Families NWSB - Issue 1 - July/August 2014

The really useful, FREE magazine for families in North-East Wales and the Shropshire Borders‌ pick up your copy today!

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Issue 1 July/August 2014 www.familiesnwsb.co.uk

North Wales Shropshire Borders

What’s On guide!

A to Z of Summer Fun! Exclusive competitions!

Covering Denbigh, Ruthin, Mold, Buckley, Wrexham, Llangollen, Corwen, Chirk, Oswestry, Ellesmere, and surrounding villages.

Families North Wales Shropshire Borders is looking for distributors in the Denbighshire, Wrexham, Flintshire and Oswestry areas.

If you have a car, a few hours spare every two months, and you want to earn some extra money, please call our editor Sal, on 07472 245731, or email editor@familiesnwsb.co.uk

Family Adventures Canoeing, Kayaking, Climbing, Abseiling, Gorge Walking, Bushcraft, Archery & more!

ProAdventure Activities outdoors@proadventure.org 01978 861912 Adventures in Llangollen, from half a day to a week or more

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‘ F N Q uo boo WSB’ te of 4 king f when o a fr or mo r fam ee ilies re , pla child’s and g ce e on half d t ay c er act t a iviti es! in

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North Wales Shropshire Borders Front cover image © zagorodnaya Fotolia.com.

All content © Families NWSB Families North Wales Shropshire Borders contact details: Tel: Website: Email:

07472 245731 www.familiesnwsb.co.uk editor@familiesnwsb.co.uk

Enquiries: If you have a query about editorial, news, events, What’s On listings or our advertising opportunities please get in touch.

Next issue: September/October 2014. Deadline: early August.

Circulation: 12,000 copies of Families North Wales Shropshire Borders are distributed through nurseries, schools, libraries, selected shops and other child-related venues throughout Denbighshire, Flintshire, Wrexham and North-West Shropshire. If you would like free copies for your organisation please let us know.

Printer: Russell Press Ltd. www.russellpress.com 0115 978 4505 Families North Wales Shropshire Borders is part of the Families® group, established in 1990 and headed by Families South West.

All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under license.

We take every 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 consequences.

Any original materials submitted for publication are sent at owner’s own risk and, while every care is taken, neither Families not its agents accept liability for loss or damage.

Scan the QR code to go to our website, where you can search our What’s On listings, enter our competitions, and more. facebook.com/FamiliesNWSB

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Local News…

National Playday - celebrating children’s Right to Play!

Do you dare enter the Mythical Maze?

National Playday is a UK-wide annual celebration of the child’s Right to Play, which takes place every August. Wrexham Play Network will again be celebrating National Playday this summer, by holding a large free, open-access play event in the town centre.

A large number of play organisations from across Wrexham will be coming together

Libraries across the area are getting ready to introduce children to a fantastical world of legend and mythology that will keep them reading throughout the summer holidays, with Mythical Maze, the 2014 Summer Reading Challenge run by independent charity The Reading Agency.

Each year the Summer Reading Challenge encourages children to read six or more books of their choice during the holidays. They could be fact books, joke books, picture books or chapter books, just as long as they are borrowed from the library. There are collectable incentives and rewards, plus a certificate for every child who completes the Challenge. Children can sign up at their local library and participation is free.

Playday takes place on Wednesday 6th August, from 12:00pm until 4:00pm, on Queen’s Square and Llwyn Isaf in Wrexham town centre. Entry is free.

For further information or to get involved please contact the WCBC Play Team at play@wrexham.gov.uk Photo credit: WCBC Play Team

Would you like to welcome a foreign student into your family?

The European Centre for Training and Regional Co-operation (ectarc), based in Llangollen, provides the opportunity for foreign students to work in the UK, enabling them to improve their English and gain valuable work experience.

Students live with host families for the duration of their stay, making their experience even more rewarding by giving them an insight to family life in the UK. But the benefits aren't just for the students – host families also gain from the the chance to get to know somebody from another country and culture.

The Summer Reading Challenge is open to all school children and is designed for all reading abilities, and many libraries run associated early years activities for pre-schoolers.

As a host family you are paid to accommodate students; the amount varies depending on whether you provide meals or the student self-caters. ectarc are currently looking for host families throughout the North East Wales and Shropshire Borders area, particularly in Denbigh, Ruthin, Mold and Oswestry. For further information about becoming a host family for ectarc please contact Mandy or Anne on 01978 861514 . www.ectarc.com

This year’s theme – Mythical Maze challenges children aged four to eleven to find their way around a labyrinth that introduces them to fantastical creatures from the world of legend and mythology, collecting stickers of each character along the way.

Parading the way into Summer!

Sarah McIntyre, the illustrator of Mythical Maze, is an award-winning British-American illustrator and writer of children's books and comics. She worked with a group of children from Leith library in Scotland to brainstorm ideas for how to draw the mythical creatures and she says “It's vitally important that children are engaged with reading and I hope the Mythical Maze will inspire many more children."

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is a world-famous festival celebrating music, dance, costume and culture from various nations around the world. Now in its 62nd year, this years Eisteddfod promises to be bigger and more colourful than ever before!

Photo credit: LIME

As usual, the Eisteddfod will see over 5000 singers, dancers and musicians from around 50 countries performing throughout the 6 days of the event, and the Eisteddfod field will be alive and buzzing every day with exciting international performances and live music by professional acts including acoustic musicians, world music groups, dance workshops, folk musicians and much much more!.

So, head down to your local library to sign up and help your children to discover a lifelong love of reading. For more details visit: www.summerreadingchallenge.org.uk Photo credit: LIME

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to provide a wide range of exciting play opportunities to delight and inspire youngsters of all ages. Children can get creative and fire up their imaginations building dens; they can burn off some energy with rope swings and water slides; they can get messy with gunk and goo; and much more besides. There is also plenty for little ones to do, with an Early Years area full of fun.

