Families Dorset - Issue 8 Nov/Dec 2013

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November/December 2013

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November - December 2013

In this issue

Computers

Are they the best tool for learning?

News & Information 04 Bullying: How to help your 06 child cope Overcoming stress, anxiety 07 and depression What’s on the plate in your 08 school dining hall What’s On 10

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Twelve days of an active 12 Christmas Top tips for a perfect 14 Families Christmas Where’s Santa? 15

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It’s true that children enjoy computer games and it seems like an easy and fun way to help them with Maths Edward & Connie and English. However, studies and our experience show that personal interaction is one of the most important elements in helping children learn.

According to a study relating to computer use with over 1,000 children: “You need to have other support structures in place to enable technology to be an effective learning tool outside of the classroom.”

Computers, though helpful in education, will not meet all your child’s learning needs. Multiple factors are important for student achievement: · Parental and teacher support · Tutors who can motive and challenge · Supplemental materials Technology is just a tool; the key is how it is used to support learning. Perhaps the most important quality is having a responsible tutor who is adaptable. Adaptability is the key when it comes to taking advantage of teachable moments or those fleeting times when a student locks on to something or expresses confusion. Adaptability is also the key when it comes to altering a lesson to meet the immediate needs of a student.

NumberWorks’nWords utilizes tuition and computer technology tailored to each student’s individual needs. Call Connie or Edward on 01202 433673 to book a free assessment today.

Visit our Facebook Page to find out more about our centre: www.facebook.com/NumberWorksnWordsBournemouth

Front cover image - Next Families Dorset Magazine Editor: Sarah Carr Tel : 07876 761623 Email: editor@familiesdorset.co.uk www.familiesdorset.co.uk Next issue: January/February 2014 Booking deadline: 1 December 2013 Copy deadline: 6 December 2013 24,000 readers per issue Printed by Bishops

@familiesdorset www.facebook.com/FamiliesDorset Copyright: Families Dorset, November/December 2013 Data Protection: if you send us your name and address in order to win a prize in a competition, we may supply your details to the company offering the prize. If you would prefer us not to do this please state this on your entry.

Disclaimer: Colour transparencies and any other original materials submitted for publication are sent at the owners risk and whilst every care is taken, neither Families Dorset not its agents accept liability for loss or damage. We take care preparing this magazine but the publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents nor for consequence.

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

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November - December 2013

News Fruit for thought This autumn Crowdfunder UK teams up with River Cottage to launch Fruitshare, a fruit-tastic national campaign to get schools planting fruit trees. Backed by food-campaigner Hugh FearnleyWhittingstall, Fruitshare aims to get children planting fruit trees across the nation to provide an edible educational legacy that will last for decades. Schools are also encouraged to reach out to their local communities and businesses to pledge to fund the trees. “I am on a mission to make the most of fruit, so what better place to start than with our kids,” says Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall. “If we can get them to propagate a positive relationship with fruit, it could be a love affair that lasts a lifetime. Gathering local communities and businesses to use Crowdfunder.co.uk to raise funds to get growing fruit trees is a brilliant way of demonstrating what can happen when a group of people get together to achieve something great.” Register your school at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/fruitshare.

Fight for Every Heartbeat As part of their new campaign Fight for Every Heartbeat, the British Heart Foundation are launching a DVD and a series of booklets to support parents coming to terms with their child being born with a heart defect. Finding out that your child has a heart defect can be an extremely distressing and traumatic time, and it is often difficult to know where to turn. 12 babies are born every day with a congenital heart condition, making it the most common defect at birth. While the number of children dying from these defects has fallen more than 80 per cent in the last three decades, heart problems account for more anomalies than combined figures for limb defects, facial problems such as cleft palate and respiratory problems. Through these booklets entitled ‘Understanding Your Child’s Heart’, the nation’s heart charity wants to raise awareness of the UK’s 70,000 children living with heart defects. Support is available for parents and children affected by congenital heart conditions at www.bhf.org.uk/congenital.

Mums are still at home…

It might be almost 2014 yet traditional gender roles persist despite progress in flexible working, a new survey has found. According to a major study by Workingmums.co.uk and sponsored by Care.com, the world’s largest online care destination, less than a quarter of dads work flexibly and only 4% work part time, despite flexible work legislation applying equally to mums and dads. The survey shows that only 27% of working mums said they split childcare and housework equally with their partners, even though 18% earned more than their partners. Despite this traditional divide in caring roles, 41% of women said they would consider sharing their maternity leave with their partners when shared parenting legislation comes into effect in 2014. For those not in work, lack of appropriate flexible working is still the number one barrier to their return with the cost of childcare coming second. ‘It is interesting to note how few partners of working mums work flexibly,’ says Gillian Nissim, founder of Workingmums.co.uk. ‘This may be for all sorts of reasons but it reinforces traditional divides between men and women both at home and in the workplace and leads to women effectively doing a double shift. The more progressive employers recognise that greater equality in the home is tied to greater equality in the workplace, and as flexible working becomes more accepted as a benefit for both workers and businesses it is to be hoped that it will become harder for employers to discriminate against women and easier for women to progress in their careers.’

Rhyme with your tot An exciting new initiative launches this November with Nursery Rhyme Week.

Nursery rhymes play an important role in early childhood development by helping children to master key skills such as language and communication as well as social, physical and emotional skills. Taking place 11-15 November, this is a national event aimed at promoting and celebrating the importance of nursery rhymes. It is free for anyone who has a child under the age of 5 or who works with the under 5s – all you have to do is register online and you can download a free resource pack containing nursery rhyme themed activities, free songs, activity sheets and participation certificates for everyone who completes the 'rhyme a day' challenge. This initiative is sponsored by Music Bugs. www.musicbugs.co.uk/national-nursery-rhyme-week

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If you have news to tell our readers we would love to hear from you, send your information and pictures to editor@familiesdorset.co.uk

Get Christmas All Wrapped Up at Shop Dorset!

At Shop Dorset you can select and purchase a wide range of lovely gifts for all the family, as well as ordering everything for the Christmas table, all from the comfort of your own home while supporting great little businesses based in our fair county. Not only is shopping local very much on trend, it has a positive impact on your local economy too. So you can get a warm glow from doing your bit by buying from a terrific mix of local enterprises, either directly within the Shop Dorset website or via quick- click links to other local websites. Discover special gifts and treats including cookware, clothing and craftwork, books, bags and beer, gardening gifts, glass blowing courses and green products. Treats for foodies from renowned Dorset food and producers such as Olives Et Al, Dorset Cereals, Piddle Brewery, Fudges and Woolsery Cheese are all accessible via the site. And for those with an artistic bent, Shop Dorset introduces many local makers of unique woodwork, jewellery, artworks, home accessories and luxury children’s wear. So sit back, log on and browse the website at www.shopdorset.co.uk.

