Families Herts Sept-Oct 2012

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Issue No. 46 Sept/Oct 2012

! s s a l C t s r Fi ools √ sses √ Sch & Cla lC ubs

The Herts magazine with the information young families want

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From your Editor…

In this issue:

Well what a summer - the weather was ‘good in parts’ but the Olympics has put us all on a

Food for Thought: 4 Competitions: 5 Autumn Fun: 6 Nurseries: 7 Schools Feature: 8 Clubs & Classes: 14 What’s On: 21 Party People: 24

high. Congratulations to Laura Trott, our very own WGC girl, for bringing home gold! Herts is also the home of the Lee Valley White Water Centre, the venue for the Canoe Slalom competition and we also hosted several national teams for their Pre-games Training which goes to show what a hospitable bunch we are.

Now it’s time to come down to earth and consider the approaching autumn. For the children it’s back-to-school; for us parents it’s back to … well you know what!

Here’s a quick overview of our Sept/Oct offering. The Schools Feature includes a comprehensive list of school open days. Our Clubs & Classes Feature gives advice on a sensible approach to choosing your children’s after school activities. If you are a packed lunch provider, give the ‘pick and mix’ approach a go (see page 4) and while we’re in the kitchen there are also tips that make batch cooking for the freezer a breeze. Check out the competitions page there’s a chance to win a family panto ticket and more – so good luck!

Shelley Where are we? Baldock, Bishops Stortford, Borehamwood, Chorleywood, Harpenden, Hatfield, Hemel Hempstead, Hertford, Hitchin, Kings Langley, Knebworth, Letchworth, Radlett, St Albans, Stevenage, Ware, Welwyn GC. Pick it up from cafes, playgroups, nurseries, schools, activity groups, selected shops, surgeries, leisure centres and libraries. Get in touch to request copies for your venue.

Don’t miss a copy. Families Herts by post for just £9.30 for 6 issues (1 year) or £18 for 12 issues (2 years). Call or email for a subscription form.

Families Herts, PO Box 434, Pinner, HA5 9AH Tel/Fax: 020 8428 6384 editor@familiesherts.co.uk www.familiesherts.co.uk

Front cover image details: Stockist: Matalan Autumn/Winter Kids Collection Back to School 0845 330 3330 www.matalan.co.uk

Copy deadline for Nov/Dec: 5th October

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Food for Thought Pick and Mix School Lunchboxes

By Sally Temple of The Nutrition Place

If you dread having lunchboxes returned uneaten and want to ensure that your child has a healthy and delicious lunch or have found yourself stuck in a lunch box rut; then a pick and mix approach to packed lunches could be for you.

What does my child need for a healthy lunch?

A healthy balanced lunchbox should contain carbohydrates for energy, protein for growth and plenty of fruit and vegetables for fibre and vitamins.

To ensure that your kids have a healthy packed lunch select at least one from each of these food groups daily:

Protein Cheese, cottage cheese, ham, chicken, turkey, left over roast, cold sausages, hard boiled egg, frittata/omelette, salmon, mackerel, homous, prawns, falafel, beans/ pulses e.g. kidney, butter, chickpeas, flageolet.

Fruit A piece of fruit e.g. plum, apricot, apple, pear, banana, peach, nectarine, some grapes, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, red currants, chopped up fruit e.g. melon, mango, pineapple, kiwi

Carbohydrate (go for wholemeal for sustained energy levels) Rye or wheat bread, roll, baguette, bagel, wrap, English muffin, crackers, oatcakes, pasta, rice, cous cous.

Vegetables Sticks of celery, cucumber, pepper, carrot, radish, mangetout, mini sweetcorn Little squares of pepper, sweetcorn, peas (great raw in the pod), broccoli, cauliflower, grated carrot with sultana, olives, cherry tomatoes, sun dried tomatoes

apist Sally Temple, is a Nutritional Ther St e, Plac n ritio Nut who runs The Albans. Sally is passionate about sharing the benefits that eating well and enjoying food can have on a al family’s health. She offers nutrition ps. ksho wor g eatin thy heal and apy ther to .uk e.co Visit www.thenutritionplac find out more.

Try these suggestions to make tasty lunchboxes that your kids (and you!) will never grow tired of.

• Turkey bagel with pepper & carrot sticks (and maybe a small pot of homous). Pot of grapes and blueberries with a low sugar flapjack.

• Wholewheat crackers with a hard boiled egg, pot of mixed pepper, sweetcorn & olives.

Plum and slice of banana bread.

• Rice and prawn salad with peas, tomato and mango. Apple and yoghurt.

Snacks: These are best homemade so that you can reduce the sugar content. Try flapjack, muffins, oat bars, fruit bread, banana bread, yoghurt, fruit tubes.

The Beauty of Batch Cooking If you want your family to come home to a delicious meal but don’t have much time, then batch cooking is the solution. It’s easy to prepare a double amount of a family favourite then stash half in the freezer for another day.

Or you may like to spend a couple of hours in the kitchen making bumper portions of favourite meals for the freezer. Either way, you’ll be saving time and money and avoiding waste. These tips from Menus4Mums, the online family meal planners, will help you make the most of batch cooking:

3: Make sure you have enough containers or

normal, so make sure you have big enough pans – or borrow some.

bags to freeze the food in: • Thick plastic freezer bags are great for soups and pasta sauces, and if you place them inside a container for freezing they take on an easy stackable shape.

• Foil trays are ideal for items which will be cooked in the oven, such as cottage pies, but must be defrosted as they are not microwavable.

• Plastic boxes make easy work of defrosting and reheating food in the microwave, but not for items which will need finishing off in the oven or under the grill. Chinese takeaway cartons make cheap freezer containers.

2: You’re likely to be cutting up large

4: After cooking, cool quickly then freeze in

1: You’ll be cooking bigger quantities than

quantities of certain ingredients so a food processor is handy and saves time.

suitable portions, either for the whole family or individual sizes. Remember to label - chilli and Bolognese sauce look similar once frozen!

5: Defrost the food completely and then reheat it until it is piping hot.

Never refreeze any cooked food that has previously been frozen.

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Menus4Mums is an online family meal planning service for busy parents. Visit www.menus4mum s. co.uk to find out more about thei r Batch Cook Plan - and to downloa da FREE one week sample meal plan.

To win one of five downloadable Batc h Cook Plans go to www.familieshert s. co.uk and click on competitions

Competitions Aladdin at the Alban Arena Two Family Tickets to be Won! This Christmas, don’t miss The Alban Arena’s fun-packed family pantomime. Children’s favourite Phil Gallagher (CBeebies’ Mister Maker) returns as Aladdin, Shaun Williamson (Eastenders and Extras) plays Abanazar, and back by popular demand, St Albans favourite funny man Bob Golding plays PC Pongo.

Written by Paul Hendy and brought to you by the same team behind last year’s smash hit Snow White, this pantomime promises to be hilarious, top quality family entertainment!

To win a family ticket to this fun packed show enter at www.familiesherts.co.uk.

Closing date 31st October.

Aladdin runs from 14th Dec to 6th Jan, you can book tickets at The Alban Arena Box Office on 01727 844488 or online at www.alban-arena.co.uk

Win an Easy2Name Off to School set Easy2name are giving away 5 Off to School sets, each set is worth £18.90 and contains 30 waterproof stickers, 30 iron on name tapes, 1 set of shoe covers, 1 bag tag and 1 shoe bag.