As well as the many competitions, in 2014 the event will include a wide variety of workshops, performances and celebrations, including the spectacular and much enjoyed 'Parade of Nations', where you can gather in the streets to see the performers parade, dance and sing their way through Llangollen. The parade, which takes place on the afternoon of Tuesday 8th July, is always a family favourite! www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk

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Local News…

Is your child passionate about reading?

Help boost your child's development with Rhythm Time's stimulating music classes

If so, they'll love the children's book clubs at Booka in Oswestry! Booka is an awardwinning independent bookshop; open since 2009 it has quickly established a reputation as one the UK’s leading independent bookshops, boasting a great selection of adults and children’s books.

Booka launched its first children’s book club in July 2013, for enthusiastic young readers aged 7 to 9 years (school years 3 and 4). Having read the chosen book, the group meets up once a month to share their thoughts and ideas, interacting and responding to an exciting range of questions and taking part in a craft related activity.

With the success of the children's book club, a second club will start in September for 10 to 12 year olds (school years 5, 6 and 7). Booka are also launching a teen book club aimed at 13 to 16 year olds.

If your child or someone you know might be interested in joining one of the bookclubs, please contact Booka on 01691 662244 or mail@bookabookshop.co.uk

A member of the Pre-School Music Association, Rhythm Time's passion is music and its ability to stimulate every part of a child’s brain. As such, each course helps with a child’s development and learning, and offers an excellent preparation for school by developing your child’s confidence, creativity, listening skills, language, numeracy and co-ordination.

Structured classes provide security and continuity whilst new songs and activities make things even more fun and exciting. All the songs and music are specially written or adapted by Rhythm Time, and teachers use their natural singing voices as opposed to singing along to backing tracks. Classes provide many benefits to children with the opportunity for continuous learning and development as they progress from stimulating baby classes right up to educational pre-school sessions, and each child receives a Progress Ladder to chart their progress along their wonderful musical journey.

Multi-sensory baby classes (birth to 14 months) use exciting songs, percussion instruments and sensory equipment to stimulate vision, listening and sense of touch. The varied activities assist with balance, development of the inner ear, speech, language and small motor movements.

From 14 months, a different development stage requires a new course: in our exciting toddler classes (14 months to 3 years) toddlers learn to listen and improve their concentration with the help of Rhythm Time’s Rat-a-tat puppet. Hand eye co-ordination and motor skills are strengthened by using a variety of instruments, whilst language and vocal chords are developed through singing our simple songs. All courses are in line with the Early Learning Foundation and Key Stage 1 goals.

The pre-school classes (3 to 5 years) are where everything comes together. Children learn to conduct, play pitch and rhythm games, listen to orchestral instruments and compose simple pieces, which aids communication, language, literacy, mathematical skills and creativity. All this whilst having fantastic fun!

To experience Rhythm Time’s fantastic music classes combined with a superb personal service, book your free trial at a class near you. Call Ryan Holland on 07805 904596 or visit www.rhythmtime.net/rh23 for more details.

Photo credit: Booka

If the kids have got you climbing the walls, why not get them climbing instead?

Climbing is a great activity for children - not only does it help them keep fit and burn off energy, but it helps improve in other areas such as focus and concentration, creative thinking and problem solving, determination and perseverance. It’s also ideal for those children who think they aren’t ‘sporty’ just because they don’t like football or athletics. It might not be a traditional team sport, but when you are belaying (controlling the ropes) for another climber - with their life in your hands - you learn a lot about trust, teamwork and communication. So where can they go to learn all this, and more?

The Boardroom is a new, state-of-the-art indoor climbing facility in Queensferry, Flintshire, and is recognised by the Welsh Government as a centre of excellence. They run a host of courses and fun sessions ranging from kids Photo credit: The Boardroom clubs, family tasters and introductions to climbing, right through to a women’s coaching night, private coaching and instructor qualifications.

The most popular kids course they run is the National Indoor Climbing Award Scheme (NICAS), which provides the structure and motivation for new young climbers to develop their skills in order that they may gain the most out of their climbing as well as having their achievements recognised. It is open to children aged 7 and upwards and is an ideal starting point for those wishing to take up climbing. Classes are held over a six week block.

Photo credit: The Boardroom

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For further information visit www.theboardroomclimbing.com .

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Local News…

Local outdoor activity centre wins award of excellence ProAdventure Activities Ltd. has just been awarded the ‘2014 Certificate of Excellence’ from well-known consumer review site TripAdvisor, as their highest-rated provider of outdoor activities in Llangollen.

The not-for-profit centre, which offers a wide range of activities for families and groups including Rock Climbing, Abseiling, Kayaking, Canoeing, Gorge Walking, Archery, and more has achieved a fantastic 5-star rating, and the staff couldn’t be happier.

Owner and Managing Director Pete Carol told us “We all work incredibly hard to provide a high quality adventure experience for our customers, so it’s great to know that we consistently achieve this. The best thing about the award is that the reviews posted on TripAdvisor are totally independent, so they are an honest and unbiased opinion of the service we provide. I’m very proud of the whole team, in particular our instructors who are dedicated to sharing their passion for the outdoors.”

If your family would like to get in on the action it couldn’t be easier! ProAdventure are offering Families readers a fantastic deal - simply quote ‘FNWSB’ when booking a half day Family Taster session for four or more people, and receive one free child’s place! Offer valid for Rock Climbing & Abseiling, Gorge Walking, flat water Kayaking or Open Canoeing, Bushcraft & Survival, and Archery. Minimum ages apply for each activity, starting from 6 years. Visit www.proadventure.org for details.

