Families Fife Issue 3 Sept - Oct 2010

FREE Issue 3 Sept/Oct 2010

Inco rporating Perth & Kinross

The really useful magazine for busy families living in Fife, Perth and Kinross: ✱ What’s on locally ✱ Reviews ✱ Features

The Food issue

What’s in season, where it comes from and where to get it Plus: Clubs and Classes guide Pick up your copy in Dunfermline  Glenrothes  Kirkcaldy  Perth  Kinross  Cupar  St Andrews or a village in between

Features Contents

IF YOU’RE NOT IN YOU’RE MISSING OUT! Next issue is the Christmas issue - OUT November 1st. Deadline for contributions, advertising and listings is October 1st Don’t delay, send today.

Inco rporating Perth & Kinross 3 Welcome to Families Fife 4 Who, What, Where, When: Local news and views 6 Childcare: A look at the benefits of outdoor play with the Fife Childcare Information Service 7 Birth Baby and Beyond: Useful help and advice for new mums and mums to be 8 Food, Farmers Markets, Farm shops and fun: Your Familes guide to local produce and producers

Fife Childcare Information Service Childcare costs keeping you awake at night?

To get a better night’s sleep, call us.

We can advise on: • Childcare costs and how to pay • Options – nursery or childminder • Availability It’s our job to get you to yours.

And get you a good sleep the night before.

12 Out and About: What’s on locally for families 13 Clubs and Classes focus: Families looks at local children’s activity providers with ideas, vouchers, class listings and more

Contact us Families Fife, PO Box 29205, Dunfermline, KY12 2BL Editor: Susan Kirkwood, editor@familiesfife.co.uk Tel: 01383 735938 or 07734 289 143 Circulation: 12,000 copies printed. Distributed free of charge throughout Fife, Perth and Kinross by kind permission of Fife Libraries, Fife Leisure Centres, antenatal clinics, health visitors, surgeries, community use schools, Theatres in Fife and Perth, places of historic interest, local attractions, selected shops and playgroups and play centres.

Print: J Thomson. Due care was taken to source print and other services required to produce this magazine from within the local area.

Deadline for Issue 3 Nov/Dec: 1st October

Call us on: 01592 583146 or visit www.scottishchildcare.gov.uk

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Families Fife© is a part of a larger group of magazines headed by Families SW London©. All franchised magazines are independently owned and operated under license. We take every 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 any consequences. Any original materials submitted for publication are sent at owner’s own risk and, while every care is taken, neither Families nor its agents accept liability for loss or damage.

Features Help your child go far with Kip McGrath Our qualified teachers create individual tutoring programmes for your child, using proven Kip McGrath methods of tuition.

Maths Reading Call today English Spelling for a FREE Comprehension assessment Dunfermline: Sue 01383 621622 Kirkcaldy: Karen 01592 647 703

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o I haven’t replaced my daughters with two coconuts, though there are times when I’d like to... In fact these were given to us (naked) by the nice people at Health Food and More in Kirkcaldy as part of the Children’s Window dressing competition they ran over the summer holidays. As well as raising awareness of the health benefits of coconut water and oil, the competition raised funds for the Aberlour Trust whilst giving local children a fun creative project for a rainy day. These are Amy and Ellie’s attempts at a princess and a mermaid... Look out for Familes new Advice and More column from Keren Brynes MacLean, Medical Herbalist at Health Food and More Clinic.

This issue is all about food glorious food. It is packed with food related features and facts. It’s time to reconnect with what is on your plate and our Fife Food Larder feature has been lovingly put together, by your editor to bring you the best of what Fife, Perth and Kinross have to offer. Don’t forget to sent away for your free List guide to Fife’s Food Larder and take note of when your next Farmer’s Market is on, so that you can cook up some local treats for your family with a clean conscience that you’ve saved a few food miles - you could even make it a family day out!

For those of you with active children, its the time for booking those clubs and classes so turn straight to the feature on page 13 to find inspiration to find the right class for them and for YOU. As always, I implore you to keep the feedback coming and extend a warm thanks to all who’ve got in touch and who’ve contributed to this issue.  Susan Kirkwood, Editor

Water babies award winning swim programme is coming to Fife.

See feature on page 13

kipmcgrath.co.uk

Did you know you can subscribe to Families for £12 a year.

Never miss an issue! Email editor@families for details.

Issue 3 Families Fife | 3

News: Who, What, Where, When …

Features Pampered Chef puts the fun in fundraising!

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undraising with the Pampered Chef is an easy, fun and fresh food-related way to raise money for your favourite group, organisation or charity. Why not get your friends, family or group together and enjoy a Pampered Chef Cooking Show? Confident demonstrators can show you how to create simple recipes that produce dramatic delicious results, and with the interactive recipe demo, you get to try out their fabulous kitchen tools! If you host a Fundraiser Show, you and your guests are invited to place orders for the cookware and as the fundraiser

you receive a cheque from Pampered Chef for a percentage of the orders. An average fundraiser show raises over £200 and the demonstrator always provides a highly desired product for a prize draw to raise extra funds for your cause.

So if you are a member of a toddler group, church group, Brownies/Beavers etc. or want to help raise funds for your child’s school or nursery – what better fun way to do so? During October, as part of Breast Cancer Awareness month, the Pampered Chef is supporting the charity with their Help Whip

Cancer fundraisers.  To find out more about organising a Fundraising Show, e-mail: mjbarrie@aol.com or call 07903 354 307.

Fife’s Best Children’s Book Festival Ever!

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Stepping Stones to community success

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ancy setting up a community fundraising project? Then take the lead from the Inverkeithing Stepping Stones project. This group was set up in 2009 to raise funds for local social events for nursery aged children in the area. They are just back from an outing to Stanley Park on 5th July, the costs of which were fully met by the project. Secretary Pauline told Families ‘We managed to cover the entry fee for 100 children and adults, supply the coach and even get everyone an ice-cream – it was a fantastic day out!’ The

group which meets once a month in the local bowling club, organises fundraisers and attends local events such as the Inverkeithing Highland Games where they recently had a stall. ‘We ran a tombola, cake and candy stall and put on games for the children – and were delighted to raise £450 on the day’ reports Pauline. Future diary dates include a proposed comedy day for adults and Halloween and Christmas parties for the preschoolers and their siblings. 

Contact: paulinehutchison@talktalk.net

Fire & Rescue Service Visits Dysart

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re-school children at Dysart Baby & Toddler group had a big surprise when the Fire Brigade arrived at their summer party! However, nothing was amiss - Fife Fire & Rescue’s Blue Watch from Kirkcaldy had come to join in and to allow the youngsters to enjoy the thrill of sitting in a real fire engine and finding out all about what firemen do.

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Vicky Fenton from Dysart, who attends the group with her two-year-old son, said: "We really appreciate Fife Fire & Rescue taking time out to come along to our event. The kids have all learnt a great deal as well as having a fun time. Even the babies have been fascinated by all the colours and activity".  Dysart Sticky Fingers Baby & Toddler group – see Out & About.

aunches on Sunday 12th September with a fun packed Family Book Carnival in the beautiful Pittencrieff Park in Dunfermline and ends in the same way with a second, all day extravaganza in the grounds of historic Madras College in the heart of St Andrews, on Saturday 25th September. Filled will lots of activities, you can meet some of your favourite book characters and enjoy listening to authors bring their stories to life. Stir your own imagination with creative workshops and big thrill activities. Authors taking part include Ian Whybrow, Nick Sharratt, Maggie Gibson, Chae Strathie and John Fardell.

