Families London SW Issue 247 June 2015

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® SouthWest JUNE 2015

• Huge summer activities listing • Benefits of swimming

ABI CAMPBELL

photography

• PARTIES FEATURE Building confidence through performing arts Nurturing and developing young people's potential through dance, drama and singing.

For more information see advert on page 29

• Osteopathy and EFT

The French Nursery school Bilingual education in SW7 and SW1 • 1-5 years French • Spanish See our advert on page 2 For more information please call on 0207 259 2151 or email: ml@marie-laurence.com

“Families® SW” – useful information for parents of 0-12 year olds in SW London.

Find us online: FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

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FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680

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FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680

Contents June 2015

06-09

News & info • Local news

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• Clubs and activities news

SouthWest

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Education Open days and local School news 06-09

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12-15

Swimming Feature • International Baby Swimming

1 9 9 0-2

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Conference report.

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• The benefits of swimming.

Front cover photo, with thanks to:

ABI CAMPBELL

• Water safety.

photography

All content ©Families SW 2015 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680 Editorial: editor@familiessouthwest.co.uk News: news@familiessouthwest.co.uk Adverts/artwork: adverts@familiessouthwest.co.uk Events, diary dates, what’s on info: whatson@familiessouthwest.co.uk Next issue: July/August 2015.

Deadline: Early June 2015

• Why 50% of 7-11yrs old cannot swim.

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Alternative Health Osteopathy and EFT

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• ‘Families South West’ is part of Families Magazines Ltd, a franchise company. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence.

There are nearly 40 UK local editions with a print run of more than 700,000 copies in all, in which you can advertise too.

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PARTIES FEATURE Local entertainers, face painters, magicians and caterers

• MOVING? Families® magazines can be be franchised in new areas. Read initial franchise information on the website.

• Printed by Ridgeway Press Ltd, Pewsey, Wiltshire.

24-30

• Designed by Shirley Trimmer

camps, workshops, high achievers and much more

• Paper used to print Families is from fully-managed sustainable sources — meaning trees which are felled are continuously replaced.

Inks are soya-based, which can be re-cycled.

Find us on Facebook & Twitter FamiliesSW

June 2015

24-30

Music, arts & craft, sports,

• 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 consequence.

ADVERTISE IN OUR NEXT ISSUE: Contact us on 020 8696 9680

Summer activities

32-39

What’s On • Theatre • Museums & Galleries • Days out • Diary dates & events 32-39

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News

Compiled by Joanna Parry

Win a tots party for ten!

Need some sleep?

Due to popular demand, The Parent and Baby Coach are now offering a Night Nanny service to help with your baby’s sleep.

If you need a good night’s rest or some help getting your little one to sleep through the night, give them a call. All Night Nannies are trained by founder Heidi Skudder to use her well-tested routines and approaches to help your child sleep, and with competitive rates and no registration fee The Parent and Baby Coach Agency is a great option for all parents looking for support. Visit www.theparentandbabycoach.com or call 0330 6600 204.

Keep in the loop with the scoop Website Kensington Mums is set to take their service mobile with a funky new app. Now you can stay up to date with what’s on for you and your little ones while you’re on the move, plus receive a special invite to their mumthly events and meet ups, read the latest reviews and find all the local services you need – all the benefits on the website but in your pocket. ‘Being a Mum is definitely the hardest job, but rest assured you are not alone,’ says founder Dina Maktabi. ‘Sharing tips, swapping advice and ideas are all important in a life of a mother.’ The Kensington Mums app is currently free to download on Android and Apple. www.kensingtonmums.co.uk

Become a foster carer The start of the year is the most popular month for foster carer applications, so why not make 2015 the year you join them? New research highlights that one child is taken into care every 15 minutes in England, and independent fostering agency Fostering Solutions is encouraging people across the UK, and especially in Greater London, to make a positive change in 2015 and become a foster carer. They are launching the Foster15 campaign specifically to highlight the shortfall. ‘The shortfall in foster carers is only set to increase,’ said Gareth Walton of Fostering Solutions, ‘and Greater London alone has over 15,000 children who desperately need a safe, nurturing and stable home. Becoming a foster carer is one of the most rewarding steps you can take – these children are likely to have had a challenging start to their lives and you can be the person who makes the priceless difference to their life by offering them a home and care.’ If you would like to find out more about being a foster carer with Fostering Solutions call 0800 160 1605 or go to www.fosteringsolutions.com

Meet other mums… …with Match up Mums! An exciting new way of meeting mums, Match up Mums is an innovative service putting together groups of local and likeminded mum friends using personality- profiling, not just women with the same due date. You’ll be matched up with around 5 other mums, based on location, background, interests, attitudes - and more! It’s a great way to meet local and likeminded mum friends. With over twelve hundred mums already matched up, Match up Mums is receiving glowing feedback from all quarters.

Bronze membership is free and allows you access to discounts from mum-friendly businesses such as JoJo Maman Bebe and Lulubaby, with an option to upgrade to Silver and Gold membership when you can start meeting other mums! www.matchupmums.com

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Send us yo fairs, fe ur school t es, st events and sale reet s fo inclusio n in our r free pages.

Send to whatso families n@ southw est.co.u k

Enter to win a Tiger Tots Party for ten at one Gambado Chelsea children's Play and Party Centres worth £109.50! The Tiger Tots Party is perfect for cubs Gambado Tiger Tots party 1-4 years, with a mix of free, interactive play on the main frame and rides to keep them entertained. You will be assigned your very own Party Host, and get Party Celebration including hot and cold party buffet, unlimited sugar-free juice and water, balloon modelling and party games, printable Invitations, thank you cards and a free gift for the birthday child. The Tiger Tots party can be held Monday through to Friday until 2pm. www.gambado.com or call 0844 375 9494.

A new nursery in Fulham Townmead Community Nursery is LEYF’s 33rd nursery and their first setting in the borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. They are thrilled to be partnering with Shepherds Bush Housing Association; working in partnership with the community is a very important part of their nursery model. The nursery marks an important step in their plan to increase the number of nurseries they operate over the next two years, so more of London’s children have access to high quality early years education and care that is critical to their longterm success and happiness.

020 7736 8128 291 Wandsworth Bridge road, SW6 2NX

Amphibian antics Why not take a trip to the Holland Park Ecology Centre this June to explore the wildlife? Their Wildlife Area Open Day takes place on 6 June and is a great chance to explore this hidden corner of the park and to discover which amphibians lurk in the pond and which ones are hiding in the woods. Drop in any time between 2-6pm, entry is free.

You can also sign up for a Task Force 4 Nature Volunteer Day on 20 June – the perfect opportunity to help local wildlife and have fun. 10.30am, meet outside Holland Park Café, tea, gloves, tools and instructions are provided. Holland Park Ecology Centre, Holland Park, Ilchester Place W8 6LU, www.rbkc.gov.uk/ecology

FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680

French nursery now welcomes children from 18 months

The terrifying importance of growing food

L’Ecole du Parc is a warm and friendly nursery school located in Clapham, just moments away from Clapham Common. The main language at the school is French and all staff are native French speakers, but some activities, such as music and drama, are offered in English by native English teachers. The educational programme of the school is that of the French Department for Education but care is taken to complement it with the English curriculum (“Early Years Foundation Stage”), thus aiming at providing the best of both systems.

One Magic Square by Lolo Houbein £19.99

The school has traditionally welcomed children from 2 to 5 years, but due to high demand, will open to children as young as 18 months from September 2015. Should you wish for your child to attend l’Ecole du Parc next school year, contact the school here: 64 Garfield Road London SW11 5PN admissions@ecoleduparc.co.uk 020 7326 9642

Lolo Houbein, the author, sees the vast areas of unused spaces around our homes as an opportunity to be more in control of our food supply, with fewer food miles and a healthier diet: you can do a lot in one square metre. She says that some people still believe that genetically modified (GM) foods will feed the world. But she says the corporations concerned are as compassionate about hungry humanity as giant pharmaceuticals companies are about poor children. These corporations have switched from mining, logging and manufacturing to seed and food production because these are globally consumed commodities they don’t yet control. The best way to feed a hungry world is to return to poor people the security of an average plot of land with a water source and control over their seeds.

Houbein says corporations want to control the world’s seeds in order to insert terminator genes, meaning the next generation of seeds will be unable to germinate. (I can believe that, because my brother, who is a farmer, sows his fields with seeds that are not fertile. Ed.) But there is one place that can still be a bio-diverse wilderness... and that is our garden. Make it beautiful.

Your own wilderness can feed your body and your soul.

A home garden is also a place where biodiversity is preserved on a small scale.

Buy the book at 30% discount plus free delivery to UK mainland addresses from www.greenbooks.co.uk/one-magic-square Valid until 31st August 2015.

Use code: FAMILIESJUNE15

Saving fairies from eviction Following the news that Wayford Woods in Somerset began removing some fairy doors from its grounds, The Irish Fairy Door Company brought forward its expansion into the UK in order to prevent a rapid rise in fairy homelessness.

As director Niamh Sherwin Barry, explains, "Removing fairy doors from the woods needlessly casts fairies out of their homes, whilst also spoiling the magic and belief for those who visit them to leave gifts or letters. Everyone at Fairy HQ was hugely disappointed to hear of the potential evictions and we received an overwhelming number of messages from worried adults and children across the UK, expressing concern and offering human homes to the newly-homeless fairies."

The company claims it has already housed more than 150,000 fairies worldwide since its inception just 18 months ago and has now come to UK shores to ensure no fairies are left out in the cold of course.

Created by life-long friends Niamh Sherwin Barry and Aoife Lawler, along with their husbands Oisin and Gavin, The Irish Fairy Door Company helps fairies relocate into homes, classrooms, gardens and woods by creating beautiful, high quality, handmade Irish fairy doors which can be installed almost anywhere. Once in place, the creative team at Fairy HQ ensures direct access to Fairy Valley so the magic continues long after the fairy has moved in, with ongoing magical messages, play ideas and stories delivered to children and parents who register their fairy, via Magical Matters on the website www.theirishfairydoorcompany.com (By the way – we’ve spotted one fairy door in a tree on the Common! Have you? Ed.)

This June the charity Sustrans is encouraging families across the UK to take part in Bike to School Week (June 1-5th) and is helping them do so safely.

Gary Shipp, National Projects Co-ordinator at Sustrans for education and young people, said: “The number of children cycling to school alone has rapidly decreased over the past few decades, largely because parents worry about traffic danger. This that is why it is essential to teach children cycle and road safety skills at an early age to make sure they know what to do when they are cycling. Once your child is confident on their bike, getting them used to cycling on the roads will give them a sense of freedom and independence, it will also Allow children to have some fun! improve their confidence and fitness and it has a positive effect on the environment too.” www.sustrans.org.uk/biketoschoolweek

June 2015

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Taga pushchair bicycle available from babydino.com

Everyone can bike to school!

Don’t you love this pushchair/bicycle?

There are really no more excuses for not cycling!

Inclusion in these pages is always FREE: send to news@familiessouthwest.co.uk

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Clubs and Classes The Artful Toddler

We all know how important it is to get children creative: We have come across two great local groups. The Artful Toddler is an arts and crafts group that allows young minds to explore their imagination in a safe and fun environment.

Children love to get tactile with the different materials such as paint, clay and papier-mâché, and they are encouraged to get messy while they experiment. www.artfultoddler.com The Build It workshop also runs classes in the same venues but focuses on building/construction with lego, meccano etc. www.thebuildit workshop.com Three locations in SW London. Both look fab!

Contact Nina Girling on info@artfultoddler.com

SPOTLIG

New Saturday dance classes for BE.Dance

on

BE.Dance is an established South West London Dance School for tots, kids and teens teaching commercial and street dance styles, drawing upon influences from the world of musical theatre, jazz, hip hop, tap, ballet and lyrical dance. This strong and sassy dance style is hugely popular with young dancers, with funky choreography to the freshest tunes, motivating, encouraging and inspiring everyone who joins a class.

BE.Dance currently hold clubs at Honeywell, Beatrix Potter and Emmanuel Schools, as well as classes at Fybre Fitness Hub on Northcote Road and at the Wandle Centre.

In September, BE.Dance will launch a new range of classes on Saturdays at Alderbrook Primary School in Balham. There will be Music and Movement classes for ages 18 months-3 years and lyrical, tap and musical theatre classes for ages 5-18 years.

For more information visit www.bedance.co.uk or call Becca 07545 697352.

Music with the monkeys

Summer tennis Don’t forget to check out the summer holiday courses and camps with Julian Cousins Coaching. On top of their programme running classes from Minis all the way up to Performance, there will be a range of camps and extra classes throughout the summer break. Check website for details. Julian Cousins Coaching, Clapham Common Tennis Centre, Clapham Common West Side, Wandsworth SW4 9AN, 07802 851453, julian@tennisteaching.com, www.tennis-teaching.com

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Keep your little monkeys swinging all through the summer with Monkey Music’s 60-minute holiday workshops. Taking place at venues across SW London, your little ones can join in these award-winning music and movement classes throughout the summer break. There’s lots of musical fun to be had, whether you are a Monkey Music member or not. Visit www.monkeymusic.co.uk and enter in your postcode to find your nearest class.