Free summer play sessions for 0-4 year olds The Tegan service are offering more free play sessions for 0-4 year olds throughout the summer holidays. Tegan (a project run by the social enterprise PSS) provides a free, high quality mobile toy library and play sessions in Denbighshire.

The service works closely with Family Information Services and leisure centres throughout the county to provide soft play sessions and open access provision. Soft play sessions offer a safe environment within which children can be active and have fun, and the Tegan team encourages

parents to get involved and play with their children.

Tegan will be running sessions throughout the summer holidays; you’ll find them at Prestatyn Leisure Centre on 4th and 11th August, at Eirianfa Denbigh on 5th and 12th August, and at Bodelwyddan Community Centre on 6th and 13th August. Sessions run from 10:00am until 11:30am.

Visit www.facebook.com/PSSTegan for more details.

Outdoor family theatre events - ideal for little ones!

The Cambridge Touring Theatre are performing their fun, family-friendly musical adaptation of ‘Alice in Wonderland', in the magical outdoor setting of Dearnford Lake near Whitchurch, with a show packed full of song and dance which is sure to captivate and inspire the imaginations of children, young and old!

An outdoor theatre event is perfect for little ones who may not want to sit still during the performance! ‘Alice in Wonderland’ takes place on 24th August; visit www.dearnford.com for more details and to book tickets.

Do you need a helping hand to get fit and keep active?

You’ve probably heard of Metafit - billed as ‘the workout that keeps on working’ it’s a new type of exercise class that combines traditional bodyweight exercises with interval techniques to really get your metabolism going, meaning you really get results!

Metafit is suitable for everyone; it doesn't matter if you're male or female, young or old, a new mum, an old dad, overweight, unfit, or a fitness fanatic. Each session is designed to cater for a variety of abilities, and you can tailor each exercise to suit you.

There are Metafit instructors across the area, so you're sure to find a class near you.

Metafit Llangollen, Metafit Oswestry, Metafit Flintshire and Metafit Clwyd all have Facebook pages, so be sure to check them out and give your fitness a boost!

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Things we love…

We

soft leather baby shoes from Inch Blue...

Inch Blue has been one of the UK's leading brands since their launch in 1999, and looking at their range of eye-catching designs and attention to detail it's easy to see why!

All of their gorgeous styles are hand-stitched in their factory in Wales, and the company's ongoing commitment to quality and innovation mean that their designs continue to look as fresh and fabulous as they did when they first launched. New designs for 2014 include the Fox, Tractor, Rafferty the Rabbit, Bluebell, Monty the Dog, Dash the Dachshund, Flower Pot and a Doll shoe.

Fifteen years on, and they have introduced a number of complementary products, including the award-winning natural sheepskin baby booties called ‘Cwtches’, luxurious printed gift sets featuring Inch Blue’s exclusive prints on babygros, hats and shoes, as well as embroidered gift sets in many of the brand’s most popular designs - all of which are presented in Inch Blue’s signature luxurious packaging.

Inch Blue shoes are available from 0 - 6 years and gift sets and Cwtches are available from 0 - 12 months. For more information visit www.inch-blue.com

Win a pair of Inch Blue shoes!

Inch Blue is marking its 15th birthday this year, and to celebrate we've teamed up with them to offer one lucky Families NWSB reader a free pair of shoes from the 2014 collection! For your chance to win simply visit www.familiesnwsb.co.uk (smartphone users can scan the QR code inside the front cover to go straight there).

The complete labelling solution – because kids lose stuff!

Labels4Kids offers a wide range of name labels, so whatever you need to be able to identify, they've got a solution, with labels for school, sport clubs, daycare and more.

Choose from iron on, sew in, stick on, click on, or dishwasher- and microwave-proof labels for bottles or lunch boxes.

Labels4Kids offers such a large, tried and tested range of labels that there really is something for everyone.

Labels4Kids continues the modernisation of their website to make the ordering process faster and smoother. Not only can you now design your vinyl order onscreen, but postage is free for orders of £20 or more, and they have a 100% money-back guarantee if you have any problems with your labels. Labels4Kids apologise for any problems you may have encountered last year during the website move, which took longer than expected but is now complete.

The company is expecting a very busy summer, so do remember to get your orders in early to guarantee delivery in time for school. Follow them on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter or Flickr, or sign up to their blog for news of more developments later this year!

Progressing labelling for your benefit, Labels4Kids care, because - try as they might - kids DO lose stuff! See their website www.labels4kids.com/fam for the full range of products.

New children’s eyewear accessories from Blinx...

Blinx are a new eye-catching range of eyewear accessories for children who wear glasses, allowing them to easily customise their existing spectacle frames. Newly launched this year, Blinx are designed to be easily slipped on and off the arms of children’s spectacles, allowing them to be swapped and changed to suit their mood or outfit. They can be worn individually, as matching pairs or mixed together to create a unique look. The soft plastic charms will fit the majority of children’s spectacles and are available in an initial range of 20 designs.

Just £1.99 each from Blinx, www.myblinx.co.uk

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A to Z of Summer Fun! All aboard!

Llangollen Railway is primarily a steam hauled heritage railway line located beside the historic Dee Bridge in Llangollen. The line follows the beautiful River Dee, classed as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), for its entire length.

The 7 ½ mile section of line, which in its day crossed Wales from Ruabon to Barmouth, offers a sample of the sights and sounds of yesteryear as it passes through some of the finest natural beauty North Wales has to offer.

The railway is located within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and this is evident as you meander through the Dee Valley. From lambs in the Spring to the multicoloured falling leaves of Autumn, the view from your carriage is picturesque and ever changing.

