Families Central Scotland Magazine July August 2020

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Central Scotland

Light after Lockdown IN THIS ISSUE Family fun this summer Walking & cycling Easy picnic ideas

y Come and enjo Falkirk’s newurs! fantastic flavo

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

Issue 59 July/August 2020 familiesonline.co.uk

familiesonline.co.uk July/August 2020

LEARNING

Saddle up and stay local this summer

The Falkirk Council area has over 500km of paths for walking and cycling!

Take the Right Route: www.falkirk.gov.uk/ttrr

In our fitness classes, we will be looking to improve your overall fitness and flexibility by introducing the following in to our programme; • Strength training using light weights • Resistance training using bands • Flexibility work • Pad work using punching and basic kicking techniques against pads • Calisthenics Exercises using our body weight • Cardio Training Our classes will be intense at times, so you will need plenty of water, a sweat towel and bundles of energy with a smile!

These classes will begin with our Zoom platform. Please get in touch for more details of when classes start, and our login details. Tel: 07734 461615 2 July/August 2020

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CONTENTS

Welcome

Contents

We hope this finds you and your families well after what has been, and continues to be, a very challenging period of time.

4 Learning at Home 6 Parenting 8 Health 10 Back to Work 11 Parent to Parent 16 Easy Picnic Ideas 17 Nature & Outdoors 20 Online Classes 21 Indoor Activities

Here you’ll find support, ideas and suggestions for this transitional phase and the summer holidays, covering education, play, indoor and outdoor entertainment, health and practical matters.

With more outside time allowed, you can enjoy our family cycling and walking guides, as well as simple family picnic ideas.

As more Central Scotland businesses begin to open up this summer, please keep up to date by following our social media channels: @FamCS @FamiliesCentral We wish all the children & teachers returning to school in August a safe and happy return.

Cover image: The National Wallace Monument Stock images: Deposit Photos Design from: 45 Degrees

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Bookings are now being taken for our September/ October digital issue. The deadline for all advertising submissions is 17th August 2020. Email editor@ familiescentralscotland.co.uk for information and booking.

July/August 2020 3

LEARNING

Best Educational “Make and Do” Projects for All Ages

Astronaut Helmet for Teddy

Instant Ice Cream

Paper Plate Birds

Help your little one craft a helmet for their teddy.

Explore states of matter by turning milk into ice cream instantly!

Design your own version of the beak, wings and tails.

Unicorn Mobile

Make Your Own Cloud

Hedgehog

Cut out and make your own hanging mobile.

Cook up your own storm in a jar!

Pinhole Camera

Your Family Tree

Make your own pinhole camera and discover how light travels.

4 July/August 2020

Download to create and preserve your family’s history.

Create your own model hedgehog to keep at home.

Bronze Age Roundhouse

Build a mini model of a Bronze Age roundhouse. familiesonline.co.uk

PRE-SCHOOL ART

Best Printable Early Years Activity Sheets Perfect for a rest during a walk, cycle ride or on a family picnic and great for rainy days at home.

The Tiger Who Came to Tea Dot to Dot

Love Monster’s Maze

Peppa Pig Activity Pack

Dinosaur Roar!

Spot the Difference

Postman Pat Office Set

PJ Masks Moon Maze

Charlie and Lola Activity Book

Paddington Activity Pack

Frozen Activity Sheets

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July/August 2020 5

PARENTING

Dealing with Fighting Children

By Tanith Carey Sibling rivalry and rows can be one of the most energy-sapping, nervejangling aspects of parenting. Now, still in partial lockdown, I’m pretty sure you desperately need a rest from constant cries of: “Mum, he hit me!” or “She’s taken my toy!”

Stressful as it can be, it helps to remember that ALL siblings fight sometimes - it can even be a positive part of your children’s development which offers a safe training ground to learn how to deal with conflict. It’s a natural part of family life which can never be avoided completely because it stems back to each child’s primitive need to survive by not missing out on their parents’ care and protection.

Squabbles and explosions flare up because children are still developing control over the part of the brain that helps them manage their impulses. In the teen years, rows can further escalate when siblings start to directly compare achievements and to define themselves in opposition to each other.