In between the weekend Carnivals will be two wonderful weeks full of funny, fabulous, surprising and sensational book themed events for schools and families.

There’s something for everyone as well as family friendly prices, so get along and join the team in Celebrating Fife 2010!.  For more information visit www.fifedirect.org.uk/ childrensbookfestival

Features Fife Flower Show – 18th and 19th September

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obbies Dunfermline is delighted to host the Fife Flower Show for the third year.

This year the event promises to entertain and inspire all customers. With a wide range of exhibits including a large variety of flowers, fruit and vegetables, bonsai and floral art there is something for all the family to enjoy.

Representatives from the Scottish Orchid Society will be available on both days between 11am – 12noon and 2pm – 3pm to give advice on how to care for orchids.

As a special treat on Sunday from 10am, Fife’s Puddledub Pork will be offering samples of their mouth watering produce from their ‘Hogroast’. 

Buy a Bow for Breast cancer

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Dobbies, Fife Leisure Park, Whimbrel Place: Saturday 18th September, 11am – 6pm, Sunday 19th September, 9am – 5pm

Fun fundraiser at the Ferry

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Q Baby & Toddler Group is holding a big fundraising event on Thursday September 9th. In conjunction with Starcatchers, the group presents a live theatre performance called Oops a Daisy – a professional dance show. Continuing the daisy theme, children will plant a daisy seed at The Potting Shed and have drinks and snacks at The Daisy Café. Other activities planned include colouring, face painting and games.  Doors: 9.30pm Showtime 10am. Entry: £4.00 per child on door including seeds and snacks. Info: lynoa@hotmail.co.uk or 07846 478344.

ctober is International Breast Cancer awareness month. So think pink and help raise funds for a fantastic charity! Families has teamed up The Bow Company to create a Bow for Breast Cancer. 20% from the sale of each ‘pink’ hair accessory will go straight to Breakthrough Breast Cancer. There’s a range of headbands, bows and bobbles all designed by Bow Company owner Carole Ogden Pickering, whose designs provide a stylish affordable way of supporting a great charity. 

Take a look at the range at www.thebowcompany.net

North Queensferry Transition Group launches annual Local Food Festival

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ast October North Queensferry’s Transition Initiative, (NQTI) held a small celebration with based around national Apple Day. This year with the help of Celebrating Fife 2010, the event is going BIG. Organisers, Event, are planning a big celebration of local cuisine, community spirit and family fun and they wish to welcome families from further afield to come and celebrate with them. The fun kicks off from 12.00 noon on 2nd October 2010 at North Queensferry Community Centre playing fields and will go on until 6.00pm. The event is free with stalls selling the best of local food and drink including a hog roast and to wash it down, apple juice fresh from a working apple press on site. Also planned for the day are live music, cinema, children’s entertainers, games and competitions for the whole family

as well as information; environmental and energy consultation awareness raising and advice from the Transition Initiative, part of the Transition Town Initiative. Lucie Macauly, Secretary for NQTI said, “NQTI are delighted that Celebrating Fife funding has helped us unite our community to enjoy and learn about locally produced food and drink as well as highlighting the services on offer from our group to everyone in the village.”

Event is a newly founded event management consultancy, specialising in smaller bespoke and funded occasions. It is run by two busy mums to 3 children (yes, apiece), Clare Downer and Lynoa Cattanach who both have heaps of event experience under their belts. They hope to build up the business around the needs of their families. We wish them every success. 

Totfest

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otfest is Carnegie Hall’s Festival for Children. Meet Paperbelle, get lost in a world of colour, explore the world of magical cuckoo clocks, dance up a wee groove or listen to silent fireworks – it’s never too early to dip little tootsies into live theatre! 

Children tickets £3 per event or £10 for all 5 events. Adults free - maximum 2 adults per child. See Out and About for details. Runs November 1st - 6th.

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Childcare

If you go down to the woods today…

Some useful tips to support outdoor play

Susan Kirkwood

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rom early babyhood all children want to play. It is the only activity to which they need no coercion. While you will have to use all your powers of persuasion to get your child to bed, you may have to bribe them with dessert to make them eat a tiny amount of chicken and vegetables, getting them dressed is usually a battle that is best started long before you need to be out… whisper the words park however and you will see eyes light up, a bat-like radar kick in and they will be at the door with their shoes before you know it.

Development through play

Play supports all aspects of a child’s development; it is through play that they are able to explore the world intellectually and physically. Give them a box of coloured buttons and they will start to sort them by colour, shape or size. Take them to the woods and trees will become forts, dens, things to hide behind or climbing frames. Indeed watching children play as an adult, can be quite a humbling experience. Most parents’ hearts sink at the prospect of another game of pirates and join in rather reluctantly with the dressing and care of dolls. (Because it is all so familiar!) But watching two people name bottles of juice, line them up for school and use a courgette to ‘scan’ them onto the school bus is actually quite impressive. There imaginations are as limitless as their energy boundless.

Outdoor Play - Benefits versus Risks

But does modern life give children enough opportunity for outdoor play? By outdoor, I mean away from the safe setting of the play park? As a child I was constantly guddling for fish and eels in the burn behind our house or

off discovering the delights and the dangers of the natural world. Through playing in wild spaces, children can encounter and experience fear, disgust, disappointment and anger as well as delight, fascination, satisfaction and contentment. It’s good for them!

How many times have you thought ‘but what if they go away too far on their own’? What if she falls? What if big boys start to bother them? Such excessive risk control removes their enjoyment of play. There needs to be an element of uncertainty and challenge or the child will become bored. Similarly children can’t play if a group of adults are standing by with a monologue of ‘stop that’‘too high Marcus’‘don’t hit Abi, Connor’ going on in the background. It is the very risk that provides the thrill and not only that but the sense of achievement, if they do manage to overcome fears.

We do this because we love them of course. We are risk averse by proxy as we are older and have more experience of dangers and risks. So how do we find a compromise?

How do we encourage our children’s instinctive love of the great outdoors without feeling that we are putting them at unnecessary risk?

Help children gain access to nearby nature for everyday experiences. Think school grounds, public spaces, rights of way, community gardens, parks, local nature reserves, environmental organisations and relationships with private landowners.

Make journeys on foot Identify, maintain and help protect local wild spaces, rough ground, waste land and unmanaged vegetation (the ‘unofficial countryside’) as special childhood places that support invaluable unsupervised, unplanned outdoor play – learn to let go!

Help children experience extended periods of uninterrupted free play in natural environments, and be sensitive to adult ‘meddling’ Encourage natural scruffiness within children’s play areas – let outdoor areas go and grow wild. Let the space reflect the changing nature of the seasons In big open sports fields, bring your own nature in the form of branches from tree/hedge trimmings, tree trunk sections, hay/straw, pine cones, soil, rocks, plants in containers and water.

Be prepared. Check the safety and play potential of natural sites in advance; encourage children to wear/bring old clothes and waterproofs; Bring tools, equipment and resources that might enhance the play in that setting; learn skills and techniques (e.g, rope knots, plant identification) that could be drawn on through exploring the environment with children And the payoff for such sterling parenting?

Ravenous children are undoubtedly less fussy when they get to the dinner table. And tired out children sleep soundly.  Email editor@familiesfife.co.uk to comment

Gazebo Gathering 2010 Kinross-shire’s Family Music Festival

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rust Kinross to elevate the traditional festival… No tents here but you are invited to hire or pitch a gazebo on the front lawn of Kinross House for this year’s fun family music festival. Highlights will be performances of Them Beatles, Madonna, and Lady Gaga tribute acts. Also appearing are Well Known Strangers, Mama Kin, Beautiful by Design, Handle with Care, Blue Fuse, The Gary Sutherland Ceilidh Band and Dance Acts. 