As well as steam hauled trains, Llangollen Railway also run Diesel Locomotive and Heritage Railcar services on selected days throughout the season alongside a wide selection of events for both adults and children, including the popular Day Out with Thomas events (see our What's On guide on page 12).

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Do your kids crave action and adventure? We are fortunate to live in an area which is perfect for outdoor activities, and there are some excellent outdoor pursuits providers locally, most of whom offer activities for families, with children being able to take part from around 5 or 6 years old. So get active, and let the kids try their hand at Open Canoeing, Kayaking, Rock Climbing, Abseiling or Gorge Walking! ProAdventure Activities (www.proadventure.org) in Llangollen offers a wide variety of family activities, and can offer flexible dates to suit you.

Would your business benefit from advertising here?

Call our editor Sal on 07472 245731, or email editor@familiesnwsb.co.uk to find out more…

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Hold a family disco! Just choose your favourite tunes, and dance to your heart's content. Not only is it good fun, but it's great exercise as well and will help your little ones burn off some of that holiday energy!

Or if you have any budding thespians in the family why not write and perform your own family play? Never mind amateur dramatics, create your own Fam-Dram!

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They might not be quite on our doorstep, but there are lots of great beaches close enough for an easy day trip. If sand in your sandwiches isn't your thing, why not have a barbecue with some friends? Get the kids to help you with the catering and let them bake a cake!

If they'd rather be outdoors, visit RSPB Conwy Reserve (www.rspb.org.uk) and see how many different types of birds you can spot. Or enjoy a family trip to go bowling at The Venue (www.gotothevenue.com) near Oswestry.

Photo credit: David Wilcock

Visit www.llangollen-railway.co.uk for more details.

Six weeks can seem like forever when you have than a few ideas here for you to keep them busy huge, boredom-busting A to Z of Summer Fun!

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Go camping - it doesn't really matter if it's on a campsite or in your back garden, a night under canvas will be great fun for the kids! Get crafty – why not try our crafty gardening project on page 7? Or visit your local castle and pretend you are the kings and queens of days gone by! Community-run Whittington Castle (www.whittingtoncastle.co.uk) offers exciting historical experiences for youngsters .

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Have an equestrian encounter, and go pony trekking. Or if you don't fancy riding, why not take a leisurely trip along the beautiful Llangollen canal and see the sights from a horsedrawn boat? (www.horsedrawnboats.co.uk)

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If you fancy a weekend away, there are some brilliant family festivals around, with entertainment for all ages.

Shrewsbury Folk Festival (www.shrewsburyfolkfestival.co.uk) has a separate children’s festival in their kids zone, packed with activities, theatre, storytelling, circus skills and music. Closer to home, the annual International Eisteddfod in Llangollen (www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk) also has a lot to offer to stimulate little ones’ senses, and the colourful Parade of Nations is an annual favourite as the competitors parade through the town centre, singing and dancing all the way . A day visiting your local farm park is always good – try Greenfield Valley (www.greenfieldvalley.com) near Holywell. You could find some forest fun building dens in the woods at Plas Derw (www.plasderwforestschool.co.uk); or maybe just take a wander to your nearest canal or lake and feed the ducks for an afternoon.

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Try a treasure hunt with a difference, and have a go at geocaching. Use a GPS device - or download a GPS app to your smartphone - to locate and navigate your way to find hidden containers (known as 'caches').

Locations can be very diverse – in your

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A to Z of Summer Fun!

children to keep occupied, but we've got more y - and having fun – all summer long, with our local park, on a city street, up a mountain or even underwater! Some caches contain items which previous visitors have left behind; if you want to you can swap something of your own for one of these items. Visit www.geocaching.com for more details.

Looking for a family day out with a difference?

Then look no further! DangerPoint is an indoor safety education centre, designed like a film set, where the emphasis is on FUN!

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Don't forget to check out what holiday clubs and summer schools are available near you – there is usually something to suit everyone, from a day to a week long course. A-Star Sports Wrexham, Oswestry and Whitchurch (www.a-starsports.co.uk) run sports-based holiday clubs; Jane's Studios (www.janesstudios.biz) in Denbigh runs performing arts summer schools; and Groundwork North Wales in Wrexham (www.groundworknorthwales.org.uk) offers an outdoor-based multi-activity holiday club, where kids can get stuck in and try orienteering, bug hunting, pond dipping, and much more. And if the kids are driving you loopy, challenge them to a hoola-hoop competition – who can keep their hoop spinning the longest?

New for 2014! Meet K-os, our interactive character from outer space.

He appears live on screens throughout the centre and talks with visitors. It’s like Face Time with an alien!

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Challenge your kids to learn to juggle before the end of the holidays. If they can juggle already, they could try to learn a new trick instead, or to juggle with an extra ball, or with clubs. Or get a really big jigsaw with the aim of doing it as a family throughout the summer.

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Summer means ice cream, so have a go at making your own, or try smoothie lollies or ice cream sundaes. If the weather is bad and your kids are driving you up the wall, take them to your local indoor climbing wall and let them climb the walls there instead – The Boardroom climbing centre near Deeside (www.theboardroomclimbing.com) offers a variety of taster sessions and courses for kids and families. Or why not just get the dressing-up box out and let them use their imagination with some pretend play?

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If your children are 9 years or older and thrive on speed and excitement they will love the opportunity to try karting at Glan y Gors Park, near Cerrigydrudion (www.gygkarting.com). Or make the most of a windy day and fly a kite - it's great fun for all ages!