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November - December 2013

The Ultimate Urban Dance Experience BEAT is a vibrant, energetic, exciting street dance company that teach street dance to ages 4 - 40 with classes in Bournemouth, Poole and New Milton. The teachers at BEAT are passionate, dedicated and ooze enthusiasm and are a great inspiration to everyone that attends. BEAT won the under 16s south coast street dance championships in 2011 and the under 12s in 2012. BEAT is a happy professional environment in which everyone can learn and share their passion for street dance. They provide countless opportunities for their dancers making it the ultimate urban dance experience.

Check out the BEAT website for further details: www.beatcompany.com

National Adoption Week Making a space for a child in your life is an amazing thing to do. It is also a big decision and there is a lot to think about and learn. Find out more during National Adoption Week which takes place 4-11 November this year. Since its launch in 1997, National Adoption Week has gone from strength to strength, reaching people across the UK who want to know more about adoption. It is important in reminding people about the backgrounds of the children waiting for adoption and the difference adoption can make to a child’s life. It also attracts people wanting to find out about their own adoption or about a child they put up for adoption. The National Adoption Week website is packed with advice and support for people thinking of adopting a child, as well as help for adopted children, birth parents and adoptive parents.

Discover some fascinating real life stories and find out more about the steps you should take if you are thinking seriously about adoption. Check out the myths and facts of adoption, how to go about it and all the support you will need at www.nationaladoptionweek.org.uk.

Spread The Word!

If you know of a nursery, school or other place that parents visit regularly and would like to receive FREE copies of Families Dorset Magazine please get in touch and we will bring some round.

Award Winning Music Classes Monkey Music’s specialist teachers cater for children from as young as 3 months up to 4 years, gently encouraging social and musical skills in a stimulating and friendly environment.

Monkey Music uses 300 traditional and original songs, musical games and exciting movement ideas throughout the curriculum, with the children grouped in small classes according to their age. For information about your local Monkey Music classes phone Esther on 01202 461943 or visit the Monkey Music website at: www.monkeymusic.co.uk

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The ultimate urban dance package Classes in: Bournemouth Castlepoint New Milton Broadstone Longham Southbourne

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t: 01202 249655

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www.facebook.com/Beatcrewdance

November - December 2013

Parenting

BULLYING How to help your child cope Sadly, in spite of lots of publicity and much greater awareness of the problem, (especially in schools), bullying is on the increase.

Wendy Bollen has worked as a counselling psychologist in schools with many hundreds of children and young people and by far the most common problem is being bullied. She has written an e-book with advice on how deal with the problem in a different way.

This November anti-bullying week is being held from 19-23 and whilst it is great to raise awareness about the problem, what children really need is practical help and advice on how to deal with bullies.

Wendy has done a lot of research into the causes and effects of bullying and delivers training to schools on the most effective ways to tackle this problem. She realised that the advice usually given by teachers didn’t work. Pupils are often told to ignore unkind comments, but that often leads to increased attempts by bullies to upset their victim.

Based on her own experiences and those of the young people she works with Wendy has come up with a rather different approach which empowers pupils by teaching them how to stand up to a bully.

“Most children don’t want to involve a teacher, but they do want to do something. I teach kids strategies to help them stand up for themselves by using assertive body language and practicing smart replies. If you can show a bully that you really don’t care that they’ve said something horrid and even better, say something funny back to them it takes the wind out of their sails.”, explains Wendy.

Here are Wendy’s top five tips on how to deal with bullies:

• Look confident-stand up straight and look them in the eye if they say something to you. If you look scared a bully is much more likely to pick on you.

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Stay calm and practice slow breathing.

If you feel less anxious you’ll look more confident.

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Even if you feel upset, don’t show it until you are out of sight. Bullies enjoy seeing their victims upset, so by letting them see you upset you are rewarding them and they are likely to continue.

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Likewise don’t let them see you’re angry- the aim is to show bullies that you’re really not bothered by what they say.

Families Dorset

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Use humour- a witty retort is unexpected and shows bullies that you are confident and don’t care what they say to you. In fact, you think it’s funny.

Standing up to bullies is important says Wendy, especially with a smart retort.

“An example would be to say, “ I’m flattered that you spend so much of your time thinking about me!” or “I’m sorry, I’m busy right now, can I ignore you later?” Wendy stresses that how you say it is just as important as what you say. “ Stand straight, look them straight in the eye, say it clearly with a smile and then quickly walk away. Don’t hang around waiting for them to say something else.”

She also emphasises that there are some things to avoid saying. “Never say anything about someone’s Mum! This is likely to escalate the situation.”

Based on her work with pupils, Wendy has written a self-help book for youngsters on how to beat the bullies. The Little Book Of Retorts is set out in sections, which include information on the reasons behind bullying, why people become victims and techniques for dealing with fear and anxiety.

Importantly Wendy emphasises that children don’t have to have experienced bullying in order to benefit from the book.

“Prevention is far better than cure and if children appear confident and untroubled by insults they are unlikely to become a victim.”

The book is suitable for kids aged from ten years up to sixteen years. Costing only £1.91 it is available as an ebook from Amazon Kindle, ibookstores, Sony and Apple but can also be purchased in PDF format from the website. www.thelittlebookofretorts.com

Other useful websites: www.bullying.co.uk www.beatbullying.org www.bbc.co.uk/schools/parents/ bullying/ www.antibullyingweek.co.uk Follow Wendy on Twitter: @WendyBollen

Against Bullying National Anti-Bullying Week takes place 1822 November this year, with the theme ‘The Future is Ours: Safe, Fun and Connected.’ As always, the Anti-Bullying Week website is packed with resources for schools, parents and children, plus online workshops, practical resources and short films on how to survive bullying. You can also join the Anti-Bullying Roadshow which tours schools, youth clubs and parents groups throughout the UK during November. Powerful, fun and exciting, the Roadshow includes music, science, strategies and up-to-date research and information on bullying. Check out the website too for their Anti-Bullying Village for Kids and Teens – a virtual space created by young people for young people where you can interact with others, as well as find out about events on school bullying, violence, racism and xenophobia through workshops, young people’s conferences and exhibitions. www.antibullyingweek.co.uk

Is your child being bullied?

Bullying can happen to anyone at any age and at any time. ChildLine is an excellent resource packed with advice and information on how to spot bullying, possible reasons of why bullying occurs and suggestions for how to stop it. If your child is being bullied ChildLine has some important tips for them: • • • • • • • •

tell a friend, parent or teacher immediately find a way to stay safe at school – stay away from the bullies and stay in a group of friends at all times always walk home with someone or make sure you get a lift ask your friends to look out for you during school never fight back never reply to any abusive messages never go along with what the bullies want keep a complete record of the bullying, including texts and messages

Contact ChildLine for free support anytime on 0800 1111 or www.childline.co.uk

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November - December 2013

Turn it around: How to help your child overcome stress, anxiety and depression You probably won’t be surprised to hear that stress, anxiety and depression in children is worryingly getting more prevalent. The Office of National Statistics has found that one in ten children now suffer from mental health problems, with children as young as five being treated for depression. With these shocking statistics, experts say it is going to become a major health problem in the future unless something is done now to tackle stress in children.

Although stress is not the same as depression, prolonged periods of stress can lead to depression, and about half of people diagnosed with depression are also diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. The earlier we can reach the children showing signs of stress the better we can help them.

