Families Hampshire West September/ October issue 72

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IN THIS ISSUE

Is good grammar important?

Should your child learn to swim?

What’s on this September & October

Issue 72 September/October 2019 familiesonline.co.uk

familiesonline.co.uk Families Hampshire West

Issue 72 I Sept/Oct 2019 Editor Rebecca Carr editor@familieshampshirewest.co.uk 07789 882 467 Advertising Claire Clarricoates claire.clarricoates@familiespublishing.co.uk What’s on Chloe Atkinson assistant@familieshampshirewest.co.uk Social Media Chloe Atkinson Printed by Holbrooks Printers Ltd. Next issue November/ December Booking deadline 4 October We distribute 22,000 copies in Winchester, Southampton, The New Forest, Totton, Eastleigh, Chandler’s Ford, Hedge End, Bursledon, Netley, Park Gate and all the areas in between.

Published 6 times per year. If you would like copies for your establishment contact us.

Cover image Depositphotos CMYK / .eps

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Contents 4. Local news 5. Education news 6. The head lice guide 9. Is good grammar important?

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11. Why learning to swim is important

Stay in touch

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Download the latest magazine and our back catalogue at issuu www.issuu.com

13. Try a new club or class 14. Clubs & classes news 15. What’s on in September & October © Families Hampshire West Magazine 2019. Families Hampshire West is part of Families Print Ltd, a franchise company. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. Families is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of Families Hampshire West are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families Hampshire West. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, but Families Hampshire West; our distributors, the franchise company, Families Print Ltd, and Lifecycle Marketing cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequence thereof.

W.J. French & Son, your local, children’s shoe experts.

We stock a large range of children’s shoes in full & half sizes as well as a wide range of width fittings.

We are recognised by the Children's Foot Health Register as a centre of excellence for shoe fitting.

We are are the the largest largestindependent independantshoe shoeshop shopinin Hampshire Hampshire and and have havebeen beenproviding providingexcellent excellent customer customer service service for forover over200 200years. years.

W.J. French

& Son Limited 2 Families Hampshire West

40 Bedford Place, Southampton, SO15 2DG 023 8022 6542 www.wjfrenchandson.co.uk familiesonline.co.uk

at Tudor House & Garden Thursday 31 October, 10am-5pm

ly d n e i r f Book ooky or sp t ghos tours!

FREE ADMISS ION

Enjoy spooky arts and craft activities, face painting, and meet the ghosts and ghouls of Tudor House on our friendly or spooky ghost tours!

To find out more call 023 8083 4536 Visit www.tudorhouseandgarden.com for ghost tour times familiesonline.co.uk

*Small fees apply to craft activities & tours. Hourly Ghost Tours can be pre-booked, call 023 8083 4536.

Families Hampshire West 3

Local News

‘R’ you school lunch ready?

Starting school is a huge step for young children; they can tire quickly as they become used to the school routine. You can help keep their energy levels high with a freshly cooked nutritious school meal. Research suggests that well-nourished children perform better at school.

HC3S meals are carefully planned in line with the school food standards; they contain the correct balance of calories, vitamins and other nutrients that children need. HC3S is proud to be the first school meal caterer to be awarded the Hyperactive Children’s Support Group award for excellence in school catering, proving that they do not include additives in their ingredients. Research shows that only one in 100 packed lunches meet the nutritional standards required.

Local Water Babies raise nearly £20,000 for Tommy’s During one week in June over 750 little swimmers across the Southampton, Winchester and Fareham area took part in this year’s Splashathon in their Water Babies classes.

Little ones from as young as 6 weeks up to 5 years, along with their carers, dressed up as pirates and princesses and took on a “swim a width” challenge as part of their weekly lesson to raise money for Tommy’s the baby charity.

Brilliant fun for all involved and a chance to support a charity close to many local families hearts. Their fantastic efforts raised £19,770 as part of a Water Babies national total of £930,111 this year.

This amount of money will save thousands of babies’ lives and could help fund the new Tommy’s research centre, dedicated to improving maternity care, for nearly 2 years.

For more information check out tommys.org and waterbabies.co.uk

Meals are free up to Year 3 regardless of your income, so you can save your family money.

Find school lunch menus, healthy recipes and other useful information on the HC3S Facebook page or download a menu and calendar from www.hants.gov.uk/hc3s.

Free family fun with Heritage Open Days This year, Heritage Open Days is celebrating its 25th anniversary and will be the biggest and most diverse to date. Running from 13 - 22 September, this annual celebration of England’s history and culture, allows visitors FREE access to historical landmarks that are either not usually open to the public, or would normally charge an entrance fee.

Nationwide there will be hundreds of free interactive activities for children, including dressing up, crafting, woodland walks and railway rides. With a theme of ‘People Power,’ this year’s festival will offer visitors more opportunities than ever to discover the secret history of their towns, villages and countryside. For local events visit, www. heritageopendays.org.uk Have a look at our what’s on guide on page 15 for local Heritage Open Days.

Enjoy Cinderella: The Musical at the Nuffield Southampton Theatres this Winter Cinders feels old before her time and Ella feels like she’s running out of time. Throw in the reopening of the Grand Ballroom, a not so charming Prince and two nasty step nieces and you’ve got yourself A CinderELLA story: The musical remix.

Calls for compulsory climate change education in schools

From the theatre that brought you the “super funny” Billionaire Boy The Musical and “whisker-licking treat” Fantastic Mr Fox, plus the creative team behind the “high on imagination…simply spectacular” hit musical Amélie, this CinderELLA story combines Freaky Friday with a tale as old as time, to offer a hilarious musical Christmas treat for the whole family. Running from 23 Nov – 5 January.

A petition launched by four Oxford school girls calling for lessons on Climate Change to be made compulsory in schools has gathered over 75,000 signatures. The students are hoping to make climate change a “core part of the compulsory curriculum” to increase the next generation’s understanding of the global issue. They claim they have “barely learned about the climate crisis at school, even though it’s supposed to be part of Geography and Science.”

Book now at nstheatres.co.uk. Tickets available from £10.

According to the petition: “Climate change is the biggest issue of our time, and it must be a part of our education if our generation is to understand it and help us to combat its effects. That’s why we want climate change to be made a core part of the national curriculum.”

More info: www.change.org

4 Families Hampshire West

Individualised learning at Moyles Court Moyles Court (age 3-16yrs) is set within the most beautiful New Forest Park with extensive grounds, offering your child the most wonderful opportunities to thrive in the outdoors as well and the classroom. Not only will the children benefit from smaller class sizes, excellent pastoral care and a curriculum tailored to their individual needs, they will also enjoy weekly sessions in French, PE, Dance, Cookery, Music Bugs and Forest Schools.

Richard Milner Smith, Headmaster says: “Our core values are at the heart of our fabulous school and we provide the best possible start in life. We offer individualised learning, a flexible approach to travel and wrap around care – making us accessible to so many families who want their children to be happy, learning and achieving in our glorious New Forest setting.”

Come to the Open Morning on Saturday 5 October and see what wonderful work happens here every day. Visit www.moylescourt.co.uk familiesonline.co.uk

Opportunity reigns Walhampton at King Edward VI pupils achieve School consistent academic results Education children since 1553, King

Edward VI School is Southampton’s oldest school and one of the south coast’s leading co-educational secondary institutions academically; over 80 percent of leavers attend Russell Group universities and around 10 percent accept places at Oxbridge.

The flourishing co-curricular programme provides additional stimulus and depth of learning, whilst equipping students with the practical skills to be successful in the wider world.