Saturday 4th September 12 noon – 7.30pm Gates open at 11am www.kleo.org.uk

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Birth Baby and Beyond Cuddly pashminas and clip on cots

KEREN BRYNES MACLEAN’S ADVICE & MORE COLUMN

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he pashmina, usually seen as a luxury fashion item is being put to far better use at Forth Park Hospital. All new mums and babies are now being gifted a gorgeous, soft cuddly pashmina to encourage skin to skin contact which promotes bonding between mother and baby. In addition to this, the act of cuddling with mum inside the lovely warm lilac pashmina, will keep baby’s temperature just right whilst helping to stabilize both heart rate and breathing. The pashmina programme will run for one year and is funded by Exxon Mobile.

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colicky, screaming baby coupled with sleep deprived parents is not a good combination and if ever there was a call for some chamomile herb, I can’t think of a better situation for this gentle calming remedy.

There are several herbs, as well as chamomile, that can be used to calm down crampy, colicky pain in babies and infants. For a breastfeeding mum, fennel, caraway, catnip and fenugreek could be all included in a breastfeeding tea, that will not only give baby a minute dose of carminatives but will also help to stimulate mum’s milk flow at the same time.

For a bottle fed baby, similar herbs could be used, either as a weak tea added into the bottle of formula or by using a non alcohol tincture such as Nature’s Answer Windy Pops, which contains chamomile, fennel, catnip and lemon balm.

Babies are born with sterile guts and need to build up levels of healthy bacteria to optimise digestive health and support gut immunity. Using an infant probiotic will provide all the essential strains of gut bacteria to help colonise a healthy happy gut.

If simple measures don’t suffice you should seek support from a health care professional or a qualified medical herbalist.  Keren Brynes MacLean is a Member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists. She can be contacted at Health Food and More in Kirkcaldy.

Clever Cots

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f you are planning to have your baby at Forth Park, don’t forget to request a clip-on cot. New this year, these ingenious devices are much like the traditional hospital cot but with one side open to the mother’s bed. The advantage of having the baby so near is that mums can react very quickly to their baby’s cues. If the baby wants fed mum can simply pull baby towards her for

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aby Bumps is a weekly group for young mums-to-be in the Perth and Kinross area.

It is run by a midwife and a public health nurse, who are there to give information, support and advice on a range of issues that can affect young girls. They also invite agencies such as housing, finances, citizen’s advice to give them help and advice on any concerns. A late morning snack and a programme of planned

Antenatal Blues

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rla Beaton is a Massage Therapist specialising in Pregnancy & Postnatal Massage from Healthcare Now in Dunfermline.

The pressure to be “supermums” gets to all of us sometimes, but did you know that just as many women suffer depression during pregnancy as do postnatally? Postnatal depression has received more positive attention & support of late, and deservedly so, but antenatal depression is less widely acknowledged. Why? Think of a pregnant mum and what springs to mind? Typically one who is happy, radiant and “blooming”. What happens when the reality falls short of this expectation? In all likelihood this is just one of the pressures in our society which may lead to negative emotions in pregnancy...

A recent US study has shown that massage has a significant impact on pregnant women

a feed. Or perhaps baby just wants a little comfort and to know that mum is at hand.

These cots allow you to settle the baby back to sleep before you or your baby have even fully woken up thus providing a better rest for both. 

activities such as cooking and pampering sessions are provided. Above all, the value of the group is the opportunity to meet other pregnant girls, share your thoughts and feelings about being pregnant and receive support from each other. Transport is provided within Perth to come to the group.  The group meets on Tuesday mornings in the Perth Midwife Led unit at the Perth Royal Infirmary. All young girls in the area are welcome to attend. For further information, please contact Audrey on 01738 473269.

experiencing depression. The researchers found that when the pregnant women received regular massage they experienced less depression, decreased lower back pain & fewer prenatal complications. They even found that the effects lasted into the postnatal period and even the babies had lower stress hormones than the control group.  For further information see advert below.

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Local Food Feature

What’s on your menu tonight?

Susan Kirkwood

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angers and mash? Pizza and Salad? A chase round the table and a kick at the cat? (my granddad’s phrase apparently).

As a parent, it can sometimes feel, particularly at weekends and during the holidays, that you are a full-time short order cook. But this rarely, if ever, equates to sitting down at a beautifully laid table, to enjoy the fruits of your labour. Similarly, it can feel as if you’re never away from the supermarket but again this never equates to having enough food, or even the ingredients for a meal…

Sound familiar?

Perhaps then, we’ve got it wrong. Don’t we need to shop more locally and to really think about what we buy and cook for our families?

With this thought in mind, I had a look at the Fife Diet. Okay, so I am not going to manage that any time soon. I couldn’t get past breakfast without my tea from China, (or is it India, Sri Lanka?). But what about simply eating and buying more locally produced food? Hopefully, by the time you’ve read this article, you will see just how easy it is to do this in this part of the world. As Pete Mitchell from Puddledub Pork points out, ‘here in Scotland, we have some of the best meat in the world’. Tight regulatory controls and a no less strong ethical code, mean that the welfare of their livestock is of paramount importance to Scottish farmers.

‘We are proud of our meat and our products speak for themselves’ claims Pete.

We are lucky in Fife to have a coast to provide fish and shellfish, a fertile plain for growing cereals, vegetables and fruit and lots of pasture for livestock, forests for deer and hills for game. It’s no wonder that so many farm shops have sprung up over the last decade to proffer their wares and entice us away from the big chains.

Farm shops Way back in the olden days, farm shops were quaint affairs. Jim Wilson from Balhelvie Farm in North Fife remembers, ‘we had a hand-made sign at the end of the farm track and put a few flyers in the local hairdresser to attract passing trade’. Times have changed though and farm shops are now destinations

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in their own right with many offering play areas, petting zoos, cafes and extensive produce even gift items over and above home grown potatoes and a few eggs.

Allanhill Farm

ÊAllanhill Ê epitomises the farm shop and its rustic charm has much to offer families looking for a day out in the country. Owner Lucy says ‘We really like the idea of anything that connects the consumer with the producer which is why we’ve added a café and an outdoor play area to the farm. And a fine café it is too.’ All soups, sandwiches and cakes are home made in the farm shop kitchen, as is the famous Lucy’s Luscious strawberry jam; a rightful best seller in the north east Fife shop. A particularly nice touch is the strawberry motif crockery, which is made to Allanhill’s own design by Crail pottery and is used in the café but which is also on sale in the shop. Take a relaxing afternoon tea in the café here whilst the children jump around in the free outdoor play area – conveniently placed right next to the tables so that you can enjoy your cake

without having to worry too much about the mess and noise your offspring may produce.

Allanhill Farm, Grange Road, St Andrews, www.allanhill.co.uk May-Sep: Mon-Sun 9am-5pm Tel: 01334 477999

Muddy Boots Farm & Shop

ÊThis Ê ever popular farm near Cupar boasts a café, a shop, an indoor play area, pottery painting and an outdoor area for under 7s as well as grass sledging, trikes and a jelly belly.

They also have a stunning patio garden. If you get there soon you will see the three new Kuna Kuna piglets and two young kids.