Stressful lives?

Considering our own increasingly stressful lives, it is no surprise to learn that our children are suffering from rising stress.

Parents under pressure and overwhelmed with their jobs, affects the way they parent. Rising unemployment and financial problems associated with the economic downturn increases tension that children pick up on. Heavily orchestrated schedules of extra activities can also leave little free time for children to be children, and to relax.

School and social life also create pressures that can feel overwhelming for children.

NSPCC research recently found that academic worries were the biggest cause of stress for nearly 50% of children. With an increase in the number of tests, and the pressure on schools to perform in league tables, is it any surprise that studying comes top of the stress list? Other common sources of childhood stress such as bullying, sibling rivalry, peer pressure are all fairly normal parts of growing up, but because children now have less free time to relax these ordinary problems can become magnified and less easy for them to deal with.

Spotting the signs Stress or anxiety in children can be difficult to spot. Signs to look out for would include a low mood, unhappiness, tearfulness or irritability not related to anything specific.

Sleeping problems, clingy behaviour, stomach aches and headaches are also signals. The main thing to look for is a change in behaviour. Trust your instinct.

Erika Brodnock, one of the UK’s leading experts on the subject of raising happy, successful children says, “Don’t mistake your child’s behaviour for being naughty, when they may be feeling stressed and anxious.”

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As a parent, you can’t protect your kids from the stresses of our modern world, but you can help them develop healthy ways to cope.

Notice out loud. Tell your child when you notice that something’s bothering them and name it, “Do you feel angry with what happened?” or “You must have felt worried about that.” Erika Brodnock explains this as “Notice, it, own it, tame it,” she continues, “once you can identify the emotion you can then manage it. Without this, things are significantly more difficult.”

Explore and empower. Once they understand the feeling they have, explore together what to do. Simple techniques can make a world of difference and have a profound effect on the way they feel. When they start to feel stressed, encourage them to ask for help for example.

Be you! Look at your own moods, behaviours and energy levels. “We can all put a smile on our face at the end of a bad day but when the energy isn’t there your child will notice” says Erika Brodnock, “parents need to learn to manage their moods too!” This is backed up by statistics that show 60-90% of what we learn is through non-verbal communication. If we want our children to manage their emotions effectively, we must model the behaviour we want them to embrace.

Building stress-free kids Exercise, a nature walk, dancing to music will all naturally release those ‘feel-good’ endorphins that help reduce stress. Eating well, drinking lots of water, a bedtime routine and set schedules so your child can rely on daily patterns, are all ways in which you can help. Erika Brodnock recommends a 15 minute ‘Golden Moment’ every day with your child, “this is an opportunity for the child to speak privately and confidentially with their parent, knowing they can say anything without criticism or complaint, which builds trust and strengthens bonds.”

This goes a long way towards protecting a young person against developing depression.

As a parent, it hurts to see your child unhappy or stressed, but resist the urge to fix every problem for them and instead, focus on helping your child grow into a problemsolver — who knows how to roll with life’s ups and downs, put feelings into words, calm down when needed, and bounce back to try again. By teaching healthy coping strategies, you’ll prepare your kids to manage the stresses that come in the future.

Help reduce stress and anxiety for children with special needs • Schedule exercise to get rid of some of the stress • Get to know your child’s likes and dislikes - cater to them, not what the book says • Encourage friendships, then ensure a good night’s sleep • Lever their independence - give them the chance to do more themselves, let them participate and make decisions • Prepare for gatherings, then plan in some downtime • Don’t rush, and use relaxation techniques • Last, but certainly not least...take care of yourself

Many thanks go to Erika Brodnock who offered many insights and information in compiling this article. Erika Brodnock is one of the UK’s leading experts on the subject of raising happy, confident children. She offers a wealth of knowledge and practical advice and has even produced an eBook which she is happy to offer free of charge for parents looking for useful and practical information and techniques. Erika will also be launching some highly innovative new toys later in the year, which can help children develop their self-esteem and confidence through play. For more information go to www.karismakidz.co.uk Some useful websites www.karismakidz.co.uk www.kidshealth.org www.nhs.uk/Conditions www.adaa.org/living-with-anxiety www.empoweringparents.com

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November - December 2013

School Matters

What’s on the plate in your school dining hall?

The campaign for better food in Britain’s schools is getting yet another boost – but what else needs to be done, and how can parents help?

Joanna Moorhead investigates.

It’s almost a decade since Jamie Oliver began his indefatigable campaign to revolutionise school lunches, taking TV cameras into schools and drafting in army cooks to teach the nation’s dinner ladies how to make good food on a large scale and to a tight budget.

There’s no doubt that Oliver shone a torch into a dark corner of the school larder and found it wanting, and there’s no doubt at all that he had all the right instincts about educating children about good food and healthy eating, and educating teachers and support staff about why good food and understanding its production and preparation should be part of every child’s education.

What, though, has the campaign achieved?

Where has it left school food today –

and what are the outstanding issues that still need to be tackled? Summer 2013 saw a government-commissioned school food review by the founders of the Leon restaurant chain – it called for a ban on packed lunches, which it says are almost always less nutritious than a cooked meal, and it called on heads to lower the prices of lunches to boost take-up. Hot on the heels of that report came an announcement that all children in Key Stage One (reception, Year One and Year Two) will get free school dinners from September 2014, whatever the family’s income level.

It’s a major step towards the really big task on the menu: getting more children to actually eat school food. Only around 38% of secondary school pupils, and 44% of primary pupils, currently take the option of school lunches, while the rest bring in their own: and that matters because a study carried out

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at Leeds University in 2010 found that only a paltry 1% of packed lunches meet basic dietary standards. In other words, it’s extremely challenging for parents to put together a lunchbox that’s anywhere near as healthy as the food the school provides; and though many parents believe it’s cheaper to provide their own, another study found that in fact it probably costs around £2 a lunch, a sum very similar to the cost of a schoolprovided lunch.

But if school food wins out against packed lunches, what’s on the dining room menu still has a way to go. Only around 25% of schools provide at least one portion of fruit and veg per pupil per day, and – despite all those years of the Oliver campaign – a shocking 50% of all secondary schools continue to offer pizzas and starchy food cooked in oil on most days – although revised food-based standards are going to also be rolled out next year.

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School farms are in the middle of a huge revival. In 2006, there were only 60 of them in Britain; today, there are more than 100, and at least 100 more schools have plans in operation to open one.

And the big boom isn’t in rural settings, it’s in urban ones; schools in the very middle of cities now have patches of land where vegetables are grown and where chickens and other animals can be housed. Some schools even send their own animals to slaughter and put meat and homemade sausages on canteen menus or sell them through school shops.

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Children learn at close quarters about how food is produced; they then go on to learn how it’s prepared and cooked, and then they find out how it tastes.

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If you’re interested in trying to get the ball rolling on a farm at your school, start by visiting farms at similar-sized and similarly-located schools; see www.farmgarden.org.uk, the website of the School Farms Network, for more ideas.