If you introduce evidence-based parenting strategies, which are based on science, not opinion, I guarantee your kids will get on better – even if not ALL of the time.

HERE ARE MY 12 DETAILED TIPS. You can read more in my books: What’s My Child Thinking What’s My Teen Thinking: Practical Child Psychology for Modern Parents with Dr Angharad Rudkin.

But looking at it from the point of view of children, understanding what kids are REALLY fighting over and taking into account their development really helps.

6 July/August 2020

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PARENTING

How to Cut your Child’s Hair Lockdown locks needn’t be a disaster with these expert tutorials.

Baby’s First Haircut

Trimming Long Hair

Older Boys’ Cuts

This pictorial guide walks you through those first and early trims.

The popular Hair 101 with April shows you how.

A specialist barber guides you through a whole re-style!

Tips for Home Hair Cuts Baby & Toddler • Ensure they’re rested/fed.

• Seat in highchair with toys/ snacks.

• Demonstrate it doesn’t hurt by snipping your own ends.

• Be the “hairdresser” – turn it into a game.

Older kids

Summer Treats Spend some time crafting your own treats. or for something tasty this summer take a wee trip to: The Milk Barn Briarlands Farm or Blairmains Farm Shop & Coffee Bothy

• Smaller scissors make smaller mistakes.

• Start clippers on higher ‘grade’ then work down.

• Don’t cut, style instead.

Don’t let your child near your hair…. familiesonline.co.uk

July/August 2020 7

FAMILY HEALTH

Keeping Kids Active in the Garden

If you have a garden, it’s probably been an amazing resource during lockdown. And it’s likely to continue to be, with many activities outside the home still unavailable. So here are some FABULOUS IDEAS TO KEEP KIDS ACTIVE IN THE GARDEN from MUM IN THE MADHOUSE.

Staying on Top of It All…

Parents everywhere are really struggling right now. They have been simultaneously working, parenting and supervising their children’s education for more than two months now.

So we asked our friends at Parental Choice for advice. How do we work, stay fit, healthy and sane with our kids at home?

Read More 8 July/August 2020

Pining for the Gym or Studio?

Mums on the Run Stirling Fitness Yoga with Adriene The queen of yoga on social.

Glo Yoga Yoga, meditation & classes with free trial.

Peloton On demand classes with free trial.

GSMA Fitness NHS Fitness Studio Aerobics/strength/pilates/yoga on demand Endomondo Free running/walking app. familiesonline.co.uk

FAMILY HEALTH

Handling Leaving Lockdown Anxieties

By Victoria Hulme and Amanda Reid

Families have explained the national lockdown to their children as best they can, helping them through challenging times. As the UK prepares to return children to school, how can you handle any negative impact this might have on your child’s wellbeing?

READ MORE

Why We’ll Never Leave Morzine

e m s i s i Th

Ian & Meg, Fostering for 4 years took Ben on his first

family bike ride

Help a young person like Ben reach their potential BECOME A FOSTER CARER Email pcgoodfellow@nfa.co.uk or call our local team on 07748 302 919

Win £250 Halfords Bike Voucher!

T&Cs apply

ENTER HERE Currently, with travel overseas restricted, we can only dream of faraway places. So come with us on a journey to Chilly Powder in Morzine, in the stunning Portes du Soleil region of the French alps where we talk to British couple, Paul and Francesca about raising a family at the ski resort. READ MORE familiesonline.co.uk

Magazine

July/August 2020 9

WORK

Getting Back to Work

By Mandy Garner In the past the phenomenon of returning to work - whether from maternity leave or longer periods of leave - was mainly associated with women.

However, given the Covid-19 lockdown and extensive use of the furlough scheme over the last few months, the number of individuals facing transition back to work after a long period of leave is now much more widespread.

This could be good news for traditional returners in that there may be a greater general sense of understanding of the issues involved.

While furloughed workers will not face the daunting return to work after a long gap, they may need a period of adjustment to the new normal, whatever that might be.

The Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development suggests a re-induction period for furloughed workers.

For longer-term returners, the issues of returning to the workforce are compounded by having to find a new job. As we face the prospect of more redundancies and a bleaker economic picture, that is likely to be harder.

