What's on this week in East Kent

Your essential guide to family events compiled by Laura Vass. We take great care in compiling our events guide, but check with the venues before you leave home just in case times or prices have changed since we went to print.

WEEKLY EVENTS

Every Monday Parent and Baby Hideout Daisy Elephant Memory Quilts and Craft Den, 12 Norwood Street, Ashford TN23 1QU Available every Monday 9.30-11.30am. The group costs just £1 to sit and relax, chat and watch the babies interact. There is a large space with a comfy sofa, rocking chair, baby mats, a baby changing table and will also have some basic crafts and sticking set up at the table for the toddlers.

Every Monday, Tuesday & Friday (term time only) Pre-School Trampoline Sessions Aire Trampoline Club Canterbury CT1 3RB This is a hugely popular drop in session for toddlers & parent and is for preschool children only.

Every Tuesday Waddles Repton Connect Community Centre Ashford TN23 3RX Waddles is a baby and toddler group that meets every Tuesday at Repton Connect. 0-4 years old welcome. £2 for your first child then 50p for additional children.

Every Friday (term time only) Crafty Kids Espression Arts Café Canterbury CT1 2DZ A creative, messy play and sensory club for toddlers from walking to preschool. The Crafty Kids Messy Rabbit introduces the session and there are snacks and drinks for the children at the end! £5 per child per session - Booking required. 10-11.30am.

Every Friday (term time) An Invitation to Play The Grand, The Leas, Folkestone CT20 2XL An invitation to Play will keep your young ones occupied with craft, play, stories and songs. Each session is themed and offers a variety of activities. £6 per child with discounts available for siblings or child minding groups. Contact sarahjudgeplay@gmail.com for more info or to book. Ages 0-5. 10am.

Every Friday (term time only) Coffee & Chaos Canterbury Baptist Church. CT1 1UT A group open to all parents with children below school age. Includes

free play, crafts, singing, stories and snacks. First visit is free and £1 per family after this. 10-11.30am.

Every Saturday and Sunday Family Workshop: Art Rebels The Turner Contemporary Rendezvous, Margate CT9 1HG Every weekend the Navigators will be leading free, creative workshops for families and young people. From model-making to protesting, families can explore a range of themes seen in this year’s Turner Prize exhibition. 1-4pm.

Until 12 January The True Meaning of Christmas The Front Room, The Beaney Canterbury CT1 2RA A group exhibition featuring high quality and engaging artwork by selected Kent artists. All artwork on show will be for sale.

Until 12 January Mother Goose Marlowe Theatre Canterbury CT1 2AS Don’t miss this fun-filled family pantomime. With hilarious comedy, beautiful sets and costumes, and fantastic music, Mother Goose will be the Marlowe’s funniest and most spectacular pantomime ever! Box Office: 01227 787787.

DIARY DATES

1 – 31 January Exhibition: Where do the wild things go in winter? Samphire Hoe Education Shelter Off A20 CY17 9FL An exhibition at the Samphire Hoe Education Shelter. During the summer the countryside here can be heaving with insects and wildflowers. However, during Autumn it slowly disappears to emerge again in spring. Head along and discover more.

4 January Kids Fun Cupcake Workshop Hothfield Village Hall, Hothfield, Ashford TN26 1EG This workshop might be just what you are looking for. Each child gets their own box of four cupcakes which they can decorate how they want. Spaces are limited and must be booked in advance, call 07768 642811. £15 per child. Adults must accompany child.

5 January & 2 February Ashford Farmer’s Market High St, Ashford, TN24 8TD Each month the market changes with the seasons, offering a fresh selection of home-made and home-grown produce. The market also has guest traders, plus live entertainment and musical acts, who visit throughout the year. You can find the market on the lower high street next to the fountain between 10am and 2pm. Free parking is available to market visitors in the Edinburgh Road car park above Wilko.