Please see our comprehensive Summer Holiday Listings pages 24-30. We keep adding new summer activities and workshops to the online listing, see FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680

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Clubs and Classes

Old fashioned fun

If you’re looking for something different to keep your little beavers entertained this summer take a look at www.firsthandexperiences.co.uk Based at All Saint’s Church Hall in Fulham, this fantastic band of explorers will take your child into a world of investigation, drama, art, music and a whole load of old fashioned fun. First Hand Experiences believes the best way to learn is through a diet of nature-based experiences such as visiting working farms, woodlands, caves, rivers and castles to gain a greater understanding of how the world works. Each of their camps follow seasonal themes encouraging children to make connections and find relevance in their discoveries go Flora-orienteering in the woods in Richmond Park, visit Bockett’s Farm to watch the pigs race or see what Kew Gardens looks like from the Tree Top Walkway. The children even learn how to dance around a maypole! In the afternoons your child will be let loose creating arts and crafts, music, drama and dance, as well as playing hide and seek in Fulham Palace or hanging upside down at the Bishops Park adventure playground. Sounds amazing! Ages 4-11, 8.30am-4.30pm, from £65 per day. First Hand Experiences, All Saint's Church Hall, 70 Fulham High Street SW6, 07789 450458/ 07825 738398, contact@firsthandexperiences.co.uk, www.firsthandexperiences.co.uk

Nature experiences

New workshops in Wandsworth

New termly Saturday classes After the success of their amazing Wandsworth Saturday Classes, Funky Moves are coming to Wimbledon. These funky street/commercial (pop) dance classes will teach your children amazing moves, increase their confidence rapidly and help with fitness and co-ordination. Creative, inspiring, friendly and super cool! Three classes split into age groups from 4-12yrs. Ricards Lodge High School, Lake Road, Wimbledon, SW19 7HB. Term starts 6th June, 9:30-12:45pm.

Wandsworth Museum’s brand new Early Years workshops start this summer at Battersea Arts Centre. Children under 5 can join in these weekly Toddler Time Travellers sessions at The Bee’s Knees, exploring Wandsworth’s unique history from the time of hunter gathers to the present day through rhyme time, music, stories, arts and crafts activities, object handling and creative play and discovery. Each week join Traveller Ted and his friends as you travel back to a different period of time and experience what it was like living in Wandsworth a long time ago.

Drop-in sessions Thursdays Drop-in at Bee’s Knees 10am-12pm, no booking required, £5 per child, £3 siblings.

• Wandsworth Museum at The Bee’s Knees, Battersea Arts Centre, Lavender Hill SW11 5TN, 0208 870 6060, www.wandsworthmuseum.co.uk

Correction In our April issue we inadvertently made a mistake in the name of the founder of babyballet. It is of course Claire O’Connor. babyballet celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. Their classes are for children from six months to six years and teach confidence, social skills, manners and respect all wrapped up in 35 minutes of fantastic fun. Their qualified teachers teach a range of exercises to stimulate senses and encourage development. www.babyballet.co.uk

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Education Blast into the future Pupils at St Peter’s School in Hammersmith buried messages for the children of the future in a time capsule this spring. To mark the building work modernising their school, children contributed messages and reflections on their lives, which they hope will be read in 2099. The time capsule also contains a school photo, a copy of the deeds to the Victorian school built in 1849, a picture of the foundation stone to the school’s most recent building being laid in 1972, a school t-shirt and the school’s mission statement.

One child from each of the year groups signed a letter to pupils of the future explaining what the school is like now, before they helped to bury the capsule.

‘It’s exciting, it’s fun and for the children of the future it’s an unknown,’ said headteacher Jean Shipton. ‘There’s nothing like the excitement of digging something out of the ground!’ The time capsule was buried during the transformation of one of the school’s two Victorian buildings into a new hall and kitchen. St Peter’s CE Primary School, 33 Saint Peter's Road W6 9BA, 020 8748 7756, www.stpetersce.lbhf.sch.uk

The award for architecture goes to… …Burntwood School! The £40m redesign and refurbishment of the Tooting school has been honoured in one of Europe’s most prestigious architecture and urban design competitions. The popular girls school was presented with a prized Civic Trust Award after it was extensively remodelled and rebuilt last year, and the new-look campus now boasts four brand new teaching blocks, a new performing arts centre and a new sports hall. An IT learning centre and new state-of-the-art science laboratories also reinforce its reputation as a centre of excellence for science. Most importantly, the changes have allowed the school to cater for an additional 250 pupils, including an expanded sixth form of up to 400 students. ‘We are delighted that the new school buildings have won a Civic Trust Award,’ said principal Helen Dorfman. ‘This is a prestigious award for building schemes that demonstrate excellence in architecture and design whilst providing a positive, social and cultural benefit to the community.’ Burntwood School, Burntwood Lane SW17 0AQ, 020 8946 6201 www.burntwoodschool.com

Sinclair House grows its own With their new vegetable garden up and running, pupils at Sinclair House School in Fulham are rapidly developing little green fingers in their Grow-Make-Eat club. The club has become an instant hit, with children learning where food comes from, how to plant and grow seasonal fruit and vegetables, as well as how to use fresh produce in no-cook easy recipes that they can try in groups within the club. They have also learnt about antioxidants, air miles and plant families, making raw-slaw, crostini, and "mean green" and "purple fairy" juices, and have planted wild garlic, rocket, chilli, and strawberry plants! ‘This club has proved very popular with parents keen for their children to try the 'superfood' fresh fruit and vegetable juices,’ said Sinclair House.

'Positive peer pressure seems to encourage pupils to have a go at things they might say no to at home.’

Sinclair House School, 159 Munster Road SW6 6DA, www.sinclairhouseschool.co.uk

School Open Days Francis Holland School SW1 4-18 Girls Junior School 8/6, 8.45am, Senior School 18/6 and 24/6 8.45am booking required 7730 2971 www.fhs-sw1.org.uk Hill House School SW1 4-13 Co-Ed Tours every weekday morning in term time, 8.30am booking required 7584 1331 www.hillhouseschool.co.uk Oliver House SW4 3-11 Co-Ed 4/6 10am-12pm 8772 1911 www.oliverhouse.org.uk Fulham Pre-Prep School SW6 4-13 Co-Ed 23/6 9.30-11am 7371 9911 www.fulhamprep.co.uk Parsons Green Prep SW6 (formerly Eridge House) 4-11 Co-Ed Tours on Tuesday mornings in term time by appointment 7371 9009 www.parsonsgreenprep.co.uk Queen’s Gate SW7 4-18 Girls Senior School 23/6 9.30-11am book online 7589 3587 www.queensgate.org.uk Dolphin School SW11 4-11 Co-Ed Tours most Thursdays 9.3010.30am by appointment 7924 3472 www.dolphinschool.org.uk Hornsby House School SW12 4-11 Co-Ed 4/6 9am 8673 7573 www.hornsbyhouse.org.uk Ibstock Place School SW15 3-18 Co-Ed Prep 10/6 9.30am booking required 8876 9991 ibstockplaceschool.co.uk Putney High School SW15 4-18 Girls Sixth Form Open Events 3/6 and 4/6 booking required 8788 4886 www.putneyhigh.gdst.net

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Call to book your place now The Roche School SW18 2.5-11 Co-Ed 17/6 9.30-11am 8877 0823 therocheschool.co.uk St Anne’s C.E. Primary School SW18 4-11 Co-Ed 10/6 9.30am and 2pm booking required 8874 1863 www.st-annes.wandsworth.sch.uk The Study Prep School SW19 4-11 Girls Tours 2/6, 16/6, 23/6 and 30/6 9.20am and 10.30am booking required 8947 6969 thestudyprep.co.uk The Lady Eleanor Holles TW12 School 7-18 Girls Junior School 24/6 booking required 020 8979 1601 www.lehs.org.uk Ravenscourt Park Prep W6 4-11 Co-Ed 10/6 9.30am booking required 8846 9153 www.rpps.co.uk Virgo Prep School SE19 11-19 Girls 17/6 9.30am-3pm 8653 2169 www.vfps.org Rosemead Prep SE21 3-11 Co-Ed 9/6, 18/6, 29/6 9.30-11am booking required 8670 5865 rosemeadprepschool.org.uk Sydenham High School SE22 11-18 Girls 24/6 6.30-8pm booking not necessary 8557 7000 sydenhamhighschool.gdst.net City of London School for Girls EC2 7-18 Girls Prep 24/6 4-6pm, Senior School 2/7 4-6pm, Sixth Form entry 18/6 3-6.30pm booking required 7847 5500 www.clsg.org.uk City of London School EC4V 10-18 Boys 18/6 and 25/6 2.30-4.15pm booking required 7489 0291 www.clsb.org.uk

Has your child been at Gateway House Nursery?

Gateway House Nursery School is celebrating 25 years of welcoming children through their bright green door into a world of enjoyable fun and learning. They told us: "Whilst teaching methods have changed and progressed over the years we continue to believe in traditional values and, most importantly, preparing our children for the inevitable challenges they will face when moving on to primary school."

To celebrate those noisy, lively and rewarding years Elizabeth Marshall (Proprietor and Principal) and Kate Sabey (Headmistress), would like to invite all ex and current pupils and staff, along with their families, to join them for a giant anniversary picnic. This will be held on Wandsworth Common on Sunday 28th June from 12pm.

Please email Kate if you have any queries: enquiries@gatewayhousenusery.co.uk www.gatewayhousenursery.co.uk

FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680

Ofsted Registered

We accept Childcare Vouchers

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Swimming feature

The benefits of swimming With evidence continuing to mount about the benefits of swimming for young children, globally there’s an increase in popularity of baby and toddler swimming lessons. If you are reading this, you are very likely have done these classes or are doing them or it’s in your to-do list.

Although the experience of attending swimming lessons with your child could be so amazing for some parents, for some, who see their children in distress when they are in the water, it could be the opposite. Therefore knowing what works and what doesn’t, and what are the best practices to engage very young children in water, are vital in keeping these classes enjoyable.

In March 2015 Marjan Moosavi, owner and founder of Blue Wave Swim School, attended an international baby swimming conference in Austria, which was organised by the Austrian Baby Swimming Association (ABA). For three days she had a great opportunity to share experience and ideas with excellent teachers and educators and hear firsthand from the experts in this field about the best practices.

Marjan reports on the ABA Conference for FSW: “Universally, games, toys, nursery rhythms and songs are used to engage children and add fun in water-based activities. The activities need to be consistent, honest and joyful in order to build children’s trust and confidence in water over time. All educators were in agreement that making babies do activities that they don’t like to do, is not a good idea since that would result in feeling anxious both for babies and parents. But, with a bit of creativity, every activity could be changed to something more fun and engaging. Therefore, teachers should be sympathetic to the fact that these kids are very young and need time to settle in and learn at their own pace.

The variations in the starting age for baby swimming lessons in different countries were really interesting. However, one of the internationally known gurus of baby swimming, Mr Terje Stakset from Norway, believes it’s better to start lessons around 4 months when a baby has some control over his neck and can support the head. There is no universal agreement on the age at which children should stop having swimming lessons with their parents either. At Swimmix (a Copenhagen-based swim school), parents are allowed to be in water with their kids till age 8 years old, whilst a Mexican swim school–reflecting on several years of its own teaching experience–has decided to have a cut-off point of 3 years and 7 months before moving children to standard classes (ie without their parents).

There are very many similarities between the ways that ‘Parent & Child’ swimming classes are done in different countries, but structures and approaches do vary from one place to another and without a doubt, culture and society are influential. For example, in England, children go to school when they are four years old, whilst in the Scandinavian countries, they don’t start school till six or seven. So, in our ‘parent & toddler’ classes we normally accept children only up to age of 3 to 3.5 years old and from 4, the expectation is children do swimming lessons independently from their parents, whilst in Denmark parents are in water during their children’s swimming lessons till much later. Fascinating!

Contact Marjan of Blue Wave Swim School 0776 461 5047 www.bluewaveswim.co.uk

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FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680

Swimming feature

669 water-related fatalities in 2013: Is your family ready for the summer?

More people die in drowning incidents in this country than in house fires. Amid concerns that the water safety message is not getting through, we asked SwimWay for their advice: “We believe swimming to be a vital life skill. We encourage swimming lessons to help keep children safe. There were 669 water related fatalities in 2013 that’s 2 and a half times more deaths than in dwelling fires over the same year. This year the Chief Fire Officers Association (www.cfoa.org.uk) wants to get young people thinking about their behaviour around water because the highest amount of water related death occurs in that age group. 46 children and young people under the age of twenty drowned in 2013 compared to 42 in 2012.

Over the past 10 years SwimWay has developed a reputation for providing high quality swimming lessons for children at private pools in the London area. With an established SwimWay program and methodology, teachers are in the water with the children initially teaching breath control, floating (no floatation devices used other than kickboards), buoyancy and correct kick action. In a fun and nurturing environment the children can thrive into confident and accomplished swimmers.”

You can still book for Swimway’s Summer Term Swimming Lessons, call 020 8871 3972. www.swimway.co.uk They have pools in Wimbledon, Streatham, Putney, Wandsworth Common, East Sheen, Kew Gardens and Holland Park.

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Swimming feature

Get swimming The benefits of swimming in a nutshell • You can lose weight and improve your body shape • Increases your fitness levels – Did you know? Half an hour swimming at a steady pace burns 200 calories and an Aqua Jog class burns 300 calories!

• Water activity offers 12 times the benefit of a similar land based activity and its gentler on your body too as it is low impact.

• Swimming is for everyone regardless of age, weight or physical activity levels.

A great way to spend any rainy days this summer is with a visit to the newly refurbished Latchmere swimming pool. Especially great for kids is their new ultraviolet technology, which keeps the water clean and safe and helps reduce chlorine levels. It also makes the water kinder to eyes and sensitive skin, while neutralising chlorine resistant bacteria and improving water clarity. With its beach-effect pool, slides and wave machine, the Latchmere is always a popular choice.