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Visit your library and take part in the Summer Reading Challenge! This year's theme is the Mythical Maze; young readers will find their way around a labyrinth that introduces them to fantastical creatures from the world of legend and mythology, collecting stickers of each character along the way. Children aged 7 and upwards will be delighted to bring their computer games to life at Llandegla Laser Combat (www.llandeglalasercombat.com), where they can run around dodging the enemy, hiding behind barricades and trying to win

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The Danger Detective Quest typically takes between 2 – 2 ½ hours to complete. Although there are Centre Assistants on hand to help, children get the most benefit from the Danger Detective Quest when their accompanying adult also takes the time to guide them through it. Who knows, you might learn something new yourself!

DangerPoint has activities to suit from 5 years upwards (no upper age limit) so please take this into account if bringing babies or toddlers. The Gift Shop sells crafting kits, which you are welcome to buy and make on the premises, if younger children do get restless.

We have picnic tables so you can bring your own lunch and we sell snacks and cold drinks. For a full day of family fun, why not wander down to Talacre village after your visit? There’s the famous lighthouse (as seen on tv in the Dulux adverts), miles of golden sand, dunes to explore and plenty of family entertainment such as amusements and ten pin bowling.

Visit www.dangerpoint.org.uk for more information. **Stay Safe This Summer **

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A to Z of Summer Fun! the mission! Children aged 10 and upwards can learn to drive with Autotutors (www.autotutors.co.uk), whose young driving school courses are designed to give youngsters a hands-on experience as well as teaching them about the responsibilities involved with driving.

If you fancy getting lost in a maze, visit Park Hall Countryside Experience (www.parkhallfarm.co.uk) near Oswestry, and try to find your way through their Maize Maze. Use masking tape to turn your living room into a 3D racetrack for toy cars; it doesn't just have to be flat, you can get creative and go up walls, over sofas and under tables! For fun on two wheels why not try a family mountain biking day at OnePlanet Adventure (www.oneplanetadventure.com) in Llandegla, where you will learn a variety of skills to enable you to ride off-road safely and with confidence. Or you could visit a museum – they are not all stuffy and boring for kids! Wrexham Museum (01978 297460) has plenty of interesting, hands-on exhibits for kids, and if you

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Best picnic venues…

We asked our Facebook fans to recommend their favourite local picnic venues - here are their top five choices!

• Loggerheads Country Park, near Mold • The Panorama, above Llangollen • Alyn Waters Country Park, near Gwersyllt • Plas Newydd, in Llangollen • Ty Mawr Country Park, in Cefn Mawr

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fancy exploring a little further afield then the fabulously unique Mythstories Museum of myth and fable in Wem (www.mythstories.com) shouldn't be missed! The Ironbridge Gorge Museums (www.ironbridge.org.uk) near Telford also offer a wide variety of attractions and fun for all the family, from a working recreated Victorian town, to a hands-on experience of science and technology at their Enginuity museum.

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Send the kids on a nature hunt – give them a list of things to find, and a clearly defined safe area to roam.

Or visit your local National Trust property – Erddig Hall (www.nationaltrust.org.uk/erddig) and the fantastic Chirk Castle (www.nationaltrust.org.uk/chirk-castle) are both great family-friendly places with all sorts of thing to see and do, and regular family events.

Cont’d from page 9…

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Go on a quest - take part in a Danger Detective Quest at DangerPoint Safety Activity Centre in Flintshire (www.dangerpoint.org.uk); or explore the world around us and find out how things work at Techniquest Glyndwr (www.tqg.org.uk).

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Run as fast as you can and feel the wind in your hair. Don't forget to make the most of the rain - it wouldn't be summer without it! Go for a walk and splash in puddles on a rainy day. If you can find muddy puddles, even better! Whatever the weather, a trip to a theme park to ride the rollercoasters is always a winner, and at GreenWood Forest Park (www.greenwoodforestpark.co.uk) you'll find the only people-powered rollercoaster in the world! Check out our competition on the opposite page to win a family ticket to GreenWood Forest Park!

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Get outside! Set up an obstacle course in the garden – wriggling under chairs, jumping through hoolahoops, throwing a water balloon at a target, or dribbling footballs around a course can all be part of the fun.

You can make it a competitive team relay event, or just do it for fun. If your garden isn't quite big enough then a family day out at the Crocky Trail adventure course (www.crockytrail.co.uk), just outside Chester, can't be beaten!

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Pack up a picnic and go for a walk (check out the box on the left to see some of our Facebook fans' favourite picnic spots in the area).

Visit a local Pick Your Own farm for some fresh summer fruits – Bellis Brothers (www.bellisbrothers.co.uk) near Wrexham have eight different fruits to choose from, as well as a farm shop and garden centre. If the weather means that's not such an appealing option why not try pottery painting at your local ceramics studio? You'll find lots of things to paint at both Rascals Retreat in Wrexham (www.rascalsretreat.co.uk), and at Honey Pots (www.honey-pots.com) which has studios in Oswestry and Llangollen. Just spending a couple of hours at the park can help to break the day up a bit. Hosting a play date and having more kids in the house isn't as mad an idea as it might seem; friends will keep them occupied and entertained and they will probably stay engaged in playing for longer.

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Visit a local summer show or carnival for a great day out for all the family - see our events listings starting on page 12.

Soft play is always a winner with the kids – why not try a visit to Dragon's Den in Llangollen (www.dragonsdenllangollen.co.uk, Billy Badger's (www.moretonpark.com) near Chirk, or Round The Twist in Wrexham (www.roundthetwist.biz) - just a few of the many local playcentres. Or conduct a science experiment in the kitchen – check out our Pinterest boards online at www.pinterest.com/familiesnwsb for links to lots of ideas of exciting things to try!

T

Introduce your little ones to the theatre – there are some brilliant family events available, including The Sooty Show, Scooby-Doo and Peppa Pig's Big Splash at Venue Cymru (www.venuecymru.co.uk).