The full Easy2Name range can be seen at www.easy2name.com To enter go to www.familiesherts.co.uk.

Closing date 30th September.

Win the brand new Thomas & Friends DVD When the Fat Controller sends Thomas to work at the Blue Mountain Quarry, Thomas spots an engine he’s never seen before trying to hide. Determined to get to the bottom of the mystery, Thomas tracks down and befriends Luke who tells Thomas he’s hiding because

he did something that’s so bad he could be sent away from the Island of Sodor forever! Thomas does not believe this and sets off on a journey to discover the story of this poor runaway engine.

Join Thomas as he follows the clues to unravel a secret that will help a new friend in the latest action-packed ‘Thomas & Friends™’ CG animated DVD special, Blue Mountain Mystery. RRP £12.99.

For your chance to win one of five Thomas & Friends DVDs go to www.familiesherts.co.uk .

Closing date 19th October.

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Autumn Fun If you are planning a Halloween party for your children here are a some fun Halloween themed games to try.

Witch’s Lair Challenge:

Wrap the Mummy:

n. toilet roll per perso You will need one d an ms tea o int ests Split your party gu be n on each team to allocate one perso e rac to ve ha teams the Mummy. The mmy to cover their Mu against the clock e th d an r pe pa in loo from head to toe Mummy ing inc nv co st mo team with the if is is seriously funny wins the game. Th messy!

Halloween piñata:

Piñatas are great fun. Hang up the Pinata and your little wi tches and wizards can bash the piñatas wi th broomstick s un til the sweets fall ou t. It makes for a sw eet ending to the party when guests can fill their own party ba gs before they go home.

Halloween lucky dip:

Fill a large cauldron-style tub with slimy, coloured goo such as red Gelli Baf f (ww w. gellibaff.co.uk); wrap a variety of ghoulish gift s in clingwrap (fake eyeballs and false teeth) and dare the childre n to dip their hands in the witch’s bre w to see what she is using in her spells!

One by one each child is blind-folded and then challenged to identif y by touch and smell the witch’s spell ing redients. Use lemon rind, sugar, breadc rumbs and cof fee and familiar herbs like min t. Children will enjoy trying to guess the ingredients.

ames: Traditional Apple Gdoor lintel and

Pin the Witch ’s A variation of favourite.

tail on the cat: the traditional

an apple on a Swing Apple - hang t touching e the apple withou children try to bit tub of water at the apples in a it. Bob Apple – flo e apples out th ck empt to plu and the children att by biting the stalk.

part y

Hatfield House and the Gunpowder Plot

Robert Cecil, 1st

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Earl of Salisbury

Remember, remember the 5th of November, gunpowder, treason and plot. What is often not remembered is who uncovered the gunpowder plot. The man who discovered the conspiracy and saved King James was Robert Cecil of Hatfield House.

James I came to the throne in 1603, he was Protestant like Queen Elizabeth I before him, but there were some Catholics in England who would have preferred a Catholic Monarch. A group of them decided to get rid of James and together they hatched a plan to place gunpowder under the Houses of Parliament and blow it up when James was inside.

During the preparation, several of the conspirators had been concerned about the safety of fellow Catholics who would be present in Parliament on the day of the planned explosion. So they tipped-off Lord Monteagle who received the anonymous letter on Friday 26th October while at his house in Hoxton.

Monteagle read the note and promptly handed it over to Robert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury, the Secretary of State. The other conspirators learned of the letter the following day, but resolved to go ahead with their plan. The plotters were caught before they could carry out their plan for which they were horribly punished suffering torture and enduring a slow and cruel execution. This year, Hatfield House will be holding a fireworks display on Saturday 3rd November. Come and enjoy a magnificent firework display at the home of the man who uncovered it. See ad on page 21. www.hatfield-house.co.uk

Nurseries

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Schools Feature

Is Your Child Ready for School?

Sarah Ebner is the author of the Starting School Survival Guide: Everything You Need to Know About School (published by White Ladder) and she is also the editor of School Gate, the education blog for The Times.

By Sarah Ebner

I have a friend whose first child is about to start school and she is in a panic. She knows that times have changed (hugely) since she was at school, but wants to help to prepare her son for what’s coming up. So, she asked me!

It’s certainly true that school has changed since you went there, but that isn’t actually a bad thing. Children don’t sit behind individual desks, learning their ABC by rote. Instead school in the early years is about learning and social skills. And our children need both.

So, how can you help? The best ways are as much practical as academic. You should try to

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ensure that your child knows how to wipe his bottom after going to the toilet for example, and to wash his hands afterwards. He should be able and willing to help tidy up after an activity and to be able to follow instructions without much problem. It may sound obvious, but many a Reception class teacher has despaired of children who are simply not school-ready in a social sense.

In other words, your child needs to show some independence. After all, you’re not going to be there to take his shoes off or button up his coat (although you can help make life easier by buying shoes with Velcro and trousers or skirts with elasticated waists).

He or she also needs to know how to listen and not shout out all the time, as well as how to share (a great help for making friends).

You will know if you need to work hard on this!

Food-wise you need to make sure that your child is happy eating with others (otherwise sitting in a school canteen might be too much of a shock) and that he can cope without snacking all day.

Once at school, he will have set times for eating and it will

help hugely if he gets used to this, and not endless grazing on demand.

In terms of learning, your child doesn’t need to be able to read or write before he starts school, but that’s not to say you shouldn’t encourage him to explore with words and numbers before he starts. This will make the transition to learning easier.

I’d recommend lots of talking to each other and reading. Help your child by using your finger to point out words when you read, and show him which way the words go. It’s also good to ask lots of questions (about what happens next in the story, for example), as this will help with comprehension skills.

If your child is keen to read for himself, then help him to do so, but be warned that most children are now taught to read phonetically.

This means they need to know the sounds of the letters rather than their names (the letter “c” makes the sound “c”, as in “cat”, rather than “cee” as in “sea”).

You can also give your child lots of writing opportunities, but not necessarily with a pencil (lots of youngsters find it hard to hold a pencil properly – don’t worry about this when they are little). Instead, encourage painting, writing in sand, or with glitter and let him be creative.

Do cut back on screen time, whether it’s television, phone, iPad or computer. Yes, there are some great educational programs and apps out there, but a one-to-one conversation is better for language and development.

Preparing for school is a major step in a child’s life and there is lots to think about.

But above all, you want to make sure that your child feels happy about what’s ahead.

Talk about school a lot, read books about starting school and be positive. That’s the best preparation of all.

Schools Noticeboard Northwood College

Northwood College is an Independent Day School for girls with two very special features at its heart. Our unique Thinking Skills Programme enables girls to develop independent and creative thinking that takes them far beyond an exam curriculum. Our emphasis on pastoral care meanwhile rests

Kingshott School

Life at school is about Learning. But learning is more than simply an accumulation of information and facts. If that were so, school would be boring. Education at Kingshott is interesting. It is exciting, and it is varied.

Emphasis is placed on making the learning experience as enriching as possible. We want our children to be happy, achieve their potential and to be a success. We believe in the children being "The best me I can be".

on the premise that a happy girl will always achieve her best. Put the two together and you have a school that buzzes with life, where pupils achieve outstanding results.