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At some schools, parents and carers are invited to eat alongside children one day each term or one day each year. It’s easier to talk to your child about the food they had at school if you’ve got a sense of where they eat, what the place smells like, and what the system is for them to choose their meal.

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More schools than in the past now have cooking classes and cookery clubs, and at secondary schools cooking is on the curriculum. If a school farm is too ambitious, growing some or all the ingredients for the cookery classes is usually possible – even using homegrown herbs help children make the connection between growing and eating.

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Pupil visits to farms are a regular part of the school year in many areas. If your school isn’t organising trips to a farm, ask why not. Make sure the farm trip includes informative input on how animals are reared, and how crops are grown – and what happens to the meat and vegetables once they leave the farm.

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In some schools, the dining hall is now known by a more exciting name (‘Le Bistro’, perhaps) and children eat from china plates and have virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar to dribble on their salad. To make food more attractive, you have to boost the quality of the whole eating experience. If your child’s school is still providing plastic lunch trays or grubby melamine plates, ask them to think about an overhaul.

Beyond all this, though, there’s the even trickier subject of how you actually get children to make healthy choices. Even when healthy food is offered, around a third of pupils don’t choose it.

One huge advance the Oliver campaign has brought about is the realisation among parents that they have a voice in the school dining room, and that policies on how food is sourced, how it’s prepared and what’s on offer can be shaped by their intervention.

Here are some of the more imaginative and successful changes already in operation at some schools in the UK – if you like the sound of them, why not talk to staff and governors at your child’s school to see if a similar project is possible there?

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November - December 2013

Family Health

Gluten sensitivity and coeliac disease - is your child By Christine Bailey, Nutritionist The prevalence of coeliac disease has increased five-fold overall since 1974.

Yet testing for the condition has been plagued with difficulties and inaccuracies, especially in children.

Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition triggered by gluten, which is found in certain foods (wheat, barley and rye). It is a life long condition and requires the complete avoidance of all foods and drinks containing gluten. If your child has coeliac disease, eating gluten will cause a reaction in their bodies that damages or destroys the villi (small projections in the intestines that help us absorb nutrients). When this occurs, the surface of the small intestine is flattened and a child’s body can’t absorb vitamins and nutrients from food. You’re not necessarily born with coeliac disease; although the condition is linked to certain genetic markers there is normally an environmental trigger that causes the immune system to lose tolerance to gluten.

Signs and symptoms

Because symptoms in children are often subtle and mimic other intestinal diseases like irritable bowel syndrome or lactose intolerance, the disease is often difficult to diagnose. Some children experience symptoms the first time they are exposed to

gluten, while others develop symptoms later in life.

Typical symptoms include: • diarrhoea, constipation • abdominal pain • poor appetite • a bloated or painful belly, gas, flatulence • weight loss or difficulty gaining weight These symptoms can begin during infancy (between 6 and 24 months), after the child begins to eat gluten-containing foods.

Additional symptoms, which may develop later include slowed growth, failure to thrive; iron deficiency anaemia; skin rash; tooth enamel changes; bone thinning; joint aches and pains; headaches; mouth ulcers; mood changes and a delay in menstruation.

Diagnosis

Even if your child does not appear to be showing any symptoms, if you have a family history of the coeliac disease it is recommended you get your children tested for the genetic markers. There are blood tests, and new private laboratory tests involving saliva collection. Ask your practitioner or qualified nutritionist for the most appropriate tests for your family. If your child is diagnosed with coeliac disease it is important they receive nutritional

advice to help with planning a gluten free diet, ensuring they are optimally nourished and also to ensure their gut heals. In many cases nutritional supplements will be recommended. While there are obvious sources of gluten such as breads, pastas, flours, cereals, cakes and biscuits, it is often used as an ingredient in many favourite foods such as fish fingers, sausages, gravies, sauces and soy sauce.

Working with a qualified nutritionist can help you plan a healthy gluten free diet.

However in some cases simply removing gluten may not be sufficient as many children with coeliac disease also react to other foods such as dairy, so additional testing and support may be needed.

More information

For further information about testing, nutritional support, cookery days and recipes, contact Christine Bailey www.advancenutrition.co.uk Coeliac UK is a national charity providing support, advice, a recipe database and links to local voluntary support groups helpline 0845 305 2060 I www.coeliac.org.uk

I’m Ed and here is my Winter book selection for you to enjoy. The books are all available online and from good bookstores. Ed’s Reading Room is an exciting free online book and story club for primary children in homes and schools. For further information visit www.edontheweb.com.

FOR AGES 5-7 YEARS Barmy Barney Barn Owl

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The Reindeer Girl

by Ann Jungman (Troika Books £5.99) ED SAYS: ‘Barn owls have lived at Hoden Farm for years so Mr and Mrs Barn Owl are horrified to hear that their home could be sold to developers, leaving them homeless. Time for the owlet Barney to put on his thinking cap and come up with a solution! With the help of the farmer’s daughter and the television in the farmhouse he is soon able to come up with some ideas. But will it be all plain sailing – or flying?

ED SAYS: ‘Lotta is thrilled to be going to Norway to meet her great-grandmother for the first time. As well as the snow, Christmas and a special birthday celebration to look forward to, one of the most exciting things for Lotta is seeing the reindeer. Her favourite bedtime stories have always been those about her great-grandmother and the reindeer. Lotta can only dream of such adventures. Can her dreams come true?

‘This is a lovely story for young readers reading together or on their own. And of course I am delighted to hear about the Owl Study Centre at the farm!’

‘Here is the latest wonderful book by this super author in a beautifully presented edition.

It is a heartwarming story for many a cold winter’s night!’

Families Dorset

by Holly Webb (Stripes £7.99)

FOR AGES 7 YEARS PLUS Genie in a Trap

by Ciaran Murtagh (Piccadilly £5.99)

ED SAYS: ‘Jamie is very excited when his genie friend Balthazar invites him back to Lampville to be the guest of honour at the Genie Academy party – but things are not always what they seem!

Will Jamie be able to extricate himself from this dangerous trap? And can he and his friends survive lightning bolts, a landslide and a fire-breathing dragon among other things?

‘This is the latest hilarious adventure in this magical series.

Boys and girls will be rolling with laughter as they devour this fantastic page-turner of a book.’

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Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Over the Moon

by Frank Cottrell Boyce (Macmillan £10.99) ED SAYS: ‘There are amazing goings-on in London with Big Ben hurtling across the city like a rocket, Little Harry going missing and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang being stolen. At times of national emergencies such as these, even the Queen has to get involved. With a trip to the moon and a fiendish criminal around, there’s plenty of action in this story about the world’s most famous car.

‘This incredible story with fantastic illustrations will entertain readers young and old. Fasten your seatbelts and prepare for the fun in this magical time-travelling adventure!’

November - December 2013

What’s On

Horrible Science at Lighthouse, Poole

5 November

Fireworks on Poole Quay www.pooletourism.com This special evening brings a host of street entertainers plus live music to Poole Quay, leading up to a fantastic FREE fireworks spectacular display on the water.

From 4:30pm; fireworks 8pm.