Over 50 clubs operate each term with everything from astronomy to beekeeping. Opportunities to participate in regular exchanges across the globe sit alongside expeditions to Nepal, scientific research in the Galapagos, Iceland, and Indonesia, and community projects in South Africa.

The state-of-the art Dobson Theatre sits at the heart of a dynamic creative arts programme; a hive of dramatic and musical activity, external lecturers, and student public speaking. The thirty-three acre Wellington Sports Ground has nurtured Olympic athletes, including Iain Percy.

Students from King Edward’s leave with skills that employers look for. To visit the site or attend the Open Evening, email registrar@kes.hants.sch. uk, call 023 8079 9216, or visit www.kes.hants.sch.uk.

Sherborne House School to extend its nursery provision Sherborne House School is a coeducational independent day school for pupils aged three to eleven.

In September, Sherborne House School welcomed a new Headmaster, Mr Mark Beach, following the retirement of Mrs Heather Hopson-Hill from Headship. Mr Beach brings a wealth of experience to the school having previously been Headmaster at three highly successful schools.

Set within one hundred acres in the New Forest, Walhampton is an independent prep school where academic excellence sits comfortably alongside a distinctive ‘Swallows and Amazons’ spirit. With small class sizes and outstanding teaching, Walhampton’s pupils achieve consistently impressive academic results and around 40 percent attain scholarships to top senior school.

Walhampton has recently been graded “Excellent in All Areas” by the Independent Schools Inspectorate and was included in shortlists of the Best Prep Schools in the country by Tatler and the Times Educational Supplement (TES).

The next Open Morning is on Friday 4 October, to register contact Jacqui Scott, on 01590 613303 or email registrar@walhampton.com.

Skills for life at Sheiling School The Sheiling Ringwood offer a broad, balanced, developmental curriculum, covering all the subjects in the national curriculum, including the ASDAN Personal Progress qualification and the OCR Life and Living Skills qualifications.

At the Sheiling, students are encouraged and supported to become resourceful and caring individuals, to explore the world of feelings, behaviour and values. They focus on building confidence and skills in different environments and social groups, whilst also developing functional independence, in preparation for adult life. They build positive relationships with students that acknowledge their value, believing that every young person can be empowered to find meaning and purpose in life.

ADFAM03

At Sherborne House, children are at the heart of all they do. They want to discover, nurture and celebrate the unique strengths of each child in an inspiring learning environment, developing happy, confident and passionate learners.

Education news

From January 2020, the School is delighted to be extending its nursery provision to welcome babies from 6 months old. The award-winning PreReception currently in school, is already taking registrations for January

2020.

AD SEN01 Open Morning Tuesday 12th November 9am - 12 noon

The Sheiling Ringwood School and College (6-25 years)

Set in a stunning, sustainable and eco-friendly 40-acre site close to the New Forest and Dorset coastline, the natural surroundings of our school and college provide a rich, enabling and therapeutic learning environment for students who have special educational needs.

Nursery expansion in January 2020 welcoming children from 6 months to 4 years

Please contact the School to book your place 023 8025 2440 www.sherbornehouse.co.uk 39 Lakewood Road, Chandler’s Ford, Hampshire SO53 1EU

familiesonline.co.uk

We offer an individualised and flexible approach to placements. Day and residential. We also offer respite services for our students during the holidays.

Call 01425 477488 www.thesheilingringwood.co.uk Families Hampshire West 5

Back to School

Family meal idea

Roasted Vegetable Pasta (Serves 6)

Eileen Hutchinson is the founder of NitNOT head lice serum treatment. For more information, visit www.nitnot.com

The

Head Lice Help Guide!

Primary school children are the main spreaders of head lice as they spend lots of time in close contact with one another.

Ingredients 150g Sweet potato finely diced 6ml Oil 96g Mixed peppers fresh or frozen

at a time, positioning the teeth of the lice comb at the top of the hair shaft at a 16-degree angle out.

270g Courgettes finely diced

Gently pull the comb down the length of the hair from the root to end. Wipe the nit comb on a tissue and look for lice, baby lice and eggs.

24g Tomato puree

200g Red onions finely diced 1 Garlic clove grated

How these blood-sucking critters move from head to head remains a mystery to many of us, but if you understand this happens, it can help you avoid an infestation.

•

How lice move from head to head

How to recognise lice, baby lice and eggs

Lice have claws at the end of their legs designed for walking through hair; they cannot fly or jump. The male lice happily stay on the scalp. After mating just once, the female louse lays up to 10 eggs daily for the rest of her 30 day life. She travels down the hair and waits with her front claws stretched out to grab any passing new hair. When a new hair passes by she will cling on, scurry up the follicle to the scalp, and start laying eggs. Transportation is as simple as that!

Eggs - the brown and tan flecks, measuring around 2mm in length, are similar to the shape of a sesame seed. They are laid close to the scalp but are glued to the hair shaft so move down with the growth of the hair. So they can be found at any length of the hair.

3g Parsley

Lice - up to 4mm long and a light tan or brown in colour.

1.

Put two thirds of the cooking oil in a baking tin and add finely diced vegetables

2.

Roast the vegetables at 180̊ or gas mark 4 for 25 minutes

3.

Check the vegetables halfway through and turn to ensure they don’t burn

4.

Put the grated garlic into a saucepan with the remaining oil, add the tomato puree, chopped tomatoes, herbs and half of the stock, stir well and bring to the boil

5.

Add the remaining stock slowly then add the sweetcorn and simmer

6.

Cook the pasta in rapidly boiling water for approximately 10 minutes and drain well

7.

Mix pasta, tomato sauce and roasted vegetables and serve

8.

Sprinkle with chopped parsley and some grated cheese (optional)

The female louse doesn’t care if your hair is curly or straight, clean or dirty. Essential oils as a repellant is another fallacy; there’s no medical evidence they will prevent head lice, and a female louses genetic profile to colonise is far stronger than their dislike for any repellant.

Simple preventative and checking measures •

Keep long hair tied up in a bun plait or a ponytail at the nape of the neck for school and play dates.

•

Use a separate brush for every member of the family. Advise children not to share brushes with friends.

•

•

To check for lice, use a nit comb on wet hair coated with a small amount of clear conditioner and separate the hair into straight line sections, using clips to keep hair secure in each section.

When checking, let down one section Remember lice are unpleasant, but harmless. If you do find it difficult to treat your child, you can always contact a clinic for advice or further treatment.

6 Families Hampshire West

Baby lice - can be tiny and may be identified on the tissue as darker specks alongside the eggs.

Wet dandruff can be mistaken for eggs. The key is, it can be rubbed off. A nit egg can only be removed by sliding it down and off the hair shaft.

What to do if you find lice If you find evidence of a louse, you can keep on repeating this combing down in sections until the tissue is clear of specks or lice. Keep the cleared sections away from hair that has not been treated. After each section is combed, check for eggs and use a tweezer to slide eggs down the hair shaft and off the hair.

Sterilise combs and put clips and bands in a plastic bag after washing. Do not use for at least three days.

If using the combing method, you must comb every 3 to 4 days until the entire infestation has been removed. This can take up to a month, depending on the severity of the outbreak.

It is easy to miss a louse or egg, and it is recommended you use a CE certified brand of head lice serum. Hypoallergenic and pesticide free treatments are now available which are safer and more effective than natural remedies.

200g Chopped tomatoes 100ml Vegetable stock ½ tsp Mixed herbs 180g Sweetcorn 210g Pasta

Method

Top tip The pasta, tomato sauce and roasted vegetables can be served separately if required.