5 January Tour of Fort Burgoyne Entrance to former Connaught Barracks, Dover, CT15 5LP Starting at 10:30am, this is an introductory tour of Fort Burgoyne, hidden in the hillside to the North of Dover Castle. Children can also get an activity booklet to complete to gain a certificate. Please wear stout footwear and bring a torch. Booking essential. This is a free event but donations are appreciated. The tour lasts approximately 2 hours.

5 January Trainmaster Thanet Kearns Hall, Grenham Bay Avenue, Birchington CT7 9NN The Trainmaster team are pulling into Thanet with their giant train track, trains, fancy dress, crafts, ride on train and more. Babes in arms and grown-ups are free! Sibling and multiple session discounts are applied automatically at the checkout.

8 January Power of Children The Turner Contemporary Rendezvous, Margate CT9 1HG Visitors are invited to join in family workshops that will be based on the same ideas explored in the schools involved in the project. Through creative and playful dance theatre activities the participants will discover the Power of Children and will then be invited to stay for the afternoon performance.

9 – 12 January Sleeping Beauty The King’s Hall Herne Bay CT6 6BA Theatrecraft Herne Bay return to The King’s Hall with their spectacular family pantomime, Sleeping Beauty. Telling the story of the ill-fated princess who is cursed by a wicked fairy. With an astonishing talking dragon, show-stopping songs and routines, larger-than-life characters and lots of audience participation, this year’s production is guaranteed to enchant everyone. Tickets £8 - £10. Box Office: 01227 374188.

11 January Save a Child’s Life Workshop Barham Village Hall, Barham CT4 6NX Would you know what to do if your child stopped breathing? The RLSS are hosting this free workshop to give you peace of mind, reassurance and some hands-on skills. All training is done using mannequins. Free. Booking required, call 01227 830860. 10.30am.

OLY MPIC SPIR IT FAMILY CONCERT SUNDAY 8 MARCH, 2PM THE MARLOWE, CANTERBURY

TOKYO 2020

TOKYO 2020

LE T ’ S G O !

FASTER, HIGHER, STRONGER – explore the colourful world of a symphony orchestra in our friendly afternoon show for all the family! Join us for an exciting concert celebrating Olympic spirit ahead of Tokyo 2020, with classics including Chariots of Fire and Flight of the Bumblebee.. • Recommended age 5+ • Running Time: 1 hr, no interval • Adults £16.50; £13.50; £9.50 • U-18s £8.25; £6.25; £4.75 TICKET INFO: philharmonia.co.uk

11 January Ashford Sling Meet and Library Dobbies Garden World, Ashford TN25 4BN These sessions are for parents of babies and young children who are interested in receiving advice on sling choices and baby wearing.

12 January Indoor Table Top Sale Co-Innovation, Stembrook Lane Shopping Arcade. Dover CT16 1PF Everything from clothing to cakes, tools to tambourines, bric-a-brac to bananas and everything in between can be bought and sold here. Open 9am-2pm.

16 – 18 January Aladdin Dover Town Hall, Biggin Street, Dover CT16 1DL A family-friendly pantomime. Tickets £5 - £10. Box Office: 01843 296111.

16 – 26 January Panto at the Playhouse: The Stolen Princess Playhouse Theatre Whitstable CT5 1AZ There’s evil afoot in Pantoland as characters are mysteriously vanishing from all the pantos. Tickets £10. Box Office: 01227 272042.

17 January Co-Parenting Success Workshop Repton Connect Community Centre Ashford TN23 3RX A three-hour workshop, running from 6-9pm, for separating or separated parents to help understand the challenges of moving from an intimate relationship to a working relationship and strategies, tips, and practical tools to build a framework for successful, positive co-parenting.

17 – 18 January Jane Eyre Theatre Royal Margate, CT9 1PW A gothic masterpiece of tempestuous passions and dark secrets, £8 - £17. Age 11+. Box Office: 01843 292795.