Or go for a ride on a train – if you have any Thomas the Tank Engine fans you'll love a Day Out with Thomas at Llangollen Railway (www.llangollen-railway.co.uk).

www.familiesnwsb.co.uk

A to Z of Summer Fun!

W

How about tennis? Wrexham Tennis Centre (www.wrexhamtenniscentre.co.uk) offers sessions for children aged 4 and upwards throughout the holidays.

Summer wouldn't be complete without a good old-fashioned water fight – but don't forget the golden rule… the wetter the better! If you're really sneaky, you can get the kids to wash the car at the same time!

U

Get underwater – go swimming; or if you prefer to stay dry you could try your hand at pond dipping and find out who lives underwater. For a full aquatic experience, brave the underwater tunnel at the SeaQuarium (www.seaquarium.co.uk) in Rhyl, where you can get up close with the wonders of the ocean.

V

Grow your own vegetables.

If you haven't got much space don't worry, many vegetables are ideal for growing in tubs, hanging baskets or planters. If you don't have a garden why not see if you have a local community garden where you can help out? Llangollen Community Garden (www.llangollengarden.co.uk) is an excellent example - search for your nearest garden at www.farmgarden.org.uk

can't decide (or agree!) on where to go, make a list and throw a die!

Y

Go for a YOMP - that's a long walk to you and I! Get the kids involved in planning the route (don't make it too long though!), and make sure there's plenty to see on the way. Don't forget to take plenty of snacks and drinks.

Z

X

Plan a treasure hunt for your little ones. Draw them a treasure map with a big X to mark the spot, write some clues (you could even throw in a red herring or two to make it last longer!) and send them off on an adventure! Or go somewhere you've never been before, and EXPLORE (yes, I know it begins with 'e'!) your local area – if you

Thrill-seekers will love zooming down zip-lines, and you can find exciting options at Tree Top Adventure (www.ttadventure.co.uk) in Betws-y-Coed, and at Plas Power Adventure near Wrexham (www.plaspoweradventure.com). Finally, take your little monkeys to the zoo although you won't be able to leave them there, however tempted you might be! The Welsh Mountain Zoo in Colwyn Bay (www.welshmountainzoo.org) has plenty to see and do for a brilliant family day out.

Win a Family Ticket to GreenWood Forest Park this Summer!

If you're looking for a grand day out this summer, look no further! There’s stacks of fun for all the family at GreenWood Forest Park, and this is your chance to get your hands on one of three FREE family day tickets for 2 adults and 2 children!

Voted Best Family Attraction in North Wales, GreenWood Forest Park is a ‘must visit’ day out. Set in 17 magical acres, you’ll discover bags of woodland adventure and forest family fun – the only question is, what will you do first?

You could jump aboard the worlds’ only people-powered rollercoaster, zoom down Wales’ longest sledge run, or embark on a jungle boat adventure. In the Forest Theatre, you’ll find great entertainment during every school holiday, including Howard the Magician and Ricardo the Pirate - they can’t wait to make you laugh!

Open daily from 10:00am, with an onsite café and free parking, GreenWood Forest Park is situated 5 miles from Caernarfon. For more information visit www.greenwoodforestpark.co.uk or call the 24-hour info line on 01248 670 076.

For your chance to win one of three family tickets go to www.familiesnwsb.co.uk smartphone users can scan the QR code inside the front cover to go straight there. www.familiesnwsb.co.uk

07472 245731

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What’s On… Heritage Events

We have taken every care in preparing the listings in this magazine but sometimes events

Animals & Nature

Hands-On-Heritage

Family River Dipping

Denbigh Castle, Denbigh, LL16 3NB 12th July, 10:30am-4:00pm

Corwen Sports Pavilion, Corwen, LL21 0DN 22nd July; 10:30am-12:30pm

Come and join us for the Festival of Archaeology: an annual extravaganza of hands-on heritage workshops and demonstrations. Bring the family and learn about your heritage by trying your hand at an ancient craft, interpreting history through art, or learning from history experts. Adult £3.50, Children £2.65, Family £10.50 (admits 2 adults and all U16s) www.cadw.wales.gov.uk

Come and enjoy some river dipping. Nets are provided but you'll need to bring your own wellies!

Multi-Period Living History Event Whittington Castle, Whittington, SY11 4DF 26th-27th July, 10;00am-4;00pm

Time travel back through the history of Whittington Castle's site, experiencing what life what like in various times, including in a medieval encampent and as a Napoleonic Rifleman. As well as weapons displays, skirmishes and re-enactments, there will be stalls selling modern day crafts as well as period items, and refreshments are available on site. Entry costs £2pp adult, £1pp child. www.whittingtoncastle.co.uk

Bank Holiday Fun Denbigh Castle, Denbigh, LL16 3NB 24th-25th August, 11:00am-4:00pm

Step back in time and meet medieval characters and watch as the history of medieval Denbigh Castle comes alive with the by sights, sounds and smells of the period. Hands-on activities, living history, talks and displays. Suitable for all the family.

Adult £3.50, Children £2.65, Family £10.50 (admits 2 adults and all U16s) www.cadw.wales.gov.uk

Day Out With Thomas Llangollen Railway, Llangollen, LL20 8SN 2nd-3rd & 7th-10th August

All aboard for a Day Out With Thomas!

Meet Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends, who are waiting to entertain you at Llangollen Railway! Visit the organisers website for prices. www.llangollen-railway.co.uk

Peppa Pig's Big Splash

www.venuecymru.co.uk

Children's Planting Workshop Bellis Brothers, Wrexham , LL13 9YU 30th July, 6th & 13th August, 10:00am - 11:00am

Come and learn how to plant up and look after your own little seedling or plant.