For more recipe ideas and to find out more about HC3S visit www.hants.gov.uk/ hc3s or follow them on Facebook. familiesonline.co.uk

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5th oCt oBer 20 19 10am - 1 2.30pm

WHERE DISCOVERY WONDER AND LEARNING IS AT OUR HEART 3-16 Co-eduCational, day and Boarding

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‘R’ you school lunch ready?

You take care of breakfast and tea. Let us take care of lunch!

My son is in Year R and has loved his school dinners from day one.

He has become a much less fussy eater.

’’

’’

hants.gov.uk/hc3s find us on facebook @hc3seducation familiesonline.co.uk

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Parent 2019

Families Hampshire West 7

Education Matters fragments of sentences are the norm and it is unnecessary to use grammar.

This short-cutting of language exposes children to a real risk of developing bad communication habits which could hold them back in the future.

Some tips for helping your child with grammar Bring grammar to life by asking questions to find out what your child knows about grammar. Do they know what a noun is? If not, show your child some objects.

Explain that nouns are the names used for people, places and things. You can do the same with verbs by acting out some actions such as ‘jump’, ‘hop’ and ‘clap’.

Is good grammar important?

By Andrew Campbell

When you went to school, it’s possible you didn’t get much grammar instruction and as a result didn’t absorb its importance.

Alternatively, you may have had grammar drummed into you again and again, using a prescriptive rule-based approach which didn’t create an understanding of its significance or purpose.

Either way, you may feel that you don’t know much about grammar and may wonder if it is really an essential component of your child’s education or future.

The truth is that the use of correct grammar is important because it is the main feature within both our spoken and written communication that allows us to communicate our thoughts and ideas clearly and be understood.

Using incorrect grammar can lead to meaningless sentences and unclear messages, which in turn can lead to misinterpretation or misunderstanding.

Even something as simple as a misplaced comma can completely change the meaning of a sentence. For example: “Let’s eat Grandpa.” versus “Let’s eat, Grandpa.”

Children who don’t develop a good grasp of grammar fall back on what they intuitively know about language; as a consequence they simply write like they speak. Whereas, with a good understanding of the different grammatical components of language, a child is able to express themselves clearly and establish good foundation skills for written documentation like school essays, 8 Families Hampshire West

job applications and creative writing in later years.

Grammar rules also help children develop the habit of thinking logically and clearly.

They provides the building blocks for them to expand their vocabulary and understand and express themselves in longer, more interesting and more complex ways. When children increase their language complexity (with word endings, or longer/more complex sentences), they can express and understand more complicated ideas.

The rise of social media as a dominant form of communication amongst young people has given rise to much shortcutting of the English language. When sending texts or messages via Facebook or WhatsApp, simple sentences or

Do simple crosswords with your child using a dictionary to help you. The dictionary tells you what type of word you have looked up (verb, adverb, pronoun, noun etc.), and you can share this with your child.

Play with punctuation. When you read, occasionally look at the punctuation and talk about what it is telling the reader to do. Show your child how a question mark tells you to raise your voice at the end of the sentence to indicate a question being asked.

Play ‘i-spy’ with the focus on looking for nouns (e.g. dad, bridge, tree, shop, apple). Tell your child that you are going to ask questions about the noun they have chosen. For example, ‘Is your noun green?’, ‘Can your noun fit in my hand?’

In this way you introduce grammatical terminology in a fun way.

Model. When your child says something that is grammatically incorrect, model to them the correct way of saying it.

For older primary school children: Opposites. Help your child understand antonyms (opposites) by calling out words like hot, big, slow, and getting them to shout out the opposite. Alternatively, get your child to shout words that mean the same as the ones you’re calling out (synonyms).

Tense tents. Help your child understand verb tenses, by drawing some ‘tense tents’ on pieces of paper. Write down some verbs in their various tenses – present (play), past (played), future (will play) and get your child to move the verbs into the correct tent.

Sentence Challenge. Challenge your child to write sentences of more than 25 words that only contain one verb. This helps them to understand how to control a sentence, rather than overcomplicate it.

More resources at: learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/ grammar-vocabulary www.bbc.com/bitesize/topics/zhrrd2p www.theschoolrun.com/best-grammarapps-for-kids familiesonline.co.uk

Happening history Open Morning 4th October 2019

Independent co-educational preparatory day, flexi and full-time boarding school, ages 2-13.

Contact the school Registrar on 01590 613 303 or email registrar@walhampton.com WALHAMPTON SCHOOL, LYMINGTON, HAMPSHIRE SO41 5ZG.

www.walhampton.com

Registered charity Number: 307330

familiesonline.co.uk

Families Hampshire West 9

Swimming

Why your child should learn to swim Swimming is the only sport that could save your child’s life. According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents more than 400 children in the UK died as a result of drowning. The bottom line is: it makes sense to seriously consider how and when your child is going to learn to swim.

Self teaching

– are they swimming well and with seemingly effortless grace? If you are paying good money for lessons, you need to be sure that the end product is good!

One option is teaching your child yourself. Most children love going to the pool and with your persistence, and their willingness to practice, should learn to float and swim doggy paddle well enough to get out of trouble if they fall into the water. However, if you don’t have the time or confidence to do this, or if you would like your child to be able to dive and swim with an ease that enables them to keep swimming length after length, you will need to consider booking some lessons.

Consider group size

The smaller the group, the more individual attention your child will get. Of course, the smaller the group, the more expensive the lessons as well, so consider your budget.

There are advantages and disadvantages with every group size:

What is available?

• One to One lessons with a good instructor can be great, but your child will miss out on the fun of learning with other children.

In this area, we are very fortunate to have plenty of choice of swimming classes at: • • • •

Local Authority Swimming Pools Private Health Clubs Private Swim Schools One to One tuition

How to choose?

How do you know which approach is best for your child? Ask around: get recommendations from friends and family and ask about their experiences.

Talk to the swimming provider you are considering

Tell them about your child, what you are looking for and ask what suitable lessons they have. Pose as many questions as you want and don’t be hurried into accepting unsatisfactory answers. Ask them to send all the information they have for you to consider. If they don’t take an interest in you, cross them off your list!

• If you’d like your child to have lots of individual attention, but also want them to have fun with other children, small groups of three are ideal.

•

Larger groups of four or more are handy if you are on a budget and your child is confident, but not so good if your child is shy or nervous and needing a bit more support.

Remember that if your child does not seem happy attending the lessons or does not seem to be progressing, it’s time to consider another option.

However, don’t give up on the idea of your child learning to swim.

Learning to swim is like riding a bike. It’s a skill that, fortunately, once learned will never be forgotten.

Ask to observe some lessons If you aren’t permitted to observe lessons, proceed with caution!

At a lesson, watch out for: Interaction between the instructors

and the children – are the instructors teaching the children or just watching them swim up and down? The instructors will probably have to raise their voices to be heard, but are they giving the children lots of praise and encouragement along with corrections? Do they treat the children like individuals, giving pointers to each child, or as one large group? Do they include all children in the group? Would you like to be taught by them? If not, don’t inflict them upon your children!

Are the children enjoying themselves? Is there good discipline in the groups? This is essential when you are leaving your child in a dangerous environment. Watch the children in the higher ability groups

Award Winning Swimming Lessons ...from babies to adults...

One-to-One & Group Courses start September

weekly in lovely warm pools in: Southampton Winchester Botley and Fareham.