Our aim is to raise young women of strong character and generous spirit, who are ready to take on the challenges of the world. We value each girl for the person she is and seek to help her live up to her own potential - that’s why we pay so much attention to critical thinking skills, leadership opportunities and extra-curricular activities. They allow our girls to discover and develop their talents.

In March this year, the Independent Schools Inspectorate awarded the school ‘Excellent’ in every category – the highest grade possible.

We are delighted that the quality of teaching, the happiness, welfare and achievements of the girls and our inspirational and dedicated staff have all been recognised.

For further details call 01923 825446 or visit www.northwoodcollege.co.uk

At Kingshott we believe that, in growing up, children need nurturing in a secure environment which provides clear boundaries.

In a world that is guilty at times of providing a moral vacuum, children crave direction, guidance, praise, correction and above all some hand holding.

All children enjoy a varied curriculum. Up until Year 5, most lessons are classroom based, after which subject teachers take over and guide senior children towards their Common Entrance examinations. Our Year 8 children’s success sees them entering outstanding senior schools across the counties. Many of them receive scholarships and go on to achieve GSCE and A Level results to be proud of.

Kingshott School is surrounded by 23 acres of countryside on the outskirts of Hitchin and provides an outstanding co-educational learning experience for children aged 3 to 13.

To find out more go to www.kingshottschool.com, email registrar@kingshottschool.com, call us on 01462 432009

Westbrook Hay - A Wonderful Childhood Westbrook Hay is set in 26 acres of beautiful parkland overlooking the Bourne Valley and one of the things that children always remember from their time here is the wonderful space that they have enjoyed playing in. While academic success is important and we are very proud of our record of scholarships to Public Schools, the sense that we are guardians of the childhood of our pupils shapes the way in which the school is structured and operates. Our youngest children enjoy the security of the Lower School and its opportunity for outdoor learning and as children move through the school they experience the delights of playing in our grounds, climbing trees, getting muddy and doing all those things that make a childhood so enjoyable.

A broad curriculum, allied to an array of sporting and extra-curricular opportunities means that no day of the week is the same.

Children develop their self-confidence and independence in a happy and secure environment and move on to their senior schools as successful individuals.

In an age focused almost exclusively on the academic qualifications that children attain and one that has sought to narrow the range of opportunities that children experience within schools, Westbrook Hay offers an alternative route to a similar destination. In the recent ISI inspection, we were described as an outstanding school; one that produces outstanding academic results, but also gives children the time and space in which to develop their skills.

To find out more visit www.westbrookhay. co.uk or call 01442 256143.

Meet the Head of Lochinver House School In September 2011 Ben Walker took up the leadership of Lochinver House School, the Independent Day School for boys aged 4-13 in Potters Bar. The headship of this well established and highly successful school appealed to Ben for a number of reasons.

Lochinver’s tradition of both valuing the individual child and providing him with a challenging all round education, is something that Ben already knew well as he was a pupil at the school from 1974 to 1977. At 12 years old, he recalls being told by his Headmaster ‘You are going to be made Head Boy, Ben. Don’t let me down!” Such moments in one’s

life are transformative.

Ben went on to St Albans School and then to Reading and London Universities. He began his teaching career in state secondary schools in Hertfordshire, inner London and in Kent. In 2002 he undertook developing a new school in Kenya, and then living and working at the remarkable St. Andrew’s Prep School, in Turi.

He returned to the UK with his family in 2005 and taught at Swanbourne House Prep School in Buckinghamshire.

“My return to Lochinver, as Head, is an opportunity to serve the Lochinver family once again. The school continues to develop

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in all sorts of exciting ways. However, the essential values and spirit of the place remain as I knew them. We celebrate our 65th anniversary this year and it has been wonderful to write to the Headmaster who put his faith in me when I was 12 and invite him back to Lochinver. The good work continues in this special place!”

That same warm welcome is extended to anyone who wishes to meet Ben and learn more about Lochinver House School for themselves.

To find out more call 01707 620036 or visit www.lochinverhouse.herts.sch.uk

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Schools Feature

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Schools Feature St Columba’s College

Abbot’s Hill School Celebrates 100 Years

St Columba’s College provides an inspiring and challenging environment where boys from the age of 4 to 18 years old aspire to achieve their own best standard.

A Catholic school, St Columba’s is open to boys of a wide variety of religious traditions, with learning underpinned by the Columban code of Courage, Courtesy and Compassion.

While striving for academic excellence the College realises that it is whole-person education that best prepares boys for the world, recognising that moral and spiritual qualities are essential in achieving roundness of character.

In addition to the curriculum, there is an extensive Extra and Extended Curriculum ranging from the Duke of Edinburgh Award and the Combined Cadet Force to Young Enterprise. These activities develop qualities of self-knowledge, teamwork, leadership and resilience.

The College regularly wins trophies for rugby, athletics, basketball and other sports.

There is a strong tradition of music, drama and public speaking with regular concerts and drama productions.

The school’s strength lies in the combination of high expectations, a culture of mutual respect and care, creating a stimulating happy environment in which boys thrive and learn, building firm foundations for confident socially-skilled pupils. The community is vibrant and the students are the best evidence of what a Columban education can produce.

To find out more call (Senior) 01727 855185, (Prep) 01727 862616 or go to www.stcolumbascollege.org

Abbot’s Hill School in Hemel Hempstead is marking its Centenary this year with an exciting programme of events celebrating all aspects of school life. The hundredth anniversary of its founding was marked with a Service of Thanksgiving at St Albans Cathedral with the whole school in attendance.

In the junior department everyone took part in a whole school project focusing on the history of the school and helped create a centenary mosaic depicting life at Abbot’s Hill, entitled “Friendship – where it all begins”.

The design of the mosaic was the result of a competition, and many of the children’s ideas were incorporated.

Abbot’s Hill School is an independent Day School for girls aged 3-16 and boys 3-5. The school sits in seventy acres of parkland and within this inspirational learning environment children are given the freedom in which to grow, learn and play. The school’s recent ISI Inspection Report stated that “The EYFS learning environment, both inside and outside, is spacious, well planned and resourced, and safely organised to provide many opportunities for exploration and childinitiated activities.”

At Abbot’s Hill the aim is to nurture the whole child, enabling pupils to develop their talents whether they be academic, artistic, or sporting. Girls are treated as individuals and small class sizes, excellent pastoral care and high quality teaching helps them attain their full academic potential. The ISI report stated that “The quality of pupils’ personal development is outstanding”.

Rudolf Steiner School

Funded Places at Sherrardswood Nursery

The Rudolf Steiner School in Kings Langley was founded in 1949, is set in 10 acres of attractive grounds, and is co-educational and fully comprehensive, welcoming boys and girls from all backgrounds, cultures and creeds. The school has the capacity for 440 pupils from Kindergarten (3 yrs) through to A-Levels. This means that a child can enjoy a happy and secure education, without the need to change schools.

Steiner education has a different approach to education than found in mainstream schools. It is based on the philosophy of Rudolf Steiner (1861–1925) and his theories of the stages of child development and how the child’s learning needs change in each stage.

Steiner education puts emphasis on both academic and practical subjects so, as well as maths, English, science, history, geography and languages, children also learn woodwork, farming, building, handwork and art as well as music and drama.

Steiner education is committed to the development of the whole child – head, heart and hands.

To find out more visit an Open Day or go along to one of the regular introductory morning call 01923 262505. www.rsskl.org.