So what do you do if you have taken or been forced to take time out of the work place and you want to get back to work?

We asked the team at Working Mums for their ideas and tips and to tell us about the free resource they offer mums returning to work.

READ MORE.

10 July/August 2020

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PARENT TO PARENT

Parent to Parent Interview Jenny Eaves is the owner of Monkey and Mouse, a family lifestyle and travel blog based in Dunblane.

Jenny has two children aged eight and six, who love having family adventures - with a particular love of beaches and castles!

Monkey and Mouse began life as a children’s craft blog five years ago but has now developed into a small business for Jenny as a family lifestyle and travel blogger and influencer. As Jenny home educates her two children (and did prior to Lockdown!), it’s great that she can fit work around family life.

Here at Families Central Scotland, we absolutely love your blog, Monkey and Mouse! So many inspiring ideas and useful reviews for families in Scotland.

How did you get into it? What’s the best part of the job?

Before kids I had another blog on which I used to share my forays into the crafting world. But I soon stopped updating it when I had my first child as I was too tired to craft never mind blog! I missed familiesonline.co.uk

writing and posting photos on my blog, so once my second child was a year old, I decided it was time to get back to blogging and start a parenting blog instead. Since then it has just grown from strength to strength, with lots of reviews of local (and not so local) attractions and advice posts as well as parenting and home education updates. The best part of the job has to be all the fabulous opportunities I have been given through blogging.

July/August 2020 11

PARENT TO PARENT

Tell us about your home educating…

We decided to start home educating when our eldest was only a toddler: it just seemed natural after being child led in the early years. We soon found plenty of home educating families in the area and could regularly attend different home education groups and meet up with other home educators during the week. Home education is not school at home as many would believe - instead it’s educating your children through daily life. We personally choose not to follow a curriculum (in the UK you can choose to follow ANY curriculum or none) and the children choose what to learn and when. They don’t see learning as a chore, just a fun part of life. Socialisation is never an issue either as the kids meet with plenty of other children and adults of all ages through the numerous classes and groups we go to.

been ill. My husband was home for 12 weeks on full pay, which is incredibly lucky compared to others’ circumstances. So, despite how hard it’s been I still count us lucky for being together and having a roof over our heads at this time.

Why do you like living where you do? How child friendly is it?

Dunblane is great wee town! We have plenty of public transport links to get around the area, as well as being beside the A9. It’s a great place for families with several good parks, a cycle track that can take you all the way across to Doune and heaps of different groups and classes for children. When the kids were small we rarely left the town for groups, there is just so much to do right here!

You’ve been on quite a few (!), but can you narrow down the best family day out in Scotland?

That’s hard to do, Scotland has so many fantastic places to visit!

How was Lockdown for your Locally we particularly enjoy Stirling family?

Castle as there’s always so much to Lockdown has been difficult; we see and do together. If we’re going have all been rather sad at one point or another missing family and a bit further afield then it has to be friends. The kids are used to seeing the National Museum of Scotland and Dynamic Earth in Edinburghtheir friends almost every day, so both are great with the kids. Keep this has been especially difficult an eye out in autumn as Dynamic for them, particularly my sociable Earth often offers a free annual pass six year old. We have also had to cancel several trips that I had been when you visit once in October. planning for a while. Two big trips Favourite things to do with the abroad were cancelled which was upsetting after all my work planning children in the summer?

Inchmahome Priory is always each detail and the itinerary.

However, we are also lucky as we’ve a gorgeous place to visit in the summer. You catch a little boat all been safe at home and haven’t 12 July/August 2020

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PARENT TO PARENT

they can let all their energy out for a couple of hours, whilst I can sit down and relax for a bit!

In the summer we often like to visit the Dunblane Museum. It’s a small museum, but it’s actually quite enjoyable for the kids (my two love Best day out on a budget? a good museum!) with various items Take the kids on a hill walk with to find throughout the building and a picnic lunch. For younger kids Dumyat is a great hill walk as you’re lots of interesting displays about the history of the town. It’s free to already half way up the hill when visit, but please donate whatever you start, but they still get that excitement when they get to the top you can as that’s how they fund the of the hill! When they’re capable of museum. walking further then Ben A’an is a Favourite craft activity: good hill to start.