Featuring live music from Karl Lattimer and BB3 the UK’s ultimate party band plus, street entertainers, jugglers and fire performances throughout the evening including the chance to practice your skills with Jamie’s circus workshop With children’s rides, a junior disco and street dance by Revive Street Dance and Bonkerz Street Crew, there will be plenty to keep the whole family entertained. The party atmosphere is rounded off with the traditional fireworks extravaganza over Poole Harbour at 8pm

12 - 16 November Horrible Science

Lighthouse, Poole Centre for the Arts

www.lighthousepoole.co.uk Why don’t penguins get spots?

Could picking your nose be dangerous? Why doesn’t the moon wander off? Could a 10-million-volt battery float over your head? And how long would it take for your heart to pump enough blood to fill the theatre?

Billy Miller has no idea what’s in store when he enters the crazy, awesome World of HORRIBLE SCIENCE and soon he is under attack from beastly bacteria, vicious volts and foul fluids! Will he regain control before it’s too late?! Using actors and jawdropping 3D Bogglevision, this astounding show has the awful answers - guaranteed to thrill you and your children!

Suitable for ages 6+

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Families Dorset

We aim to be as accurate as possible but the listings are compiled several weeks beforehand and may be subject to change. Please contact venues in advance to check details and prices.

BOING! at Pavilion Dance

14 Nov – 6 Jan

Bournemouth Christmas Festival Bournemouth Square www.bournemouth.co.uk The Bournemouth Christmas Festival has been established for six years and this year will be bigger and better than ever before! Held in the heart of Bournemouth in the Town Square, surrounding streets and the Lower Gardens this festive extravaganza will be bursting at the seams with Christmas ambience.

17 November

The Family Christmas Experience Lighthouse, Poole Centre for the Arts

www.lighthousepoole.co.uk Featuring a shopping village in the concert hall, food market, order your Christmas bird, short film cinema screenings, Santa Live on stage throughout the day, the Military Wives Choirs (Bovington Group), children’s fun zone, stilt walking, magic and juggling show, balloon modelling, buttons the clown, face painting, ice your own Christmas cupcakes and you’ll even have Mary Poppins bursting into song. A truly memorable day out for the whole family to get you all into the Christmas spirit

23 November

Pirate Day! Sovereign Shopping Centre

www.sovereignshoppingcentre.co.uk

Argghh!!! Hop along to the ol’ Sovereign Shopping Centre me hearties! With a Pirate fancy dress competition and mischievous pirates causing mayhem, the centre will be transformed into Davy Jones locker! Discover the fun from 11am

23 November

Bournemouth Youth Theatre Christmas Showcase Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre www.thebyt.com The Bournemouth Youth Theatre once again take to the stage, showcasing some of the best local young talent in another all Singing, Acting & Dancing spectacular” With an hour to Act, an hour to Sing & an hour to Dance, each Saturday, it’s the perfect place for youngsters aged from 3 years to 18 years of age, to express themselves through the arts.

23 – 24 November Wild Christmas Wonderland Adventure Wonderland

www.adventurewonderland.co.uk

Christmas 2013 will see even more festive fun at Adventure Wonderland. The massive indoor adventure play centre Wild Thing is transformed into a spectacular Winter Wonderland with all the fun and excitement of this most magical time of year. The whole place goes winter wild with masses of Christmas decorations, festive fare and everything that makes for a wonderful treat for all the family.

24 November

The Boy Who Cried Wolf Pavilion Dance South West www.paviliondance.org.uk Returning to Bournemouth after their sellout success of Rapunzel in February, Tutti Frutti Productions and York Theatre Royal present another magical tale bringing the wonder and power of theatre to an earlyyears audience.

11.30am & 3pm

To advertise your business with us call 07876 761623

Brownsea Squirrels

© National Trust/Bob Jordan

Out & About

24 November

Christmas Lights Switch On The Square, Exeter Road, Bournemouth, BH2 5AQ www.bournemouth.co.uk Come down, enjoy and experience, the amazing entertainment and feel the ‘Christmas Spirit’ of the Bournemouth Christmas Light’s official “Switch On”.

27 – 30 November

Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat - Youth Group Production Regent Centre, Christchurch www.regentcentre.co.uk Set to an engaging cornucopia of musical styles, from countrywestern and calypso to bubblegum pop and rock n roll, this Old Testament tale emerges both timely and timeless. Lyrics

by Tim Rice. Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. An amateur youth production by arrangement with The Really Useful Group Ltd.

30 Nov – 1 Dec

The New Milton Christmas Festival www.newmiltonevents.co.uk Traditional Christmas activities, events and fun and there will be some exciting new innovations.

There will be something for everyone, of all ages and all abilities. Our great shops will be making some special offers and the scores of stalls will give you a chance to make a great start to your Christmas Shopping.

1 December

Christmas on the Quay www.pooletourism.com Have some seasonal fun on Poole Quay with Poole Tourism & Poole Pirates. From 5pm

November - December 2013

What’s On

1 December

7, 14 – 23 December

www.sovereignshoppingcentre.co.uk

www.adventurewonderland.co.uk

Stagecoach Children’s Choir will be singing for shoppers for FREE in the Sovereign Shopping Centre from 2pm - 4pm on the Bandstand

Christmas 2013 will see even more festive fun at Adventure Wonderland. The massive indoor adventure play centre Wild Thing is transformed into a spectacular Winter Wonderland with all the fun and excitement of this most magical time of year. The whole place goes winter wild with masses of Christmas decorations, festive fare and everything that makes for a wonderful treat for all the family.

Stagecoach Children’s Choir Sovereign Shopping Centre

1, 8 & 15 December

Christmas Walks Brownsea Island www.nationaltrust.org.uk Celebrate 50 years of the National Trust on Brownsea Island with our outdoor festival season and enjoy some peace and quiet amidst the busy preparations for Christmas.

This is your opportunity to visit the island when it is usually closed and enjoy the breathtaking tranquility of our winter wildlife. After your walk you can enjoy light refreshments and purchase some last minute gifts from out unique island shop

6 December

Carols at Compton Acres Compton Acres www.comptonacres.co.uk Join in carols with Father Christmas and a spot of late night shopping. Choose your tree from the stunning range of speciality UK Christmas trees in the Plant Centre or pick up the perfect decorations or presents.

With free mulled wine for the adults, the café will be serving up homemade mince pies & more and there’s the chance to make a Christmas Present in the café for £1.50 per person

7 December

Diversity BIC Windsor Hall www.bic.co.uk Fresh from performing at the Royal Variety Performance, Diversity have announced a brand new arena show Limitless - which will be touring the UK next year, coming to the BIC Windsor Hall on 7 December 2013. 2.30pm & 6.30pm

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Families Dorset

Wild Christmas Wonderland Adventure Wonderland

8 December

Crafti Creations Littledown Centre, BH7 7DX www.bournemouth.co.uk Support local artists, crafters, producers and peruse not on the high street gifts and home wares, Jewellery, papercraft, textiles, scrumptious edible treats and lots lots more…

Opens 11am. Tickets £1.00 & Children free

8 December

Jingle Jog Bournemouth Seafront www.diverseabilitiesplus.org.uk Get in the festive spirit and take part in the inaugural Jingle Jog in aid of Diverse Abilities Plus on Sunday 8 December. This fun event is great for all the family as mums, dads, and grandparents can take part in a 3k and 6k, while children can take part in a 1.5k fun run along Bournemouth seafront. See website for entry details.