17 – 19 January Broadstairs Winter Folk Festival Various locations in Broadstairs There will be food and a licences bar available, mostly with donated items from local businesses. Events include a barn dance on the Friday with afternoon and evening concerts on the Saturday and Sunday.

17 - 25 January Snow White Christ Church Community Hall Ashford TN23 7SR A magical show for all the family, Snow White, promises to bring more magic, more laughs and more fun than ever before.

18 January, 1 & 15 February Sandgate Farmers and Makers Market Chichester Hall. Sandgate, Folkestone CT20 3AR The Market is open from 10am -12.30pm on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of every month and is free. Stalls include local bread, savouries, meat, veg, fruit and cakes.

18 January Trainmaster Ashford Singleton Village Hall Ashford TN23 5LB The Trainmaster team are pulling into Ashford with their giant train track, trains, fancy dress, crafts, ride on train and more.

19 January Winter Wildlife Hunt and Hungry Birds Samphire Hoe, off the A20 CT17 9FL Starting at 10am, join a walk to look for winter wildlife at Samphire Hoe and make a bird feeder to take home for the hungry birds in your garden. Free event but donations are appreciated.

22 – 26 January All Wrapped Up The Gulbenkian, University of Kent Canterbury CT2 7NB Magical characters, hilarious creatures and hidden lands are brought to life through light, shadow and music. Tickets £8 - £9. Box Office: 01227 769075.

23 January Singleton Sling Meet and Library The Grapevine, Singleton Village Hall Ashford TN23 5LB These sessions are for parents of babies and young children who are interested in receiving advice on sling choices and baby wearing.

26 January The Addams Family Theatre Royal Margate, CT9 1PW Get ready for a comical feast that embraces the wackiness in every family. Tickets £12 - £13.50. Box Office: 01843 292795.

26 January & 23 February Cliftonville Farmers Market Oval Lawns, Eastern Esplanade, Cliftonville CT9 2HL Open from 10am-1pm, award-winning Farmers Market. There will be producers selling bread, cheese, honey, fruit, vegetables, wild game, fruit juices, fresh meat and much more.

26 January Make a Devil’s Coach Horse Hibernation Home Samphire Hoe, off the A20 CT17 9FL Starting at 2pm, you can join in with making some colourful winter houses for the fiercest looking creature at Samphire Hoe. Suggested donation £2.

Museum of the Moon coming to Rochester Cathedral this February

Museum of the Moon is a touring artwork by UK artist Luke Jerram which has been presented in a number of locations across the world. As it travels from place to place, it gathers new musical compositions and an ongoing collection of personal responses, stories and mythologies, as well as highlighting the latest moon science. ©James Billings

A full programme of lunar inspired events will take place at the Cathedral alongside the artwork including family activities for February Half Term.

29 January – 8 February The Royal Shakespeare Company The Marlowe Theatre, The Friars, Canterbury CT1 2AS The Royal Shakespeare Company present a season of fierce and energetic Shakespeare plays, bursting with contemporary resonance. Afterperformance talks are also available as well as workshops for students. Tickets £15 - £49. Box Office: 01227 787787

1 February Folkestone Sugarcraft Cygnets St Andrew’s Hall, Cheriton, Folkestone CT19 4DY Sugarcraft workshops for children aged 7-16 years. This monthly group is very popular, but they currently have a few spaces left in their cygnet group. Please contact British SuagrCraft UK Folkestone to book your child in for a free trial session.

2 February The Wizard of Oz Theatre Royal Margate, CT9 1PW Enjoy Dorothy, the Scarecrow, Tinman, and Lion, (and Toto too) as they seek the Wonderful Wizard to find that there’s no place like home! Start time 3pm, performance is 2 hours. Tickets £10 - £17. Box Office: 01843 292795.

6 February Heist The Gulbenkian, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NB An unlikely band of brothers embark on a heist to reclaim what’s dear to them. When the adrenaline and excitement take over, their high-stakes mission pushes them to the edge, where they walk the fine line between trust and betrayal, isolation and belonging. Ages 11+. Tickets £5 - £13. Box Office: 01227 769075.