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Sherrardswood Nursery will be offering funded places for their 3 and 4 year olds from September 2012.

The Nursery is part of Sherrardswood School, a small, friendly, independent school on the outskirts of Welwyn Garden City. Set in 25 acres of fields and woodland, Sherrardswood Nursery is a small, traditional nursery with traditional values, offering

The school is holding a Working Open Morning for the nursery, infant and junior school on Thursday 27 September 2012 and whole school Open Days will take place on Saturday 6 October 2012 2pm-4pm and Saturday 17 November 2012, 10am-12 noon.

To find out more visit www.abbotshill.herts. sch.uk or call 01442 240333.

extended day flexibility to suit modern day life. Children can join us the September after they turn 2 and will now be able to benefit from the Government funding the term after they turn three years old and Childcare vouchers are also accepted. Come and visit us in our beautiful grounds by calling our Registrar, Miss Gahan, on 01438 714282 to arrange a tour.

School Open Days School

Town

Age / Dept Date

Time

Telephone Website

Abbot's Hill School (Girls 3-16) Hemel Hempstead (Boys 3-5)

3-16 yrs

6 Oct

2pm-4pm

01442 240333

www.abbotshill.herts.sch.uk

Abbot's Hill School

"

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27 Sept

10.30am

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Abbot's Hill School

"

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17 Nov

10-12 noon

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Aldwickbury School (Boys)

Harpenden

4-13 yrs

contact for date/time

01582 713022

www.aldwickbury.org.uk

Beechwood Park (Co-ed)

Markyate

4-13 yrs

19 Oct

9.30-12noon

01582 840333

beechwoodpark.net

Duncombe School (Co-ed)

Hertford

2-11 yrs

5 Oct

contact for time

01992 414109

www.duncombe-school.co.uk

Egerton Rothesay School (Co-ed)

Berkhamsted

5-16 yrs

18 Oct

contact for time

01442 877060

www.eger-roth.co.uk

Haberdashers' Aske's School for Girls

Elstree

Juniors

6 Oct

10am-12.30pm

020 8266 2302 www.habsgirls.org.uk

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Juniors

13, 15 Nov

9.15am onwards

"

"

"

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Seniors

4 Oct

6-8.30pm

"

"

"

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Seniors

6 Oct

2-5pm

"

"

"

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Seniors

14 Nov

9.30am onwards

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Haileybury School (Co-ed)

Hertford

11+

18/10, 30/11 am

01992 706200 www.haileybury.com

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13+

6 Oct

am

"

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"

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Sixth Form

15 Sep

am/pm

"

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Heath Mount School (Co-ed)

Hertford

3-13 yrs

Oct

01920 830230

www.heathmount.org

High Elms Manor School (Co-ed)

Watford

6mths-11 yrs 18 Oct

9.30-11.30am

01923 681103

www.highelmsmanorschool.co.uk

Kingshott School (Co-ed)

Hitchin

3-13 yrs

17 Nov

10am-12.30pm

01462 432009

www.kingshottschool.com

Lochinver House School (Boys) Potters Bar

4-13 yrs

6 Oct

Morning

01707 620036

www.lochinverhouse.herts.sch.uk

Rudolf Steiner School (Co-ed)

3-18 yrs

6 Oct

1-4pm

01923 262 505 www.rsskl.org

Sherrardswood School (Co-ed) Welwyn

2-18 yrs

13 Oct

9.30am-12.30pm

01438 714282

www.sherrardswood.co.uk

St Albans High School for Girls

Wheathampstead

Prep 4-11yrs

13 Oct

9.30am-12noon

01727 792509

www.stahs.org.uk

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Prep 4-11yrs

9 Nov

9.15-11.15am

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St Albans

Senior

6/10, 10/11

9.30am-12noon

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Sixth Form

17 Oct

6.30-8.30pm

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St Albans School (Boys)

St Albans

11-16 yrs

22/9, 6/10, 10/11, 1/12

contact for times

01727 855521

www.st-albans.herts.sch.uk

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Sixth Form

16 Oct

contact for times

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St Christopher School (Co-ed)

Letchworth

3-18 yrs

13 Oct

9.30am-1pm

01462 650947

www.stchris.co.uk

St Columba's College (Boys)

St Albans

4-18 yrs

6 Oct

Morning

01727 855185

www.stcolumbascollege.org

St Edmund's College (Co-ed)

Ware

3-18 yrs

29 Sep

9.30am-2pm

01920 824247

www.stedmundscollege.org

St Francis' College (Girls)

Letchworth

3-18 yrs

6 Oct

10.30am-12.30pm 01462 670511

www.st-francis.herts.sch.uk

St Josephs in the Park (Co-ed)

Hertford

3-11 yrs

By request

Haberdashers' Aske's Boys'

Elstree

8-18 yrs

6 Oct

1-4pm

020 8266 1800 www.habsboys.org.uk

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5-7yrs

13 oct

contact for times

01727 873632

The Princess Helena College (Girls)

Hitchin

11-18 yrs

6 Oct

2-4pm

01462 Â 443888 www.princesshelenacollege.co.uk

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"

11-18 yrs

15 Nov

9.30-11.30am

"

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Westbrook Hay Prep School

Hemel Hempstead

3-13 yrs

29 Sep

9.30am-12.30pm

01442 256143

www.westbrookhay.co.uk

Kings Langley

contact for date/time

01992 581378

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www.stjosephsinthepark.com

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Clubs & Classes

Choosing after-school activities

By Elisabeth Dolton www.Littlekickers.co.uk

After-school activities definitely offer value to your children. Reports indicate those who participate in after-school programmes have better school attendance, higher grades and loftier aspirations. It is also a great opportunity for children to develop social and leadership skills. The benefits are there, but which classes to choose?

Talk to your child and find out how they feel about the activity, and let them choose at least one club or activity themselves. Help them choose activities that reflect who they are and what they want to learn, don’t impose your preferences. Explain that it’s important and fun to try new things, and remember switching activities is normal amongst children.

Always check out the quality of an activity.

Discipline-based activities that create a quality product over a period of time are great, e.g. a play. Don’t think that high cost equals high quality, some activities are cheaper to run like football. Staff members should be professionals with skills and experience.

Consider the mix of activities. The benefits of exercise are huge, so including a sport would be a good start. Extracurricular activities are ideal for children to explore and practise what it means to be a group leader, e.g. Brownies. If you are stuck between two similar activities, consider the usefulness, e.g. drum lessons might be cool, but the guitar might have wider applicability.

Finally, remember logistics. The after-school programme affects you too. Avoid signing on to too many activities that leave you scrambling from one to the next. No one will have fun doing anything if it means arriving late, leaving early, and going without dinner on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Look hard for places you can walk to; it reduces your carbon footprint while keeping you fit for free! Build in some downtime. Children need to have independent play as well as the structured activities, so ensure time is built in for dinner, watching T.V. and relaxing. Leave some activities for the summer, when different interests can be tried, without the pressure of school demands.

After-school activities can provide enrichment, adventure and variety. They can enhance knowledge and build character.

Choosing the right activity programme will reap the benefits.

A Magical Autumn Term with Perform There’s more than a hint of magic in the air this autumn as Perform enters the Magician’s Chamber, Perform’s most spell binding term yet.