8 & 15 December

Santa Special Moors Valley Railway www.moors-valley.co.uk Enjoy a train ride to Santa’s Railway Grotto! Santa trains and entrance to the Grotto is available only to ticket holders.

Santa has presents for adults and children alike, followed by seasonal refreshments including coffee, biscuits, mince pies & our special Christmas Punch!

There will be chestnuts roasting over open fires, and a traditional fairground organ playing Christmas Carols!

8 & 15 December

Festive traditional carol service Farmer Palmers Farm Park www.farmerpalmers.co.uk Sing a song around the tree with our carol singers, 3pm start

14 December

Postman Pat and Jess the Cat Castlepoint Shopping Centre www.castlepointshopping.com Families can meet and greet the characters and post their letters to Father Christmas.

14 Dec – 23 Feb

Cool Coast Ice Rink BIC Purbeck Hall www.bic.co.uk Ice skating is back at the BIC this winter! Cool Coast Ice Rink is the South Coast’s biggest indoor seasonal ice rink. A fun and healthy all-weather activity, it’s perfect for kids and adults alike!

14 December

Highcliffe Christmas Carnival & Festive Gift Fayre www.highcliffecarnival.org.uk A fabulous Christmas Carnival procession, festive Gift Fayre and festivities. An event attended by thousands who just love all things Christmas!

14 December The Great Pudding Stir Priest’s House Museum www.priest-house.co.uk The Victorian kitchen will be brimming with the smells of Christmas Pudding.

Admission Adults £1.50, Children £1

15 December

Chase the Pudding – 5k Santa Dash Weymouth Pavilion www.bustinskin.com Join us for this hilarious event by chasing our Christmas Pudding along the 5km beachfront route. The winner will receive a cash prize! Get together with family, friends or work colleagues, go Christmas crazy and know that with every penny you raise in sponsorship you will be giving the best gift of all this Christmas – the gift of life. See website for full details.

To advertise your business with us call 07876 761623

15 December

BOING! Pavilion Dance South West www.paviliondance.org.uk A Christmas show with a difference for children aged 3+, BOING! combines acrobatics, breakdance and comedy as two boys, too excited to sleep on Christmas Eve, turn their bed into a trampoline. 11.30am & 3pm

20 – 24 December

Christmas Spectacular Regent Centre, Christchurch www.regentcentre.co.uk Following the huge success of last years Christmas Spectacular, The Regent Centre is delighted to bring you a brand new festive feast filled with comedy, dance and music, once again performed

by The Glad Rag Production Company. Once again we return to Santa Claus at the North Pole with dazzling dancers, stunning showgirls, sumptuous costumes, sensational singers, dancing santas, comedy elves and the cutest babes in town.

Running right up to Christmas Eve this Christmas Cracker of a family show is guaranteed to fill you with the true spirit of Christmas! Performance times 2.30pm & 7.30 pm

21 Dec – 5 Jan

Christmas at Corfe Castle www.nationaltrust.org.uk The village of Corfe Castle is a magical place at Christmas. Take in the festive atmosphere, enjoy the log fire in our tea rooms, and browse for gifts in our shop.

10am to 4pm

28 - 30 December

Midwinter Feast at River Cottage www.rivercottage.net Take a break from Christmas entertaining and leftover turkey!

Our Mid-Winter Feast is the perfect excuse to get out of your house over the festive period, have a stroll around the River Cottage farm and let us prepare a delicious lunch for you and your family to enjoy.

12pm to 3pm

November - December 2013

Christmas

The twelve days of an active Christmas 6 free outdoor play ideas, 6 present ideas to get your child active this winter Outdoor play and exposure to nature is one of the best and most effective ways to educate children about the world around them and encourage environmental awareness. Getting children active outdoors is also vital for their health and physical development as well as helping them to improve their sensory, cognitive and social skills.

Despite the weather, the winter months provide a surprisingly wide range of fun and exciting outdoor learning opportunities for your children.

1. Fly a kite

What better way to spend a breezy, sunny winter day than flying a kite. You could even get creative and have a go at making your own.

Encourage your child to get run, jump and chase their kite to keep them active.

2. Have a nature walk adventure

Organise a treasure hunt or get children to find and collect a list of objects. Feathers, leaves, fir cones, acorns and animal foot prints are great things for children to look for. 1926 Wooden Flooring has created a downloadable game for kids on their website called ‘Park Adventurers’. It’s designed to encourage children to explore their local park or natural play space while learning about natural habitats, British wildlife, litter and plants all at the same time. It’s packed with fun activities and natural trivia, best of all it’s free!

3. Try leaf rubbing

Children can create their very own autumn inspired artwork by leaf rubbing. Simply take a large leaf and place on a hard surface. Put a piece of plain paper over the leaf and gently rub over the leaf with a crayon and the leaf pattern will appear on the page. You can have hours of fun by experimenting with different types of leaves and coloured crayons.

1. Chicco Red Bullet Balance Bike To quickly learn to get the balance, a must-have for any child from 3 years, £34.99, from www.Kiddicare.com 2. Paper Planes

Learn to make 10 different paper planes then fly them in the park! From 7 years, £4.99, from www.galttoys.com and toy shops.

3. Tricycle Provides plenty of fun for the youngest children whilst developing their motor skills. £69.99 Manufactured for Galt by Winther www.galttoys.com 4. Happy Hopperz – Hours of indoor fun on the crazy Blue Bull! Suitable from 12 mth £24.99 www.kiddicare.com

4. Get wet!

Allowing children to play with water is not only fun, it can also teach basic science. Encourage your child to throw different objects (sticks, stones, leaves etc)— Get them to guess if they will float or sink. Teach them to skim.

5. Make walks fun

Turn boring walks into fun. Cycle, climb trees, sing, play simple games such as eye spy, tag and hide and seek or build simple dens with fallen branches, moss and leaves. Check out local days out, parks and nature reserves on www.familiesonline.co.uk

5. Multi Sports Set

Set contains kit to play cricket, football, rounders/baseball, frisbee and beach tennis so there is something here for all tastes, skills and weather conditions! £60. www.thegreatgiftcompany.com

6. Blow bubbles

It’s easy to make your own bubble potion. All you need is water, washing up liquid and a dash of sugar to thicken the mixture. Using coat hangers and pipe cleaners you can easily make your own bubble blowers and create bubbles in all different shapes and sizes..

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Families Dorset

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6. The Beano Chopper

Covered front-to-back in classic Beano imagery and features black and red grips, seat and back pads - just how Dennis and the gang would want it. £300, from Raleigh stockists.

November - December 2013

The History of the Panto

Family Shows & Pantomimes We aim to be as accurate as possible but the listings are compiled several weeks beforehand and may be subject to change. Please contact venues in advance to check details and prices.