Swimming is one of the best ways to get in shape and the membership offers great value for money! Swim Memberships starts from £27.50 a month

•Putney Leisure Centre Dryburgh Road, Putney 020 87850388 enquiries@putneyleisurecentre.co.uk •Latchmere Leisure Centre Burns Road , Battersea 020 7207 8004 enquiries@latchmereleisurecentre.co.uk

•Tooting Leisure Centre Greaves Place , Tooting 020 8333 7555 enquiries@tootingleisurecentre.co.uk •Balham Leisure Centre Elmfield Road, Balham 020 8772 9577 enquiries@balhamleisurecentre.co.uk

50% of 7-11yr olds cannot swim!

Recent statistics from the Amateur Swimming Association state that nearly 50% of 7-11 year olds cannot swim the length of a pool, says Eduardo Ferre, founder of Swimming Nature. “Swimming is an essential skill that must be learned correctly from the outset,” he says. “It is for life and no bad habits can be allowed. The problem is that the majority of people have not learned the basics and therefore swim incorrectly, which is not doing any good for the body and could be a misleading form of ‘fitness.'

Swimming is a wonderful way to keep fit, but the correct approach is to teach children how to feel comfortable and in harmony with the water first, before starting to teach any proper strokes. Once the basics are achieved and the groundwork established, students are then ready to learn strokes and swim beautifully. Swimming Nature respects the individuality of each student and uses mobile technology that adjusts the lesson plan depending on the performance of the student, getting the best results. We won the Innovative training awards last year based on this concept. It’s about making sure children swim beautifully from the start - gaining skills they’ll keep for life.”

Call Swimming Nature on 03445 04 05 06 or visit swimmingnature.com

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FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680

Dive In at Wandsworth Leisure Centres Newly Refurbished Facilities NOW OPEN

With an investment of £3.5 million pound to improve facilities, Wandsworth’s local Leisure Centres have undergone a transformation since the start of 2015.

Perhaps the biggest change is for all the keen swimmers out there, as all of the swimming pool changing villages have been completely redeveloped making taking a dip or practising some serious strokes at your local pool a great experience.

The sports changing rooms have also been refurbished to an extremely high standard, while the gyms have gained the latest precor and escape strength and functional equipment.

Add to this new workout studios, new treatments rooms, as well as new saunas and steam cabins and it seems that Wandsworth Leisure Centres have the full package.

Find your nearest centre www.placesforpeopleleisure.co.uk

*Ts&Cs apply. Facilities available will vary across centres

M sw e im av mb m ai er ing la sh an ble ip o d for pti wo g on rk ym s ou , tc las se s

London’s first full time forest nursery, open in Wimbledon for year around childcare for 2-5 year olds and forest school holiday camps for 3-7 year olds.

Great childcare in the great outdoors! www.littleforestfolk.com info@littleforestfolk.com www.facebook.com/littleforestfolk T: 07707 545 913

'Meet your baby before your baby meets you'

Private scans available on Clapham High Street for: •antenatal •infertility •gynaecological ultrasound Prices start from £120 per scan Clapham SPMS Tel: 020 3049 6611

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FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680

Alternative Health We are blessed with the most amazing NHS service, it is absolutely brilliant. As a family we‘ve only had great experiences, great level of service and care. There are however instances when a child’s condition is better dealt with by an alternative therapist. In these two real case studies the parents got results that exceeded their expectations.

Osteopathy for reflux and constipation Q: What was ailment or condition treated?

A: Charlotte was one of the unhappiest babies we have ever seen. She came to see us aged 10 weeks with constipation and reflux. She cried, arched her back and screamed almost constantly.

To soothe her, her poor frazzled mum had to constantly rock or bounce her.

Q: What therapy was used and how long for?

A: When we gently examined Charlotte we found her body was very asymmetrical, her neck was held bending to her left and her lower body was bending to the right, creating tension in her diaphragm and tummy. Charlotte’s neck and shoulder muscles were very tight and there was tension at the base of her neck and head.

In our experience when these tensions and strains are gently released and a baby’s body becomes more balanced and recovers from the strains of birth, many of the troubles that young babies experience improve or resolve.

Charlotte was treated 5 times over an 8 week period using Cranial and Classical Osteopathy.

Charlotte’s mum was given lots of advice and tips regarding her diet, and how to better soothe and help Charlotte.

Q: Patient feedback: A: Mum: “Oh my God, what a difference! You wouldn’t recognise Charlotte now, she is calm, her reflux is much better and her constipation has massively improved. After a treatment she would fill her nappy and have a good sleep. Had I known what difference osteopathy would make I would have taken Charlotte to an osteopath much earlier and saved myself a lot of time and sleepless nights! I highly recommend Osteopathy for babies.”

•Contact: Melinda Cotton DO, 25 years of practice, Fulham Osteopaths 020 7384 1851 info@fop.co.uk www.fop.co.uk

Fulham Osteopath

EFT (also called Tapping) for anxiety, to develop cognitive skills and increase confidence Q: What was ailment or condition treated?

A: Joe’s mother asked if EFT could help her son who was in his 20s and facing the stress of studying for his A Levels. His schooling had been interrupted, and cognitive development delayed due to chronic epilepsy. He seemed constantly overwhelmed by the effort of trying to catch up with his peers.

Although he enjoyed wonderful support from a loving family he felt angry, and anxious. His childhood trauma was still affecting him.

Q: What therapy was used and how long for?

A: Joe came for weekly sessions of EFT throughout the autumn term. Once he began revising for exams this reduced to fortnightly, and eventually stopped as his coping strategies developed.

I used EFT to help him resolve his worries, build confidence and develop his Patty Hemingway cognitive skills. I taught Joe simple tapping routines to help himself.

EFT or Tapping is a fast and easy way for children to transform negative feelings and behaviour into positive happy energy. It works at any age, and even young children at nursery or in hospital have benefited. The basics can be learned in one session but complex issues may take longer to tap out.

Q: Patient feedback: A: Joe’s family noted that his ability to study effectively increased as he controlled his anxiety and was able to focus. He told me that he was enjoying more social contact with family and friends as his confidence increased; he certainly seemed more relaxed. He was better able to assimilate information, by becoming a better listener, focused on other people and able to read their reactions and display empathy, all of which had eluded him before.

Joe reported that his sleep has improved, and that studying is easier when he feels relaxed, and deals with his worries. He is looking forward to going to university.

•Contact Patty Hemingway, EFT Master Practitioner and Registered Homeopath for 15 years. 020 8333 0413 pattyhemingwayhomeopath@inbox.com www.pattyhemingway.com See also Patty’s article on treating exam stress with natural remedies on FamiliesOnline. Search for ‘Don't flunk the stress test’.

Disclaimer : While, to the best of our knowledge, the therapists are bona fide, experienced and qualified, it is your responsibility to check their references and qualifications. Names of patients have been changed.

To feature in this column write to editor@familiessouthwest.co.uk

June 2015

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Parties Our little Party guide We have wealth of fantastic local party entertainers and providers on our doorstep.

Allow them to help you and take the strain.

They are experts at it! They’ll ensure your child has the party he/she wants and you have a day to remember .

Please kindly always tell them you saw them in Families South West!

Action Station

Imaginative interactive storytelling parties. Choose from mermaids, funky witches and wizards, fairies or princesses, pirates, knights or cowboys, spies or drama parties.

Clowns, magicians, jugglers, circus skills experts, face painters, make-up artists and DJs also available.

0870 770 2705 www.theactionstation.co.uk

Amanda’s Action Club

Amanda's Action Club offers dynamic, high energy, creative and fun party entertainment for ages 1 to 7yrs. Action Club party, build my bear, mini disco, pamper parties, face painting, glitter tattoos, balloon modelling and bouncy castle hire.

Why not add a little extra sparkle to their day and have a princess or mascot meet and greet your guests?

01895 623999 info@amandasactionclub.co.uk www.amandasactionclub.co.uk

Adam Ants

Adam Ants offers high energy parties.

Adam Ants and his talented team make sure their parties are non stop

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fun. With something for all agesMagic, Balloon modelling, puppets, music, dancing, games, face painting.

They also offer amazing disco / sports parties or something different a build a bear party. You can hire tables and chairs / bouncy castles/ soft play and ball ponds. Or invite your favourite character from Mickey mouse / pepper pig and many more.

“Just wanted to say a massive Thank You for today! It's was such an amazing party & Kitty had the best time ever!!!” Sarah 020 8959 1045 or email info@adamantsparties.co.uk www.adamantsparties.co.uk Special 25% discount to midweek parties throughout the summer JuneSeptember.

Blueberry Playsongs Parties Blueberry parties are lively, interactive musical parties for 0 - 5 years. One of their talented entertainers will play guitar and sing songs with joining in, actions, jumping games, dancing and instruments.

Shaky egg maracas, parachute games and a puppet will add to the fun -

perfect for little ones! Mums have said: “Great fun - the children were enraptured!”

“It was just as we’d hoped it would be. The children (and adults) all loved it and the time flew by. Thank you so much!”

“Blueberry is wonderful entertainment for little ones; fun, cheerful and gentle.”

A 45-minute session in London is £115.

020 8677 6871 info@blueberryplaysongs.co.uk

Boo Boo

Recommended by the Evening Standard. Lots of laughter, fun and games, mini disco, balloon modelling, silly juggling, magic tricks and puppet show! www.mr-booboo.co.uk 07961 355 269

Charlie the Clown

Charlie entertains children of all ages and offers a variety of entertainment - clown and magic shows, singing, dancing, games, balloon modelling, story-telling and puppets. Charlie also performs as Captain Bluster the

Pirate, Mr Wiz the Wizard and Squiggle the storyteller. Children are kept busy, happy and entertained throughout the party! www.charlietheclown.co.uk 07808 732 390

Eddie Catz

Fantastic fun for all ages, Eddie Catz in Wimbledon and Putney offer a variety of party packages to suit all ages and budgets. You’ll enjoy playtime in the giant adventure playframe, multi-sports pitch and toddler areas. You get your own private party room, a Party Host who will attend to your guests’ every need, a scrumptious meal with plenty to drink, all rounded up with a visit from Eddie Catz, their furry feline mascot who will bring the goody bags. As well as their popular “Eddie Party” (3-10 ), they throw Toddler Parties for under 3’s, evening Laser Tag parties (6-12 year) and Make a Bear Parties. All parties can be themed to a choice of 10 different popular themes including Frozenthemed party room, Frozen birthday cake. New theme this year is Minions.

To find out more www.eddiecatz.com

FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680

Parties

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Parties Eliza Do A Lot

Packs so much into your child’s party making it the best party in town. A full magic show, interactive storytelling, puppets and dance routines and games, and model balloons for every child to go home with, your party will be the talk of town! Any theme catered for from Elsa from Frozen, Hermione’s distant cousin Eliza the witch, to a fairy princess, Minnie Mouse, pirate and super hero. 07779 271 655 www.pottersparties.co.uk and www.elizadoalot.com

Elves and Ovens

They are currently taking London by storm with a new range of yummy and exciting children’s party boxes. At Elves and Ovens they take their food very seriously, and now are able to take the feeding of all your little ones and their friends just as seriously. 020 8961 7477 hungry@elvesandovens.com

Froggle Parties

Froggle Parties are becoming one of the most popular party companies in the business and are known for their varied and high energy parties!

They have a fantastic reputation for providing a huge range of party options that are fun, lively and thoroughly engaging. Parties range from entertainers, magicians, themes, discos, science parties, bubble parties, baby and toddler activities, clowns, and more. Party shop supplies, balloon decorating, free party invites and even help with finding a venue.

"The kids were completely entertained for the full two hours. They wanted to finish their food so quickly in order to get back to Mr Froggle! Worth every penny – happy kids and completely stress free for me!"

Vicci Anwer, Mum 020 8617 9070 www.froggleparties.com

Allsorts drama for Children

Allsorts offer fantastic original themed drama parties.

“Understanding how important birthday parties are to children, we want them to have the most fabulous party ever! Our parties are always a whirl of excitement, fly to the world of make believe, become a Film star, Magician or Detective. Explore the drama of murder mysteries. The only limit is your imagination!”

020 8767 5298 or 020 8969 3249 www.allsortsdrama.com Allsorts also run term time classes, holiday courses and private tuition.

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Gamb ado

Free cakes for kids, Wandsworth A community run service which helps provide birthday cakes to disadvantaged children. If you are a local mum and want to get involved in the scheme, you could bake or help out with logistics.

020 7801 0591 freecakesforkidswandsworth@ gmail.com www.freecakesforkids.org.uk

Funky Moves

Offers a range of fantastic and super cool dance parties for kids aged 5 and above.

• *NEW* Star Wars Themed Party • Super Hero Academy • Groovy Pop Star Party • Break Dance Super Stars • Funky Disco Fun, friendly, structured, well organised. Inspirational, professional, top quality entertainers.

07810 431101 info@funkymovesdance.com www.funkymovesdance.com

faceFX

Face painting is always really popular at children’s parties. Having painted over 20,000 children, faceFX artists know how to activate children to have fun and embrace their characters with great results.

Also adults face painting and mezmerising masks for masked balls and party events.078 645 645 04 infofacefx@gmail.com www.faceFX.guru

Kiddikicks

The home of epic sports birthday parties for children aged 2 to 12 years in London and the South East.

Themes range from football to hockey to sports day.

020 7937 7965 www.kiddikicks.co.uk

Gambado

Gambado Chelsea is one of UK's great indoor play and party centres and their fantastic birthday parties are fun and hassle free for busy parents. All parties come with an assigned party host to ensure everything runs smoothly, play time on the main frame, hot and cold buffet food, printable invitations, thank you cards and more. The Tiger Tots Party is perfect for cubs 1-4 years with a mix of free and interactive play.

