Families Herts November-December 2017 Issue 77

IN THIS ISSUE

10 Family Things

to do at Christmas

The Secret Lives of

4 and 5 Year Olds at School

Can you get 30 hours of free childcare a week?

Win a Family Ticket to Rapunzel at the Hertford Theatre

Christmas What’s On

Issue 77 Nov/Dec 2017

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From your Editor…

In this issue:

It’s that time of year again and it will soon be feeling a lot like Christmas – cosy and warm with the scent of cinnamon and spice.

To help you along the way we have a lovely piece by Claire Winter (yes, really!) with a list of 10 family 'must dos' for the Christmas season. You’re not obligated to do all of them, but it will give you ideas and inspiration.

We also have a competition to win a family ticket to see the opening show of Rapunzel at the Hertford Theatre. Plus, all entrants not lucky enough to win will get a code for discounted panto tickets.

If you are hooked on Channel 4’s TV programme ‘The Secret Life of 4 & 5 Year Olds’, our Child Development piece is an interview with Dr Elizabeth Kilbey, a psychologist from the show. The new series takes a fly-on-the-wall look at how children cope with starting school.

I hope you have a lovely festive season planned - I’m off to have a peek at my Christmas pud that’s been happily steeping in brandy for months!

Shelley

News & Views: 4 Christmas: 6 Childcare: 10 Child Development: 11 Christmas What’s On: 12 Next Issue: No 78 - Jan/Feb Copy Deadline: 8th December Image credit: © t.tomsickova

Find us in: Baldock, 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. Email or call to request copies for your venue.

020 8428 6384 editor@familiesherts.co.uk www.familiesonline.co.uk

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News & Views Dacorum Borough Council awarded prestigious bronze award ​ acorum Borough Council (DBC) has received D a bronze award from the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme for its pledge to provide support to the Armed Forces community.

As signatories of the Hertfordshire Community Covenant, the Council has promised to ensure that serving personnel, Service families, veterans, cadets and reservists, do not face disadvantage and are treated respectfully. In line with this, the Council provides increased Housing support to Armed Forces personnel and their families.

Most recently, the Council organised an event to commemorate Armed Forces Day, which attracted over two thousand local residents.

Councillor Neil Harden, Portfolio Holder for Residents & Corporate Services, said: "The transition back to civilian life can be difficult for serving personnel and their families so it is

How Children Eat Says a Lot about Their Personality

Most toddlers go through bouts of picky eating, but infants with more inhibited personalities are more likely to turn up their nose at new foods, according to researchers.

In a study, researchers observed how infants responded to new foods and new toys throughout their first 18 months. The study found that infants who were wary of new toys also tended to be less accepting of new foods, suggesting early food attitudes stem from personality.

"From the time they're very young, some infants are more 'approaching' and react positively to new things, whereas other infants are more 'withdrawing' and react negatively to the same stimuli," said Kameron Moding from the University of Colarado, Denver and author of the paper.

“Keep trying! Research from other labs has consistently shown that infants and children can learn to accept new foods if their caregivers continue to offer them" Moding said.

For more information visit www.sciencedaily.com 4

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‘All Different, All Equal’

Dacorum’s Armed Forces Day event

so important to ensure that the Armed Forces Community are provided with the guidance and assistance that they deserve.”

Find out more at www.dacorum.gov.uk/ armed-forces-covenant.

Broxbourne woman takes to the trees Charlotte Easton who is deafblind recently completed Cockfosters’ Go Ape course alongside her Communicator Guide, Suzy Ensor, to raise funds for Sense, the national charity for the deafblind. This is not the first time that the pair have gone to great heights to fundraise for Sense, having scaled The O2 together last year. Their objective now is to take on a new challenge each year. Charlotte said: “The Go Ape challenge was a brilliant experience! We’re already looking forward to our next challenge.”

Charlotte has been using the charity’s local communicator guide service, taking part in arts and wellbeing activities and attending Sense holidays, where people with complex needs take on new adventures as they have the holiday of a lifetime.

Together, the pair have raised over £500 for Sense. To donate visit www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/suzy-ensor7. To find out more visit www.sense.org.uk

L to R: Clark Mullen (Sense Communicator Guide Service Manager); Suzy Ensor (Communicator Guide); Charlotte Easton

Anti-Bullying Week runs from 13th to 17th November this year and the theme, ‘All Different, All Equal’ aims to promote difference and equality in schools.

The idea is to help children and young people celebrate what makes them, and others, unique and help them understand why it’s important that every child feels included at school and able to be themselves without fear of bullying.

The Anti-Bullying Alliance will be supporting schools with a range of free activities to help them take action to prevent bullying and create safe environments for their pupils.

Anti-Bullying Week will also see the ‘Power for Good’ award made to teachers, school support staff and youth workers who go beyond the call of duty to help children with issues such as bullying, relationships, family life and mental health.

To get involved visit www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk

Rates of SIDS at Record Low Rates of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) have shown another decrease in England and Wales according to newly released figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The 2015 figures show a decrease of 25% since 2013 and continue the trend of record low SIDS rates in England and Wales for the second year running.

