hours to change during the Equestrian and Modern Pentathlon events to be held here.

Check web for details.

The World in London July 24 – September 3 Explore the galleries with fun activity cards. Free.

Sky Tonight Live From August 4 Tour the night sky at the Planetarium.

Closed from July 7 – August 3. 5+ years. Cost £6.50/£4.50/family £17.50.

Space Safari From August 4 A journey through the solar system with Ted, the teddy bear. Under 7 years. Cost £6.50/£4.50/family £17.50.

Cutty Sark Clipper Ship Climb aboard, and beneath the famous ship relaunched in April after extensive restoration. Holiday activities on selected dates. Closed on Mondays.

Entry £12/£6.50/under 5s free.

Don’t forget to say you saw the ad in Families North! familiesnorth.co.uk

‘Bewitching!’ Daily Telegraph ‘Highly Recommended’ Time Out

Magical parties with Laurie Temple and his Company Themed parties & complete party organisation available

magic juggling puppets guitar & songs storytelling mini disco face painting

www.thepartywizard.co.uk

020 8951 9469 07951 596240 WANTED Commission-only reps to sell advertising for very popular London magazine.

Interested? Call 020 8202 5687 for more information.

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Please send your cheque and completed form to: Families North London subscriptions, 120 Brent Street, Hendon NW4 2DT

DISTRIBUTORS WANTED in the boroughs of Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Hackney, Haringey, Islington and Westminster.

Contact: 020 8202 2034 www.familiesnorth.co.uk

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Fiorentini Weenies & North London Branch Quote Primary Times! *Limited places. Applies to new students only

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The Anna Fiorentini Theatre & Film School for 4-18 years The North London branch of the Saturday Anna Fiorentini Theatre & Film School is currently taking applications for the forthcoming term and the next Taster Day. Next term all students will perform at the Shaw Theatre in the heart of London.

The school originally opened in Hackney in 2001 and now has over 250 students aged 7-18, many of whom have gone on to secure professional work on TV, Film and in theatre. Examples include Charlie Jones and Belinda Owusu, who play Ben Mitchell and Libby Fox in EastEnders and Tahj Mikes who currently plays Simba in the West End’s The Lion King.

As well as providing professional training, the aim of the school is to also provide

a safe and supportive environment for all children to explore their creativity regardless of what career path they eventually choose to follow.

Every week students follow a timetable of drama/film, dance and singing under the guidance of top industry professionals. As well as weekly classes, students are given the opportunity to take part in Voice Idol, Drama and Stars in their Eyes competitions, culminating in a yearly Oscar Night.

The school has recruited some excellent teaching staff including: Mike Burnside (actor in The Bill, Bergerac, the RSC), Mark Short (choreograhper to Tina Turner, Peter Andre, Liberty X), Michael Buffong (director of EastEnders, Holby City, Casualty and Coronation Street), Jacob Murray (former

associate artisitc director of the Royal Exchange Manchester and teacher for National Theatre’s educational Department) and Jay Henry (X-Factor coach and voice coach having worked with Craig David, Mariah Carey and George Michael to name but a few). Celebrities such as Joseph Marcell (Jeffery in Fresh Prince of Bel Air) and Dani Harmer (Tracey Beaker), have also been amongst special guests to give master classes at this prestigious school.

Students get to work with a variety of casting directors, producers and TV directors. They also get the opportunity to be considered for the agency to audition for professional work.

Lamda Qualifications in Drama which carry UCAS points also available.

Drama, Singing, Dance, Film, Set & Costume Design for ages 4-18 Saturdays in North London & Hackney Tuesdays in Bethnal Green Wednesdays in Docklands

ANNA FIORENTINI

THEATRE FILM SCHOOL Contact us to book your free no obligation Taster Day. Hurry - Limited Places! www.ANNAFIORENTINI.com Tel: 020 7682 1403