Local children are invited to don their finest wizard robes, seize their magic wands firmly and enter the weird and wonderful world of Arthurian Legends. As always, Perform’s unique drama, dance and singing workshops will be full of thrills, spills and laughter.

Perform focuses exclusively on serious fun. So, whilst children have the best fun of the week, they are also learning confidence, communication, concentration and co-ordination skills at the same time, giving them a head start in life.

Perform runs classes in Berkhamsted, Bishops Stortford, Chorleywood, Elstree, Harpenden, Hitchin, Northwood, Radlett, Rickmansworth, Sawbridgeworth, St Albans, Welwyn Garden City.

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For more information and to book a free trial session call 0845 400 1272 or visit perform.org.uk

The summer holidays are over and it’s back to school. What a great time to try something new. How about a new sport or activity for your child either after school or at weekends? Children will learn new skills and keep fit, but also have lots of fun and the opportunity to meet new friends.

A brand new exciting Basketball course will be starting in September for 8-12 year olds at Sportspace Hemel Hempstead and will be delivered by a qualified coach who will help to develop skills and also provide pathways into local clubs and leagues if children want to progress.

There are many other courses to choose from too: Micro football courses for little ones as young as 3 years old, plus Mini Tennis, the always popular Trampoline and Football Skills for children aged 5 years+.

Badminton courses are available for those aged 9 years+ so there is an activity or sport for all ages.

For something more adventurous we also have junior climbing and skateboarding courses available at XC Extreme Sports and for a new outdoor activity why not try Golf at Little Hay Golf Complex?

For more information go online to www.sportspace.co.uk or www.thexc.co.uk alternatively email alison.adams@sportspace.co.uk or call Alison on 01442 507090.

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Clubs & Classes Help your child get off to a flying start in the new term!

Research has found that at least two thirds of children fall behind in their studies over the summer holidays. This large gap in studying can leave a child feeling insecure in their ability, which in turn can lead to a lack of confidence during September.

The beginning of a new academic year is an ideal time to seek extra support. Explore Learning is a network of maths and English

tuition centres for children aged 5 to 14, designed to improve knowledge, confidence and enjoyment of learning. With 63 centres located nationwide, they are the perfect way

to help your child get off to a flying start in the new term. Explore Learning has centres in St Albans (01727 853 992) and Borehamwood (02030 040 096)

week. The first week they may build a basic robot which can move and turn. They then

progress to learn about robotic sensors for light, sound and touch. Each of these concepts will be brought together when the children bring their Lego robots to life. During the second half of the term the children will build and program their robots to solve a number of different puzzle challenges. Each term there is a fun theme running through the sessions such as Mission to Mars, Robotic Sport Challenge and Power Robots.

HG Education currently runs its Lego After School Clubs in St.Albans, Hatfield and Barnet with more starting from September. For more information, to find your nearest club, or if you would like a club run in your school or your area, please call 0800 4118 999 or visit www.hg-education.com

LEGO After School Clubs The Lego After School Clubs run by HG Education prove that Lego is much more than the red, yellow, green and blue bricks that we are all so familiar with. These sessions offer kids a unique and exciting Lego experience because they will be using Lego Robotic parts which are not available to the general public.

The clubs are run from Monday to Friday in term time (generally for 12 weeks) and sessions last between one hour and one-anda-half hours depending on the level, of which there are three. The children are introduced to a new concept each week so that their skills, knowledge and understanding builds week-on-

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Clubs & Classes Unlock your child’s learning potential As we look to the start of a new school year, it’s time to think about how you can support your child’s learning. At your local study centre, Kumon offers individualised maths and English study programmes tailored to all ages and abilities. Established for over 50 years, Kumon’s unique worksheet-based method can help your child to excel academically, develop their capacity for learning independently and boost their all-round confidence.

We all know the importance of maths and English. At the start of a new term it’s especially important that your child gets to grips with these core subjects and with the learning skills vital for academic progression.

Kumon’s unique method of learning focuses on your child’s individual needs, providing them with transferable study skills such as concentration and time management and ensuring they progress at their own pace.

Before enrolling, your child will benefit from a Free Assessment. This will determine where on the programmes they will begin and will ensure that their Kumon study is individualised to their needs from the outset.

Once enrolled, your child will visit the centre every week and have daily worksheets to study at home. They will begin studying at a level they are comfortable with, consolidating familiar topics before moving on to something new. At the study centre, the Instructor will monitor their progress, setting new work as appropriate and encouraging them to take ownership of their learning. By working at a steady pace with guidance and support, children acquire a strong grounding in maths and English as well as fundamental tools such as self-motivation, confidence and independence in study.

With a focus on advanced study, each child, regardless of age, can realise their unlimited potential. As a result, children improve their all-round academic performance and also gain the confidence to tackle new challenges both in and outside of the classroom.

The Kumon programmes complement classroom learning; building speed and accuracy and developing abilities such as time management and problem solving.

Above all, the programmes develop confident, independent children with a passion for learning. To book a Free Assessment, call 0800 854 714 or visit kumon.co.uk. See advert on page 2 for your nearest school.

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Improve your Child’s Reading Reading Assistant is a computer based reading program developed to boost children's reading ability. The use of advanced speech recognition and verification technology which helps children to increase their reading fluency, vocabulary and comprehension makes it unique.

Once the program has assessed the child's reading ability it will allocate books at the appropriate level. With over 300 fiction and non-fiction books to choose from there is something for all tastes. The book choices offered change as the child progresses through the levels.

The child selects an interesting book and the session starts with a review of the story's vocabulary. The computer then 'reads' the story to the child. There is also an option to lock the selection of books so the child goes through the appropriate grades.

Then the child reads the story to the computer using headphones. As the child reads, the software records the child and provides immediate corrective feedback, enabling him/her to learn from their mistakes.

The child then reviews the words that they found difficult after which they can listen to their recorded reading and read again to improve their fluency. To finish off the session there are some comprehension questions

about the story.

Sessions normally last for 30 minutes and It is recommended to read from three to five times each week. Because the Reading Assistant is computer based, the student can work at home in their own environment at a time that fits in with their other activities.

Judy K of St-Albans says: "My son (6yrs), for the first time, enjoys reading. I came home from work and he completed two chapters on his own. He loves to listen to himself reading."

So that parents and teachers can track progress, the program gives an automatic calculation of the number of words read correctly per minute as well as a report showing how fluency and comprehension has improved over a period of time. If a child has any visual /tracking issues, parents or teachers can see the pattern of reading and can put in place an appropriate remedy.

Reading Assistant can help prepare your child for the 11+ comprehension test. It is totally flexible so you can decide when to start and stop the program. There is a two week free trial available. To find out more call Florence Gardam on 07919 067343 or email centre4excellence@btconnect.com

Best Theatre Arts Launches Best School of Acting Best Theatre Arts have announced that they are joining with Tip of the Iceberg (who run drama at Trestle in St Albans and also in schools) to launch ‘Best School of Acting’ this September.

Best School of Acting is a part-time school for children who are serious about learning to act and it will fill the gap between Best’s usual courses and what a child might do at stage/drama school. The schools Principal, Lisa Schulberg comments: “There are schools that offer fun drama, a bit of everything, an exploration of performance in enjoyable and nurturing ways. But what happens when you are that little bit more serious, when you want to focus on acting, when you have talent and potential that needs nurturing – but you don’t want to give up everything else or head off to a full time drama school? Take a bow, Best School of Acting - a new format that is going to help develop a new generation of performers.”