Open Mon-Sat 9 -6 and Sun 10- 5. Reduced opening in winter. Check times. Balmacolm, Cupar 01337 830258

Blacketyside Farm and Shop

Lucy’s Luscious

ÊLucy’s Ê Luscious jam is quite literally, the fruit of Lucy’s labour. Her home made jams available in the farm shop in varieties to suit all tastes; strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, gooseberry and for those that want the best of all worlds, a mixed berry variety. Beautifully designed with simple labels with strawberry patterned fabric tops and string ties, these jams would make excellent, thoughtful gifts. 

ÊAnother Ê great destination for families, Blacketyside offers a spacious café with an expansive kids play area with trampolines and sandpits with some outdoor seating.

There is also a plant centre and a farm shop selling potatoes, carrots, broccoli as well as the famed Blacketyside soft fruits – including raspberries and strawberries. Good for pick your own.

Open daily 9am – 5pm. Tel: 01333 423034 On A915 east of Leven.

Cairnie Fruit Farm

ÊCairnie Ê does lots of lovely soft fruits in season and also pick your own. Cairnie boasts a large gift and homeware shop and café.

Also known for its Mega Maize when the field grows into a high maze which is cut down in October to be regrown in a different theme the following year.

Cairnie, Cupar Tel: 01334 655610 www.cairniefruitfarm.co.uk

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Cook up a local treat for the family Starter Chorizo, bacon bits, (from Puddledub) of course rocket and tomato salad ½ a chorizo sausage 200gsm bacon bits 200gsm cherry tomatoes 1 bunch of fresh wild rocket Method: Finely dice the chorizo sausage to same size as bacon bits. Shallow fry.

Halve the tomatoes if large. Pile rocket into heaps on 4 plates. Top with meat mix and pile of cherry tomatoes. Drizzle with balsamic and olive oil. Season.

Enjoy.

Pillars of Hercules

ÊHere Ê all the produce from field to café is organic and healthy. The café can cater for special diets and even provide baby food.

The shop will provide special orders, operates an organic box scheme – particularly handy for new mums or mums to be who are having trouble getting past the front gate. Look out for their salad bags.

Strathmiglo Rd, www.pillars.co.uk Falkland Mon – Sun 9am-6pm

Dobbies Farm Foodhall

ÊWithin Ê the large Dobbies Garden World just off the M90 this deli is a welcome addition to food retailing in this part of Fife.

A well stocked deli and butcher, provided by McCallums from Auchterarder.

Fife Leisure Park, Dunfermline, Tel:01383 842757 www.dobbies.com

Elie Deli

ÊNot Ê a farm shop but an excellent local Delicatessen. Good for starter packs if staying

Main course Buffalo Bolognaise Make just as you would your normal bolognaise – I am not about to start teaching my granny how to suck eggs… but using buffalo mince. I tried it and felt that it was far superior to beef mince in flavour and texture. It’s only a little more expensive than equivalent steak mince but well worth it- 500gsm will easily feed 4.

Try it!

Dessert Strawberry Brulee Fool This is a low-faff creamy strawberry dessert, which can look very glamorous if you serve it in cocktail glasses, or

fairly casual if you serve it in a big bowl for everyone to share. This recipe uses strawberries, but raspberries or blueberries would work well too.

300ml natural yogurt 300ml double cream 300g strawberries, cut in half (plus a few extra for decoration) 2 - 3 tablespoons caster sugar vanilla pod 1 tablespoon dark muscovado sugar Gently heat strawberries with caster sugar and vanilla pod until soft and mushy, and stir to avoid the sugar burning. Remove the vanilla pod, strain as much liquid as possible from the mixture and retain the syrup, but puree the strawberries and cool. Whip the cream and yogurt together until fairly stiff and fold in the strawberry puree to taste. Use sundae dishes or small bowls, chop a few strawberries and place in the bottom of each dish, drizzle with the retained syrup and spoon over the creamy mixture. Sprinkle a little dark muscovado sugar on the top of each and decorate with a slice or two of strawberry. You can make this a few hours in advance and keep it in the fridge. Serves 4.  ÊÊ Dessert recipe kindly provided

by Allanhill Farm.

self catering in the vicinity.

55 High Street, Elie, www.eliedeli.co.uk tel: 01333 330323

Channel Farm, Kinross, Tel:01592 841000 www.lochlevenslarder.com Mon- Sun 9.30am-5.30pm

Loch Leven’s Larder

Dalachy beef and lamb

ÊThis Ê is a particular favourite of mine but so overwhelming are its offerings that I daren’t really call it a farm shop. It is a food/shopping/ outdoor experience. Just go. And don’t forget to eat. My husband claims their cauliflower soup is the best soup he’s ever had. Including my own!

Fresh POrk Cuts

sensatiOnal sausaGe

GOrGeOus GaMMOns

Brilliant BaCOn

ÊBrothers Ê Tom and Watson Inglis keep an Aberdeen Angus herd and a flock of Dalachy Texel sheep on this farm just outside Aberdour.

Available from Fife Farmers markets.

Aberdour Tel: O1383 860196 www.dalachybeef.co.uk

PuDDleDuB POrk

& FiFeshire BaCOn CO.

real dry-cured bacon, fine hams, delicious sausages and fresh tasty pork delivered to your home

hogroast

puddledub are delighted to announce that we can now offer a hog roasting service for your special occasion tel. 01592 780246

MOB. 07761 299845

www.puddledub.co.uk

Issue 3 Families Fife | 9

Local Food Feature Fletchers of Auchermuchty

The Puddledub Story

ÊAuchertool, Ê Auchertool, a hoose a pub and a braw wee school… And home to Clentrie Farm too. The ditty above must have been penned even before Tom Mitchell set up the now renowned pig farm in Auchtertool. One of the founders of the Farmers market in Fife, Tom now sells his cooked, cured and fresh pork products online whilst maintaining the all important customer contact at the weekly farmers markets. Puddledub now makes over 1000 kilos of pork sausages a week and sell these in 16 different varieties, including their famed Auchtertool Originals. Known also for their bacon, they can even claim celebrity plaudits as Nick Nairn claims their bacon tastes exactly how bacon should taste, with none of the white residue or lakes of water you get from imported varieties. Lady Claire McDonald reckons it’s the best in Scotland.

Tom’s son Pete explains ‘ Our bacon is smoked in a smoker with oak smoked chips and then hand cut with many different cuts available from gigot to middle’. Not a company to rest on its laurels however, the Mitchell’s have started a new line in cooked hams and now offer Hog roasts which can be specially ordered to feed anything from 60 – 250 hungry mouths. Meet them at the Fife Flower Show on Sunday 19th September from 10.00am.They also produce bacon bits, chorizo, black pudding, haggis, and make their own pancetta to a secret French recipe.

Available from farm Mon - Thu 9-5 Fri

9-2 Ring first. Or catch them at all the farmers markets or most of the farm shops mentioned here.

Puddledub Pork Auchertool, Tel: 01592 780246. www.puddledub.co.uk

Keeping it in the family

ÊStephen Ê Mitchell is nephew to Tom at Puddledub Pork. Once a young university graduate keen to get his teeth into the family business, Stephen carried a particular passion for Angus which led to him founding the beef side of the operation. Auchtertool Angus was the product which he carried at Farmers markets whilst experimentally cooking up water buffalo burgers for the unsuspecting burghers of Fife. These went down a storm at the markets and his farm is now home to the descendants of this original herd of Welsh water buffalo. Stephen points out that our wet warm summer is perfect buffalo weather as they love to cool off in big muddy puddles when the sun makes its brief appearance over Fife.