Private Pool - Sherfield English near Romsey

www.FinsSwimmingClub.org Phone - 07939 655 420 10 Families Hampshire West

01794 324353 waterbabies.co.uk

familiesonline.co.uk

Swimming

Learn for life with Water Babies!

Baby swimming lessons are not only one of the best things you can do to bond with your baby, they’re also excellent for their development: helping little ones develop learning skills, boost their confidence, improve their co-ordination and enhance their wellbeing. NHS guidelines say that babies don’t need to have their vaccinations before they can swim so you can start your journey together from birth.

Babies who swim on a regular basis develop a respect for water and can be taught potentially lifesaving skills, such as turning onto their backs or, following a sudden submersion, swimming to the nearest solid object. These skills kick in from remarkably early on and stay for life.

The next Water Babies term starts in September, so give them a call on 01794 324353 or email them at humptydumpty@ waterbabies.co.uk to find out more.

Award winning lessons with Fins Swimming Club Fins Swimming Club is a not for profit organisation with a community interest.

They offer fun, friendly group and one-toone swimming lessons with an emphasis on water safety as well as instruction in Rookie Lifesaving, Academy Swimming, Snorkelling, Diving and SwimFit. There are lessons for all ages and abilities from 4-months to adults.

Children’s lessons have only 6 children in a class with two to three teaching staff in the water. They provide subsidised school swimming for the Surrey and Hampshire Educational Authorities as well as swimming sessions for local community groups.

They happily arrange opportunities for work experience and the Duke of Edinburgh Award and are an Accredited Teacher Training Centre, having achieved this status by working closely with Swim England and the Institute of Swimming. www.finsswimmingclub.org

Learn a life skill and start swimming at River Park Leisure Centre Swimming is an important life skill that enables you to enjoy a wide range of activities that the water has to offer. River Park Leisure Centre offer lessons for all ages from 3 months to adults. Their friendly swimming teachers are qualified by Swim England, the national governing body for swimming and follow their Learn to Swim framework. They offer both group and private lessons.

Parents say their children have come on “leaps and bounds” through their lessons and they “look forward to their lessons every week”.

If you are interested in starting swimming lessons call 01962 848700 or visit their website www.riverpark.placesleisure.org.

Whatever place you're into

“

“Learning a Life Skill.”

Learn to swim whilst having fun at River Park Leisure Centre Book now for the new term- get in touch today!

riverpark.placesleisure.org Visit website for full terms and conditions.

Operated by Places for People Leisure Ltd. on behalf of Winchester City Council.

River Park Leisure Centre 01962 848700 familiesonline.co.uk

Families Hampshire West 11

Clubs & Classes

Tap into the demand factor and co-ordinate with others Many children simply want to fit in, so if this is important to your child, look for new or popular activities. Our local directory can help you find potential classes and clubs that you may not know about.

Try talking to other parents and see what activities their children are involved in. You could even co-ordinate for your children to participate in the activity together. Simply knowing that their friends are interested in a new club or class may mean your child will be keener to get involved.

You could also introduce a reluctant child to an activity their sibling does, or for younger children nervous about being alone, you can attend the first session with them.

Trying a new club or class

By Claire Winter Whatever the age of your child, trying a new activity or sport encourages them to be more adventurous and learn new skills.

For parents of under 5s, classes and clubs can enrich a child’s day, giving them the chance to experience many different environments and activities. Vitally, these activities also provide social stimulation for parents too.

Meanwhile, the lives of older children have been changed by modern technology, and we need to strongly encourage them to be more active and step away from their smartphone, Xbox, or PlayStation. Thankfully, there are a huge range of organised after-school or weekend clubs and classes for children to attend, from pottery painting to coding.

Here are Families’ helpful tips for encouraging your child to try something new.

Target their interests A good starting point is to look at your child’s current interests. Their school may offer a wide range of classes and clubs from IT to sport.

Additionally, local sports centres, libraries and art centres are often teeming with opportunities to join classes and clubs. So don’t be afraid to look outside the school environment for things to do.

KIDS & ADULTS YOGA COLLABORATIVE

For active kids, why not consider something more challenging, such as climbing, caving, or martial arts? Those interested in animals may find opportunities at your local zoo, petting farm or riding centre. While for the creatively inclined, investigate an art class, reading or book club or a school newspaper or blog.

While it’s a little more difficult to assess the interests of pre-schoolers or toddlers, most enjoy sing and rhyme classes or activities that involve physical activity, like pre-school gymnastics or football.

Understand what’s stopping them Many children can be apprehensive about new experiences, but if your child is consistently shying away from trying new activities, sit down with them and try to find out why. It could be a fear of not making friends, being bullied, low self-confidence about their abilities, or being in an unfamiliar environment.

Once you know the cause of their anxiety, you can help address it.

If your toddler or pre-schooler is reluctant to join in a class, participate in the activity alongside them. It takes pre-schoolers time to get used to a new environment. Once they get used to the situation they will join in with gusto.

I still have fond memories of my shy, twin girls dancing and singing at their first music class!

For pre-school and toddler classes, coordinating with other parents in your network can feel more important than whether you feel your child will particularly enjoy an activity.

Structured activities can keep your little one occupied for a while and give you a welcome chance to make friends with other parents who have children at the same age and stage.

Highlight the benefits Focus on the positive things your child will gain by taking part in a particular sport or activity. These could be a new social circle, certificates, medals or stickers, job or education opportunities in the future, greater confidence, getting fitter, or simply being with friends.

After-school and weekend clubs and classes are a great way for your child to stay active and learn new things. Remember, it doesn’t matter what activity your child pursues, as long as they enjoy it.

Feature your clubs and classes in our regular feature and reach 50,000 local parents.

Call 07789 882467 or email us for more details.

editor@familieshampshirewest.co.uk 6 Issues per year.

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Belbin GetSet for students 14-19+ Sunday’s 10am-11am Chandler’s Ford & Chilworth Southampton £6.50 Children’s Yoga with Sally £8 Adults Flow & Restore with Rochelle And Special Family Sessions To book: sally@sallywilkinsonyoga.co.uk I 07855 040246 @rochelleholisticyoga I livingyogatravel@gmail.com 12 Families Hampshire West

Individual behavioural assessment report Assisting young people with their Personal Development, Study Skills, Personal Statement and Career Advice.

MAKE YOUR CHILD’S DEVELOPMENT MORE FUN!

TRY RUGBYTOTS Our dynamic weekly play sessions enable boys and girls aged 2–7 to develop their social and physical skills in a fun, positive environment. For more just call or email.

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An invaluable tool of self-discovery & confidence building

office@stgeorgestutors.com www.stgeorgestutors.com Est.2015

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Improving your child’s concentration Concentration is a vital life skill which develops from birth. Linked closely to brain development, it improves alongside a child’s memory and ability to organise their thoughts.

Perform and parenting expert and child psychologist, Dr Claire Halsey offers their tips.

Set up for success - Reduce big distractions: television, music and screen time make it difficult to listen and concentrate, so limit these to set times.

Clubs & Classes

Belbin GetSet an invaluable and affordable tool for students As a private tuition provider, St George’s Tutors recognise that there is more to academic achievement than exam results. That’s why they decided to use Belbin GetSet, a reference in the world of selfdevelopment to guide young students through their academic and professional journey.

Make it fun - Make activities fun as your child is more likely to pay attention eg tidying up toys is less of a chore when you offer a tickle to the child who finishes first!

Belbin GetSet, aimed to students 14-19, comprises of an online questionnaire, resulting in a report and workbook helping young people to learn about themselves and their behaviour and give them confidence to project themselves positively. It shows where their strengths lie and what they need to watch, promoting self-understanding, assurance and wellbeing.