The school will run on Saturday afternoons during term-time with optional classes in other disciplines like singing, audition technique or LAMDA to help create wellrounded performers. It is aimed at 8-18 year

Lisa Schulberg

olds. Best’s co-founder, David Bevan says: “We are very enthused about the potential for a school like this. We’ve already had huge interest from our students at Best Theatre Arts and we’re sure this will be a helpful, inspiring and rewarding place for young actors to come. Best’s popular weekend theatre arts classes will continue as usual.”

Prior to the full launch in November there is a four week taster course starting on 29th September. Call 0845 901 1908 email info@bestschoolofacting.com or visit www. bestschoolofacting.com for more information and to book.

To find out more about Best Theatre Arts call 01727 759634 email bestarts@aol.com or visit www.besttheatrearts.com

What We Can Learn From the Abacus Maths in Japan The soroban abacus is a Japanese traditional calculating instrument with movable beads used worldwide as an effective educational tool to teach children numbers and mental arithmetic. Every time I go back to my native country Japan, I am impressed with Japanese abacus students’ concentration, behaviour and dedication as much as their amazing arithmetic skills.

It is not enough to train children just to do quick sums if they do not have the ability to apply the skill to the real world or to persevere and think with creativity and flexibility of mind. For this reason, maths questions given in my abacus maths course appear in a variety of forms, to encourage children not only to calculate quickly and accurately but also to think about problems and find out processes to solve them in different situations. For example, simple arithmetic exercises (such as 9 - 4 and 12 ÷ 3) can be expressed in different

Caterpillar Music is a lively and happy music class for parent and child. There are classes for 'Caterpillars' (babies and toddlers aged 0-18mths) plus mixed classes for 'Butterflies' (0-4 yrs). Classes last 40 minutes and a new theme is introduced each week (e.g. colours, the farm, the jungle, the weather). Live music and exciting props add interest and stimulation to young minds.

See advert on page 17 01727 753413 / www.caterpillarmusic.com.

Dinky Dancers – Dinky Dancers’ award winning classes are growing with new classes popping up everywhere! Recent accolades include graded as OUTSTANDING by Ofsted, a Net Mums ‘Best Activity’ winner, a What’s On For Little One’s finalist and ‘highly recommended’ by Health and Sports Professionals. Dinky Dancers' toddler classes provide a fun-filled dance, movement and activity music and singing experience. Our programme combines creative, physical and musical elements to produce imaginative classes for pre-schoolers. To find your nearest class call Lorry Edwards 01438 831281 / www.dinkydancers.com

formats, languages, and word problems (e.g. take away, subtract, difference between and 12/3, 3 x ? = 12).

Many schools teach maths concepts and processes to children initially, but often they are quickly left to learn by themselves or expected to know them by heart without much guidance or support for daily practice.

Young children are encouraged to use number lines to add and take away numbers at the beginning but suddenly are expected to know or “memorise” all the basic addition and subtraction facts by rote, without enough exploration of how and why, followed by daily practice. More focus on logical step by step processes and individual learning is required.

Doodley Bugs - Come along to our fun craft sessions and let your child express themselves, develop their imagination and experiment with colours, patterns, designs and textures.

Each week we offer three themed craft activities plus lots of free play using a variety of paints, collage, clay, play dough. They’ll develop hand-eye co-ordination, fine motor skills and, best of all, we clear up the mess and provide free refreshments! See advert on page 17. www.doodleybugs.co.uk Drama Llamas offers interactive storytelling and drama for young children. Their original stories take children on a journey of imagination and discovery where creativity can flourish and natural love of language is enhanced. Each lesson is linked to the Early Years Foundation Stage and is specifically designed to help each child’s development. In addition to enhancing listening and language skills, the stories and activities explore wider areas of learning such as numeracy, opposites, scale and colour mixing. See advert on page 14. 07867 793407 / 07718 828697 / www.dramallamas.co.uk

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In the UK, many Year 4-6 children still fingercount to find out answers to times tables (often getting wrong answers), due to the lack of structure in their learning and insufficient daily individual practice.

In the abacus maths learning course, children as young as 5 are encouraged to learn the meaning and application of times tables as well as remember and recall the answers quickly.

As in the progressive abacus schools in Japan, I believe that it is important and our responsibility as an abacus school and in primary schools and as parents, to help develop children’s ability to explore and express patterns and processes to solve maths problems in various forms. Children need to internalise their knowledge by regular exercises and practices in a structured way to prepare them as early as possible for secondary education and real life.

Japanese Abacus Maths run by Nobuyuki Fujioka holds classes in Hemel Hempstead (Boxmoor) and St Albans (Fleetville Community Centre). To find out more or book a free trial class call 01442 800 808 email contact@abacusmaths.info or go to www.abacusmaths.info

The Gem School of Music offers private one-to-one, and group tuition in singing, violin, bass, guitar, keyboards & drums.

Lessons can either take place in your home, or your teacher's residence. Based in Hemel Hempstead, they offer lessons for all ages and specialise in Rockschool and ABRSM examinations, or just for fun! See advert on page 14 Contact Gemma. 07861 709655 / gem@thegemschoolofmusic.com / www.thegemschoolofmusic.com Hiel' and Toe Club – The Hiel'and Toe Club was formed in Harpenden in 1959 and offers a welcoming and friendly environment to learn and enjoy Scottish Country and Highland dancing. Classes are provided for children and adults of all ages.

Scottish dancing provides energetic fun with the satisfaction of setting and achieving goals.

A highlight for pupils is our bi-annual show 'A Measure of Scotch' which takes place this year on October 13th at The Alban Arena, St. Albans. See advert on page 14.

Call 01582 769607 www.hielandtoeclub.co.uk

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Clubs & Classes Jolly Bookworms is a pre-school activity class based around children’s books. Every class features a popular children’s story plus a variety of interesting and fun activities.

The ‘sound table’ introduces your child to synthetic phonics, widely used to teach reading in primary schools. Sessions always include a whole-group game, tea/coffee/juice and homemade cake. Give your child a headstart, and a life-long love of books, by bringing them along to your local Jolly Bookworms. See advert on page 17. 07913128870 / www.jollybookworms.com.

The Little Gym in Harpenden offers sessions for the children from 4 months up to 12 years old. The weekly parent and child classes (4 mnths – 3 yrs) will help your child achieve new milestones. Pre-school gymnastics for 3-6 year olds are structured sessions where gymnastics and other activities provide a healthy dose of fun. 6 to 12 year olds are able to tackle new exciting challenges at their own skill level in segmented classes whilst their confidence grows and their determination to improve builds. See advert on page 20.

Call 01582 712423 / www.thelittlegym.co.uk

Stagecoach Theatre Arts Schools offer acting, singing and dancing for children aged from 4-16 years. Classes are professionally taught in small class groups and are designed to build confidence and develop communication skills. Schools run at weekends during term-time. Some schools run holiday workshops. To find your nearest class see advert on page 1 or visit www.stagecoach.co.uk

Little Kickers and Little Rugby provides fun and safe classes for boys & girls aged 2 years until 7th birthday to develop skills in soccer and rugby. These educational classes incorporate many early learning goals whilst offering children a very positive introduction to sport. The classes provide an environment where children are encouraged to move from parent-supported participation to active independent interaction. Local classes are available in Harpenden, St Albans, Berkhamsted and Hemel Hempstead. See advert on page 17.