Buffalo steak pie anyone? You can now buy beef, lamb and water buffalo at Stephen’s own shop in Kennoway, north of Leven or at West Craigie Farm Shop just over the Forth where a warm welcome awaits you from Paul at the butchery counter nr South Queensferry.  S Mitchell of Puddledub, 1 Cupar Road, Kennoway, www.puddledubbuffalo.co.uk Tel: 01333 351245

r l eb We’re Ce

The Fife Larder

ati n

g Fi fe 2010

I

f you enjoyed reading this even a little bit, then you must get the List’s Fife Larder. A 48 page A5 booklet, published by Celebrating Fife in conjunction with the List magazine, this is a must have for Fife Foodies.

Packed with information on producers, products and full of food facts you will have trouble putting it down. Great for discovering some of Fife’s more hidden gems in terms of restaurants and suppliers, you can pick these up at the Farmers markets each week.

Alternatively send an SAE – C5 envelope, to Families Fife, PO Box 29205, Dunfermline, KY12 2BL and we will send you a FREE copy. NB. We can only post one book per envelope.

10 | Families Fife Issue 3

FifeLarder

E’S FOOD & DRINK THE GUIDE TO FIF

ÊHigh Ê in the hills above Auchtermuchty on the edge of the Pitmedden Forrest is home to Scotland’s first farmed red deer. The deer live contentedly among the native trees and feed on hay, potatoes and grass. A qualified deer vet, John Fletcher had animal welfare at the forefront of his mind when setting up the farm; he’d noticed that these animals were content in enclosures. This led to the Fletchers having a special license which permits the animals to be shot as they graze so they don’t have to go to the abattoir. What ensues is a dark, flavoursome and nutritious healthy meat.

Weight watchers take note here, venison has less fat even than skinless chicken and only half the cholesterol. It is also high in iron and being grass fed, the meat has more Omega 3 – the brain food, than other meats – good pre exam food then?

Fletchers go to all the Fife Farmers markets and they have a Farm Shop above Auchtermuchty. Mon-sun 8am-6pm Tel: 01337 828369 www. seriouslygoodvenison.co.uk Congratulations are due as this summer Fletchers received the Good Housekeeping Award for Best Small Meat Producer in the UK. They also received a BBC Food & Farming Award.

Hilton Wild Boar

ÊSo Ê what would you make with wild boar?

A Thai Curry may not have been your first thought. But this was the challenge put to cookery students at Elmwood College

by Andrew Johnston of Hilton Wild Boar Farm. The students came back with lots of suggestions for Andrew and these were then compiled in a Boar recipe booklet by Quality Meat Scotland which is anything but a boring read. Great for Hog Roasts.

Bridge of Earn, Tel: 01738 812320

Bellfield Organic Nursery

ÊDid Ê you realise that potatoes are routinely sprayed up to 10 times with pesticides before they get to the plate? However, if it stops the potato sprouting what is this doing to our bodies one wonders? Bellfield don’t spray their spuds with pesticide. In fact their organic farming method seems too simple to be true. Irene says ‘we feed the ground not the potatoes this way the crop can nourish itself’. She does admit that the lush crops that result are a big temptation to pigeons – so they protect them with fleece covers – cosy! Good for: Organic bag delivery scheme.

Strathmiglo Tel: 01738 850589 www.bellfield-organics.com

The Balgove Larder

ÊOpening Ê very soon in some old buildings that were in a state of disrepair, is Fife’s newest farm shop with butchery and café. Owner Will

Docker had this to say to Families ‘We aim to make The Balgove Larder a destination that families and friends can meet away from the bustle and traffic of town in a beautiful rural location. There will be regular events in the opensided barn adjacent to the shop with edutainment high on the agenda’.

Strathtyrum House Estate, St Andrews, www.balgove.com

Peacehill Farm

ÊLocated Ê on the outer borders of Fife at Wormit is Peacehill Farm. This is the home of KellyBronze turkeys. Here young poults are fed a natural diet without hormones or growth promoters. These birds range over lovely grass pasture by day and have the shelter of a huge straw barn by night – the way turkeys should be kept. Anyone in any doubt about the welfare of their Christmas dinner should pop in for a look.

These pampered poults actually have old CDs hanging in their barn! ‘They love pecking at them and playing with them’, laughs Emma. Emma always welcomes the opportunity to meet customers face to face. The Forsters attend farmers markets at Cupar and St Andrews during winter and also host selling days at the Farm shop in December; great occasions complete with Christmas music, mulled wine, mince pies and their own potatoes – with homemade chutneys and lots of festive cheer thrown in. You can order Peacehill turkeys online or by phone prior to Christmas. Chicken and vegetable produce available from selected supermarkets.

Plans are also afoot to start a pick up at farm service for locals in the Newport area.

Watch this space for an update.  Peacehill Farm Wormit. www.kellyturkeys.com, www.peacehillturkeys.co.uk Tel: 01382 541783 / 07736 846945

5 top packed lunch box ideas

C

ontinuing with our food theme, Families editors put forward their top choices for healthy, interesting packed lunch ideas.

Ardross Farm Shop

ÊIt’s Ê astounding to think that 42 kinds of vegetable are grown just outside Anstruther.

Attractive setting for a good old fashioned farm shop with many own brand classics and beef and vegetables from the surrounding fields. On the A917 east of Elie.

Tel: 0333 330048. www.ardrossfarm.co.uk

1

A healthy option Spread a tortilla with soft cheese and grated carrot or cucumber then slice.

2

Cheesy/egg tarts This is good for the making too - kids can join in making the pastry and do all egg and milk whisking. Find a recipe on the web or a good cookbook.

3

Yummy egg wrap Mix boiled eggs, potatoes, any veg and cheese - place in a tortilla and cut into triangles.

Baxters store at Home Farm, Kelty

4

ÊFamily Ê food firm, Baxters, continues to offer a good, if somewhat uber packaged version, of Scottish produce at its Kelty retail store.

Based at Home Farm the store features an impressive array of Scottish and speciality foods, including local and fresh produce.

There is a deli counter and of course the full Baxters food range. The store has had a recent make-over and opened a new devoted cookshop and function room. Look out for the fun Little Cooks Club. Details in Clubs and Classes section.  Mon-Sun from 10am – 5pm and has lots of free parking. It is situated between Kinross and Dunfermline at Junction 4, M90.

 Call Susan on 07734 289 143 to advertise here

Homemade pizza Split an English muffin and toast it, add tomato sauce, top with cheese and grill. You could add carrots or red pepper to the tomato sauce and then blitz it, so the vegetables are incognito.

5

A little extra Try cutting cheese into different shapes with a pastry cutter, draw a smiley face on a banana and for birthdays or grumpy days try a chocolate spread wrap – yummy!

SUMMER LUNCH BOX TIP Add a frozen smoothie in a container - it keeps everything cool and it’s one of their five a day. 

Celebrate this Christmas with the good oldfashioned flavour and texture of a Kellybronze Turkey.

Fed a diet of 70% cereals our turkeys are free range, free from animal protein free from growth promoters and free from additives.