For a party with a mix of ages from 1 up to 12 years old the Tiger Party offers a little more roar with free play including use of the additional facilities available at each site from twirling teacups to bumper cars.

For cuddly cubs, 3 – 12yrs, the Make-A-Bear Party will allow each guest to create their own bear, make a wish star and name their new friend before games. For those between 6–12 years old the Laser Tag Party offers an electrifying lighting combat experience or for kids crazy about NERF the Foam Dart Frenzy provides a little more military action for a party with real punch! Prices start from £10.95 through to £22.95 per head depending on party theme chosen and number of children. www.gambado.com or call their dedicated parties hotline number on 0844 375 9494.

FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680

Parties Little Gym

Fantastic birthday parties at The Little Gym of Wandsworth and Fulham. Children love them and so do parents. Their parties are full of fun gymnastic based games, activities, music and laughter. For all ages and led by their trained staff in their bright and colourful facility.

020 8874 6567 www.thelittlegym.co.uk

Little Part Planne y r

play an active role in the unfolding dramas. Choose from Peter Pan, Aladdin, Batman, Robin Hood, Beauty and the Beast, Pocahontas, Lion King, and many more. New! Discos for teenagers up to 13 years old and Fashion Show Tea Parties.

Recommended by Time Out, Tatler and Vogue.

020 7662 2540. www.lydieparties.com

Richard Pinner

This year, RICHARD PINNER is celebrating 25 years as a professional magician. Not only is he is the Vice President of The Magic Circle, he is also The Magic Circle Stage Magician of the Year.

Richard Pinner has performed his magic at nearly 4,000 birthday parties and brings this enormous wealth of experience to every event. Magic has taken him to over 30 different countries but now, having two young children of his own, he prefers working closer to his home in South West London!

“I was totally bamboozled” – Robbie Coltrane “Richard is amazing. It’s not often I’m speechless.” – Coleen Nolan “He’s the funniest man in the world” – George (aged 5)

Magical Designs For the very best in Face Painting and Balloon modelling Magical Designs provides a excellent face painting and balloon modelling service in and around London.

Whether your event is a small

Magic al Design s

020 7352 3524 www.MagicAndLaughter.co.uk

Little Party Planner

Lydie

A bilingual French and English entertainer who will transform your house or choice of venue into a mini- theatre with her extraordinary props, creating a magical space where the children

birthday party or a large corporate event Magical Designs will bring colour and joy to both young and old.

Contact Susie on 07814 925 462 susiejk38@hotmail.com www.magicaldesigns.co.uk

Mademoiselle Spa

Unique Pamper parties for 5-16yrs olds. Why don’t you pamper your

Silly Millie the Clown

Cont p.22

Planning a party? Look no further than this gorgeous company: they can help with organising your parties with themes like Cinderella, Lego or Circus and more. Or why not hire their bell tent to provide an area to relax, play, eat or to hold an entertainer; tent will be set up and styled accordingly. Homebaked goods, fruit jars, cupcakes. Also do outdoor movies. www.thelittlepartyplanner.com

Clown Pirate Jester Wizard

Parties for 3-9 year olds Funny Magic Show, Puppet’s, Party Games, Silly Songs and Balloon Animals Call 020 7823 8329 - 07939 239397 www.sillymillietheclown.co.uk

www.charlietheclown.co.uk

07808 732 390 Astronaut, Magician, Explorer

Face Painting & Balloon Modelling Contact Susie 07814 925462 www.magicaldesigns.co.uk

Ly d i e

C h i l d r e n’ s Pa r t i e s 0207 622 2540

The Unique Birthday Experience The theatre of Peter Pan, Superheroes, Fairies,Arabian Nights and more...

In your home! Unforgettable Bilingual English/French www.lydieparties.com

June 2015

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Parties Rugby to

even greater emphasis on play & party games for your child and their friends.

"A big thank you to Rugbytots for making my son's 6th birthday party so amazing. Andy was excellent with the children, even managing to keep the naughty ones in check! It was wonderful to see our son's face-he had the most amazing party to date."

0845 481 6444 lorna@rugbytots.co.uk

ts

Samm y Dud er

Sammy Duder little princess with mini spa treatments, make up and manicures? Also available: pyjama parties, proms, sweet 16, Bat Mitzvahs, graduation Parties, girl’s Night in, mum and daughter, sleepovers, tween and teen and all Special Occasions. 07918 172 172 info@mspapamperparties.co.uk www.mspapamperparties.co.uk

My Kid Atelier

Private use of the brand new children's party venue in South West London.

Personalised birthday party themes and decorations, entertainment and unique themed party activities.

At My Kid Atelier, the party team believes that every detail matters!

Amazing educational toys and art materials such as Magna-Tiles, play mats, play foam, sensory bins filled with rice and beans, wooden ride-on horses and vintage cars, dress-up costume corner, Wendy house, soft play area and much more.

Check out their various packages online www.mykidatelier.co.uk 179-181 Dawes Road SW6 7QP 020 3318 5555.

Occasions Pimlico

Occasions is a family-run party shop based in Pimlico a 5 minute walk from Slone Square and Victoria tube stations.

They specialise in all things parties including children’s party entertaining, Face painting, Children and adult fancy dress, popcorn machine hire and not forgetting balloons for every Occasion.

Enjoy 10% off balloons when you book a party www.OccasionsPimlico.co.uk 27 Ebury Bridge Road, SW1W 8QX 0207 730 7088

Perform Parties

Perform Parties are high energy, fun and totally infectious. Choose a theme and watch the guests enjoy lots of lively games, songs and improvisations. There are packages to suit 4-7s and 7-12s, and even the invitations are included.

0845 400 1278 www.perform.org.uk/parties

Silly Millie the clown

A funky clown that kids love to hang out with. She sings, does magic and is very silly. If you would like her to come to your child’s party 020 7823 8329 or 07939 239 397 www.sillymillietheclown.co.uk

Stagecoach

Explore the magical world of "Stagecoach Parties" where they will take your child on a roller coaster ride through their imagination and land them safely back home with some amazing party memories.

Pool Jet Parties

Pool J et

Pool Jet Birthday party is an innovative, but most importantly fun way to spend your child's birthday.

During one hour children can race with pool jets, enjoy obstacle courses and play with floats. The activities are great fun and also have an educational value especially for non-swimmers.

07825 875 067 mk.diving.school@gmail.com

Partie s

Rugbytots

Jam packed with rugby-themed play and party games, Rugbytots birthday parties are suitable for children as young as 2. Parents are encouraged to get involved too, which for many is an added bonus. Rugbytots combines the multiple skills used in rugby, with a fun, enthusiastic and energetic programme designed to enhance your child's social and physical skills. The parties follow a slightly different approach from standard Rugbytots classes, placing

My Kid

Under The Sea Table Decorations

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The Sammy Duder venue was 10 years old last Christmas and has a huge local following. First visits to get your babies prints done have been described as being “as common as your 6 week check up at the doctors.” New products are always being introduced to the already popular range of pottery to paint, clay imprints and silver print jewellery. Frozen birthday parties are the hit of the moment with budding Elsa's. Bring your budding artists for a fun session of pottery painting.

67 Webbs Road London, SW11 6SD 0870 2427881 www.sammyduder.com

Atelie

r

Party shop

New party shop opened by Miss Dee Faced and family catering for all your party needs in and around London.

We have been entertaining at children’s parties for the past 5 years and specialize in balloon decorating so whether you are planning a wedding, christening, birthday or just after a fancy dress costume contact Occasions.

Childrens / Adult Face painting Balloons Popcorn machine hire Fancy Dress ENJOY 10% off balloons when you book a party valid until 30th September 020 7730 7088 laura@occasionspimlico.co.uk www.OccasionsPimlico.co.uk 27 Ebury Bridge Road, Pimlico, SW1W 8QX

FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680

Parties They will come either at your home, if space permits, or to a hired venue. Stagecoach Parties are packed full of fun, lively party entertainment including dramatic games, fabulous songs and fun for everyone. Themed Parties (for ages 4-10yrs) or Murder Mysteries (for ages 11-16yrs) For your local area and to book go to www.stagecoach.co.uk

Theatrebugs

Theatrebugs adventure drama parties for 1-8 years. A Theatrebugs party is an interactive fun filled journey crammed with tasks to be completed, characters to become and different worlds to explore. It is jam packed with storytelling, imaginative play, drama games and good old fashioned fun! Now available—BabyBug Parties for the under 2s: sensory parent and child parties; perfect for any occasion!

“The perfect solution for a party to remember!” Rosie’s mum, Barnes.

Prices start from £142. 0800 975 5290 enquiries@theatrebugs.co.uk www.theatrebugs.co.uk

Tiny Tunes music and dance parties Looking for something different for your 1yr – 5yrs’s special day? Hide under a parachute, shake the shakers, dance with pom poms, meet Mr Tiny, chase the bubbles & sing along to well known children songs & pop songs! Also includes party games, balloon Modelling and

face painting.

07977 585020 party@tinytuneslive.com www.tinytuneslive.com

Tony Macaroni

London’s favourite entertainer. A comic stand up for children.

Presented on BBC children’s TV, "The Untied Shoelaces Show" and "Let’s See". Macaroni’s fun packed parties are for 3 to 11 years old.

Games, dancing, storytelling and Magic and Puppet Shows. Prizes of delicious Macaroni lollipops. Junior Discos with atmospheric flashing lights with dancing competitions as recommended by The Hurlingham Club and by the Brackenbury and Betty Layward primary schools.

"Tony Macaroni not only entertains but engages the minds of children" "Talented and funny, charming and charismatic" 020 8442 0122 or 07765402559 antonio63@hotmail.co.uk

Urban Ascent

Celebrate your birthday at Urban Ascent with a fun filled, exciting afternoon of climbing. They offer a fully instructed climbing party for children aged 5 and up which will have you conquering new heights with your friends. Once everyone is worn out from the climbing you have exclusive use of the chill out area to enjoy some well-deserved cake. They take groups of adventurers of up to 6, 12 or 16 over the weekend.

020 7751 0913 www.urbanascent.co.uk

Paint your own Pottery Studio Baby Footprints and Handprints Birthday Parties 67 Webbs Road, London SW11 6SD 0870 2427881 info@sammyduder.com www.sammyduder.com

June 2015

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FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680

Summer holiday activities listings part 1 Compiled by Joanna Parry We took every care in preparing these entries but sometimes events are cancelled or times changed. Please double check event with the organiser to avoid disappointment.

ARTS AND CRAFTS

Club Petit Pierrot

Across SW London 020 7385 5565, admincpp@btconnect.com www.clubpetitpierrot.co.uk Throughout Summer Holidays.

Fun French Tuition

Petit P ie

rrot

Fun with Fimo

West London.

020 8992 3767. www.funwithfimoclay.co.uk July and Aug dates TBC. Summer Craft Activity Sessions Fun and creative sessions, fully supervised and non-messy! Age 6+, bring a packed lunch. 10.15am4.15pm. £50, book by emailing fimofun@tiscali.co.uk

St Mary The Boltons Church Hall, The Boltons, SW10 9TB. Book online at www.paintpots.co.uk 020 7223 0123. office@paint-pots.co.uk 13th-31st July Art, Craft, Music, Games & Much More.

For children aged 3-6 years: 9.30am-12.30pm, £35 or 9.30am3.30pm, £55. For children aged 18 months - 3 years: 3-4.30pm, £25 (13–16th & 20-23rd July only)

LANGUAGES Et Patati et Patata

Fulham Start Centre and St Andrew’s Church, Fulham SW6. 07966 893674 caroline@etpatatipatata.com www.etpatatipatata.com 20 July-7 August. Fun in French 100% French club, 100% fun. An unforgettable summer of learning – all en francais! French classes, workshops and fun activities, with French dancing and storytelling, ages 3-12, Monday to Friday 9am3pm

June 2015

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020 71019329 www.studiofilmschool.co.uk Broomwood Hall School, 68-74 Nightingale Lane SW12 8NR Summer Film shoot 2015 A week action-packed with fun filmmaking. 5 days to produce a hit summer blockbuster ready for the Red Carpet Premiere cinema event.

13th - 17th July and 27th - 31st July, 10am-4pm. 7-18yrs (in age appropriate groups) Summer Startups Advanced filmmaking programme. Learn production techniques following a professional model and how to edit using Final Cut Pro. 3rd - 14th August 2015, 10am - 4pm,14-18yrs.

Make a Movie Musical!

Learn performance techniques through music, dance and acting for camera, and then put them in practise as you shoot your own music video.

24th - 28th Aug, 10am - 4pm, 7-16yrs.

Acting for Camera week Using games, improvisation and acting exercises, explore the role of the actor in the world of film and TV. 3 - 8 Aug, 10am - 4pm, 7 – 16yrs.

Fun activities (all in French), including songs and rhymes, dances, theatre, role-play, movement games, arts and crafts, puppets…all great fun! Parent and toddler groups and drop-off classes are available too. See website for details of dates and venues, ages and prices

Exchange Theatre

www.echangetheatre.com 020 8403 8560.

46 Oxford Drive, Magdalen Street, SE1 2FB, London Bridge. fanny@echangetheatre.com French and Drama Summer Clubs: Your child wants to act?

And you want them to learn French? Mix it all together! Come do an immersion week with Exchange Theatre. Acting classes in the morning, cultural and drama related fun in the afternoon. From 7 year olds. 27th July to 21st Aug.