Suitable for ages 6-10 years, includes a drink and a cookie. Please book in advance. £2.50. www.bellisbrothers.co.uk

Run Wild Summer Holiday Club Rhydymwyn Valley Nature Reserve, Rhydymwyn, CH7 5HQ 8th, 15th, 22nd & 29th August, 10:00am-12:30pm

Shrewsbury Folk Festival West Mids Showground, Shrewsbury, SY1 2PF 22nd-25th August, various times

Shrewsbury Folk Festival is an exciting and renowned event with lots to see and do for little ones, with their very own mini-festival in the kids zone, full of activities, theatre, storytelling, circus skills and music to keep them busy and having a fantastic weekend.

See website for prices. www.shrewsburyfolkfestival.co.uk

Let your children ‘run wild’ this summer! We will be exploring the site in lots of ways, including wildlife walks, stories, games and other outdoor activities. Parental consent needed for unaccompanied children.

Suitable for 5 – 11yrs. www.newwildlife.org.uk

Bug Hotels Nant Mill Country Park, Wrexham, LL11 3BT 19th August, 1:30pm-3:30pm

Come along to this fun drop-in workshop and make homes for garden creepy crawlies! £2.50 www.wrexham.gov.uk

Old MacDonald Farm Day Ty Mawr Country Park, Wrexham, LL14 3PE 28th August, 1.30pm – 3.30pm

See the animals, make a badge and have a tractor ride! £3. www.wrexham.gov.uk

Photo credit: Adrian van Leen

Arts & Crafts Clay Play Alyn Waters Country Park, Wrexham, LL11 4AG 23rd July, 1:30pm-3:30pm

Fun with clay for all the family! Drop-in session. £2.50 www.wrexham.gov.uk

Elf and Fairy Wands

Music, Theatre & Drama Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod Llangollen Pavilion, Llangollen, LL20 8SW 8th-13th July

The Llangollen International Eisteddfod is a world-famous festival celebrating music, dance, costume and culture from various nations around the world. See our news article on page 4 for more details.

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Izzy Wizzy, let's get busy! It's Sooty's Birthday party and things aren't going to plan. Sooty and Sweep get messy baking the Birthday cake and will Soo ever decide which dress to wear? £12. www.venuecymru.co.uk

Come and join Peppa and her friends for an all-singing, all-dancing adventure full of songs, games and muddy puddles! Peppa Pig returns live on stage with super cute puppets and brilliant sing-along songs in this brand new show that will brighten your day.

So grab your wellies and brollies and get splashing! £15.50 (£13.50)

Loggerheads Country Park, Mold, CH7 5LH 12th-13th July

www.clwydianrangeanddeevalleyaonb.org.uk

Venue Cymru, Llandudno, LL30 1BB 1st August, 11:00am or 2:30pm

Venue Cymru, Llandudno, LL30 1BB 20th-21st August, various times

Medieval Mayhem Travel back to experience the Medieval times at Loggerheads Country Park. Part of the Festival of British Archaeology.

The Sooty Show

07472 245731

Loggerheads Country Park, Mold, CH7 5LH 23rd July, 11:00am-2:00pm

Collect magical things from around the park to create your very own elf or fairy wand! www.clwydianrangeanddeevalleyaonb.org.uk

Messy Museum Wrexham Museum, Wrexham, LL11 1RB 30th July, 10:30am-1:00pm

A messy craft session for 3-6 year olds at Wrexham Museum. Come along to this dropin session to make two crafts to take home.

Wear old clothes! www.wrexham.gov.uk

www.familiesnwsb.co.uk

are cancelled or times or prices change, so please double check details before setting out.

What’s On…

Beautiful Butterflies

Free Tennis Coaching

Alyn Waters Country Park, Wrexham, LL11 4AG 30th July, 1:30pm-3:30pm

Acton Park, Wrexham, LL12 7YG 24th July & 26th August, 1:00pm-3:00pm

Create a beautiful butterfly at this fun dropin craft session for all the family! £2.50

Free tennis coaching sessions. Meet at the tennis courts. www.wrexham.gov.uk

Clay Cows & Pottery Pigs

Wrexham Playday

Ty Mawr Country Park, Wrexham, LL14 3PE 31st July, 1:30pm-3:30pm

Wrexham town centre 6th August, 12:00pm-4:00pm

Make a clay creature to take home at this drop-in session for everyone! £2.50

A free event with fun things to do for all ages - sand and water play, messy play, outdoor play, creative play; if you can name it, you’ll find it at Wrexham’s Playday event! See our news article on page 4 for more details.

Finger Paint Creations Alyn Waters Country Park, Wrexham, LL11 4AG 6th August, 1:30pm - 3:30pm

Messy fun drop-in session! £2.50 Alyn Waters Country Park, Wrexham, LL11 4AG 20th August, 1:30pm - 3:30pm

Create great collages using felts in this fun drop-in craft session for all the family. £2.50

Hapa Zome Workshop Loggerheads Country Park, Mold, CH7 5LH 27th August, 11:00am-2:00pm

Spoon People Alyn Waters Country Park, Wrexham, LL11 4AG 27th August, 1:30pm - 3:30pm

Do you remember Button Moon? Now's your chance to create your very own spoon character! £2.50

Bellis Brothers, Wrexham, LL13 9YU 19th July, 10:00am-4:00pm

Have fun and support a good cause at the same time, helping to raise funds for Nightingale House Hospice. You'll find a bouncy castle, face-painting, fairground rides, stalls, refreshments, and much more!

Entry to the Fun Day is free, entry to the Dog Show is £1.50 per class. www.bellisbrothers.co.uk

Community Fun Day Ty Mawr Country Park, Wrexham, LL14 3PE 24th July, 1:30pm onwards

A big day of fun at Ty Mawr Country Park, where you’ll find donkey rides, facepainting, children’s entertainers, fairground rides, craft stalls, refreshments, and more! Entry is free (car parking costs £2) but some attractions may have separate charges.