Order online at www.peacehill.co.uk or call 01382 541 783 for Christmas 2010 orders Issue 3 Families Fife | 11

Features Out and About September

October

4 PERTH Warhol’s Arts & Crafts. 1.30-3.30 Photographs and objects from 1960’s Perth, dressing up and crafts, part of ARTIST ROOMS Perth Museum and Art Gallery Tel: 01738 732488

2 NEWBURGH Apple Markets 9.30-12.00 St Katherine’s Court, High St Tel: 01337 840606 Locally grown produce abounds.

4 GLENROTHES GALA12-4 Annual Family Gala day with lots to do. Warout Playing Fields Tel 01592 620300

2 NORTH QUEENSFERRY Apple Day Food Festival North Queensferry Community Centre Playing Fields. From 12.00 noon. See news for details. Tel: 07846 478344

4 NEWBURGH Plum Markets St Katherine’s Court, High St Tel: 01337 840606 Locally grown produce abounds.

2 Dobbies Little Seedlings Club, Mask Making Children learn about harvest time and making masks in time for Halloween.

Dunfermline 10.00, 11.30, 1.30 & 2.30, DALGETY BAY 11.00, PERTH 11.30 & 2.00, KINROSS 11.00.

4 ST ANDREWS Autumn Fair 11-4 St Andrews Preservation Trust Museum Browse through a variety of stalls. Tel: 01334 477152 4 KINROSS Gazebo Gathering Music, shelter and family entertainment in grounds of Kinross House. www.kleo.org.uk

4 FALKLAND Bats and Moths Discover the creatures of the night. Tel: 01592 656094 www. fifecoastandcountrysidetrust.co.uk 5 Dobbies Little Seedlings Club, Flowers for the world Learn about flowers of the world and find out about the national flowers of the UK. Each child will plant their very own daffodil to take home and grow. DUNFERMLINE 10am, 11.30, 1.30 & 2.30 DALGETY BAY 11am PERTH 11.30 & 2.00 KINROSS – 11.00

5-9 DUNFERMLINE Beauty and the Beast 7.30pm Alhambra Theatre Tel 01383 740384 Family Book Carnival in Pittencrieff Park.

Sunday 12 Doors Open Day KIRKCALDY and CENTRAL area.

17-19 ST MONANS Arts Festival for all ages.

Free 01333 730741 18/19 DUNFERMLINE Fife Flower Show Dobbies Garden Centre, Whimbrel Place.

Tel:07809 219579 19 Doors Open Day ST ANDREWS and EAST FIFE area.

5 Doors Open Day DUNFERMLINE and WEST FIFE area. Marks the start of over 80 free events and guided walks on 3 consecutive Sundays.

19 KIRKCALDY International Talk Like a Pirate Day. 11-3 Free Kirkcaldy Town Centre Tel: 01592 640040

9 NORTH QUEENSFERRY Oops a daisy 9.30 Doors Show 10.00 Theatre performance for preschoolers from Starcatchers. £4.00 Tel: 07846 478344 North Queensferry Community Centre.

25 ST ANDREWS Book festival finale – festival culminates in an all day extravaganza in the grounds of historic Madras College in St Andrews.

11 NORTH QUEENSFERRY North Queensferry Traditional Boat Festival Entry £4/£2 Gates: 12.00 Music, Food, Mini fairground, craft demos and Arbroath Smokies.

25 10.00-1.00 PERTH Wonderful Warhol Family activity day of craft and music based on Warhol’s art. No need to book. Andy Warhol exhibition runs until 23 October 2010. Free admission. Perth Museum and Art Gallery Tel: 01738 732488

11 LEUCHARS RAF Leuchars Airshow www.airshow.co.uk From 12 - 25 VENUES THROUGHOUT FIFE Fife Children’s Book Festival see News for details 12 DUNFERMLINE Launch of Book festival with

Baby & Toddler Reflex Workshops Easy and fun to learn specifically adapted reflexology techniques for babies and toddlers to help with conditions such as colic, wind, reflux, constipation, teething and ear infections.

For more details: Learn the techniques tel: 07843 615220 for yourself either Judith Spriggs MAR one-to-one or in a group workshop.

www.judithspriggsmobiletherapies.co.uk 12 | Families Fife Issue 3

9-10 ANSTRUTHER Pirates of the Forth Pirates create mayhem at the museum. Scottish Fisheries Museum Tel 01333 320628 Saturday 16 2.00-4.00 PERTH Drawing on Movement Celebrate The Big Draw with a range of special drawing and craft activities based on movement. No need to book. NB. The Margaret Morris exhibition runs until 12 February 2011.

Free admission The Fergusson Gallery Tel: 01738 783425 18 KINGSBARNS Octoberfest Series of activities celebrating autumn. Children free or £4, Cambo Estate, Kingsbarns www.camboestate.com 24 PEAT INN Fascinating Fungi 2.00 Bankhead Moss, Peat Inn www.fifecoastandcountrysidetrust.co.uk 25 - 29 Cluny Kids Autumn Activity Festival Fun Outdoor Activities for children 9-14. www.clunykids.co.uk

24/9 - 3/10 KIRKCALDY Kirkcaldy Comedy Festival

Organised mum diary dates: November 1- 6th Look out for Totfest Carnegie Halls Festival for preschool children Details:www. starcatchers.org.uk Children tickets £3 per event or £10 for all 5 events. Adults free - maximum 2 adults per child. 

26 Fife Mela & Cultural Carnival Exotic food and fashion with children’s activites. Tel 01592 204005

Details of many of these events can be found on the Celebrating Fife website www.fifedirect.org.uk/2010.

3

yoga 3

for pregnancy, birth baby & beyond see website for all classes

3

Susannah Dean Qualifications: Yogabirth, IAIM, Inner Yoga & British Wheel of Yoga

01383 413121 susannah@theyoga.co.uk

www.theyoga.co.uk

To list your class in the Out and About pages contact editor@familiesfife.co.uk

Features Clubs and Classes Special Families

Gone clubbin’ O

kay so, nightclubs are a thing of the past now. So how do you decide what club or class to book for your child who’s interests are as wide ranging as they are transitory and is it worth the money and effort?

We’ve asked some local course providers to talk us through the benefits of their classes to help you weigh up the benefits for your child of an extra curricular activity. In general however, developing interests outside the home can be rich in rewards for children. They get confidence from learning something new or perhaps having something of their own that doesn’t involve a sibling.

Families has rounded up 3 pages of local clubs and classes to suit all ages and abilities to help guide you through yet another parenting puzzle.

Music and movement

ÊNumerous Ê studies have demonstrated that no matter the level of skill, music is one of the best ways to help early language development. Like speech, music has structure, rhythm and rules. It introduces new words and concepts through repetition, encourages turn-taking), and helps children develop listening skills and attention spans.

Bookstart Rhymetimes Start your little one off with Bookstart Rhymetimes. Ask at your local library for sessions near you. Or try an organised preschool music class.

Musical Steps Singing music, rhyme and movement for preschoolers. Classes across Fife. MON AM Lomond Centre Glenrothes MON PM Bongo’s Play Centre Glenrothes TUE AM St. Leonards Parish Church St Andrews & North Queensferry Community Centre TUE PM Swansacre Playgroup Kinross

Water Babies make it over the water!

W

ater Babies, the UK’s leading baby swimming school, is coming to Fife.

This is welcome news to parents who’re desperate to get their babies started on this highly acclaimed national swimming programme.

In order to get the full benefit of the swim training, Water Babies takes babies up to 12 months old. This is to be able to offer their uniquely structured one year course, with a carefully designed lesson plan for each of the 40 weeks. These build upon clear aims and objectives that will see children confidently swimming both above and below the water’s surface from around the age of two. This approach,

WED AM Old Parish Church Cupar & St Andrews Erskine Church Dunfermline, THUR AM Collydean Neighbourhood Centre Glenrothes & Crossford Scout Hall THUR PM Free Church Kirkcaldy FRI AM Dance Bank, Dunfermline FRI PM Dance Bank, Dunfermline & Newton of Falkland Village Hall SAT AM Queen Anne High School Dunfermline Tel: Inga 0845 224 0613 or www. musicalsteps.co.uk

Jo Jingles is Here!