Visit www.littlekickers.co.uk or call Jamie on 020 8440 6195 / jlustigman@littlekickers.co.uk

Monkey Music is an award winning music class founded in 1993. Written by

classically trained musicians, our unique, progressive curriculum introduces music to very young children (from 3 months to 4 years) in a way that they can easily understand and enjoy. These highly educational age-specific classes incorporate action songs, rhymes, music and movement, fun with percussion and musical games. See advert on page 17.

Visit www. monkeymusic.co.uk.

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SwimWorld provide teaching and coaching for adults and children of all ages and abilities but they specialise in teaching babies from 12 weeks old and private tuition. Their baby classes are designed to introduce parent and child into the water in a fun and social way.

This ensures that your baby has a positive first experience which allows them to develop into a confident and happy water baby.

SwimWorld use the ASA National Plan for Swimming and are an accredited swim school.

All teachers and instructors are qualified, experienced and are CRB checked. See advert on page 17. 01923 220626 / www.swimworld.co.uk

Tick Tock (for ages 6 months-5 yrs) present a different performance each week and encourage their young audiences to participate in singing, actions, role-playing and song identification. Live keyboard accompanies the songs which are linked by amusing play acting scenes full of colourful costumes props and puppets. Classes in St Albans and Bricketwood. See advert on page 17. 07933 153054 / www.ticktockmusic.co.uk

What's On

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What's On WHERE TO GO CATHEDRAL AND ABBEY CHURCH OF ST ALBAN Sumpter Yard St Albans AL1 1BY 01727 890280 www.stalbanscathedral.org The Big Draw 1 Nov – 10.30am Budding artists, young and old, are invited to explore the Cathedral and create their very own masterpieces.

Free VERULAMIUM MUSEUM St Michael’s Street, St Albans, AL3 4SW 01727 751810 www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk Meet Queen Boudicca 29 Oct – 2-4.30pm Meet this amazing queen in the Museum galleries. Story telling sessions by Boudicca at 2.30pm and 3.30 pm.

Free (Entry charge to Museum for non residents applies) ADEYFIELD ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND Turner Hill, Adeyfield, Hemel Hempstead, AP2 4LD 01442 242852 paul.banks@dacorum.gov.uk Term time: Mon-Fri 3.306.30pm, Sat-Sun 1-5pm School Holidays: Mon-Fri 9.30am-5.30pm, closed weekends and bank holidays Arts & crafts, cooking, sports, free play and a pool table, table tennis and computer games.

Outside: enclosed area with wooden play structures; football pitch; zip wire and nest swing.

Free ASHRIDGE ESTATE Ashridge Estate Visitor Centre HP4 1LT 01442 851227 Chilterns Countryside Festival 16 Sept – 10am-4pm Enjoy a day of mouth watering local produce stalls, fascinating craft displays, forestry demonstrations and children’s activities.

Adults £3; free parking is provided in the events meadow.

Autumn Trail 1-31 Oct – 10am-3.30pm Join us for a seasonal family trail around the beautiful Ashridge estate. Halloween themed spooky fun! Wear walking shoes and warm waterproof clothing, just in case. Dogs on leads welcome.

Child £2

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BLETCHLEY PARK The Mansion Bletchley Oark, Milton Keynes MK3 6EB 1908 640404 www.bletchleypark.org Family Fun Wednesday 31 Oct – 10am-4pm Spy workshops and lessons in how to send Morse Code and children’s guided tours. Also Children’s Cinema Club. See classic 1940’s-60’s children’s film reels. Age 4+ COURTYARD ARTS CENTRE Port Vale, Hertford SG14 3AA 01992 509596 www.courtyardarts.org.uk Art Workshops in collaboration with Hertford Museum 30 & 31 Oct Drop in art sessions for children & families as part of the Big Draw Week. For all ages.

Free HATFIELD HOUSE Hatfield, Herts AL9 5NQ 01707 287010 www.hatfield-house.co.uk Children’s Activities at Hatfield House There is a fun children’s quiz to do in the House. Or visit Bloody Hollow – a new adventure play area. A model of Hatfield House dominates the central area, which features a range of play items for children up to 12 years old. When you’re finished you can visit Hatfield Park Farm.

Chamber Music Festival 20-23 Sept Visit www. hatfieldhousemusicfestival.org. uk for further information.

Animal Care Trust Dog Olympics 14 Oct – 11am Enjoy this fun family day out and get involved in challenges with your dog including Olympic themed showing classes, agility trails, fastest scurry and more.

HAYES HILL FARM Lee Valley Park Farms, Stubbins, Hall Lane, Waltham Abbey, EN9 2EF 01992 892781 www.leevalleypark.org.uk See the animals, play in the indoor and outdoor play areas, and enjoy a tractor ride.

Prices vary, please check online.

HEARTWOOD FOREST Sandridge heartwood@ woodlandtrust.org.uk woodlandtrust.org.uk/ heartwood

Download an activity pack before you go, full of ideas for things to do once you’re there, including wildlife information.

HERTFORD CASTLE Castle Street, Hertford SG14 1HR Heritage Open Day and Scottish Dancing 9 Sept – 12-4pm Castle open to the public and entertainment in the grounds.

Last entry 3.30 p.m.

Free admission Castle Open Day 14 Oct – 12-4pm Browse the 15th century gatehouse and 12th century castle grounds, refreshments available; last entry 3.30pm.

Free admission LANGLEYBURY FARM Langleybury Lane, Kings Langley, WD4 8RW 01923 270603 www.langleyburyfarm.org Open 11am-5pm Pets Corner, goats, sheep, calves, deer, pigs, ducks, geese and hens.

Play area, putting green, teashop, gift shop. Free parking LEE VALLEY REGIONAL PARK www.visitleevalley.org.uk 08456 770 600 Old Mill and Meadows, off Station Road, Broxbourne, EN10 6LX Family Cycle Ride 16 Sept – 10.30am-3pm A 15 mile circular ride through the beautiful River Lee Country Park. For all the family, booking required.

Countryside Live 29 & 30 Sept – 10am-5pm Don’t miss a weekend packed with wildlife and countryside activities, arena displays, natural arts and crafts, guided walks, workshops, exhibitors and more.

Adult single day pass £4, two day pass £6, children free; free parking is available in the WaterWorks and Ice Centre car parks.

Open House Myddelton House Gardens, Bulls Cross, Enfield, Middlesex EN2 9HG 23 Sept - 10am-4pm For one day only, take a tour of the ground floor of Myddelton House and enjoy the history of this magnificent building.

Free

MEAD OPEN FARM Standbridge Road, Billington, Nr. Leighton Buzzard 01525 852954 www.meadopenfarm.co.uk Open daily 10am-6.30pm (last entry 5.30pm) Prices vary, see website for details.

ROLLERCITY Campus West, The Campus, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6BX 01707 357117 www.welhat.gov.uk/campuswest Half Term Skates 29 Oct-2 Nov 1pm - 12s & under plus parents 3pm - All ages Check online for prices.

STANDALONE FARM Wilbury Road, Letchworth Garden City, SG6 4JN 01462 686775 www.standalonefarm.com Open until 4 Nov – 10am-5pm Outdoor and indoor picnic and play areas. See sheep, cows, goats and horses.

