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Welcome
Welcome to our new Winter issue!
As we reach the end of another busy year, it’s time to embrace all the magic and excitement that the festive season brings. From sparkling light trails and Christmas markets to pantomimes and family days out, Suffolk is bursting with things to see and do this winter, and we’ve gathered plenty of inspiration for you in this issue.
Take a look at our Christmas Show Guide on pages 7-9, and don't miss your chance to get your hands on some family tickets to a festive show in our ticket giveaways on p6.
Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year.
Best Wishes
Stacey Phillips
Here is our TOP 10 guide to festive family days out:
1 Watch a Family Christmas Show
Take a look at the brilliant family Christmas shows happening across the county this festive season in our Christmas Show Guide on pages 7–9
6 Christmas at Ickworth
Ickworth will come alive this Christmas with lovable characters and traditional Christmas cheer that will leave the whole family smiling.
From 17th November | Ickworth www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ickworth-estate
13th Nov - 4th Jan | Ipswich www.icescapetrinitypark.com
3
7 Illuminated Garden Trail
The brand new Icescape Trinity Park brings you the ultimate winter destination, where friends and families can enjoy skating on a real ice rink.
Wander through the historic gardens transformed by a spectacular display of light, colour, and sound. 14th Nov - 19th Dec | Helmingham Estate ww.helmingham.com/events/ illuminated-garden-trail/
8
There will be various street entertainment available, along with fairground rides and live stage performances by local school and artists.
Thu 20th Nov | 3-8pm | Bury St Edmunds
Enjoy a wonderful line up of the very best makers and artists for this two day Christmas Craft Market. Entry is free and no booking is required.
Sat 23nd & Sun 23rd Nov | Lavenham www.suffolkmarketevents.co.uk
In this family friendly experience help Father Christmas find all the toys in time for Christmas Eve! Enjoy this Christmas escape room full of festive fun. Sat 29th Nov | The Hold, Ipswich www.suffolkarchives.co.uk
Meet Father Christmas at Easton Farm Park
Enjoy all the fun at the farm, plus Christmas Show, Mother Christmas' kitchen, Christmas crafts and festive woodland walks. Please see website for December dates. www.eastonfarmpark.co.uk
9 Dickensian Christmas
Experience the charm of a traditional Victorian Christmas at Kentwell Hall. Father Christmas will meet families one at a time assisted by Elves and Mother Christmas. 13th - 14th Dec | Long Melford www.kentwell.co.uk/dickensian
10 Christmas in the Park
Brand New for 2025! Step into a world of wonder as the incredible Boom Circus presents an unmissable festive spectacular inside their whopping 36-metre Big Top! 13th - 14th Dec | Henham Park, Beccles www.christmasintheparksuffolk.co.uk
DETECTIVES
Follow the trail of clues from the Welcome Desk at The Hold, Ipswich Waterfront to crack the case of the Smuggler's SecretA Margaret Catchpole Mystery and unlock your prize!
Part of our new exhibition
Running until 17 January 2026 Suitable for all Free entry
Step into a life of crime with this new exhibition exploring crime and punishment in Suffolk’s lawless past. Unlock chilling stories of famous local crimes like the Red Barn Murder, the Acton Dumpling Murderess, and the last public execution in Suffolk.
Explore what a crime is, how crime and punishment has changed, and the role the police and prison system play in keeping Suffolk safe today. Includes programme of talks, walks, workshops, and more.
WIN A FAMILY TICKET
(2 x Adults & 2 x Children)
To see Treasure Island by Eastern Angles
For more information about the show visit: easternangles.co.uk
Help keep your child smiling with “Keep Suffolk Smiling”
Did you know tooth decay is still the number one reason children aged 5-9 are admitted to hospital in the UK? In Suffolk, rates of decay triple between ages three and five but the good news is, it’s largely preventable!
As parents and carers, you play the biggest role in your child’s smile. Healthy teeth aren’t just for photos they help your child eat, speak, and grow with confidence. Let’s make looking after them simple and fun.
Why baby teeth matter:
Those first little teeth do more than you think! They help your child learn to talk, chew healthy foods, and even guide adult teeth into the right place. Caring for baby teeth sets up a lifetime of healthy habits.
Top tips for a tip-top smile:
■ Brush together, twice a day, for two minutes. Make it a family routine before bed and once more during the day. Try a toothbrushing app or play your child’s favourite song to make it fun!
■ Choose the right brush. Use a small, soft or medium bristle toothbrush. Help your child brush every surface inside, outside, and the chewing edges. Under sevens should be helped by an adult to make sure every surface of the tooth is reached.
• Toast with savoury toppings
• Breads, breadsticks, crackers, and cheese
• Plain milk or water
What’s happening in Suffolk?
You’re not alone! Suffolk’s Public Health & Communities team is working hard to support families, creating new leaflets, videos, and online resources to make oral health advice easy to find and use. We’re also helping schools and early years settings run supervised toothbrushing programmes across the county. These not only reduce tooth decay but also teach children skills they’ll use for life and bring those good habits home.
■ Spit, don’t rinse! Once your child is able to (from around three years old), encourage them to spit out toothpaste after brushing, but don’t rinse with water. This keeps the fluoride working to protect their teeth.
■ Replace your child’s toothbrush every three months (or sooner if the bristles spread). If your child is sensitive to certain brushes or toothpastes, try different options until you find what works.
■ Limit sugary snacks and drinks, especially before bed. The more often teeth are exposed to sugar or acid, the more risk of decay. Try to keep these treats to mealtimes and avoid them for at least one hour before bedtime.