Keep practising - Games and activities can build concentration. Choose turn-taking games like Snap or Picture Dominoes or those with simple instructions.

GetSet is an invaluable and affordable tool for students who wish to apply for an apprenticeship or composing a personal statement for university/college applications and to improve wellbeing.

Praise the good stuff - Praise your child when they focus rather than highlighting when they don’t eg “Well done for sticking with that puzzle.”

Visit www.stgeorgestutors.com to view a sample report or email office@stgeorgetutors.com for more information.

Seek advice - A small number of children have difficulty paying attention no matter how hard they try. Ask your child’s teacher for suggestions. If you’re still concerned, see your GP. Visit www.clairehalsey.com for more from Dr Claire Halsey.

Perform offers concentration-boosting drama classes in Hedge End, Winchester, Southampton, Romsey and Lymington. Try a free noobligation class at www.perform.org.uk/try

Half term holiday club with Youth Options Youth Options are excited to be delivering an Ofsted registered holiday club based at Itchen Valley Country Park, Southampton during half term.

Children from reception year up to 11 years are invited to come spend their holiday exploring a variety of woodland activities which could include: shelter building, campfire cooking, woodland art and sculptures, team building games, camouflage games, woodworking, nature walks, habitat exploration and more.

Drop off starts from 8.30am and the day runs through to 4pm with the options of extending your day to 5.30pm.

For more information go to www.youthoptions.co.uk Winchester Landscape Advert 87mmW x 60mmH 04.12.18.pdf

1 04/12/2018 16:11:02

Yoga classes for you and your child with Sally and Rochelle There is so much to gain by connecting to our breath, and our bodies. Over time, mindful practise can improve flexibility and mobility, strength, effective breathing, mental clarity and stress relief. Finding an inner sense of balance, confidence and connection to the world around us.

Sunday morning sessions run in adjacent rooms, giving everyone a chance to enjoy the benefits of Yoga. Sally teaches fun and creative Children’s Yoga (approx ages 4-12), and Rochelle teaches adults Flow and Restore Yoga (age 12-15 if accompanied by an adult) on Sunday’s from 10-11am in Chilworth and Chandlers Ford. Plus several Family Yoga sessions a year.

For dates and booking email Sally sally@sallywilkinsonyoga.co.uk or Rochelle Holistic Yoga livingyogatravel@gmail.com

October Half Term HolidayClub Club Summer Holiday

@ Itchen Valley Country Park

The springboard to confidence for your child

28 - 1 November 24October July - 30 August

Tumble Tots is the UK's Leading National Active Physical Play Programme for Children from 6 Months to School Age

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Forest School themed holiday club, children will spend all day outside exploring and enjoying the natural world.

Call 01794 525510 www.youthoptions.co.uk Families Hampshire West 13

What’s on

Compiled by Chloe Atkinson

Your essential guide to family events this Autumn. 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.

Ongoing Kings & Scribes: The Birth of a Nation Winchester Cathedral Winchester, SO23 9LS This exhibition marks the culmination of an ambitious seven-year project to unlock the Cathedral’s stories and treasures by inspiring active engagement in the interpretation and exploration of our heritage.

Until 8 September Nature Quest New Forest Wildlife Park Nr Ashurst, SO40 4UH Check the pictures around the park and see how many animals you can identify. Normal admission applies.

4 & 29 September, 2 & 20 October Autism Friendly SEN Sessions Partyman World of Play Swan Shopping Centre, Eastleigh, SO50 5SF Complimentary evening sessions dedicated to children and young adults with special needs, exclusively for their use. 6-8pm.

24 September Eastleigh Film Festival: Aladdin The Point, Eastleigh, SO50 9DE Part of the Eastleigh Film Festival: a week-long festival of hand-picked films screened in unique locations.

10.30am. Tickets £5 (free to carers).

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Exhibition at Beaulieu

4 September – 11 October Art Trail Sir Harold Hillier Gardens Romsey, SO51 0QA Every year the collection of youth art set in and near the Education Garden, grows and changes. Come and see what local young talent has to offer. Normal admission applies.

14 September – 13 October Curious Combustions Winchester Science Centre Winchester, SO21 1HZ Discover Curious Combustions at Winchester Science Centre. Ignite inquisitive minds with an explosive live show exploring the fascinating science behind combustion, and fun hands-on activities in the Invention Studio. Learn why and how combustion occurs, as we discover what makes up an explosion, with plenty of exciting demonstrations along the way. £13.20 per person (with donation), including live science show and Invention Studio activities. Planetarium tickets sold separately.

6 & 7 September Dear Zoo Theatre Royal Winchester Winchester, SO23 8SB This production will delight all those who have read the book as it unfolds with child-engaging puppets, music and lots of audience interaction.

Fri 1.30pm, Sat 11am, 2pm. £14.50.

15 September Sunday Circus School The Point, Eastleigh, SO50 9DE Want to run away with the circus?

Why not join us for a two hour session to master your very own circus skills led by a team of professional performers. Ages 8–16.

10am. £8.

7 September & 12 October Backstage Tour Theatre Royal Winchester Winchester, SO23 8SB Take a look behind the scenes. See the dressing rooms, explore the stage and experience the technical areas backstage. 7th: 9.30am, 12th: 10.30am. £8, under 12s £5.

15 & 22 September Heritage Open Days The Brickworks Museum Swanwick, SO31 7HB A chance to see the museum for free. 11am – 4pm.

7 & 8 September International Autojumble Beaulieu National Motor Museum New Forest, SO42 7ZN With over 2000 stands at this signature Beaulieu event, each one showcasing all kinds of vintage and classic motoring ephemera.

9 September Mini Art & Art Club Sessions Forest Arts Centre New Milton, BH25 6DS A great opportunity for young artists to be creative, get messy and have fun. Various times.

14 September Heritage Open Day Tudor House & Garden Southampton, SO14 2AD Explore 500 years of history at Tudor House and Garden. Free but small charges for additional activities.

10am – 5pm.

14 Families Hampshire West

28 September The Young Ones Southampton City Art Gallery Southampton, SO14 7LP Be enthused and inspired the gallery’s fantastic collection.

Discover different art techniques such as; monoprinting, wire working, clay, mixed media and more.

Booking essential. 10.30am-12.30pm. £9. 7-13yrs.

19 – 21 September Heritage Open Days Winchester Cathedral Winchester, SO23 9LS Walk the Inner Close of Winchester Cathedral and discover over 1,000 years of history from monastic times to the present day. 10.30am. Free but booking is essential.

20 September Starlight Trail: Wessex Cancer Trust Winchester Cathedral Winchester, SO23 9LS Join the Wessex Cancer Trust in a 5K fundraising walk across Winchester visiting iconic landmarks and enjoy live entertainment. Register at wessexcancer.org.uk/starlittrail2019.

7.30pm.

21 September Squidtastic Sculpture Forest Arts Centre New Milton, BH25 6DS A fun introduction to sculpture. covering a variety of materials and techniques to enable your child to explore the wonderful world of three dimensional art. 10am. £8.

21 September Heritage Open Day Theatre Royal Winchester Winchester, SO23 8SB A fun day of behind-the-scenes tours, demonstrations, fun craft activities and more. 11am–4pm.

21 September Mini Monets Club Southampton City Art Gallery Southampton, SO14 7LP Explore the gallery and get messy with your little art enthusiasts.

Booking essential call 023 8083 4536. 11am-12pm. £6. 2-6yrs.