7 February Supporting Your Child’s Emotional Regulation Whitfield and Aspen School Dover CT16 3LJ This workshop is designed for parents of school aged children with difficulties tolerating and expressing their feelings, leading to outbursts and other displays of overwhelming emotion. Tickets £10.

7 February Go Stargazing Langton Grammar School for Boys Canterbury CT4 7AR Away from the worst of the light pollution the city of Canterbury offers this is a good spot for stargazing and observing through members telescopes. The event starts at 7pm.

8 February Mum2Mum Market Spires Academy, Bredlands Lane Canterbury CT2 0HD Buy nearly new baby, children’s and maternity clothes, used toys and baby

From 8 February Snowdrop Walk Hever Castle & Garden Edenbridge TN8 7NG A heavenly carpet of snowdrops will provide a magical trail for visitors to follow at Hever Castle. Around 80,000 snowdrop bulbs have been planted in the Gardens over the past few years including a mix of single and double snowdrops, interspersed with some unusual varieties. Runs to 8 March.

12 February Sounds Beaney The Beaney, Canterbury CT1 2RA From 11am-12pm, the Explorers and Collectors Gallery will become a performance space, as it hosts the monthly Sounds Beaney event. Open to everyone, this free performance will be a delight for your ears. Limited seating available.

13 February Sleeping Beauty The Marlowe Theatre Canterbury CT1 2AS Every child’s favourite fairy tale, this is the classic story of love and innocence, mystery and magic set to Tchaikovsky’s sublime score. This ballet will be performed by The Russian State Ballet of Siberia who have built an international reputation for delivering performances of outstanding quality and unusual depth. Tickets £15 - £49.

15 February The Nutcracker The Marlowe Theatre Canterbury CT1 2AS This most famous of fantasy ballets for all the family. This ballet will be performed by The Russian State Ballet of Siberia who have built an international reputation for delivering performances of outstanding quality and unusual depth. Tickets £15 - £49.

15 February Build a Bird Box Burgoyne Heights Preschool Dover, CT15 5LY Go along to build your bird box from the kits supplied. Helpers will guide you through the process and when complete you can take them home (materials supplied by the Land Trust at Fort Burgoyne). Booking essential.

29 February Baby and Children’s Market Swalecliffe Community Hall Whitstable CT5 2QU Over 30 stalls bursting with top quality baby and children’s items from birth to 12yrs. Plus a small selection of unique businesses showcasing and selling their products and services all under one roof! £1 entry per adult, with children under 16 free. 10am-12pm.

Living with Nature at Hever Castle

Get back in touch with the great outdoors this February half term at Hever Castle from 15 - 23 February and discover more about wildlife and nature.

Come and watch the falconry displays and learn about the work of different wildlife charities as well as take part in children’s activities.

Follow the nature trail in the grounds to investigate animal footprints and tracks, create a ladybug or bumble bee in a free craft workshop or transform into an animal with our fabulous face painter*. (*small additional charge.)

15 – 23 February Get Hands on With History: WWII Dover Castle, Dover CT16 1HU Calling all super sleuths, secret agents and investigators: sharpen your detective skills with hands-on training in disguise, code cracking and clues.

15 – 23 February Half Term Explorers Leeds Castle, Maidstone ME17 1RG Become a first-class junior explorer this half term on the grounds of the castle. Families can throw on their wellies and thinking caps as they venture through the Leeds Castle estate on a special trail.

15 – 23 February Living with Nature Hever Castle & Garden Edenbridge TN8 7NG Get back in touch with great outdoors this February half term at Hever Castle to discover more about the wildlife and nature that surround the historic castle.

15 – 23 February February Fun and Frolics Kent Life Sandling, Maidstone ME14 3AU Kent Life have a packed programme of activities for Half Term. You can meet plenty of animals, join in with feeding sessions and even get up close to some smaller furry friends in the cuddle corner. If you are really lucky, you might even get to witness some early lambing.