I’m not sure if it counts as a Best place to be when it’s pouring craft, but my kids love science experiments. So we are often with rain? crafting volcanoes out of paper In the winter when the kids are mâché or playdough and adding often a bit wilder, as we aren’t out bicarb of soda and vinegar to make as often as normal, then it has to them erupt! be soft play. We mostly head over to Alloa Kidz World Soft play so across the water to the island and can spend the day climbing trees, paddling in the water and exploring the ruins. Perfect for a beautiful summer day!

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July/August 2020 13

PARENT TO PARENT

Favourite shop: We are trying to create less waste and are visiting Dunblane’s zero waste shop, Weigh Ahead, once a week for supplies. The kids enjoy helping choose and weigh tubs of pasta, cereal and other items.

They also sell local honey from Stirlingshire, which I really hope stops my hayfever this year!

Favourite park: The kids’ favourite is always King’s Park; the slide area lends itself to a lot of fun for imaginary play!

towels and tampons that you aren’t sending to landfill!

No parent should be without: Snacks, no parent should ever go out the house without snacks…

Parenting pet hates: Judgy parents. You never know what another person is going through, so be nice and don’t judge!

Top family holiday spot: I love visiting different places around the world. But in Scotland we particularly love to head to Favourite children’s club: the West coast to visit the islands I’m not sure I can choose just one at least a few times a year. The class, there are so many great ones! beaches are divine with white sands The class that both children enjoy and turquoise water. We have even has got to be Coach My Sport run seen many dolphins, whales and

by Tony Phillips, they are always porpoises whilst visiting the isles. doing different sports and learning new skills. My eldest is not naturally Most loved children’s book: sporty, but he has developed so Oh, difficult question! When the much since starting Coach My children were younger I loved to Sport! read Julia Donaldson books to them.

But now my 8 year old loves Harry Favourite child-friendly restaurant Potter and the youngest is into or café: the (never ending!) Rainbow Fairy The Buttercup Café in Doune is Series. always a good one with kids. They are always helpful and considerate Best children’s DVD, programme of the children. Plus they have a or app: fantastic selection of cakes!

The kids like a wide range of different apps and TV programmes, Favourite night out without kids: but one of the best kids’ TV Ha! I wish, not sure when our last programmes is The Magic School night out without kids was…

Bus. I remember having some of the books when I was wee and was Best planet saving tip: delighted to find it on Netflix. The Switch to period pants, seriously kids learn a lot about such a wide ladies, they are brilliant! Very range of topics, plus they find it comfortable and more importantly hilarious! think about how many sanitary 14 July/August 2020

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PARENT TO PARENT

Most played with toys: Lego for my eldest, he would spend all day building with it sometimes.

My youngest loves his soft toys, but spends most of his time playing imaginary games or singing and dancing around the house!

Biggest waste of money: Quite a lot of the toys the kids were given! They much prefer to play with random objects like torches and cardboard boxes using their imagination.

the kids’ birthday cakes, especially when I see their faces light up when they see them.

Something about you that most people don’t know: Before kids I trained as an ecologist and spent most of my time outdoors looking for signs of protected species. Which is really looking for animal poo whilst wading through bogs!! Ha ha!

Best advice you’ve ever been given: ‘You can do anything you put your Most successful recipe/food: mind to.’ Not sure if that came from I quite enjoy baking and have known the Victoria Sandwich recipe my parents but I’ve always believed I could do whatever I chose to, I just off by heart since I was in my early needed to work hard to get there. teens! I do quite like decorating

monkeyandmouse@hotmail.co.uk • monkeyandmouse.co.uk @MonkeyandMousey familiesonline.co.uk

July/August 2020 15

FOOD

Easy Summer Picnic Ideas Simple recipes you can make with your children.

Cheat’s Sausage Rolls

Tuna & Sweetcorn Sandwich Pick their favourite bread for these healthy sarnies.

A children’s classic and easy to make.