■ Start dentist visits early. Take your child by their first birthday or when their first tooth appears. Make it a positive, regular experience. Need help finding an NHS dentist? Use this link: NHS Find a Dentist. Filter to see those accepting children: www.nhs.uk/service-search/ find-a-dentist
Call-to-action for parents and carers: Join Suffolk’s Tooth-Friendly Family Challenge
Ready to make a difference? Start the Tooth-Friendly Family Challenge today! Share your family’s best toothbrushing tips or a photo of your child’s healthy snack using #KeepSuffolkSmiling. Let’s inspire each other and keep every Suffolk child smiling bright! Together we can strengthen good oral health habits for children in Suffolk.
For more information and support, including tooth brushing charts and translated resources, please visit the following link or scan the QR code. www.healthysuffolk.org.uk/ oralhealth
Photo Credit: Ranelagh Primary School, Ipswich
Why Every Child Should Learn to Swim
Learning to swim isn’t just about splashing around — it’s a skill that could one day save a life. Swimming builds confidence, strength and independence, and it opens the door to a lifetime of fun, family memories and waterbased adventures.
Safety first
The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) reports that child drownings in England have doubled in the past four years, rising from 20 in 2019–20 to 41 in 2022–23. Across the UK and Ireland, around 307 people die accidentally in water every year, and almost half never meant to be there in the first place. The good news? Many of these incidents are preventable with basic swimming and water-safety skills.
But here’s the worry: before the pandemic, one in four children left primary school unable to swim 25 metres unaided — and the situation has worsened. Swim England predicts that more than 1.1 million pupils could miss this standard by 2026 as lesson access declines and pools continue to close.
Since 2020, over five million swimming sessions have been lost in England, and hundreds of local pools have
closed. With children’s swimming ability in steep decline, lessons have never been more important.
What swimming gives kids
• Confidence and safety: Knowing how to float, tread water and swim independently makes every trip to the pool or beach more enjoyable — and far safer.
• A healthy, happy body: Swimming strengthens muscles, boosts heart health and coordination, and is gentle on growing joints.
• Resilience and self-belief: Every new skill mastered in the water builds confidence that spills into other areas of life.
• Freedom to join in: From pool parties to holidays, swimming opens up experiences that non-swimmers often miss.
Why it matters for families
When children learn to swim, the benefits ripple out. Family pool trips and seaside days become less stressful and more fun. Parents gain peace of mind knowing their child can cope safely in water. And swimming together encourages healthy, screen-free habits that everyone can share.
The takeaway
Teaching your child to swim is one of the best investments you’ll ever make. It builds strength, confidence and life-saving skills — and gives your family the freedom to dive into a lifetime of safe, shared adventures.
Finborough School Nursery:
Year-Round Care for Children from 6 Months
Finborough School in Stowmarket offers a welcoming nursery provision that’s open year-round and caters to children from as young as 6 months.
Set within the school’s beautiful grounds, the nursery provides a safe, nurturing environment where girls and boys can flourish through play, exploration, and early learning experiences. With extended hours from 8am to 5pm, the provision is designed to support busy families while delivering high-quality care and education.
Led by Nursery Manager Sarah Ruffles, a qualified teacher with 12 years’ experience at Finborough School, the team of Early Years professionals tailors activities to each child’s developmental stage. Children enjoy access to purpose-built facilities including new adventure play areas, a woodland Forest School, and a mindfulness studio, creating a rich and engaging setting for growth.
Families are warmly invited to visit the nursery during a free Stay and Play session on Friday 21st November, 9.30am–11am, for children up to age 4. It’s a great opportunity to explore the space and meet the team.
Booking is essential via www.finboroughschool.co.uk or by emailing admissions@finboroughschool.co.uk.
SCHOOL OPEN MORNING Friday 7th November 9am to 11am
Rated ‘Excellent’ in all areas by the Independent Schools Inspectorate, Finborough School offers a unique character focused approach to education from its nursery all the way through to its sixth form. With an abundance of learning opportunities both inside and outside of the classroom that includes our magical Forest School programme, our Pre-Prep department is a very special place to be!
Themed Stay and Play Session
Sign up for our Christmas themed Stay and Play session (ages 2 -7) where you can come and experience our Nursery. An opportunity to play together, enjoy some festive stories, arts and craft and go on some outdoor adventures. on Saturday 06 December 2025
The session will run from 09:30 - 11:30 in our purpose-built Early Years Building at Framlingham College Prep School, IP13 7AH Free of charge | Siblings welcome
Scan the QR code to book or go to framlinghamcollege.co.uk/stayandplay
Framlingham College Prep School invites you to explore the exceptional opportunities for pupils from Nursery age to Year 8.
Friday 06 February 2026 | 10:00 - 13:00
Bright Futures Begin at Little Jo’s
Set in the stunning grounds of St Joseph’s College, our nursery offers flexible, all-day care for 2–4 year olds, designed to fit busy family life.
We’d love to show you around.
• 8am–6pm. All year (50 weeks)
• Specialist provision: music, dance, sport, art & Spanish
• Fresh, nutritious meals cooked onsite daily
• New sleep room & sensory space
• Outdoor learning, 65 acre site
• Caring and friendly staff
• Early Years (30 hours) funding available
Book a visit today and discover why Little Jo’s is the right choice for your family! admissions@stjos.co.uk | 01473 694576 | stjos.co.uk