16 February Skulls, Scats and Tracks Family Day Natural Pathways Bushcraft Walder Chain Woods CT4 6NS Ever wondered as you are walking in the countryside…. what was it that left that track beside a muddy puddle?

16 February Miss Dover Town Selection 2020 Dover Town Hall, Maison Dieu, Dover CT16 1DL Miss Dover Town Selection 2020 will be held at Dover Town Hall from 2pm. Junior entries must be aged 8-12. Senior entries must be aged 13-21. This is a wonderful experience for all girls who would like to make new friends and memories. It is free to enter.

18 February Cooking Holiday Club Chequers Kitchen Cookery School Deal CT14 6RG Running from 10am until 3pm, this is an opportunity for children aged 8 to 14 to spend the day cooking. They will have fun and learn skills for life. Booking required.

19 February Family Pasta-Making Workshop Chequers Kitchen Cookery School Deal CT14 6RG Learn to make pasta from scratch and a delicious homemade pesto in this 1.5- hour workshop. Great fun and a handy skill. The workshop begins at 10am and places must be booked in advance.

19 – 20 February Peppa Pig’s Best Day Ever The Marlowe Theatre Canterbury CT1 2AS Peppa Pig is excited to be going on a special day out with George, Mummy Pig and Daddy Pig – it’s going to be her best day ever! Get ready for a road-trip full of fun adventures. Tickets £12.50 - £22.50 with three performances each day. Box Office: 01227 787787.

20 February The Adventures of Bo Peep The Kit (part of The Marlowe) Canterbury CT1 2NZ Award winning, Knuckle and Joint and Churchill Theatre have teamed up to bring you a brand new and magical adaptation of well-loved nursery rhyme, Little Bo Peep, to The Cockpit. Show times 11am and 2pm. Tickets £10.50.

20 February Total Pop Party! The King’s Hall, Herne Bay CT6 6BA The perfect party for your young ones, Total Pop Party is a brand new event for 2020! These girls celebrate a full range of modern pop legends, entertaining the whole family with incredible choreography and singing. Tickets £10 - £15. Box Office: 01227 374188.

21 – 22 February Gulp! The Studio, The Marlowe Theatre Canterbury CT1 2AS Gulp! is a moving, magical story and interactive story dripping with fun, unexpected twists and turns, and watery surprises.

22 February Family Bushcraft Day – Survival in the Woods Natural Pathways Bushcraft, Walder Chain Woods CT4 6NS Get the children outdoors learning fun things about nature. Run by experienced Bushcraft Instructors, this fun adventure is an in-depth workshop covering all the necessary skills to create shelters and fires.

23 February Open Day – National Garden Scheme Goodnestone Park Gardens Goodnestone CT3 1PL Open exclusively on selected days to the public during the winter months,

8 March Philharmonia Family Concert: Olympic Spirit The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury, CT1 2NZ

Faster, higher, stronger – explore the colourful world of a symphony orchestra in our friendly afternoon show that welcomes all the family be a part of the Philharmonia’s jam-packed season in the heart of Canterbury.

An exciting concert celebrating the Olympic spirit – the perfect way to get inspired for Tokyo 2020. Cheer for the underdog, feel the thrill of a race, and share in the joy of triumph over adversity as you hear musical favourites from film and television, as well as timeless classics for symphony orchestra. Highlights include Chariots of Fire, The Flight of the Bumblebee, In the Hall of the Mountain King, and many more.

Plus, stay on at the end and you’ll get to meet the musicians, conductor and presenter.

Adults: £16.50, £13.50, £9.50. Under 18s: £8.50, £5.50.

www.philharmonia.co.uk

WINTER FUN Find these winter words in the grid. Then read the remaining unused letters on the bottom three lines from left to right to fi nd a secret message!

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PICTURE CROSSWORD Can you solve the picture clues and put them in the crossword?

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