A Christmas Carol

Magical adventures, intelligent animals, boys who are really girls and women who are really men. Rebecca James takes a look at some of the weird and wonderful traditions behind the Christmas panto.

Where did it all start? The British Christmas Panto can be traced back to the old 16thcentury Italian commedia dell’ arte tradition, a populist kind of travelling theatre performed by wandering actors. Because of language and communication problems, these shows focused on physical acting, slapstick, comedy and funny costumes. Comic theatrical presentations featuring characters like Harlequin, Clown and Pulcinella became popular across Europe. The first use of the word ‘pantomime’ was in the Harlequin-inspired ‘ballet-pantomime’, The Loves of Mars and Venus, staged in London in 1717. The first ‘modern’ pantomime dates back to 1773, when the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane presented Jack the Giant Killers, followed by Robinson Crusoe, Aladdin, Babes in the Wood and Cinderella.

Cross-dressing - 19th-century clown, Joseph Grimaldi, pioneered the tradition of the Pantomime Dame. The Ugly Sisters were first played by men in 1860. The Ugly Sisters differ from the Dame in that they have to be funny and the villains at the same time.

Snow White

5 December Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne www.tivoliwimborne.co.uk Join Vienna Festival Ballet on a magical journey with their brand new production of Snow White. Based on the traditional Grimm Brothers story, this new ballet incorporates all the favourite elements from this well-loved tale: from the enchanted mirror, to out beautiful heroine, to the bewitched shiny red apple and not forgetting the handsome Prince Charming.

Jack and the Beanstalk

6 December 2013 – 5 January 2014 Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre for the Arts The fantastic family Christmas caper will see Jack full of beans and up to his old tricks again. As ever, the Trott family is penniless and in dire straits. When Jack goes to sell his beloved cow, all he can get is a measly bag of beans, so our hapless hero is soon in the doghouse. But these are no ordinary beans! When a giant beanstalk appears in the garden, Jack’s extraordinary adventures are just about to begin as he must climb the beanstalk, defeat the giant and retrieve the treasure.

Animal magic As the 19th century progressed, the subjects of pantomime shifted to fairy tales, with interludes of juggling and acrobatics, providing wholesome entertainment for children, while panto performances also became particularly associated with the Christmas season. Famous panto animals include: Aladdin’s camel and Dick Whittington’s cat, Priscilla the Goose and Puss in Boots!

Aladdin - The Pavilion Pantomime

Top of the bill No modern Christmas panto would be complete without its ‘celebrity’ guest star, usually a soap star, comedian or TV presenter to top the bill – a tradition which dates back to the great 19th-century impressario Augustus Harris, who would regularly hire stellar contemporary artistes for his Drury Lane panto performances.

11 December - 24 December Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre for the Art www.lighthousepoole.co.uk On the night before Christmas Emily stares out of the window, hugs her teddy and waits excitedly for the morning, while in the corner a little mouse called Eddie can't understand why only humans are allowed to celebrate and get presents. So he sets off in search of Father Christmas to find out for himself. Along the way he dodges the family cat, gets directions from a cowardly toy soldier and is given some unexpected advice from the magical fairy on top of the tree. Will Eddie get an answer? Will Emily get her wish? And what is that funny-shaped present sitting under the tree? Suitable for children aged 3-7.

Modern pantomime There’s no such thing really as ‘traditional’ pantomime. The whole point is that it’s constantly evolved and adapted throughout its history to keep up with changing public tastes. Panto provides an important source of income for many theatres and is also often the first – and potentially formative – experience young children have of the theatre.

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28 - 30 November Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre www.bic.co.uk This original and brand new musical version of A Christmas Carol by Talkwood Productions is based on what is probably the best-loved story by Charles Dickens, and takes place on the night before Christmas.

Ebenezer Scrooge is a thoroughly disagreeable and lonely man who prefers money to people. However, he is taken on a journey of discovery that completely transforms him - by the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future! Included amongst the host of colourful characters that show him the error of his ways are Bob Cratchit and of course – Tiny Tim! This spellbinding winter-warmer of a production will have audiences of all ages at once laughing, crying and sitting on the edge of their seats!

Families Dorset

7 December 2013 - 5 January 2014 Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre www.bic.co.uk All aboard the magic carpet! Aladdin is coming to town! Oh no you didn’t? Oh yes I did!

That’s right; you heard it hot off the press. Aladdin has been confirmed as this year’s festive pantomime at the Bournemouth Pavilion.

The Night Before Christmas

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November - December 2013

Christmas

Top Tips for a perfect Families Christmas ENJOY THE NATIVITY

Whether you have the Angel Gabriel or the 5th sheep under your roof this Christmas, take the time to enjoy your child’s nativity.

Ignore the crowing parent who is mother to Mary for the 3rd time. “I’ve made her go straight into character and so she’s living in the shed and sleeping on hay.” Embrace the breadth of characters now at the bedside of Baby Jesus and pray that whatever your child is cast as, there’s an outfit that can be bought in the dress up aisle at the supermarket. But most of all enjoy the moment. Too soon it won’t be the sheep and the cows you’ll be fretting about. It will be the birds and the bees.

FORGET THE CHRISTMAS CARDS

Imagine NOT sending cards. For a moment, park the anxiety you’ll feel when that first envelope drops on your doormat. Instead, think of the time you’ll save penning 50 cards to people you only communicate with at Christmas. We’re not suggesting severing all ties with your friends and family over the festive period, but trying something different. Why not take a fun packed picture of your family (perhaps in the festive attire mentioned above) and email it out with good wishes to the people on your Christmas card list. You’ll save money. You’ll save time and you may save a little bit of your preChristmas sanity.

TRACK SANTA

Do you remember the days when a half eaten mince pie and an empty glass of sherry were proof enough that Santa had been? Life has moved on and the Twitter generation needs more. You can now receive personal communication from the overstretched OAP, see photographic evidence that ‘he’s been’’ and even keep an eye on old St Nick as he circumnavigates the globe. To ‘arrange’ a personal message from Father Christmas, go to www.portablenorthpole.com. To track Santa from 1st December go to www.noradsanta.org and see a picture of him in your home at www.icaughtsanta.com.

Guaranteed to add some real magic to the Christmas countdown.

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Families Dorset

HAVE A CHRISTMAS CLEAR OUT

There are certain inevitable facts about Christmas. You will receive an item of clothing that neither suits nor fits you. You will not have the batteries needed for 50% of the items your children open on Christmas Day. And the amount of ‘stuff’ in your home will double overnight. With that in mind, why not have a pre-Christmas clear out. Sell what you can on Ebay - it’s a great time to get rid of items and make some much needed cash. Encourage your children to fill a box with toys they no longer play with and take it to your local charity shop. As well as clearing some space for the new arrivals, it’s a way to introduce the concept of thinking of others to your little elves.

PURCHASE FESTIVE ATTIRE

It’s a parental right of passage to dress up your son or daughter as a reindeer or a shrunken Santa. As well it being very cute, it also provides us parents with some super photographic ammunition for the future.