21 & 22 September Heritage Open Days The Watercress Line Alresford, SO24 9JG Explore behind the scenes at the engineering hub at Ropley. Select times. Tours are free. Normal fees for train travel.

21 September – 3 November Harvest Time Mottisfont near Romsey, SO51 0LP Enjoy a celebration of autumn harvests and the first anniversary of Mottisfont’s impressive new Kitchen Garden. 10am – 5pm. Normal admission charges apply.

21 September – 3 November Spot the Scarecrows Trail Mottisfont near Romsey, SO51 0LP Different scarecrows are hiding all around Mottisfont’s grounds. Follow the trail to find them all, and learn about some of Mottisfont’s famous visitors along the way. 10am – 5pm.

Normal admission plus £1 per trail.

24 – 28 September Romeo & Juliet Mayflower Theatre Southampton, SO15 1GE Matthew Bourne’s Romeo and Juliet is a passionate and contemporary re-imagining of Shakespeare’s classic love story. Various times.

Tickets from £22.

23 September - 6 October Foodie Fortnight Various locations across Southampton The annual event sees restaurants across the city centre put forward special offers so people can try new places for less. All of the deals are priced at just £10 or £15. To get hold of the deals, all diners need to do is visit www.foodiefortnight.com.

28 September NCT Nearly New Sale Brockenhurst Village Hall Brockenhurst, SO42 7RY Buy quality baby and children’s clothes, toys and equipment at a fraction of the price. 10–11.30am. £1.

28 September Eastleigh Film Festival: Secret Life of Pets 2 The Point, Eastleigh, SO50 9DE 10am & 2pm. Tickets: £9, £7 conc and £6 children or £4 for 10am earlybird screening.

29 September One Small Step Theatre Royal Winchester Winchester, SO23 8SB Recounting history’s greatest adventure, the race between the United States and the Soviet Union to send the first man to the moon, One Small Step is an inventive, funny and surprisingly moving actionpacked show that crams 50 years of history into 60 minutes. 1.30pm & 3.30pm. £12.

29 September Family Fun Day The Brickworks Museum Swanwick, SO31 7HB All kinds of things to do with child focussed activities all day. Free parking. 11am – 4pm.

29 September The Bird Show Forest Arts Centre New Milton, BH25 6DS The Bird Show uses live music, puppetry and lots of silly bird jokes in this heart-fluttering comedy about conservation, migration and imagination. 2.30pm. £7.

5 October The Elves and the Shoemaker The Berry Theatre Hedge End, SO30 4EJ This hilarious re-telling of the much-loved classic tale from the inescapably inventive Stuff and Nonsense. Ages 3+. 11am & 2pm.

5 & 6 October Rumplestiltskin Nuffield Southampton Theatres City, Southampton, SO14 7DU Poor Polly Buckwheat, the Miller’s daughter, is in a bit of a pickle! If she doesn’t turn a roomful of straw into gold by morning, the greedy King will turn a bit nasty. But should she accept the kind help of an eccentric dwarf who mysteriously appears in her prison cell? Ages 3-7. 11am & 2pm. £7. familiesonline.co.uk

CURIOUS COMBUSTIONS

ang B g n a B itty h C y t t i it ion Ch b i h x E s 50 Year

Weekends: 14 Sept - 13 Oct

Last chance to see!

Ends 3 November 2019

beaulieu.co.uk

Beaulieu | New Forest | Hampshire | SO42 7ZN

TO BOOK TICKETS - winchestersciencecentre.org | 01962 863 791

01590 612345 Open daily from 10am

‘ENCHANTING AND HILARIOUS’

A Nuffield Southampton Theatres Production DAILY MAIL

THE STAGE

THE LIST

BOOK AND LYRICS BY MICHAEL FENTIMAN MUSIC AND ADDITIONAL LYRICS BY BARNABY RACE DESIGNER MADELEINE GIRLING

23 Nov – 5 Jan NST City Book now at: nstheatres.co.uk familiesonline.co.uk

Sat 5 - Sun 6 October Box Office 01962 840 440 theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk Families Hampshire West 15

What’s on Half Term Chitty Bang Bang 50 Years Exhibition Beaulieu Motor Museum Beaulieu, SO42 7ZN Last chance to see the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 50 years exhibition and Chitty-themed fun activities this October.

A Chitty trail will lead visitors around the attraction from 27 October 3 November, with storytelling in Palace House and join in with Chitty themed crafts. A Chitty reconstruction can be seen in action as it is driven around the grounds of the attraction and a set of cards can be collected from Living History characters around the site.

The Chitty exhibition in the National Motor Museum includes an original screen Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the Humber 8hp driven by Truly Scrumptious, Lord Scrumptious’ rare Austro-Daimler 27/80 Prince Henry, the original Child Catcher carriage, the wonderfully inventive machines of Rowland Emett, original film artwork and Chitty memorabilia.

Beaulieu’s Fireworks Spectacular on Satu 26 October will celebrate its 50th anniversary with an Out of this World theme for the halfcentenary of the first moon landing.

For tickets and details see www.beaulieu.co.uk or call 01590 612345.

Throughout September & October Climbing Fun Golden Gecko Climbing Centre Romsey, SO51 0HR Looking for something different to do this Autumn? Why not try climbing at Golden Gecko Climbing Centre in Romsey.

Whether you have climbing experience or it’s your first time the Centre has something for all.

Their Challenge Wall is an exciting roped climb up to a height of 6m with 10 auto belays and over 40 routes of varying difficulty. Open to all, the Challenge Wall is suitable for anyone from 5 years. They also have an extensive bouldering wall and small tower for the more experienced looking to fit in a bit of climbing.

The Energy Bar offers barista coffee, tea, cold drinks and a selection of hot and cold food. They also have a toddler’s play area for those too young to climb. Open 7 days a week from 10am -10pm, except Sat 10am -8pm and Sunday 12-8pm.

Visit www.ggclimbing.com for more information or to book a climbing session.

5 October -4 November Happy Halloween Paultons Park Romsey SO51 6AL Happy Halloween at Paultons Park is the friendliest, most frightful fun fest in the UK, and is back for another year with even more spooky fun to enjoy.

New for 2019, Peppa Pig World will be transformed for this year’s fang-tastic festivities! Meet Peppa and George in their spooky outfits and enjoy lots of fun Peppa themed Halloween decorations.

The Legend of Paultons Manor returns once again and follows the exploits of the intrepid Spirit Squad as they track down the Creepy Gatekeeper so Pickles can throw the best Halloween party ever.

Don’t forget to head over to The Big Boo Barn for some ghoulishly delightful farmyard fun this Halloween.

As the sun begins to set, the creepy themed fun continues with extra special late night opening until 7.30pm on Tues 29 and Thurs 31 October. www.paultonspark.co.uk 16 Families Hampshire West

14 & 15 September INSPIRE Weekend St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery, Lymington St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery is hosting an open weekend ‘INSPIRE Weekend’ to coincide with Heritage Open Days where the museum and galleries will be free entry all weekend for visitors to explore, engage and find out more.

There will be a full programme of activity over the two days including: Live music – acoustic/jazz; Hand on arts and crafts sessions; Family and children’s activities ; Costumed characters from the museum; Gallery tours with our curator; Museum insights with our director, plus a few surprises.