Eddie Catz Putney

Little Trees Language Club

Chelsea and Notting Hill 020 3598 0719 www.littletreeslanguageclub.co m/early-immersion-classes/ Little Trees will run lively language

Cont p.26

Paint Pots Summer Fun

Studio Film School

First Floor, 68-70 Putney High Street SW15 1SF. 0203 4755268 eddiecatz.com 10-12 August. Barnes Film Academy Stop Motion Workshop A fun, exciting and stimulating 2-day stop-motion animation course. The course aims to inspire young people through storytelling, character crafting and filmmaking fun. All equipment is provided including laptops, webcams and materials. Ages 8-12, 9am-4pm, £200 for 3 days, includes a free play at Eddie Catz. Bring a packed lunch. To book call Samuel Cullis on 07969 594365 or email info@barnesfilmacademy.com www.barnesfilmacademy.com

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Summer holiday activities listings part 1 classes summer holiday classes from 20th July to 14th Aug. They organise parent & toddler, as well as children groups, in French, Spanish, Italian, German, Russian, Mandarin, Arabic and English as a second language. Courses are delivered by qualified and experienced teachers.

They also run after school and Saturday classes.

MUSIC AND DRAMA Fulham Palace

Bishop’s Avenue SW6 6EA, 020 7736 3233. www.fulhampalace.org 5 July-26 August.

Summer Holiday Activities 5 July The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. The original boywizard story, performed by international award-winning outdoor theatre company Illyria in the Palace’s historic Walled Garden.

2.30pm.

6, 13, 20, 27 July and 3, 10, 17, 24 August The Palace Explorers.

Weekly parent/carer and toddler sessions for children aged 2-4. £3 per child, 10.30am-12pm, includes a drink and healthy snack, booking essential.

17-19 July Much Ado About Nothing Shakespeare’s Globe at Fulham Palace. Shakespeare's ultimate comedy performed by the Globe Theatre on Tour in the Palace’s historic Walled Garden.

7.30pm.

18 July Young Archaeologists’ Club. Did you know that the Holm oak on the main lawn is 500 years old? Imagine the stories it can tell!

During the final session this term for the Young Archaeologists' Club, investigate the important role trees play in archaeological research. Ages 8-16, £15, booking essential, 10.30am-12.15pm.

5, 12, 19 and 26 August The Art Marquee. Join them on the Main

26

Lawn for this drop-in session and try your hand at creating some Georgian crafts. 1-4pm, £2 per child, no booking necessary.

Children must be accompanied by an adult.

9 August The Three Musketeers. All for One and One for All! Alexandre Dumas' classic, swashbuckling tale, performed by international award-winning outdoor theatre company Illyria, is coming to the Palace’s Walled Garden. 5pm.

Little

Gym

Caterpillar Music

Battersea, Fulham, Southfields and Tooting 020 8540 1762 / 07968764301, info@caterpillarmusic.com www.caterpillarmusic.com Throughout June, July and August. Music Classes Fun, stimulating classes using puppets, nursery rhymes, action songs and instruments

Chelsea Quavers "Music in Film"

The Hall of Remembrance, Flood Street, Chelsea SW3 5SY Summer Music Workshops from 13th to 17th July for 4-12yrs.

Children will play together with the orchestra to perform great movie classics from much-loved films. For those that play an instrument - bring it along and perform and improvise with their talented musicians. For those that don't play an instrument they'll find you one!! Other activities include singing, reading and writing music, transcription, composition, musical games and activities and much more!

Funky Monkey Keyboard Classes

Streatham and Battersea 0800 107 7949, mail@funkymonkey.info www.funkymonkey.info 27-31 July and 3-14 August.

Electronic Keyboard Workshops Fun packed one-day taster workshops for beginner musicians aged 4-8, plus 5-day workshops for more experienced children. Read,

write, play music, enjoy art activities and have lots of fun the Funky Monkey way! See website for times and prices

Funky Moves

Oak Lodge School, 101 Nightingale Lane, Wandsworth SW12 8NA 07810 431101 www.funkymovesdance.com 27-31 July. Funky Moves Summer Course Funky and up to date dance routines fusing street and commercial dance with tons of fun and enthusiasm. Art activities and games, plus a fantastic performance for the parents at the end of the course. Ages 5-14, 9.30am12.30pm, £110 early bird booking rate (before June 25th) after June 25th £130 for the course 12 July. Northcote Road Fete Outdoor Funky Moves Taster Session A FREE workshop with the amazing Funky Moves! A taster session to learn some up to date super cool moves, and all the family are welcome to join in. Ages 5+, 33.30pm at Northcote Road, Clapham SW11

Monkey Music

Wandsworth and Tooting 020 8764 5185, wandsworth.tooting@ monkeymusic.co.uk www.monkeymusic.co.uk 4, 6, 11 and 13 August.

Holiday Workshops Keep your little monkeys swinging this summer with these 60-minute holiday workshops, 9.45-10.45am.

Call or email Bronwen Jones to book your place. Monkey Music will also be holding summer workshops

Monk ey Mu sic

at other venues across London over the school holidays. Visit www.monkeymusic.co.uk to find your nearest class

Perform Drama

Across SW London www.perform.org.uk 0845 400 4000 Throughout Summer Holidays.

Summer Holiday Course Perform is back this summer with

FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680

Summer holiday activities listings part 1 an enchanting holiday course for 4-7 year olds. Based on the popular Ice Queen story, the children will go on an amazing adventure guaranteed to fire their imaginations. Whether they’re creating a dazzling ice palace, whooshing downhill on a reindeer sleigh or enjoying singing with a snowman, the energetic team of actors, musicians and dancers will be with them every step of the way

Perfor m Dram a

Stagecoach Battersea

Junior Golf

Bolingbroke Academy, Belleville Road SW11 6BF 07956 288928, Battersea@stagecoach.co.uk www.stagecoach.co.uk/battersea July and August dates TBC. Summer Holiday Workshop Put on a show in just five days. This time, they’re doing Mamma Mia! With a performance for family and friends at the end of the course. 4-6 year olds, 9.30am-12.30pm, £140; 7-15 year olds, 10am-4pm, £175.

Book early as the course fills up fast!

Stagecoach Fulham

Song Academy

• Holy Trinity Church, Brook Green W6 7BL • Upper Mission Hall, Parsons Green SW6 4UH 07710 023743, contact@songacademy.co.uk www.songacademy.co.uk July and August dates TBC. Summer Holiday Workshops Be inspired by professional songwriters and create lyrics, melodies, instrumental parts, dance routines and more. For ages 8-11 and 12-16, dates and prices vary according to venue, sibling discounts available

Try golf for the first time at a junior taster every Sunday 1-2pm, booking essential.

020 8398 8106, Kensington@stagecoach.co.uk www.stagecoach.co.uk/kensington 27-31 July. Summer Workshop An exciting and fun packed four days of singing, dance and drama.

You do not have to be a Stagecoach student and no previous experience is necessary - just lots of enthusiasm and energy. Ages 4-7 and 6-18, see website for dates and times

Stagecoach Wimbledon

The Rutherford Theatre, Wimbledon High School, Mansel Road, Wimbledon SW19 4AB 020 8946 3400, wimbledon@stagecoach.co.uk www.stagecoach.co.uk/wimbledon

27-31 July and 3-7 August.

Put On A Show In 5 Days Put on a musical show in a weeklong course led by top professionals and perform in a theatre at the end of the week to family and friends.

Develop confidence and skills in acting, dancing and singing in a memorable and inspiring week. This year Stagecoach Wimbledon will be putting on the world famous musical Bugsy Malone and a Frozen-themed workshop for the younger performers. Ages 4-16, £115-£195

Theatrebugs

Balham, Barnes, Battersea, Chiswick, Fulham, Kew, Notting Hill and Richmond 0800 975 5290,

Stagecoach Kensington and Chiswick

Addison Primary School, Addison Gardens, Kensington W14

DAYS OUT 6th annual Get Active Wandsworth Festival

Make a note to go to this great day out: Saturday 18th July, taking place at King George’s Park, Wandsworth, SW18 4AZ. The day will be packed out with fun free activities for all ages and abilities to enjoy.

Keep the kids entertained with bouncy castles or kid’s street dance, with circus skills or face painting, while the adults can indulge in some yoga or tai chi, get a health check at the NHS stand or even race the kids to the top of the climbing wall. With over 7000 people attending last year it’s a great event. If you’d like to know more email active@wandsworth.gov.uk or call 020 8871 8154 and remember to GET ACTIVE! www.wandsworth.gov.uk/active

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to inspire and encourage. £153 for a 5-day course, 25% discount for siblings, times and dates vary according to venue

All Saints C of E Primary School, Bishops Avenue SW6 6ED 0845 2025 727, Fulham@stagecoach.co.uk www.stagecoach.co.uk/fulham 27-31 July. Put On A Show In 5 Days Enjoy every enthralling aspect of real live theatre from casting and rehearsing to performing on stage.

After a week of hard work, fun and hands-on learning your little stars will be right up there on stage, putting on a performance for an audience packed with family and friends. The final show will be inspired by some of the West End’s most famous and iconic musicals.

West End Kids - 6-18 years, 9am4pm, £185/£145 siblings, final performance on Friday at 6pm; Little West End Kids - 4-6 years, 9.15am-12.30pm, £145/£125 siblings, final performance on Friday at 1pm

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Summer holiday activities listings part 1 enquiries@theatrebugs.co.uk www.theatrebugs.co.uk 27 July-21 August.

Summer Workshops Enjoy the magic of Theatrebugs not once but twice this summer and experience a whole new adventure each time! Workshops include The Lion and the Mouse and The Underwater Party - 5 fun filled days of acting, singing, dancing, dressing up and arts and crafts. On day five you hit the stage! Ages 3.5-6, from £134, 10% sibling discount. If you

book both courses at the same time you get 25% off the second course.

Times and dates vary according to venue

KiddiK icks

Upbeat Music Courses

Venues in Chelsea and Parsons Green 07816 901396, upbeatmusic@btinternet.com www.upbeatmusiccourses.co.uk 27-31 July.

Summer Holiday Course Sing, dance, guitars, drums, record a

Upbea t Mus ic

For 4-7 yrs: Fun and games, alongside Street, Broadway and Tap workshops, with a sharing of work at the end of the session. Thursday 27th August 2015, 9.45-1.00pm. £30.00. No need for tap shoes!

Spaces are limited so apply for your place now!

act… Creative, Fun, Inspiring, Builds, Confidence!

SPORT

Act Summer Drama Week

New Venue this summer: Broomwood Upper School, 68-74 Nightingale Lane, SW12 8NR. 07976 873161. actdrama@googlemail.com www.actdrama.co.uk 20th- 24th July, 10am-3pm. Cost: £175 (£145 sibling discount). For ages 4-14yrs.

Rehearse and perform a play in a week… A comedy version of Treasure Island & the Mermaids!! Broomwood Upper School is a fantastic venue as it has a great facilities, including beautiful gardens and a small amphitheatre. Be a part of a fantastic play and wow your family and friends, laugh all week long and make new best friends! Lead by professional actors, classes are high energy, fun and inspiring.

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giving students a taste of different dance styles, including Lyrical, Street, Tap and Broadway, culminating in a sharing of work at the end of day two. 25th & 26th August 2015, 9.45-2.00pm. £70.00

CD and perform! 10am-4pm, ages 4-13, see website for prices

DANCE BE.Dance

07545 697352 becca@bedance.co.uk or amy@bedance.co.uk Alderbrook Primary School, Balham For 8-16 yrs: Two days of dance,

Central London Golf Centre Burntwood Lane SW17 0AT 020 8871 2468, juniorgolf@clgc.co.uk www.clgc.co.uk 6 July-4 September.

Summer Holiday Golf Camps What better way to spend the holidays than improving your golf with an array of skills challenges,

FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680

Summer holiday activities listings part 1 Villa Radicata —

your perfect Italian family rental home

Stage co Kensin ach gton

Chelsea FC Soccer School

Venues across SW London 020 7957 8220 londondevelopment @chelseafc.com / soccerschools@chelseafc.com www.chelseafc.com/foundation Throughout Summer Holidays.

London Soccer School For boys and girls aged 3-13. Times vary according to course, from £30

Fulham FC Foundation

Venues in Fulham 0870 442 5432, holidaycourses@fulhamfc.com www.fulhamfc.com Throughout Summer Holidays.

Holiday Courses Holiday courses for all abilities in a fun and challenging environment.

3-5yrs, 9-11am, 6-14 yrs, 9am3pm, from £15 per day

Kiddikicks

Across South West London 020 7937 7965, sarah@kiddikicks.co.uk www.kiddikicks.couk Throughout Summer Holidays.

Holiday Sessions

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competitions and tasks? Includes golf coaching, daily fun competitions and prizes. For children of all levels, £30 per half day 9am-12pm, £40 per full day 9am–3pm, bring a packed lunch

The area called La Valtiberina, on the eastern edge of Tuscany, is an attractive hilly landscape with woods of chestnut trees, olive groves and fields of sunflowers. It offers an image of a Tuscany still barely touched by mass tourism, yet full of medieval and renaissance art treasures. In this area were born two of the greatest Italian renaissance artists: Piero della Francesca and Michelangelo.

Villa Radicata, surrounded by private, terraced grounds, with a marvelous panorama of the lake Montedoglio and of the hills around it, has absolute privacy and peace and quiet. This attractive stone farmhouse has been renovated to perfection, with ample external areas furnished for relaxing and dining outside. There is a courtyard, a pergola with BBQ area and wood-burning oven for bread and pizza, a terrace and, on the highest level, a nice furnished and fenced swimming-pool (12x5m).