Watermelon Popsicles

Easy Kids Fishcakes

Baked Bean Muffins

A family favourite made easy.

Chocolate Rice Krispie Cakes

A healthy way to cool down!

A great way to get them to eat more fish!

For baked bean fans!

Fruit Scones

Easy Cheese Dip

Chicken Roll-Ups

For those with a sweet tooth…

16 July/August 2020

Great served with vegetable sticks.

Simple lunch idea to put together.

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NATURE & OUTDOORS

Stay local, stay active!

Since the outbreak of Covid-19, we have seen our regular routines and activities turned upside-down.

But it is as important as ever that we do what we can to look after our physical and mental wellbeing.

Walking and cycling are great ways to do just that.

The Falkirk area is officially the best place to walk in the UK, winning the Ramblers Best Walking Neighbourhood Award 2019. If you prefer to cycle, there is something for everyone from beginners to experienced cyclists, including mountain bike trails, high quality shared routes and canal paths.

There are over 600km of well signposted and maintained paths

Tips for Family Walking Masterclass: Walking with Kids Expert advice from The Ramblers.

Walking with Children Tips from National Parks.

Hiking with your Child Advice for parents of babies and toddlers.

Walking Dogs in Woods Take your pet for a woodland walk.

What to Pack in Your Rucksack Essential hiking equipment.

Top Tips for Walking with Children Advice for grandparents.

Baby Routes Make hiking with young children a habit. familiesonline.co.uk

offering a quick, healthy and free way to get around while staying local.

The new Falkirk Council Green Travel Map highlights all walking and cycling routes throughout the area, and includes other helpful things when you’re out and about like publically available bike pumps.

Visit www.falkirk.gov.uk/ttrr to view the Green Travel Map.

Making Walking Fun Geocaching Outdoor treasure hunts.

Treasure Trails Themed self-guided trails.

Fun Walking Games for Parks and Woodlands Activities to explore and discover.

10 Ways to Make Walking with Kids Wonderful Enjoy family walking.

Top Tips for Fun Family Walking Make walking fun.

Nature Detective Activities Printable sheets Nature Scavenger Hunts “Find and collect” activities.

July/August 2020 17

NATURE & OUTDOORS

Best “Make and Do�

Nature Projects

Birdcake

Mini Wildlife Pond Saucer Vegetables A mini pond can bring interest and wildlife to your garden.

Use kitchen scraps to re-grow vegetables.

Press Flowers

Nature Walk Diary

Create beautiful art from plants growing nearby.

Explore, observe and document the natural world.

Mini Wormery

See how worms burrow through the earth.

Bug or Ladybird Home

Make a Pitfall Trap

Grow a Grass Head

Quick and easy, hang it up and feed the birds.

Create a simple insect home.

18 July/August 2020

What small creatures are crawling around your garden?

Simple and fun!

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NATURE & OUTDOORS

A Complete Guide to Family Cycling Choosing a Bike

Safety

12 Things you Must Know Before Buying a Child’s Bike

Best Kids Bike Helmets

10 Things to Consider Before Buying a Balance Bike

Best Toddler Bike Helmets

Choosing the Best Balance Bike for your Child What’s the Right Bike Size?

Best Starter Bikes for Ages 3 & 4

Best Baby Bike Helmet for Safey

What’s Legal?

Teaching your Child to Cycle Safely Preventing Accidents and Injuries

Best Kids Bikes for all Ages

What Maintenance Does a Bike Need?

10 Best Mountain Bikes for Kids

For top tips, advice and training, visit Stirling Cycle Training

Child Seats, Carriers and Scooters

Getting Going – and Beyond!

A Guide to Child’s Trailers

Teaching Your Child to Cycle

Choosing Child Bike Seat

How to Ride a Balance Bike

Best Scooters for Kids and Adults

Teach your Child to Ride a Bike without Stabilisers in Nine Steps

Best Front Bike Seats for Toddlers/Young Children

Finding a National Cycle Route

Best Rear Bike Seats for Toddlers/Young Children

Great Routes for Every Kind of Ride

Starting Cycling with Trailers/ Bike Seats

Planning a Successful Family Cycle Ride

Can my Baby Go in a Bike Seat/ Carrier?