Come and enjoy all St Barbe has to offer, a thriving cultural hub with heritage talks, artist workshops, the old school café and a delightful giftshop, Sat 10am–5pm and Sun 10am–4pm. www.stbarbe-museum.org.uk 5 - 6 October The Scarecrows’ Wedding Theatre Royal Winchester Winchester, SO23 8SB Scamp Theatre, the team behind Stick Man, present the best wedding ever, the best wedding yet… Betty O’Barley and Harry O’Hay are excellent scarecrows. Their wedding plans are all coming together until Harry leaves Betty’s side and the devilishly smooth Reginald Rake tries to take Harry’s place. Will Harry make it back in time to save their special day? This heart-warming and award-winning adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s bestselling book is bursting at the seams with Scamp Theatre’s inimitable style. This epic love story promises wit, drama and wedding bells! Packed with live music and laughter, this is one hour’s magic that you and your children will never forget! Ages: 3+ (all ages welcome). Running time: 55mins. Tickets from £12 to £15, call 01962 840 440.

26 October – 3 November Boo at the Zoo Marwell Zoo Winchester, SO21 1JH Bring your little monsters to Marwell Zoo this October half term for lots of spooky fun!

Take part in their monster trail and track down 12 hidden monsters around the zoo. Join in with their craft activities, decorate a wand and make your very own monster. Their resident wizard Lowedolf is back by popular demand teaching broomstick flying lessons. Plus, catch one of their spooky story telling sessions and join Esme the witch to help conjure up a spell in the giant magical cauldron!

Plus, experience a living rainforest at Marwell’s Tropical House: Energy for Life! Share the habitat and enjoy uninterrupted, close-up views of colourful and charismatic mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and insects.

Visitors can enjoy a range of daily animal talks, plus, with five adventure playgrounds, a rail train and free road train, there’s plenty to occupy your little ones whilst you relax and soak up the surroundings. www.marwell.org.uk

Inspire

Weekend

FREE

ENTRY Featuring live music, hands on crafts, family fun and much more!

Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 September NEW STREET, LYMINGTON SO41 9GT www.stbarbe-museum.org.uk

familiesonline.co.uk

What’s on 5 & 6 October Fungi Weekend Sir Harold Hillier Gardens Romsey, SO51 0QA The diversity of garden and woodland fungi will be shown to you by experts from the Hampshire Fungus Recording Group. 10.30am & 2pm. £2.50, plus normal admission.

5 & 6 October Green Harvest Weekend Winchester Cathedral Winchester, SO23 9LS A fun-packed weekend celebrating Harvest and exploring the current environmental issues facing our farmers, Plenty of local food and drink will be available for all to enjoy.

10am – 5pm. Free.

6 October Hedgehog Day Itchen Valley Country Park Southampton, SO30 3HQ Activities will be suitable for three year olds and above and will include badge-making, clay hedgehogs and mask-making. 10.30am – 12noon.

6 October Learning to Grow Wyevale Garden Centres Various locations in Hampshire Come along and get your little diggers planting and learning. Ages 3+. 10.30am & 11.15am. Free.

6 October Dear Zoo Nuffield Southampton Theatres City, Southampton, SO14 7DU This production will delight all those who have read the book (both young and old) as it unfolds with childengaging puppets, music and lots of audience interaction. Suitable for ages 2+. £13.

FREE EVENT!

6 October Family Fun Day Lanterns Nursery Winchester, SO22 6AJ Enjoy a family fun day to raise enough money to keep this fantastic service available for all new parents in the area. 11am – 2.30pm.

12 October Saturday Storytime The Berry Theatre Hedge End, SO30 4EJ Musical storytellers delight families with their fantastical tales, singalong-songs and joyful games. Ages 3-7. 10.30am. £3.

8 October Snow White Theatre Royal Winchester Winchester, SO23 8SB Join Vienna Festival Ballet on a magical journey with their unmissable production of Snow White. 7pm. £25

12 & 13 October Hansel and Gretel Nuffield Southampton Theatres City, Southampton, SO14 7DU Deep in an enchanted forest, Hansel and Gretel are lost, only to find themselves on the menu of a sweettoothed witch. Ages 3+. £7.

9 October The Nutcracker Theatre Royal Winchester Winchester, SO23 8SB Be swept away on a magical adventure! With its combination of enchanting choreography and unforgettable music, this fabulous ballet is a treat like no other. 7pm. £25.

13 October Lily & The Albatross Theatre Royal Winchester Winchester, SO23 8SB A heartfelt story about achieving the unachievable and never letting go of your childhood dreams.11.30am. £12.

11 October - 3 November Halloween Family Trail Sir Harold Hillier Gardens Romsey, SO51 0QA Join Sir Harold Hillier Gardens for creepy fun in the Gardens on a spooky self-guided trail. Normal admission apply. £2.50 per trail.

12 October Swish, swoosh, splosh!

Southampton City Art Gallery Southampton, SO14 7LP Swish is a playful multisensory exploration of life underwater and the positive ways in which we can reduce plastic in the ocean. Swish is suitable for families, groups and complex needs audiences. Booking essential. 11am-11.45am. Free.

15 & 16 October Some Like Hip Hop Mayflower Theatre Southampton, SO15 1GE A comical tale of love, mistaken identity, cross-dressing and revolution, as two women take on a male-dominated world by disguising themselves as men. Ages 10+.

18 – 20 October Autumn Steam Gala Mid Hants Railway Ltd Alresford, SO24 9JG There will be steam locomotives, a behind the scenes tour and more.

Normal admission charges apply.

19 October Scarecrow Festival The Community Centre Colden Common, SO21 1UU With wonderful arts and crafts and

fab raffle prizes. Great family fun for all ages from pre-school to juniors.

10am-3pm, £3.50 per child.

19 October – 10 November Incredible Inventions Winchester Science Centre Winchester, SO21 1HZ Discover Inventions at Winchester Science Centre this October half term (daily from 25 Oct – 4 Nov) and every weekend from 19 Oct – 10 Nov. Explore the greatest inventions through the ages and learn how they have transformed the world we live in today. Unleash your imagination as you discover super smart machines and glorious gadgets in an epic live science show. Encourage your little ones to think big with fun hands-on activities and challenges in the Invention Studio. £13.20 per person (with donation), including live science show and Invention Studio activities.

19 October Mini Monets Club Southampton City Art Gallery Southampton, SO14 7LP Explore the gallery and get messy with your little art enthusiasts.

Booking essential call 023 8083 4536. 11am - 12pm. £6. 2-6yrs.

19 & 20 October The Goose Who Flew Nuffield Southampton Theatres - NST Campus, Southampton, SO17 1TR Goose loves the summer, playing with his family and friends, but soon it is time for him to fly south for the winter. A charming and heartfelt story about the importance of compassion, community and understanding. Ages 3-7 years. £7.

Saturday 2nd November

Children are invited to meet our baby dragon and a giant beast at the Swan Centre, Eastleigh.

The Dragon shows are at 11:30am, 12.30pm, 2pm and 3pm plus take part in dragon crafts and activities.

The children’s entertainments are not supervised playschemes and parents are requested to stay with their children and join in the fun.

FACEBOOK.COM/THESWANCENTREEASTLEIGH / WWW.SWANSHOPPING.COM

familiesonline.co.uk

Families Hampshire West 17

What’s on 19 & 20 October Sweet on Honey Sir Harold Hillier Gardens Romsey, SO51 0QA Come and see what the Hampshire Beekeeping Association has to offer at their annual honey show.

1.30–5.30pm. Normal admission.

23 – 26 October English National Ballet – Cinderella Mayflower Theatre Southampton, SO15 1GE Enter an enchanting kingdom where forest creatures live alongside princes, a growing tree appears to dance in the wind, and Cinderella’s wit and generosity get her to the ball – with the help of a little bit of magic.