This is an ideal place for a holiday in natural surroundings, for walking, bike-rides, or trips to the art towns, in an atmosphere of total relaxation.

La Radicata is close to Assisi, Cortone, Florence, Siena, Arezzo and the designer shopping outlets.

It is the perfect family holiday home with plenty of toys, books, games, mountain bikes, beautiful pool and garden and the possibility of spa treatments, yoga, babysitter and cooking lessons. Yoga, cooking and family fitness breaks also available throughout the year. The house sleeps 10.

Special offer for families - 10% discount and complimentary first night dinner. See www.holiday-villa-in-tuscany.com 07785 571292.

Nurturing and developing young people's potential through dance, drama and singing.

For 4-18 year olds, after school, at weekends and holiday workshops.

Stagecoach Schools enrolling now Battersea Fulham Merton Park & Tooting Putney Wimbledon www.stagecoach.co.uk

June 2015

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020 8946 0845 202 020 8942 0845 265 020 8946

2986 5727 3502 7050 3400

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Summer holiday activities listings part 1 Kiddikicks (football 18m to 5 years) Kiddisports (multi-sport 18m to 5 years) and Ligasoccer (football Under 8’s) sessions run throughout the holidays. Or arrange a bespoke session (1 to 3 hours) for your player and their friends: pick your sport and they’ll provide the coach, equipment and place

The Little Gym

Unit 8, Compass House, Smugglers Way SW18 1DB 0208 864 6567, wandsworth.fulham@thelittlegym.eu www.thelittlegym.co.uk/wandsw orthfulham 20 July-30 August.

Summer Holiday Fun

Let your child hop, skip and jump at these ever popular Summer Camps.

The 3-hour OFSTED approved camps for over 3s build gymnastic skills and develop confidence while the kids have loads of FUN. Please call for timings and to book a camp

SwimWay

East Sheen, Putney, Streatham and Wimbledon 020 8871 3972, info@swimway.co.uk www.swimway.co.uk 20 July-7 August.

Swimming Courses Intensive crash courses to improve your child’s swimming technique, on a private or semi-private basis.

FOR HIGH ACHIEVING PUPILS Unique Summer Course for character development

Role Models is running a unique course from July 27th-31st for Years 5 & 6 at the Chelsea Academy School, Lots Road, London, SW10 0AB. It will combine core competencies looked for by the top selective schools with a more general focus on growth mindset, encouraging children to embrace challenges and learn from feedback.

The week will involve a series of challenges, team building exercises, public speaking, debating and active learning tasks, which will provide each child with an armoury with which they can build their confidence and solve most problems thrown their way. It will be led by a number of Role Models’ finest. With professional sportsmen and women, actors, musicians and academics, it will also be fun!

Phoebe Paskin Orr (phoebe@rolemodels.me / 07984 738283). www.rolemodels.me/summer-resilience-course/

Courses run for half an hour each day on a first come first served basis so book early to avoid disappointment. 3-9yrs, dates and times dependent on venue

All Sta r Tennis

Youngstars Multi-Sports and Activity Camp

Balham, Clapham, Dulwich, Parsons Green, Putney and Wimbledon 07920 426499, info@youngstars.co.uk www.young-stars.co.uk 20 July to 28 Aug. Summer Holiday Camps Fun, games and excitement whilst being introduced to all aspects of sports, in an all inclusive and non-competitive environment. 3-7 years, times and prices vary so check website for details of your nearest camp

All Star Tennis

Everyone can enjoy tennis. With Wimbledon in our sights and Andy Murray feeling ready from winning his first clay court title, tennis in the UK is about to experience its annual moment in the spotlight. In Wandsworth Borough we are fortunate enough to have a year round tennis buzz and some quality opportunities to play on our doorstep. In 1999 All Star Tennis was established with a simple mission to be welcoming, professional and affordable Commons and Parks tennis facilitators with a passion for making tennis fun.

“Tennis struggles to shake the elitist image of expensive members-only clubs but we couldn’t be further from that” Ben White, co-founder of All Star Tennis explains how their programme was developed to ensure that everybody has the opportunity to enjoy tennis in a fun and relaxed environment.

Having expanded 2 years ago to run five additional locations All Star Tennis is enjoying spreading their

tennis philosophy. “Last year alone we saw an increase of 33% of juniors participating in our coaching programme and just under that for adults. We’ve seen an increase in parents and grandparents accompanying our junior players.

Whether they participate with the toddler and adult classes, watch and encouraging their older children during coaching or book a court and have a hit/game with them. This year we’ve introduced Teen Holiday Tennis Camps. Teenagers wanted to be challenged further and were willing to work hard to improve. During the camps they not only get excellent tennis coaching but also guidance on nutrition and learn about sports science.”

Of course it’s not all about the children. They offer a range of tennis activities for adults. Their popular adult group coaching sessions have grown in number and their one-off cardio and social tennis sessions are becoming busier, as people opt for these outdoor fun sessions instead of being indoors in a gym.

Introduced this year is a series of one-off adult workshops for beginners and some for more experienced players who want to tweak their game.

Book courts, courses and camps online. To take advantage of discounts, priority advanced bookings, cheaper court hire and free off-peak weekday courts then do sign up to their Member Plus.

020 8871 4706 info@allstartennis.co.uk Venues: Furzedown Rec, Wandsworth; King George’s Park, Wandsworth; Leaders Gardens, Putney; Tooting Bec Common; Wandsworth Common and Wandsworth Park.

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FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680

Specialist pet transportation service for Europe and the UK. 0207 354 5131, info@ept-uk.co.uk, www.ept-uk.co.uk

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What’s On

See more events in our online What’s On calendar

The Cambridge Theatre Seven Dials, 32-34 Earlham Street WC2H 9HU uk.matildathemusical.com Matilda The Musical Inspired by the twisted genius of Roald Dahl, Matilda revels in the anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination and the inspiring story of a girl who dares to change her destiny Throughout June

Chickenshed Kensington and Chelsea Chelsea Theatre, 7 Worlds Ends Place SW10 0DR chickenshed.org.uk The Tempestuous Tale of Prospera and her Island Set on a remote island somewhere off the coast of Britain, inhabited by an insular and extraordinary community of characters, this is a dark comedy drawing from contemporary film and television programmes such as The Wicker Man, The League of Gentleman and Shameless.

Age 11+, 7pm, £8/£5 3-4 July Seven Seeds at The Royal Albert Hall Chickenshed Kensington and Chelsea's Youth Theatre joins over 900 young performers in a concert at the Royal Albert Hall. Seven Seeds, based on the Persephone Myth, is an original mass vocal piece composed by John Barber with lyricist Hazel Gould from the Aurora Orchestra.

Age 8+ 23 June

The Little Angel Theatre 14 Dagmar Passage, Cross Street N1 2DN www.littleangeltheatre.com The Paper Dolls When a little girl cuts out a string of paper dolls she takes them by the hand and together they go on a fantastical adventure whirling through their home and garden. Ticky, Tacky, Jackie the Backie,

LOVES!

66 Royal Hospital Road SW3 4HS 020 7352 5646 www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk Tucked away beside the Thames, Chelsea Physic Garden is a wonderful day out for all the family.

Founded in 1673 by the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries to study the medicinal qualities of plants, it soon became one of the most important centres of botany and plant exchange in the world. Today, the Garden is a true celebration of the beauty and importance of plants, and relies on the support of visitors to help protect and nurture them for future generations.

Picture credit Charlie Hopkinson

Drama

Chelsea Physic Garden

Why not sign up for one of their family activity sessions where you can get creative and have fun? Explore the world of minibeasts, or learn how to take brilliant photos of the Garden. Come along to a Drop-in Family Activity Day (free with entry to the garden), based on different themes reflecting the changing seasons. And don’t miss out on their wide range of family workshops, holiday camps and Sunday Fun-Days - choose from Puppetry In Motion and design garden-inspired creatures, make your own chocolate in Chocolate Tuesdays, or discover the diverse world of animals with Vic Taylor from Mynewt Enterprises and his marvellous menagerie including a hissing cockroach, giant millipede and Mr. Jelly Belly the tree frog in Creepy Crawling. A great way to fill the long summer break!

If you don’t fancy an organised workshop, the Points of Interest trail for children will keep everyone entertained as you go around the Garden, in this truly living museum.

Admission £9 adults, £6 children, under 5s free, ages and prices for workshops vary.

Jim with two noses and Jo with the bow fly through time and tear across worlds of fun and excitement To 28 June The Three Pigs A sty full of stories and song. The Three Little Pigs, Susannah the Fanciful Sow and The Old Woman and her Pig are all brought to life with the amazing ingenuity and formidable storytelling skills of Rod Burnett and Storybox Theatre. This porcine show will send magic tingling up the spines of piglets, sows and boars of all ages!

1-5 July SuperMonkey Puppets with music, songs and poems by Michael Rosen about the monkey who is not scared of anything, can ride on a cloud and can do magic.

An intimate show, telling the same story as Puppet Craft’s bigger Monkey show, but specially made for 3 to 5 year olds 7-12 July

Lyric Hammersmith Lyric Square, Kings Street W6 0QL www.lyric.co.uk The Adventure An interactive mystery promenade performance for 7–13 year olds that will take audience members backstage. When a famous scientist is abducted it takes his two children, their best friend, an incompetent storyteller and audience members to rescue him. 11am and 1pm To 6 June

345 is proud to be entering its 32nd year as an independent nursery school where 'children become independent, inquisitive and motivated in a rich and vibrant environment' (Ofsted).

An exceptionally warm welcome and a very large outdoor space awaits every child. We also have Music, Sport and Spanish plus Playball, Relax Kids and Ballet in afternoon clubs.

Please do visit us to capture some of the children's excitement in learning.

Contact: Annabel Dixon 345nurseryschoolwandsworth@gmail.com www.345 nurseryschool.co.uk 020 8870 8441 Fitzhugh Grove, Trinity Road, London SW18 3NH

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We took every care in preparing these entries but sometimes events are cancelled or times changed. Please double check event with the organiser to avoid disappointment.

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Families ‘top five’ this month This month we have chosen our favourite family shows to fill those long June evenings. Book now and don’t miss out!

1

Bugsy Malone - Lyr ic Hammersmith Photo by David Ell is

Chickenshed Kensington and Chelsea Chelsea Theatre, 7 Worlds Ends Place SW10 0DR chickenshed.org.uk Alice in Wonderland Fall down the rabbit hole this summer and journey into Wonderland with Chickenshed’s original twist on Lewis Carroll’s classic tale. Follow Alice as she meets old characters who take on a new life with Chickenshed’s Children’s Theatre 2 group, from the jazzy Cheshire Cats, to the zen Caterpillars, the Cockney Cards and the fierce Queen of Hearts. Come along for some raucous fun and watch as things get curiouser and curiouser.

Ages 5+, 7pm, £8/£5 30 June to 1 July

Colour House Theatre

Lyric Hammersmith

3

Merton Abbey Mills, Merantun Way SW19 2RD www.colourhousetheatre.co.uk Alice in Wonderland And if you love Alice as much as we do, there is another version of the classic tale in town! Alice disappears down that famous rabbit hole at the Colour House Theatre this time, for some truly mad adventures in the strange and magical world of Wonderland. A new musical adaptation of this famous tale, promising to be a true classic for the whole family to enjoy. Ages 3+, 2pm and 4pm, £8-£10 Every Saturday and Sunday to 28 June

The Polka Theatre

4

2

Lyric Square, Kings Street W6 0QL www.lyric.co.uk Bugsy Malone Get your splurge guns at the ready as Alan Parker’s world famous musical Bugsy Malone hits London! Join Bugsy, Blousey and Tallulah for an unforgettable theatrical experience as Fat Sam’s Grand Slam comes to Hammersmith to reopen the Lyric after a multi-million pound redevelopment. Olivier award-winning director Sean Holmes brings to life the first professional production in over a decade with a cast of exciting young talent. Age 6+, from £15, 2.30pm and 7.30pm To 1 August

240 The Broadway, Wimbledon SW19 1SB polkatheatre.com Puss in Boots Would you trust a talking cat?

You never know, he might turn you into royalty just like the hero of Puss in Boots, brought to vivid life by Patrick Lynch from CBeebies. With smoke and mirrors discover how this sure-footed feline fools both the King and the Ogre to put his master at the top. With a host of puppets, a windmill and an avalanche of fruit and nuts, you can’t miss this classic furry tail! Age 4-8, £13.50/£10 17-28 June

Summer Fair Battersea Reach

5

12th July, 12pm - 5pm.

Battersea Reach, Juniper Drive, SW18 1TX,

by Wandsworth Bridge Road.

This promises to be a really fun day out by the river, with lots and lots of entertainment and things to do: there will be a petting farm, alpacas to stroke, amazing birds of prey, a hog roast, lots of lovely food stalls for children and adults, face painting, a cup cake bar and much more.

Dawmouse Montessori Nursery School “To assist a child we must provide him with an environment which will able him to develop freely” Maria Montessori

Celebrating 20 years of excellence in Montessori teaching Come and visit one of our two Dawmouse Montessori Nursery Schools in Fulham and discover why we have enjoyed such a long period of success teaching children from 2yrs to 5yrs in their early years education.