Disabled access.

Tickets: Adults £5.40, Child/SC £4.40, Under 2s Free.

STOCKWOOD DISCOVERY CENTRE London Road, Luton LU1 4LX 01582 548600 www.stockwooddiscoverycentre. com Browse the collections and changing exhibitions, then play at the playground or explore the gardens.

Free DinoMites until 4 Nov DinoMites is an amazing new exhibition that features baby and juvenile dinosaurs and shows the life cycles of smaller species from birth to death.

Tickets: Adults £3.95, Child £2.95 Willow Winners until 8 Oct To celebrate this Olympic year members of Hertfordshire Basketry have collaborated to produce a series of life-size sporting sculptures made from willow.

Free

Go to www.familiesherts.co.uk for more events and activities.

WILLOWS FARM VILLAGE Coursers Road, London Colney, St Albans 0870 129 9718 www.willowsfarmvillage.com Willows Farm Village Potato Shindig Weekends in Sept – 10am-5.30pm Families looking to unearth some fun this September should head to Willows Farm Village, near St Albans, to enjoy its second annual Potato Shindig, which takes place every weekend in September.

HALLOWEEN FUN CELTIC HARMONY CAMP Iron Age Settlement, Brickendon Lane, Brickendon.

Hertfordshire SG13 8NY celticharmony.org 01438 718543 Samhain Festival 31 Oct – 10am - 4pm Enjoy workshops by visiting performers, owl flying display, have fun with hands-on activities, autumn crafts and games.

Tickets: £9 in advance, £11 at the door; under 2s free LEIGHTON BUZZARD STEAM RAILWAY Pages Park Station, Billington Road, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 4TN 01525 373888 www.buzzrail.co.uk Halloween Haunting 28 Oct Dress in your spookiest clothes, and scare us if you dare!

Pumpkin Festival at Willows Farm Village www.willowsfarmvillage.com

MEAD OPEN FARM Standbridge Road, Billington, Nr. Leighton Buzzard 01525 852954 www.meadopenfarm.co.uk Freaky Fortnight End of October Like to be scared?

Or prefer a little boo? Whatever level of thrill you prefer, you’ll find both at Mead Open Farm.

MUSEUM OF ST ALBANS 9a Hatfield Road, St Albans, AL1 3RR 01727 819340 www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk Room on the Broom 28 Oct – 3-4pm There’s Room on the Broom so come along for witchy stories. Story time session for the under 7s Cost £1 Half Term Holiday Activities 29, 30, 31 Oct & 1 Nov – 10am-12:30pm Varied and creative activities based on the theme “Things that go bump in the night”. Monday session is for 6 – 11 year olds, Tuesday – Thursday are for 6 – 13 year olds Cost £5, £4.50 for Young Friends THE OLD TOWN HALL THEATRE High Street, Hemel Hempstead HP1 3AE 01442 228091 www.oldtownhall.co.uk Halloween Mosaic Workshop 20 Oct – 10am-12.30pm & 2-4.30pm Create your own Halloween mosaic. Make your own ghoulish ghost, pumpkin or witch, or your own spooky design. Age 8+ £15 (in advance) + £5 materials fee payable on the day Halloween Ghost Walk 28 Oct As part of High Street’s Halloween Party, The Old Town Hall will be transformed into a terrifyingly fun and frighteningly fantastic haunted house!

RAF MUSEUM Grahame Park Way, London NW9 5LL, 020 8205 2266 london@rafmuseum.org, www.rafmuseum.org.uk Witch Weekend 27-28 Oct – 11am-1pm & 2-4pm Children will be able to make their own witch with flying broomstick and cat. All materials supplied free of charge.

SHEPRETH WILDLIFE PARK Station Road, Shepreth nr Royston, SG8 6PZ 01763 262226 www.sheprethwildlifepark.co.uk Halloween Ghost Tour 27 Oct Hedgehog Day 28 Oct Adults £10.50 Children/Concs £8.50

HATFIELD HOUSE Hatfield, Herts AL9 5NQ 01707 287010 www.hatfield-house.co.uk Fireworks Display 3 Nov – Gates 5pm, bonfire 6.30pm This year’s fireworks display, located at the QE Oak Field, will be in support of the Welwyn Hatfield Mayor’s charities.

Adults £6, Children £3

WILLOWS FARM VILLAGE (see earlier entry) Pumpkin Festival 27 Oct-4 Nov FREE pumpkin for every child from Willows Pumpkin Patch with a pumpkintastic time at the Farm Village.

There are daily pumpkin carving competition with prizes, Pumpkin Hunt, Match the Scarecrow and Zootacular Animal Show.

VERULAMIUM FIREWORK SPECTACULAR 3 Nov – 7.30pm Don’t miss this popular Fireworks display. Refreshments and entertainment in what has become one of St Albans great family events. Book in advance through The Alban Arena Box Office. A truly explosive evening!

Tickets: £5

WOODSIDE FARM AND LEISURE PARK (see earlier entry) Halloween Spooktacular 27 Oct-4 Nov Creepy Crawly Encounters - hold a tarantula, giant millipede, cockroaches, rats & snakes. Pumpkin Carving Station and Phantom Tractor.

FIREWORKS ABBOTS LANGLEY FIREWORKS DISPLAY Manor House Playing Fields www.abbotslangley-pc.gov.uk 2 Nov BISHOPS STORTFORD GRAND FIREWORKS DISPLAY BSRFC, Silver Leys, Hadham Road, Bishops Stortford, CM23 3AQ 0800 012 6111 3 Nov – Gates: 5.pm Display: 7.30pm Magnificent Fireworks Display, Children’s Fair Ground, Glow Toys, BBQ, Outside Bars, Sweet Stalls, Live Music - with Guest Singers after the fireworks. All stalls, bars and entertainment till 9.30pm.

Tickets available in advance: £5, family (4) £12 Tickets cost more on the door CRABTREE FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR Crabtree Lane, Harpenden AL5 5PU 10 Nov – Gates: 5.30pm Display starts: 6:30pm.

Advance tickets: £6, Family ticket £20. At the gate £7.

Say you saw it in

PANTO PREVIEW ALBAN ARENA www.alban-arena.co.uk Aladdin 14 Dec – 6 Jan BROXBOURNE CIVIC HALL www.broxbourne.gov.uk Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs 14 Dec – 5 Jan GORDON CRAIG THEATRE www.gordon-craig.co.uk The Adventures of Robin Hood 6 Dec – 27 Jan HAWTHORNE THEATRE www.welhat.gov.uk/campuswest Jack and the Beanstalk 12 Dec – 1 Jan HERTFORD THEATRE www.hertfordtheatre.com Dick Whittington and his Cat 7 Dec-1 Jan MARKET THEATRE www.markettheatre.co.uk Puss in Boots 8-29 Dec RADLETT CENTRE www.radlettcentre.co.uk Beauty and the Beast 8 - 31 Dec WYLLYOTTS THEATRE www.wyllyottstheatre.co.uk Cinderella 15 Dec – 6 Jan

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Party People

www.familiesherts.co.uk

Fun with Decopatch

Creative parties for ages 4 & over.

Decorate and take home fab keepsake.

All materials supplied.

Call Jennifer: 0770 3118 002 www.funwithdecopatch.co.uk

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