Suitable for ages 5+. From £12.

25, 27 & 31 October Spooky Halloween River Tour New Forest Activities Beaulieu, SO42 7YF With so much history and stories of resident ghosts, are you brave enough to venture out onto the Beaulieu River at dusk. Fancy dress encouraged.6.30–8pm.

26 October Fireworks Spectacular Beaulieu National Motor Museum New Forest, SO42 7ZN Be wowed by a spectacular fireworks display. Arrive early to enjoy the attractions, enjoy live entertainment and have fun on old time fairground rides (extra charge applies). From 3pm. Advanced tickets, family £38.

26 October The Young Ones Southampton City Art Gallery Southampton, SO14 7LP Discover different art techniques such as; monoprinting, wire working, clay, mixed media and more.

Booking essential. 10.30am-12.30pm. £9. 7-13yrs.

26 October Shlomo’s Beatbox Adventure Nuffield Southampton Theatres City, Southampton, SO14 7DU Shlomo is a world record-breaking beatboxer who makes all kinds of music using just his mouth and a mic. Ages 5+. £7.

26 October Halloween Fun at the Swan Centre Swan Shopping Centre Eastleigh, SO50 5FS Children are invited to come along an take part in spooky Halloween entertainment. There will be fun, games and even some balloon modelling. 11am – 3pm.

26 & 27 October Hey Diddle Diddle Nuffield Southampton Theatres Southampton, SO17 1TR When the full moon shines bright there’s magic in the air, and the animals come out to play. Jump and jive to the music in a brilliant new take the classic nursery rhyme.

Suitable for ages 3+. £7.

26 & 27 October Wizard Weekend The Mid Hants Railway Alresford, SO24 9JG Be whisked away on the Wizard Express and take unlimited rides throughout the day and get involved in some Halloween crafts and marvel at haunting magic performances.

11am – 4pm.

18 Families Hampshire West

26 – 31 October It’s Frightfully Fun at The Farm Longdown Activity Farm Ashurst, SO40 7EH There will be lots of spooky Halloween things to see and do and hands-on activities. Normal charges.

26 October – 3 November Find Fennel!

Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre Wareham BH20 6HH Get your ‘Find Fennel’ activity sheet with Monkey World’s Halloween halfterm pack. The children’s activity centre has spooky sand art, creepy crafts and a spook station in the park Normal admission. Activity pack £2.

27 October Halloween Steam Up The Brickworks Museum Swanwick, SO31 7HB Steam exhibits, ghostly activities, craft stalls, free parking. 11am – 4pm.

Adults £7, con £6, £4 and family £18.

28 October Halloween Bushcraft Sir Harold Hillier Gardens Ampfield, Romsey, SO51 0QA Enjoy some Halloween crafts, fun, spooky songs and stories around the fire. Ages 4-12. Booking is essential, 1.30–4pm. £12.75 per session.

28 October Drop-in Trick or Treat Bags!

Southampton City Art Gallery Southampton, SO14 7LP Create a frightfully great treat bag ready to collect goodies on Halloween.10.30am-12.30pm. £4.50.

28 & 29 October The Little Prince Theatre Royal Winchester Winchester, SO23 8SB A story of love and friendship for children and grown-ups alike.

Various times. Tickets from £14.

through the deep, dark wood in Tall Stories’ magical, musical adaptation of the classic picture book. Suitable for ages 3+. £12 29 October – 3 November The Tiger Who Came to Tea Nuffield Southampton Theatres Southampton, SO17 1TR Join the tea-guzzling tiger in this delightful family show; packed with oodles of magic, sing-a-long songs and clumsy chaos. Ages 3+. £13 30 October The Great British Boat Off! SeaCity Museum Southampton, SO14 7FY Join inventor and artist Ali Eales to create your own boat made from mainly recycled materials! Booking essential, call 023 8083 4536.

10.30am-3pm. £18. 7-12yrs.

30 October Family Fun: Wonderful William Walker Winchester Cathedral Winchester, SO23 9LS Pick up a free trail and follow it around the Cathedral. End the trail at the craft table for crafts, colouring and fun worksheets. Ages 4 -11 years.

30 & 31 October Pumpkin Carving Sir Harold Hillier Gardens Romsey, SO51 0QA Booking is essential. Normal admission plus £5 per child (includes pumpkin).

30 & 31 October Goat and Monkey: The Pirate Cruncher The Berry Theatre Hedge End, SO30 4EJ Adapted from the best-selling

picture book by Jonny Duddle, this exciting, hilarious and comically gruesome tale of pirates, monsters and the ingenuity of one small girl is family theatre at its finest and silliest, a treat for children and adults alike.

Suitable for ages 4+. 11am & 2pm.

31 October Halloween at the House Tudor House & Gardens Southampton, SO14 2AD Visit the ghosts and ghouls and meet the skeletons and spooks of Southampton’s Tudor House this Halloween! Book on to a ghost tour, have your face painted, join in with arts and crafts or simply enjoy exploring the house and garden. Small charges may apply for activities. 10am-5pm. Free entry.

31 October – 2 November The Gruffalo, The Witch and The Warthog with Julia Donaldson Theatre Royal Winchester Winchester, SO23 8SB The UK’s best-selling author Julia Donaldson presents a show featuring Room on the Broom, The Magic Paintbrush, The Ugly Five, Superworm, The Gruffalo and The Cook and the King. The cast bring Julia’s stories to life with songs, puppetry and a touch of magic. £18.

2 November Dragon Day Swan Shopping Centre Eastleigh, SO50 5FS Children are invited to meet our baby dragon and a giant beast when they come to the Swan Centre, Eastleigh. The Dragon shows are at 11:30am, 12.30pm, 2pm and 3pm and there will be crafts, dressing up and shows.

29 October The Little Prince and The Moon Family Craft Theatre Royal Winchester Winchester, SO23 8SB Come and make a hanging asteroid home for The Little Prince and the Moon Family Craft ahead of watching Luca Silvinstini’s Protein’s beautiful production. 11am – 1pm.

29 October Art School for Autumn Southampton City Art Gallery Southampton, SO14 7LP Spend the day exploring stories and symbolism in art and creating a stunning 3D version of your favourite artwork. Booking essential. 10.30am3.30pm. £20. 7yrs +.

29 October Petrifying Pirates!

Tudor House & Gardens Southampton, SO14 2AD Come along to hear a tale of buccaneers on the high seas and create your very own pirate kit.

Booking essential. 10.30am-12noon or 1-2.30pm. £7. 5-11yrs.

29 October Archaeology Activity – Saxons Sir Harold Hillier Gardens Romsey, SO51 0QA Be an archaeologist and visit the purpose-built trench. Ages 4-12 years. Booking is essential. £12.75.

29 October – 3 November The Gruffalo Nuffield Southampton Theatres Southampton, SO17 1TR Join Mouse on a daring adventure familiesonline.co.uk

GHOST TRAIN Sat 26th October - Fri 1st November

Just £6 per person, book online today!

023 8089 1203 | www.exbury.co.uk

familiesonline.co.uk

New Forest, SO45 1AZ

Families Hampshire West 19

KING EDWARD VI SCHOOL SOUTHAMPTON

Independent day school for ages 11 - 18

KING EDWARD VI SCHOOL SOUTHAMPTON

Independent day school for ages 11 - 18

We invite you to attend our

OPEN EVENING Friday 4th October 2019 6.30 – 9pm Booking is not required

www.kes.hants.sch.uk 20 Families Hampshire West

023 8079 9216

familiesonline.co.uk