Fantastic Felts

Try the Japanese art of natural fabric printing - beating flowers and leaves with hammers to pound natural pigments into cloth! www.clwydianrangeanddeevalleyaonb.org.uk

Companion Dog Show and Family Fun Day

Offa Community Carnival Photo credit: WCBC Play Team

Family Orienteering Alyn Waters Country Park, Wrexham, LL11 4AG 13th August, 1:30pm - 3:30pm

Come and have a go at Orienteering on the child-friendly course at Alyn Waters Country Park. Can you find your way to all the markers without getting lost? Suitable for all ages. £2.50 per group. www.wrexham.gov.uk

Bellevue Park, Wrexham 26th July, 11;00am-4:00pm

There’s fun for everyone at Offa Community Carnival, with inflatable jousting, dog shows, fairground rides, a Punch and Judy show, birds of prey, a marching band, crafts, refreshments, and more.

Summer Shows & Events Mold & District Carnival Mold, Flintshire 13th July

Sports & Activities Stilt Mania Circus Workshop Greenfield Valley Park, Holywell, CH8 7GH 12th & 24th July, 1st, 13th & 23rd August, 2:00pm-4:00pm

Roll up! Roll up! Circus skills taught and supervised safely by professional performers. www.greenfieldvalley.com

Den Building Weekend Chirk Castle, Chirk, LL14 5AF 12th-13th July, 11:00am

Build a den at Chirk Castle, and tick another item off your '50 things to do before you're 11 3/4' list! Free event (normal admission charges apply) www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Mold & District Carnival is a celebration of all that matters in and around the town of Mold. The dance / performance area will see a range of dancers from belly dancing, street dance, pole dancing, ballet and tap plus short dramatic performances and a choir who will all be entertaining the crowds. You will also find funfair rides, stalls, a dog show, a land train, and donkeys making their first appearance at the carnival. www.facebook.com/moldcarnival

Danger Detective Quest DangerPoint, Talacre, CH8 9RL 21st-25th July, 28th July - 1st August, 4th-8th, 11th-15th, 18th-22nd & 26th-29th August, 11:00am-4:00pm

The Danger Detective Quest offers you a fun filled day family day out, learning about safety in a fun way. £5pp (children 4yrs and under are free). Families of 4+ receive 20% discount. www.dangerpoint.org.uk

www.familiesnwsb.co.uk

07472 245731

Oswestry Show Park Hall Showground, Oswestry, SY11 4AB 2nd August

The Oswestry Show is a great day out, with a variety of entertainments for everyone.

Attractions include agricultural machinery, craft stalls, refreshments, and livestock classes. In the Main Ring you’ll find the Imps Motorcycle Display Team, with their daredevil display of riding skills. Adult £10.00, Child 5-16yrs £5.00, Family £30.00 (Family tickets admit 2 adults and 3 children) Discounts available when booking tickets in advance, from www.oswestryshow.co.uk

Continued on page 14…

13

What’s On… St. Asaph Country Fayre Llannerch Park, St. Asaph, LL17 0BD 17th August, 10:00am-4:00pm

Learn how to juggle or ride a unicycle at the circus skills tent; meet the Alpacas and find out more about them, learn woodworking skills; enjoy the bouncy castles and vintage fair rides; meet the birds of prey, and much more! Adults £4.00pp, children 16 and under free. www.stasaphfayre.co.uk

Denbigh and Flint Show The Green, Denbigh, LL16 4UB 21st August, gates open at 8:30am

A wonderful day out, with a variety of attractions including the Food Festival, hundreds of trade stands, vintage machines and classic cars, and livestock. In the Main Arena you’ll find the UK’s top quad-bike stunt riders performing breath taking tricks.

Adult £15.00, Child 5-14yrs £5.00, Family £35.00 (admits 2 adults and 2 children)

Cont’d from page 13…

Other

Family Charity Cycle Ride

Other

Lake Vyrnwy 20th July, 10:00am start

Baby and Children's Market Northop College, Northop, CH7 6AA 12th July, 10:00am until 12:00pm

Baby and Children's Markets are a great way to find new and nearly-new toys, clothes and equipment, all under one roof. £1 entry (children free) www.babyandchildrensmarket.co.uk

Craft and Country Fair Weekend

Celebrate the start of the Summer Holidays with a 12 mile family cycle challenge around Lake Vyrnwy, to raise funds for Hope House Children’s Hospices which provide specialist nursing and support to terminally ill children and their families. Registration costs £5 for adults (children are free). Call the Hope House Fundraising Office on 01691 671671 for more information. www.hopehouse.org.uk

The Plassey, Wrexham, LL13 0SP 26th-27th July, 10:30am - 4:30pm

Over 40 stalls of crafts & gifts will be joining the resident craft, boutique & gift shops at The Plassey. Children's crafts & activities will be located in the Tea Garden along with Coastal Hawks. Something for all the family! www.plassey.com

www.denbighandflintshow.com

Rhyl Air Show Rhyl town 30th-31st August

The 2014 Rhyl Air Show is set to be bigger and better than ever before, with a display by the Red Arrows on the Sunday! The air displays can be viewed from the entire length of the Promenade, so there's plenty of room for everyone to enjoy the fun.

Find more events in our regularly updated, searchable

What’s On calendar online at

www.familiesnwsb.co.uk

www.rhylairshow.co.uk

We have taken every care in preparing the listings in this magazine but sometimes events are cancelled or times or prices change, so please double check details before setting out.

North Wales Shropshire Borders

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