Fun Music, Singing & Movement Classes for children aged 3 months to 5 years Develop your child’s • Social Skills • Confidence • Co-ordination • Language • Listening Skills • Imagination Children’s Parties & Nursery Sessions also available!

For information on all classes in FIFE please email Fiona on fiona.jojingles@hotmail.co.uk or call the office on 01383 734080

www.jojingles.com/fife

together with their extremely well trained instructors has helped to earn the company four national awards in the last four years.

With over 1300 babies in Scotland currently following the program in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee and 20,000 per week across the UK, this is certainly welcome news for Fife’s new parents and indeed new babies. Classes available from early September in Kirkcaldy, Levenmouth and Bowhill swimming pools.

Early booking essential.  Call 0131554 6682 or email woggle@ waterbabies.co.uk to book or visit the website www.waterbabies.co.uk”

Jo Jingles MONDAY: Dalgety Bay Parish Church, Regents Way, Dalgety Bay 10.00-10.45 – mixed class, 11.00 – 11.40 – baby class. MONDAY: 1.45 - 2.30 – mixed class KIRKCALDY 2.40 – 3.25 – baby class WEDNESDAY: Jumpin Jacks, Kirkcaldy 11.45 -12.30 Mixed Class 1.30-2.10 Baby Class.

Includes free entry to Jumpin Jacks THURSDAY Duloch Library, Duloch, Dunfermline 9.45 - 10.30 – over 2 years, 10.45

Calling all mums with preschool children.

Want to get back in shape?

Come along to our child friendly fitness classes.

You can exercise and tone up with other mums while your children hone their interaction skills.

Classes £5.50 each.

Body Pump - Tuesdays @10.45am Body Vive - Weds @ 10.30am Bums, Tums & Thighs - Thurs @ 10.30am 1 Kinghorn Road, Kirkcaldy, KY1 1SU

Tel: 01592 263700 www.mindandbodystudio.co.uk Issue 3 Families Fife | 13

Features Clubs and Classes Special – 11.30 – under 2 years, 11.40 – baby class 6 mths to walking FRIDAY The Space Upstairs, High Street, BURNTISLAND10.00 - 10.45 – mixed class, 10.50 – 11.25 – baby class SATURDAY Duloch Library, Duloch, Dunfermline, 9.30 – 10.15 - over 2 years 10.30 – 11.15 – under 2s, 11.35 – baby class 6 mths to walking (new) Tel: Fiona 01383 734080 Email: fiona.jojingles@hotmail.co.uk

Sports and Exercise

ÊÊ If your children are naturally active then congratulations! Lots of children do need a push though, especially to try something new. Discuss with your children what they think they’d like to do and try to encourage them not to just ‘follow the herd’, what their best friend is good at, may not be ideal for them. It won’t necessarily follow that she will take to tae-kwan-do in the same way as her friend though!

Football and ball skills

ÊDunfermline Ê Athletic Football Club This club is committed to providing football classes and programmes for youths and even the very young. Toddlers can start chasing the dream as young as 18 months old.

Tel: 01383 742746 or email community@dafc.co.uk.

Enjoy-a-ball A sports coaching programme for girls and boys from 3 – 9. All children taught ball skills in classes of no more than 12. Paul: 08452 262694 www.enjoy-a-ball. com

Basketball

ÊLooking Ê for something a bit different to do with a ball? West Fife has a strong tradition of Basketball. There are two senior clubs (Dunfermline Reign & Dunfermline Steel) and most secondary schools in the area have teams that regularly compete in both local and national competitions.

Basketball is a hugely enjoyable sport to play and you don’t have to be a giant to get involved! Basketball is great for developing your hand/eye co-ordination, improving your fitness and teaching you the value of teamwork. Basketball is quite a technical sport so it’s a good job there are so many qualified coaches leading classes in Dunfermline, Queen Anne and Inverkeithing

D

e ev

lo p

t through Dram m en a

Community Use Schools and at the Oakley Campus. Children can start at some of these classes from age 5 upwards and there are excellent development pathways all the way through to the senior teams. The good news is that under 9s and under 12s can try the classes for FREE at Queen Anne during September. Classes held on WEDNESDAY EVENINGS. Cost: £2.60 (Fifestyle rates available) See the advert on the back of the magazine for further details.

Queen Anne 18.00 – 19.00 Under 9s, 19.00 – 20.00 Under 12s Inverkeithing 18.00 – 19.00 Under 11s Dunfermline 17.00 – 18.00 Under 12s, 18.00 – 19.00 Under 14s Oakley 18.15 – 19.00 Under 12s

Acting Confident – Drama tuition

ÊPublic Ê speaking can be very scary.

Whether it be in a classroom or in a boardroom sometimes we can’t find the right words, or are hesitant about how we will be received. All of, at any age, can feel shy about speaking to people we don’t know. Drama gives children a wonderful opportunity to overcome those fears and to gain confidence and a positive outlook on life at an early age. Drama tuition builds on the natural love children have of pretend play and imagination and builds on it to develop high self esteem and empathetic attitudes.

As Barbara Brett, Principal of the Helen O’Grady Drama Academy points out: ‘Success later life is often dependent on our development as a child. Developing sound verbal communication skills early on, where we are able to put our case forward in this ever demanding world is a vital step towards an enjoyable, fulfilling life’.

“Releasing a child’s creative and expressive potential through drama is a key to a child’s healthy development. By developing children’s confidence and self-esteem, the curriculum of the Helen O’Grady Drama Academy allows each and every child to fulfil their potential by developing verbal communication skills in a fun-filled environment. And, of course, our classes are also great fun” The Helen O’Grady Drama Academy is the largest community based drama

Work for yourself!

H

ot on the heels of their fantastic summer programme, Fife Leisure’s winter leisure programme is now available at 11 centres across the Kingdom. With so many of us planning our classes at the moment, this is a great tool for busy parents as it lists the full pre school class programme and times across all venues. This means that if your nearest creepy crawlies class is full you can quickly see if the same class is running in a neighbouring leisure centre. There are literally hundreds of classes available from gymnastics to dance, swimming to football. Note that across Fife leisure pools the pool safety rules are 1 adult: 2 under 5’s, 1 adult: 3 5-7 year olds and over 8’s can swim unaccompanied.

Parents of older children [12-17] should check out sister mini site the Youth Zone for a fantastic range of supervised activities from traditional favourites such as table tennis and badminton to the more unusual such as Waterwalkerz and downright outlandish - traditional sumo wrestling in the not so traditional sumo suits.

Seeing is believing!  See www.fifeleisure.org.uk/underfives or www.fifeleisure.org.uk/youthzone for more details.

group in the world, offering affordable classes throughout Fife. The Academy has a unique, structured curriculum with after school classes for different age groups, and a special programme for pre-school children, too. Weekly classes throughout Fife during term time. Call Barbara: 01382 330052 or visit www.helenogradyeastcentralscotland. co.uk

Classes in Perth, Kinross and Fife

Musical Steps music classes for babies, toddlers & preschoolers a wonderful world music224 learning Contact Inga & Rhona onof0845 0613and fun 01382 330052

www.helenogrady.co.uk

14 | Families Fife Issue 3

Fife Leisure launches new mini site for under 5s.

or email info@musicalsteps.co.uk

www.musicalsteps.co.uk www.musicalsteps.co.uk

BABY & CHILD FIRST AID A 6 hour first aid course for those responsible for babies and children under 8 years ANAPHYLAXIS AWARENESS A 4 hour course which aims to teach you how to deal with severe allergic reaction Further details please call St Andrew’s First Aid

tel:01592 631758 or email fife@firstaid.org.uk www.first aid.org.uk

Features Dance

ÊDancing Ê is great fun it also helps develop co-ordination, fitness and a sense of rhythm, musicality and expression, promoting self-discipline and confidence. Come their wedding day, you will be glad you enrolled them in dance lessons!