To learn more about us just visit our new web site at www.dawmouse.co.uk or email miss.emma@dawmouse.com

www.dawmouse.co.uk

Tel: 020 83989294

Passionate about teaching and learning

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What’s On

There's no room to list more here, but use our unique local searchable What’s On calendar on FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

New Wimbledon Theatre

The St James Theatre

The Broadway, Wimbledon SW19 1QG atgtickets.com/venues/new-wimbledontheatre Spamalot This legendary tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table features a bevy (or possibly a brace) of beautiful show girls, witch burnings (cancelled due to health and safety) not to mention cows, killer rabbits and French people. From £13.40 8-13 June

12 Palace Street SW1E 5JA www.stjamestheatre.co.uk The Dreamers With original words and music

by James Beeny and Gina Georgio, this new musical tells the true story of war hero Captain David 'Reggie' Salomons who led his regiment Third Field Company to Gallipoli in 1915 From 30 June

The Unicorn Theatre

The 02 Peninsula Square SE10 0DX www.NightGardenLive.com In The Night Garden Live This summer, the world's only In the Night Garden Live Showdome returns. See Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy and Makka Pakka brought to life with beautiful costumes, magical puppets, enchanting music and breathtaking projections. From £14.50 To 13 June

The Polka Theatre 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon SW19 1SB polkatheatre.com The Bockety World of Henry and Bucket Henry and Bucket are best pals, although sometimes you wouldn’t think so. But as long as these two friends are together, transforming their rusty, dusty, battered and bockety world into a place of wonder, their adventures can take them anywhere. £13.50/£10 10-14 June Circles in the Sand An intimate, imaginative and captivating play for the very young. Join a world of buckets, castle building, spinning and tumbling in this delightful show for under 3s. Ages 0-3, £11.50/£9 17-21 June Dot, Squiggle and Rest What will you discover at the bottom of the garden? Meet a singing box and a dancing prism, follow footprints along a twisting path and find creatures that wiggle and squiggle. Join in a playful adventure as a fantastical garden becomes a miniature universe of dots, squiggles and shapes of all different shapes and sizes. £11.50/£9 26 June-16 August This summer, Polka Theatre’s sell-out show Gorilla returns in a staging for ages 4- 7, from 17 July-16 August. Written by former Children’s Laureate Anthony Browne, this illustrated favourite comes to life with puppetry, songs and a sprinkling of Polka magic. Children ages 2 – 4 can

Gorilla at The Polka Theatre join Polka for a playful adventure in a fantastical garden in Dot, Squiggle and Rest, a vibrant collaboration with the Royal Opera House that combines live music, puppetry and digital arts to draw young audiences into a world of music, movement, dance and play. Running 26 June – 16 August. To book: 020 8543 4888 or visit www.polkatheatre.com

Putney Arts Theatre Ravenna Road SW15 6AW www.putneyartstheatre.org.uk Pride and Prejudice The Bennet sisters are caught up in a whirlwind of romantic possibilities.

While Elizabeth takes an instant dislike to the arrogant and conceited Mr Darcy, her sister Jane falls for his friend Bingley, leading to heartache and disappointment. First seen at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre in 2013. 7.45pm and Saturday matinée 3pm, £12/£8 23-27 June

The Royal Albert Hall Kensington Gore SW7 2AP www.royalalberthall.com Storytelling and Music Sessions A series of sessions for babies and toddlers to engage and encourage interaction between parents/carers and their little ones using musical instruments, singing, movement and stories. Ages 0-4. 10am and 11.30am, £4 Every Wednesday in June

Southbank Centre Belvedere Road SE1 8PX www.southbankcentre.co.uk Circus Geeks: Beta Testing Three jugglers share their obsession with throwing and catching through theatre, comedy and circus skills. From £10 To 21 June

147 Tooley Street SE1 2HZ www.unicorntheatre.com Up Club Join the Unicorn play club every Saturday. Take part in free activities from rocket building to portrait painting, giant Jenga tournaments, cake decorating and lots more. 12noon-1.30pm Every Saturday in June One Little Word Two characters play together, exploring new space, objects, dressing up and taking turns. But there’s a bit of a struggle when one of them wants to be the only captain of the ship. From £10 6-21 June Ancient Mechanicals This hands-on exhibition fuses science, history and invention and will delight, inform and entertain in equal measure. £3 child/£5 adult + child 29 June to 4 July

Museums & Galleries See more events in our online What’s On calendar

The Florence Nightingale Museum 2 Lambeth Palace Road SE1 7EW www.florence-nightingale.co.uk Miss Nightingale Said An illustrated talk given by one of the museum’s curatorial team examining the incredible life and achievements of Florence Nightingale. 3.30pm, £5.80/£4.80 Every Wednesday in June

Throughout South West London

Mummy & Me Ballet, Baby Ballet, Tiny Tap, Mini Movers Hip Hop, Didi Drama & Singing

16 months - 5 years

07801 886101 info@thepetiteperformers.com www.thepetiteperformers.com 34

FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680

What’s On UCL, University Street WC1E 6DE www.ucl.ac.uk Strange Creatures: The Art of Unknown Animals When new regions are explored and the animals in them discovered, how does the wider world get to experience them? 1-5pm Throughout June FREE

Imperial War Museum Lambeth Road SE1 6HZ www.iwm.org.uk Fashion on the Ration - 1940s Street Style Explore how fashion survived under the strict rules of rationing during the Second World War in new and unexpected ways. £10/£5 To 31 August Introduction to the Holocaust A free discussion and replica object handling session, designed as useful starting point for families who wish to learn about the Holocaust.

Suitable for children aged 11 and above but please note that the Holocaust Exhibition is recommended for children aged 14 and above.

11.30am and 2.30pm 20-21 June FREE Object Conversations Explore objects from the collections and see how they connect with iconic objects on display in the Terraced Galleries. Feel the weight of a shrapnel piece from the First World War and come to grips with real objects from the museum's collections. 11am-12.30pm and 2-4pm Every Sunday from 10 August FREE

Against Captain's Orders An exhibit for 6-12 year olds and their families, taking audience members on the adventure of a lifetime through the National Maritime Museum’s extraordinary collection of maritime artefacts.

Exciting, enlightening and perhaps just a tiny bit dangerous, the event promises a theatrical journey through the museum, the like of which has never been seen before. £19.75 To 31 August

Thomas Heatherwick’s cutting edge design and the unforgettable moment it was revealed to the world during the Olympic opening ceremony Throughout June FREE Museum Explored Join one of the Museum's hosts and explore the galleries through fun, hands-on activities. 11am and 2pm Every Sunday in June FREE

The National Gallery

Natural History Museum

Trafalgar Square WC2N 5DN www.nationalgallery.org.uk Family Tour A themed journey through the collection where gallery staff will walk, talk and bring paintings alive. For all ages, 12.30–1.30pm 7 June Welcome Wednesdays Bring paintings to life through interactive music, storytelling, art, and messy play activities especially designed for little walkers and their grown-ups. Suitable for sitting babies up to toddlers. 10.30am, 11.30am and 1pm Every Wednesday in June Magic Carpet Storytelling For children aged 2-5. Fly away on the magic carpet, coming to land in front of a different painting each day. 10.30-11am and 11.30am–12pm Every Sunday in June

Cromwell Road SW7 5BD www.nhm.ac.uk Wildlife Photographer of the Year Combining the extraordinary work of talented professionals and gifted amateur photographers from around the globe to showcase the beauty, magnificence and diversity of life on our planet.

From £5 Throughout June Dino Snores Discover what really happens at the Museum when the staff and visitors have gone home. Ages 7–11, 7pm, ends 9.50am the following day. £60/£54 members 13 June Lates Visit the Museum after hours and experience London’s most unique Friday night out. 6-10.30pm 6 June Sensational Butterflies Wander through a tropical enclosure full of these beautiful creatures. Discover the science behind them and their amazing life cycles as they evolve from crawling caterpillars into beautiful butterflies. £4.95/family £16.95 Throughout June Coral Reefs: Secret Cities of the Sea Plunge into spectacular seascapes and explore the richness of life beneath the waves at the Museum’s exciting new exhibition on coral reefs. £12.60/£6.30 Throughout June

National Maritime Museum Park Row, Greenwich SE10 9NF www.rmg.co.uk

Covent Garden Piazza WC2E 7BB www.ltmuseum.co.uk London Places & Spaces The Prize for Illustration 2015: London Places & Spaces exhibition will display 100 illustrations that capture a variety of aspects of London’s unique character and qualities To 6 September Mr Men in London Mr Men and Little Miss family fun activities for all the family 6-7 June

The Museum Of London London Wall EC2Y 5HN www.museumoflondon.org.uk The London 2012 Cauldron A new home for the London 2012 Cauldron tells the story of this iconic symbol of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The exhibition celebrates

©National Maritime Museum, London

London Transport Museum

Science Museum Exhibition Road, South Kensington SW7 2DD sciencemuseum.org.uk Cosmonauts: Birth of the Space Age For the first time in the UK, the remarkable story of Russian scientific and technological ingenuity that kick-started the space age will be explored in a landmark new exhibition at the Science Museum. Age 8+, charges apply Throughout June

Our skilled staff prepare children aged 2­5 years for their next school and start them on a journey of life­long learning.

Incorporating art, cooking, music, sport, drama and all aspects of the Early Years Curriculum. Please arrange a visit to see the learning and excitement in action. www.oaktreenurseryschool.com Ramsden Hall, 21 Ramsden Road, SW12 8QX Tel: 020 8166 5932

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Grant Museum of Zoology

There's no room to list more here, but use our unique local searchable What’s On calendar on FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

What’s On

Cutty Sark King William Walk, Greenwich SE10 9HT www.rmg.co.uk/cuttysark Hawk Talk Join Norman the hawk on the main deck of the Cutty Sark and find out how he helps look after the ship and her rigging. 10am-12noon 1-29 June The Great Wave Help recreate a huge wave that crashed over Cutty Sark in June 1881. Add hand-print splashes to a giant collage and watch the wave grow. This event is also celebrating World Ocean Day. 11.30am-1.30pm and 2-5pm 6-7 June

Firepower Royal Artillery Museum

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Abbeville Fete

V&A Museum of Childhood Cambridge Heath Road E2 9PA www.museumofchildhood.org.uk It's My Party...

Taking a look at children's birthday parties from the perspective of both children and parents. The centrepiece is a life-sized installation telling the story of a party thrown for Wilfred, a shy resident of the Museum Throughout June FREE The Alice Look Get a whole new view of Lewis Carroll’s heroine in this display marking the 150th anniversary of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Follow Alice’s evolution from follower-of-fashion to trend-setter through a selection of garments, photographs and rare editions Throughout June FREE It's Your Story Too Enjoy live performances, theatre, workshops and art installations celebrating the contributions of refugees and migrants to the UK. Drop in, 10am4.30pm 20 June FREE

Wandsworth Museum 38 West Hill SW18 1RX www.wandsworthmuseum.co.uk Toddler Time Travel Workshops for ages 6 months to 4 years

exploring Wandsworth’s unique history from the time of hunter gathers to the present day through songs, stories, making, object handling and creative play. 10am-12pm, £5 for 1st child, £3 siblings Every Thursday in June

Days Out See more events in our online What’s On calendar

Brixton Windmill Windmill Gardens, end of Blenheim Gardens SW2 5EU www.brixtonwindmill.org Windmill Tours Visit the 'two mills in one' and hear the intriguing story of the Ashby family. You will see the original wind-powered machinery and find out how it was once used to make stone ground flour. Booking required Every weekend in June

Chelsea Physic Garden 66 Royal Hospital Road SW3 4HS chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk Drop-in Family Activities An assortment of drop-in activities for families. Free with entry to the garden 14 June

Royal Arsenal, Woolwich SE18 6ST www.firepower.org.uk In Their Own Words A new exhibition about the Great War bringing to life artillerymen of different nations, through extracts from their diaries, letters home and photographs Throughout June Rocket Week Blast off your summer with a fun packed Rocket Week. 11am-1pm and 2-4pm, £4.50 28-31 July

HMS Belfast The Queen's Walk SE1 2JH www.iwm.org.uk/visits/hms-belfast Tattoo T-Shirts Impress your friends and family by designing your very own t-shirt, inspired by traditional Navy tattoos, and the sailor legend of Davy Jones's Locker. 11am–12.30pm and 2pm–4pm, admission fees apply Every weekend from 27 June

The Royal Observatory Greenwich Blackheath Avenue SE10 9NF www.rmg.co.uk/visit Summer Solstice Day Celebrate the Summer Solstice at this day of events focusing on the sun.

Look at the Sun through solar telescopes and join in workshops on solar astrophotography. 1-4pm 21 June

Tuesday Tutors • We coach children for state and independent school and entry tests: VR, NVR, English, Maths and interview preparation.

• We are also happy to offer Maths and English support for children in school, and Home Education.

• NEW- a dedicated Maths tutor up to A Level available for home-visits in central London Tuesday Tutors has placed many children in top state and private schools. It is advisable to contact us early, as high demand may mean that your child will be placed on our waiting list.

Experienced tutors welcome Tel: 020 7735 8268

07906 312541

tuesdaytutors@hotmail.co.uk tuesdaytutors.com

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FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680

What’s On

Please send info for consideration to: whatson@familiessouthwest.co.uk

See more events in our online What’s On calendar

Birdworld Holt Pound, Farnham, Surrey GU10 4LD birdworld.co.uk Father’s Day Paper Plane Competition In celebration of Fathers Day Birdworld once again holds their popular paper plane competition. Great prizes for the furthest distance flown 21 June

Diary dates & events See more events in our online What’s On calendar

Hever Castle & Gardens

NCT Kensington And Chelsea

Nr Edenbridge, Kent TN8 7NG www.hevercastle.co.uk Hever’s Home Front: Wartime Britain Step back to the 1940’s for a weekend of nostalgia.