My girls are 10 and 7 and have declared this the final year they’ll go along with my festive antics and will be withdrawing their labour from 2014. It’s a decision that’s making me broody. For those of you with more compliant/younger children, enjoy the moment. And make sure you take plenty of photos.

BAN THE CHRISTMAS LIST

Call me Scrooge, but I’m no fan of Christmas wish lists. I think it fuels the idea that this time of year is all about getting stuff and that isn’t the spirit of Christmas I want in my house. No good will come of giving a child a plain piece of paper and an Argos catalogue.

In fact a survey in the aftermath of Christmas 2012 found that the most asked for wish on the lists of British children was a brother or sister. Next was a reindeer. I think those are requests that even Argos would struggle with. If you don’t ask them to write a list, they’ll be delighted with whatever Santa leaves under the tree. Trust me.

ELF YOURSELF

Ever wondered what you’d look like as a Christmas Elf? Wonder no more and instead, head to www.jibjab.com and begin the transformation. This clever online tool allows you to upload photos of you and your family and then a video of you, dancing as elves, is created. I recommend doing this on a day when the spirit of Christmas has deserted you, only to be replaced by a mountain of stress. I challenge you to be glum when witnessing you and your family dance, as elves, to ‘Rockin’ Robin’.

MAKE IT MAGICAL

Real magic doesn’t have to cost the earth but it will make your child’s Christmas one to remember. Spend time dressing the tree together or making Christmas biscuits. Time is something we have in such short supply in our lives but it’s well worth finding it this time of year.

Create new traditions. Santa’s elves started leaving a Christmas Eve hamper at our front door last year. It’s filled with inexpensive items like a toothbrush, a festive DVD, some jolly pyjamas and a silly mug for a night time hot chocolate. It kicks the festivities off in a truly magical way.

WATCH ONE OF OUR TOP 5 CHRISTMAS MOVIES

Nothing lifts the spirits on a cold winter Sunday more than settling down to a festive DVD. I’ve done a straw poll in and around Families HQ and we’ve come up with our favourite five. Find them, watch them and have a very happy family Christmas.

1. Elf 2. The Snowman 3. The Polar Express 4. How the Grinch Stole Christmas 5. The Nativity And finally, remember that Christmas is not about presents or perfectly cooked turkeys.

It’s about time and family. Your children will have forgotten what they were given by Easter, and your family will have erased the memory of the burnt parsnips but no one forget the fun they had.

To advertise your business with us call 07876 761623

November - December 2013

Check out these places for visiting Santa in an around Dorset Festive fun at Paultons Park www.paultonspark.co.uk From 16 November At Santa’s Christmas Wonderland, children and parents can wander through an enchanted winter scene where animated characters, including Rudolph and Donner, sing and dance. To make the journey truly magical; children can meet Santa Claus himself and receive an exciting present.

Alongside all of this, families can experience the world-famous Peppa Pig World at Christmas with twinkling illuminations, Christmas trees and much more. Tickets are from £20.75 and include entrance to Santa’s Christmas Wonderland and Peppa Pig World, as well a gift for the children.

Dolphin Shopping Centre www.dolphinshoppingcentre.co.uk 17 November The much loved Dolphin shopping centre and Poole Town Centre Partnership Santa Parade is back this year and better than ever before. Taking place on Sunday November 17 from 10.00am, it will include Christmas themed entertainment for the whole family.

The free event is a feast for the eyes with live reindeer, fun characters, chocolate treats, balloons, music, dancing, Lighthouse’s pantomime stars and of course Father Christmas himself. Entry to the grotto is £4.50 and each child will receive a special wrapped gift chosen especially by Santa himself.

Visit Santa in his Snowy Grotto Lemur Landings www.lemurlandings.co.uk From 6th December Children can play in the snow before visiting Santa in his Christmas grotto. Don’t forget to say hello to the snowmen on your way in

Santa Parade - Dolphin Shopping Centre

Compton Acres www.comptonacres.co.uk 7, 14 & 21 December Visit Father Christmas in his Grotto, 11.30 - 3.00 pm every Saturday in December and receive a lovely present.

Adventure Wonderland www.adventurewonderland.co.uk 23rd – 24th November 7th/14th – 23rd December You can book online to visit our Father Christmas with his faithful reindeer, Rudolph, and helpful elves, direct from the North Pole. They’ll all be waiting in their log cabin with fantastic presents for all of the children!

Farmer Palmers Farm Park www.farmerpalmers.co.uk Sat & Suns in December Festive fun for everyone! Santa meets your little ones in his grotto in the Animal Barn.

Presents, fancy dress and more.

Sunday Christmas dinners in the Hen House (additional charge for Santa).

The Toy Barn www.toy-barn.co.uk 12th – 15th December Children can visit him in his North Pole grotto from 11am to 3pm each day.

Tickets are £5.00 per child, which includes a small present from Father Christmas. Adult entry is free.

Swanage Railway Santa Specials www.swanagerailway.co.uk 30th November – 24th December The event offers Christmas Fun for the whole family with the opportunity to meet Santa visiting the Swanage Railway. Santa will visit you at your seat, to give out presents to all children on board, during your one hour return journey. In addition, Santa’s helpers will serve drinks and biscuits to children and mince pies and seasonal refreshments to adults Christmas at Marwell www.marwell.org.uk 23 November - 24 December Magical fun for all the family, meet Mrs Claus, the elves and Santa in the classic setting of Marwell Hall.

Countdown to Christmas begins at the Sovereign Shopping Centre With Christmas rapidly approaching, and with it the annual shopping rush, the Sovereign Shopping Centre in Boscombe is gearing up for a busy couple of months. As well as offering shoppers more than 40 retailers all under one roof, the Centre is set to offer regular entertainment including live music and children’s entertainment this November and December, plus a festive Santa’s grotto.

On Saturday 9th November, local five-piece band ‘iCandi’ will be playing classic party music on the bandstand from 2pm until 4pm for all to enjoy including a mix of old favourites and fun interpretations of top-40 hits.

A pirate-themed day on Saturday 23rd November, from 11am - 4pm, is sure to be a hit with children of all ages. With a Pirate fancy dress competition and mischievous pirates causing mayhem, the Centre will be transformed into Davy Jones locker! “Oooh Argghh!!! Hop along to the ol’ Sovereign Shopping Centre me hearties!” Then in December, when the countdown to Christmas truly begins, Santa will be greeting children from his festive Grotto and a number of local choirs and singing groups will be spreading Christmas cheer by performing a variety of contemporary and seasonal hits. The Santa’s grotto, organised by the Rotary clubs of Boscombe, Southbourne and Westbourne, is supporting local charities Coda Fiddle Orchestra, Bournemouth Food Bank and Food Parcels. Children can visit Santa to share their Christmas wishes and will receive a gift. The Grotto is open during the weekend from Saturday 7th December until Sunday 15th December, and then every day from Monday 16th December until Christmas Eve. Entry is priced £4 per child.

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Families Dorset

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November - December 2013

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Photography by Erica Mulford Photography. Baby bonnet Emily & Evelyn

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