The Dance Bank Classes in children’s ballet, tap, bellydance, tribal dance. Dunfermline, Dalgety Bay, Kelty, Perth and Kinross. www. dancebank.co.uk Tel: 01383 872132 Saut Burgh Highland Dancers Monday: Dysart Community Hall, West Port, Dysart, KY1 2TD. 5.00 - 5.30 - Tinies/Beginners Class; 5.30 - 6.30 - Bronze upwards; 6.00 - 7.00 gold upwards. Contact 01592 651370 or cathcoutts@hotmail.co.uk Mind and Body Studio Classes in Ballet for children Wednesday 1.00pm Age 2½ to 4, Saturday 9.00am Age from 2½ to 5. Beginners welcome. Contact 01592 263700 or www. mindandbodystudio.co.uk

Useful courses

ÊThere Ê are also classes which are worth looking into for additional support needs or because they are beneficial in some other way. First Aid classes fall into this category and learning basic First Aid should be on every parent’s list of priorities, St Andrew’s First Aid runs local classes.

Tel: 01592 631758 or www.firstaid.org.uk.

Glenrothes: 28th August 2010 10.00 - 16.30 and 2nd October. Classes cost £45.00 each + VAT. Tel: Fiona 01592 631758 or fife@firstaid. org.uk.

School support As soon as children have a grasp of numbers and arithmetic, countless other tasks become easier. In almost every other subject and in many walks of life, arithmetic and maths are

needed and a weakness in this area will hold your child back. Extra maths classes not only help improve a grasp of numbers, but help in confidence and add to children’s achievements long-term.

Help with English is no less important.

With so much competition in today’s job market, recruiters are often tempted to simply disregard CVs which contain spelling mistakes and grammatical errors. Sue Batham from Kip McGrath says ‘schools now follow a programme which encourages children’s ability to verbally express themselves, but sadly this leaves some children with knowledge gaps when they get beyond basic grammar and spelling’.

Kip McGrath Education Centre: Open Day Sat 28th August 10.00am – 2.00pm at their

Arts and Crafts

ÊFrom Ê the earliest age, children just love to make things. Admittedly they start by making a mess, but in time their painting, sticking, kneading and moulding start to take a pleasing, recognisable form.

When clutching a big paintbrush, sticking pasta to a piece of card and squeezing play dough, children are developing motor skills which will later be fine-tuned to manage tasks such as writing and using cutlery effectively.

Doodle and Splat: New term starts w/c 23rd August 2010. Booking now: email doodle@ doodleandsplat.co.uk or call 07940 2825114 or www.doodleandsplat.co.uk

Nature and the Outdoors

ÊDobbies Ê Little Seedlings Club Dobbies Little Seedlings Club is a free-to-join club for children aged between 4 and 10 years.

Children can take part in monthly hands-on workshops to learn about plants, wildlife and the environment. Available at stores in Dunfermline, Dalgety Bay, Perth and Kinross.

See Out and About section for details.

 Call Susan on 07734 289 143 to advertise here

Get up to £200 towards learning something new

I

LA Scotland is a Scottish Government scheme which helps you get £200 a year towards the cost of learning something new. If you are 16 or over, living in Scotland and if your income is £22,000 a year or less, or if you are on benefits, you can get up to £200 towards a wide range of courses from learning providers such as (West Fife) Community Use Schools.

There are plenty of courses to choose from including LANGUAGES, ARTS & CRAFTS, LIFESTYLE and LEARNING FOR WORK Learning might help you earn more money, get a better job or do something you really enjoy.  For an ILA application pack and to find out more call free on 0808 100 1090 or go online at www.ilascotland.org.uk.

Issue 3 Families Fife | 15

Clubs and Classes Special Features new look centre. All prospective learners welcome to drop in. Guildhall Mews, 30 Guildhall Street, Dunfermline. Behind Sheds hairdressers. Tel: 01383 621622.

Or Kirkcaldy classes at Unit 14 Evans Easy Space, John Smith Business Park Tel: 07983 643481

Classes for mums and mums to be

ÊÊ If you are fairly new to motherhood or just about to become a mum, then this is the time where you should think of making so ‘me’ time and sticking to it throughout your children’s youth. Remember a couple of hours a week will really help you mentally (and physically depending on what you choose to do) which in turn will promote family wellbeing. A great sociable way to meet other mums or mums to be is to enrol in an ante natal or post natal exercise class.

There are a number to try depending on your family timetable or location.

Prenatal Pilates and Postnatal Pilates – Mind and Body Studio in Kirkcaldy offers 6 pilates classes a week at £6 per class Yoga and Yogabirth Contact Susanna Dean on 01383 413121 or visit www.theyoga.co.uk for West Fife classes.

Yoga, Pilates & Yogabirth Contact Caitlin Heavey 07891 059677 www.elementalbirth. co.uk for in North Fife and Edinburgh

Local authority leisure opportunities

ÊFife Ê Sports and Leisure Trust’s programme this term provides around 800 leisure activities in leisure centres and sports facilities across the region so there is something for everyone and at every age. See box on p14.

Baby classes

ÊBaby Ê Sensory Mon 10.00 and 11.30, Friday 1.45 Dunfermline, Wed 10.30 Cowdenbeath Fri 10.30, Dalgety Bay Tel: Claire Wilson 07749468864 Tiny Tender Touch Baby Massage. Classes start Wed 15/09/10 at 14.30pm and Friday 17/09/10 10.30am Tel: Claudia: 01383 733 146 or email: tinytendertouch@gmail.com Baby & Toddler Reflexology Workshops Booking now. Tel : 07843 615220 or www. judithspriggsmobiletherapies.co.uk Dysart Sticky Fingers Baby & Toddler Group Tuesdays 10.00 am.

BumpBabyBlitz from PG Fitness. Wed 10.30 Little Peas Pram Dunfermline. Tel: Paula 07922 568960. 

Perth Live Active

P

erth’s Live Active Leisure offers a diverse programme of classes for the whole family in their 14 leisure venues across Perth and Kinross. All the classes are great fun, great value and led by a team of qualified and friendly coaches. As they have a new block of classes starting in most venues from late August, now is the perfect time to try something new. We were impressed by their choice of adult classes; they have over 100 fitness classes that take place each week which includes fast and furious classes like Zumba, Body Attack, Hi-Lo Aerobics alongside some lower impact classes such as Pilates, Yoga and Aqua-aerobics. Live Active Leisure also has a fantastic choice of activities for children and their sessions are all about encouraging children to have fun whilst taking part in sport. Pre-school and school aged children can try some of their great traditional classes like football, gymnastics and cricket or something more contemporary like street dance, rock climbing and more!  To find out more about classes on offer visit their website www.liveactive.co.uk

live life ...

Mum loves to relax at yoga Dad loves to workout at Bodypump Big sis loves having fun with her friends at dance and I love learning new things at swimming lessons!

We have great value classes for the whole family at our 14 Live Active Leisure Venues throughout Perth and Kinross.

For more details visit our website or email leisure@liveactive.co.uk

www.liveactive.co.uk 16 | Families Fife Issue 3