‘Hever’s Home Front: Wartime Britain’ shows what life was like in Kent during the Second World War when the Battle of Britain was fought overhead 13-14 June

www.nct.org.uk/branches/kensin gton-chelsea NCT Kensington And Chelsea Meet Up Gambado Chelsea, 7 Townmead Road SW6 2PY A great opportunity to meet other mums with babies under 1. 9.3011am, £1, show your NCT card to get in Every Wednesday in June

Morden Hall Park

French Coffee Morning

Morden Hall Road SM4 5JD www.nationaltrust.org.uk/morde n-hall-park Summer Garden Party Wander around an array of artisan food stalls and be tempted by the delicious treats on offer. Stop and watch one of the many cookery demonstrations or entertain the little ones with vintage games and rides. 11am-5pm, £4 27-28 June

RHS Garden Wisley Woking, Surrey GU23 6QB www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley Challenge Dad on Father’s Weekend Celebrate Father’s weekend in the garden by getting messy and making your own seeded paper in different shapes. 10.30am12.30pm and 1.30-4.30pm 20-21 June

Sissinghurst Castle Biddenden Road, Sissinghurst, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 2AB www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sissing hurst-castle-garden Outdoor theatre - Pride and Prejudice Booking Essential, 7pm, £15/£8 13 June

Winkworth Arboretum Hascombe Road, Godalming GU8 4AD

June 2015

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Contact Teresa at info@leclubtricolore or 020 7924 4649 / 07889 967003 Every Wednesday morning in June Get together ‘between the Commons’ for coffee and to speak French for an hour. Lively discussions on a topic (articles are distributed in advance) and a great opportunity to practise your French

Royal Opera House WC2E 9DD www.roh.org.uk Every Sunday in June.

Family Sundays A regular event for families to explore the Royal Opera House, its artists and the world of opera and ballet. Packed full of creative and practical activities for all the family including informal performances from Royal Ballet dancers, plus interactive singing and dance activities. 12–4pm, £5 adults, £3 children

NCT Wimbledon & Wandsworth www.nct.org.uk/branches/Wimbl edon Coffee, Me and Baby. Every other Wednesday in June, 2pm onwards at The Old Frizzle, Wimbledon. Come along and meet new and expectant mums in the area over a relaxing cup of coffee

National Theatre Fun days Breastfeeding Drop-in. Every Thursday in June, 10am–12pm, Gooseberry Bush Café (upstairs studio), Wimbledon SW19 1LT

Gambado Chelsea toddler time Minion Madness Every Wednesday and Thursday at 11am throughout June. Expect a medley of activities from Minion

Bowling through to Minion Cake Making! Ample time to let them run off steam on the main frame too. £8 non-members and £5 for members.

Please book in advance through www.gambado.com/chelsea or visit the Facebook page.

Dulwich Picture Gallery

SE21 7AD dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk First and last Sunday in June.

Family Sundays Enjoy being creative together in these drop-in Artplay sessions, making everything from bunting to block prints. 2.10pm and 3.10pm, no booking necessary, free for families with a Gallery ticket or £3 per child

Warner Bros Studio Tour Studio Tour Drive, Leavesden WD25 7LR www.wbstudiotour.co.uk This June, visit the original Hogwarts Express steam engine in a recreation of Platform 9 ¾ at The Making of Harry Potter, and get a glimpse into how some of the films’ most iconic scenes were created.

Climb aboard the train’s carriage

and pose with a luggage trolley as it disappears through the platform wall. Entrance included in ticket price Throughout June

Fulham Palace SW6 6EA fulhampalace.org Every Monday in June.

The Palace Explorers For children aged 2-4. £3 per child, which includes a drink and healthy snack. Booking essential, 10.30am12pm 20 June. Little Green Fingers Gardening Session Learn how vegetables and flowers grow and have a go at seed sowing in the garden beds. Suitable for ages 4+, £2 per child, booking essential, 10.30am-12pm 21 June. Edwardian Garden Party The Bishops of London were well known for holding garden parties at Fulham Palace. Join them for their annual Edwardian Garden Party on the Main Lawn for a day of family fun including music, crafts, games and dressing up. Free, no booking necessary, 1pm-4pm

In The Night Garden Live www.NightGardenLive.com An amazing musical theatre experience for all the family.

Children’s favourite CBeebies’ stars Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy, Makka Pakka and friends - are all brought to life on stage using full-size costumes, magical puppets, enchanting music and breathtaking projections. Book online or at the box office 0333 300 0023, £12.50-£33 Live Quarter at The O2, to 13 June Richmond Old Deer Park, 20 June-4 July

National Theatre SE1 9PX www.nationaltheatre.org.uk National Theatre Family Days Discover the skills and secrets behind productions at the National Theatre, have a go at designing a costume or making a prop, and meet some of the team who work

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Out of town

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/winkw orth-arboretum Father’s Day Have-a-go Archery Come and "loose" a few arrows with Dad. Fathers get in free when accompanied by their children.

11am-4pm, admission + £2 for 6 arrows 21 June

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There's no room to list more here, but use our unique local searchable What’s On calendar on FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

What’s On

Fulham FC coffee morning 10am–12pm at Cafe at the Cottage, Fulham Football Club, Stevenage Road SW6 6HH. Join Debs if you’re new to the area, starting to get out with your baby or just need an excuse for a welldeserved cup of coffee 10 and 24 June. Putney new mums' group 10.30am–12.30pm at Tried and True Cafe, Upper Richmond Road SW15 6SP. Contact sophie.bartholomew@gmail.com

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Hyde Park buggy push behind the scenes to bring NT productions to life. Includes Beauty and the Beast: Devise and Perform work with a director to create a character and perform a brand new version of this popular traditional tale, 11am–12.30pm, £5/£3, book in advance. Beauty and the Beast: Set Design - visit the Duffield Studio and become a theatre designer for the day. Come up with ideas and sketch your designs before creating a set model for one of the magical locations in Beauty and the Beast.

11am–1pm and 3–5pm, £5/£3, book in advance. Ages 6-12.

6 June

BFI Southbank South Bank SE1 8XT www.bfi.org.uk/Southbank BFI Family Wonderful films and fun activities for all the family. Includes Animal Farm, 7 June, 1.30pm, Song of the Sea, 21 June, 1pm, Funday Workshop, 21 June, 11am, Mini Filmmakers Club for 8-11 year olds, 10.30am-12.30pm, every Saturday 6 June- 18 July, Saturday Young Filmmakers for 12-15 year olds, 2-4.30pm, every Saturday 6 June-18 July 7 June-18 July

Somerset House WC2R 1LA www.somersethouse.org.uk Family Drop-In Workshop: Architectural Explorers Explore the world of architecture with artist Gareth Owen-Lloyd. Get inventing, presenting and building from floor to ceiling as part of this year’s London Festival of Architecture. Ages 6-12, 12-3pm, 6 June FREE

Funky Moves Dance Pop-Up Workshops www.funkymovesdance.com/lon don-workshops 6 June - Pop Up Workshop Come and learn from the pros! 2.5 hours of amazing street dance, choreography, performances and creativity from the Funky Moves Team. 2.30-5pm, ages 5-12, St Peter's Hill Church, Portobello Road, Notting Hill W11 3DB 20 June - Outdoor Funky Moves Taster Session at Cabbages and Frocks Market 1 hour taster session, including a performance from their street dancers and a chance to show off your own moves….all the family are welcome to join in! 11am and 2pm, ages 5+, Saint Marylebone Parish Church, Marylebone Road W1U 5BA 27 June - Pop Up Workshop 2.5 hours of amazing street dance, choreography, performances and creativity from the Funky Moves Team. 2.30-5pm, ages 5-12, St Marylebone School, 64 Marylebone Road W1U 5BA

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BFI Song of the sea

Putney Embankment Art & Craft Market The Embankment, Putney (Between the Thai Square Restaurant and Thames Place) www.facebook.com/artonputney embankment 7 June An exciting market showcasing a range of arts and crafts such as paintings, sculpture and photography, wood carvings and furniture from established and emerging artists. 10am–4pm

HF ArtsFest 2015 Venues across Hammersmith and Fulham www.hf-artsfest.com Following on from the success of last year’s ArtsFest, this year's festival aims to be even bigger and better. Discover dance troupes, 100-voice children's choirs, Samba drum bands, circuses and more!

8-14 June

NCT Putney & Fulham www.nctpregnancyandbabycare. com 10 and 24 June.

First Aid for Life Balham and Westminster firstaidforlife.org.uk 10, 26 and 27 June. The Emergency Course A 3-hour course covering care of the unconscious baby and child as well as most commonly occurring injuries and illnesses such as choking, bleeding, breaks, bleeds, burns, head injury and febrile convulsions. 9.30am-12.30pm, £60/£65

Twickenham Carnival Orleans House Gallery, Riverside, Twickenham TW1 3DJ www.richmond.gov.uk/arts The Carnival parade leaves St Mary’s Church, Twickenham at 12.30pm and dances down to the Carnival village in the grounds of Orleans House Gallery, 1-5pm. An afternoon of live Carnival music and dance, with sports games, arts activities and workshops 14 June

Lady Margaret School Parsons Green SW6 4UN Garden Party with traditional BBQ, gift stalls, homemade cakes, plus a teddy tombola, traditional fairground games and face painting.

11am-3pm 20 June

Bliss Buggy Push Hyde Park www.bliss.org.uk/buggypush Support special care baby charity and join their 5km Buggy Push in Hyde Park, with entertainment for children afterwards. Money raised will go towards supporting the 80,000 premature or sick babies born every year and their families.

10.15am 13 June

Mum2Mum Market Nearly New Sale Ricards Lodge High School, Lake Road, Wimbledon SW19 7HB www.mum2mummarket.co.uk Buy or sell quality baby and kids goods at this pop-up indoor market.

43 stalls under one roof with thousands of kids bargains at a fraction of the high street price.

Admission £2, kids free, 2-4pm 20 June

Summer Fairs See more events in our online What’s On calendar

Escape to the Country Summer Fete St Michael's School, Viewfield Road, Southfields SW18 A great family day out with fun for all ages. Mobile farm, maypole dancing, dog show, famous plant stall, BBQ, Asian food stall, tea tent, giant slides, inflatables, raffle and traditional side stall games. 12-4pm 13 June

Medieval midsummer festival

Medieval midsummer festival 20 June 2015, from 12 to 6pm, at the Rookery, top of Streatham Common, Covington Way SW16 3BX. Fun filled family event now in its fourth year featuring Jolly the Jester & Paolo Zebolino hurdy Gurdy player paolozebolino.com Archery, little farm, traders Market, live music & medieval dance, BBQ, Pimms Tavern and Fresh Food Café.

Enchanted Wood, Story Telling, Craft Activities, Face-painting, Chess tournament and much more.

Free for under 18s, Adult £2.50pp.

Info 020 8772 3504 or info@waldorflondon.co.uk

All Saints's School Summer Fayre The grounds of All Saints' Church, Putney Common 12.30 pm to 3.30 pm 20 June Adults £2, children & senior citizens free A summer spectacular for all the family, including donkey rides, minimarathon, dog show, arts & crafts, face painting, fun & games, bake off, raffle, tombola, bar... and even more fun then so far.

FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680

All parties classified have been moved to page 21 within our Parties Feature Dunraven Primary School 94/98 Leigham Court Road, Streatham SW16 2QB. Summer fair open to the whole community 11am-2pm. Additional attractions include: bouncy castle, raffle, entertainment stage, arts and crafts, games, free Dr bike service, food and drink stalls and Pimms tent. £2.50 for adults, £1 for children (over 3 years), £5 for a family of 4, including PETTING ZOO! and balloon making.

27 June

Wimbledon Guild Village Fair Wimbledon Common Southside SW19 4TG www.wimbledonguild.co.uk The largest free outdoor event in South London. Enjoy a huge variety of entertainment including a Horse Show, Fun Dog Show, hundreds of arts and crafts stalls, delicious food villages boasting food from around the globe, a hand-selected farmers market, live entertainment and family fun.

10.30am-5.30pm 27 June

Reliable Handyman

Abbeville Fete Abbeville Road, Clapham SW4 www.abbevillefete.com The annual Abbeville Fete celebrating London’s diversity, community spirit and local enterprise in aid of five local charities. With more than 50 street stalls, BBQ and bar, a dedicated kids zone and events including live music and even a dog beauty pageant.

12pm to 4pm 27 June

TUITION

ELOCUTION Public Speaking Speech & Drama Individual Tuition

Clare Price. LGSM, ALAM (020) 7735 3156 clareprice@tiscali.co.uk

Classified • Garden maintenance and building work (fences, patios, sheds, etc..)

• Jobs around the house (carpentry, painting, fitting furniture, etc…)

• Upcycling furniture and Shabby Chic items available £30/hour.

Call Brian: 0774 513 6424

MUSIC

HEALTH

VIOLIN TEACHER

Inspiring musical lessons offered by qualified professional violinist and local school music teacher.

6 years +. Home visits possible.

Call Meg Gates, AGSM PGCE on

0771 5948219

PIANO TUITION

Friendly, experienced and qualified teacher of children 6+ and adults.

Home visits possible.

Mark Lester MA, CT ABRSM

020 8870 7830 www.marklester.biz

CHILDCARE

SERVICES PAINTING & DECORATING

Interior / Exterior Experienced, Reliable, Clean Fully Guaranteed / Insured FREE ADVICE & QUOTE John:- James & Lamont

020 8462 4646 - 07802 535695

VACANCY Distributors Wanted...

Families South West is looking for distributors in the Chelsea area, the SW3 and SW10 postcodes. If you have a car, a few hours spare every month and want to earn some extra money, please contact Silvana on 07801 227334 or email her on distribpromoter@ familiessouthwest.co.uk

June 2015

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FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680