How to Get your Kids Mountain Biking

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July/August 2020 19

ONLINE CLASSES

Are you & your children missing regular classes and activities?

Try these instead!

Cosmic Kids Yoga

The Strings Club

The Ballet Coach

Yoga, mindfulness and relaxation for kids aged 3+.

Ukele/guitar/violin classes for ages 6+. FREE session!

Live ballet lessons streamed daily.

Teddies Music Club Online

Daisy First Aid

Rugbytots Live Online Classes

GSMA Fitness

LTA Tennis at Home

Lively music and art for pre-schoolers.

Brand new classes to get you fit and active.

20 July/August 2020

Learn how to keep your family safe.

Improve your family’s tennis skills at home.

Live online classes Saturday/ Sunday morning.

Martial Arts

Build confidence & learn new skills.

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INDOOR ACTIVITIES

It’s Family Quiz Night!

Plan a pop culture stay-at-home family quiz session or play with friends via Zoom!

Quizzes for Younger Kids

Quizzes for Older Kids

Guess the Disney Character

How Well do you Know The Oscars?

Peppa Pig’s Family & Friends Quiz

Name the movie!

Test their Frozen Knowledge

Ultimate Harry Potter Trivia Quiz

Guess the Paw Patrol character?

Complete the Soundtrack Lyrics

Identify the Cartoon Character

Name the TV Show

Random Trivia

Know your Animal Kingdom?

Printable A-Z Quiz

Random Trivia Quiz (see hard section)

Planning and Tips

Make it an Event!

• Choose your quiz, or pick and mix a few rounds.

• Dress up as TV/film characters.

• Assign quiz master and teams.

Prep the Snacks:

• Larger groups can pick team names.

- Smoothies

• Set a time limit and rules.

• Decide on snacks and when to make them.

• With younger children, don’t play for too long.

• Reveal the answers and announce the winning team!

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- Ice Lollies - Popcorn • Pop on the Spotify playlist Movie music kid’s classics.

• Print out personalised medals for the winner.

• Winner chooses the film at their next family movie night!

July/August 2020 21

BOOKS

Book Preview and Offers Sample three activities for after dark, from the book On a Starry Night

by Kate Hodges.

Have a Glow-inthe-Dark Bath Turn off the light and jump into a glowing tub!

Spot the International Space Station Watch this spacecraft track across the sky.

Win 1 of 3 Copies of This or That?

by Pippa Goodhart

Put on a Shadow Puppet Show Tell tales using silhouettes.

Win 1 of 5 Copies of On a Starry Night by Kate Hodges

Would you wear a toga or trousers? Play with a doll or dice? Live in a tent or treehouse? Pippa Goodhart’s fascinating picture book, full of amazing British Museum photographic objects, offers irresistible fun WIN! choosing between this or that.

An inspiring collection of 52 things to do, make and play after dark – when it feels grown-up, exciting and a little bit scary. Perfect for reducing screen time and instead enjoying creative, active WIN! and perhaps, even spooky family

Enter here with name & postcode by 30 June 2020.

Enter here with name & postcode by 30 June 2020.

22 July/August 2020

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ART & CRAFTS

Best Printable Primary Age Activity Sheets Perfect for a rest during a walk, cycle ride or on a family picnic and great for bored moments at home.

Mystery Gobblefunk

Clover Moon Activity Sheets

Harry Potter Word Search

Moomin Activities

Wimpy Kid Quiz

Super Mario Activity Sheets

Mummy Fairy and Me Activity Sheets

World’s Worst Children Activity Pack

Colour in Premier League Player

Families is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of this magazine are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families Print Ltd. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine but Families Print Ltd, its distributors, franchisees and LCMB Ltd cannot be held response for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequences thereof. familiesonline.co.uk

July/August 2020 23

International Education in the Heart of Scotland

Virtual Open Day 11th of July 11-12.30 For more information please contact our admissions team, enquiries@fairviewinternational.uk or register at https://fairviewopenday.eventbrite.co.uk www.fairviewinternational.uk enquiries@fairviewinternational.uk

01786 231 952