The ONS attribute the decrease to a reduction in maternal smoking and increased awareness of safer sleep advice.

Leading SIDS charity, The Lullaby Trust, cautions that it is important not to become complacent and following safer sleep advice remains as vital as ever.

For safe sleeping advice visit www.lullabytrust.org.uk familiesonline.co.uk

A Mum’s Meningitis Story Francesca was only three weeks old when she contracted meningitis. We were still getting to know her as a new little person, so when the constant crying began I thought she was just starting to vocalize her needs.

When her temperature rose, we took her to an out of hours doctor who examined her and assured us the temperature would drop. We went home but she refused to sleep in her cot so she slept, on and off, on me. When we woke to feed Francesca her temperature had soared to over 39°c. I phoned for an ambulance and we went to A & E. Francesca screamed all the way there, it was heart-breaking.

On arrival she was whisked away for a urine test and lumbar puncture - I was not allowed in the room and the thought of my tiny baby having that done, all alone, was horrendous.

The doctors admitted her to await the result of the lumbar puncture. They noted how mottled her skin was and that her high temperature was the result of an infection and antibiotics were given.

As Francesca’s condition stabilised, her temperature dropped and, she continued to feed normally - we were lucky.

The next morning an army of doctors arrived to tell us the words that no parent wants to hear - meningitis. Because of her symptoms the medics were reasonably sure that it was viral, but we had to stay in hospital until the test results were ready.

Her condition never deteriorated and, after two days, when we got the confirmation that the meningitis was viral, we we're allowed to go home.

It was an unbelievably frightening time for our family but it could have been much worse and, as already mentioned, we were the lucky ones. At the time of writing there have been no long-term effects from the illness.

Francesca has now turned one and is growing into a beautiful and happy little girl.

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I remind myself every day how blessed I am to have two beautiful, healthy children.

The charity, Meningitis Now, is working towards a future where no one in the UK dies from meningitis and those affected get the support they need. It funds research into vaccines and prevention and raises awareness so that people know what to look for and what action to take if they suspect meningitis.

They help to rebuild futures by providing support to people living with the impact of the disease.

For more information about the decease and how to protect against it visit www.

MeningitisNow.org. Freephone helpline 0808 80 10 388 (9am - 5pm Monday to Friday).

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Christmas

10 Things Your Family Must Do this Christmas

By Claire Winter

6. Check out a Christmas Light show.

Stately homes and gardens are lighting up with festive brilliance across the country.

Christmas at Kew has its annual show, where the garden is illuminated by 1 million twinkling lights along a mile-long trail (kew. org/kew-gardens/whats-on/christmas-at-kew).

Blenheim Palace in Oxford will also be lit up, so you can see the Capability Brown designed grounds in all their glory (blenheimpalace. com/whats-on/events/christmas-at-blenheim. html) Look out for ‘Light up the North,’ an annual series of lighting festivals across Northern England. ‘Illuminating York’ is one of the most popular ones and this year they will be opening up some of the city’s most famous buildings at night, where there will be cutting edge lighting installations.

7. Deck the Halls.

Every day we get closer to Christmas the children (and adults) get a little bit more excited. Here are some great ideas to get in the festive mood with the whole family.

1. It wouldn’t be Christmas without a Panto.

Oh no it wouldn’t! Many families make it a tradition to watch a festive show. There are lots of local pantomimes listed in the What's On section. If Panto isn’t your thing you could take a trip to the big smoke and watch ‘Pinocchio’ at the National Theatre.

They have bought the rights from Disney so it will include all the popular songs that your kids love. Plus, its directed by John Tiffany, the Broadway hit maker responsible for 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’ (www. nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/pinocchio). Or, if you are looking for something different there are lots of other seasonal shows such as 'Santa in Love' at The Sandpit Theatre or The Gruffalo's Child at the Lyric Theatre (West End) and at The Radlett Centre too.

2. Go Ice-skating.

Check out your local outdoor rink or make a special trip to have hot chocolate at the beautiful ice rink at Somerset House in London (somersethouse.org.uk/whats-on/skatesomerset-house). There are also pop-up rinks at Canary Wharf, the Natural History Museum and Hampton Court, which are open right through until February next year. For local ice skating try Skate Van Hage in Great Amwell; The Big Skate in Watford; Planet Ice in Hemel Hempstead.

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3. Bake with the kids.

Make festive gingerbread men with the children. The smell of baking, ginger and cinnamon immediately evokes the scent of Christmas. You could also be ambitious and bake biscuits to construct a gingerbread house too. Don’t worry you can also cheat and buy a readymade set from supermarkets like Asda, Aldi and Lidl!

4. Make reindeer food.

Generate excitement about the arrival of Father Christmas and his reindeer by making a special food for Rudolf and friends. You can pre-make it and have it ready to sprinkle on the lawn or hallway on Christmas Eve, so Santa and his friends know where to go! Mix oats with edible glitter (don’t use normal glitter as it could be harmful to animals) and cake sprinkles and then pop the mixture in a suitable bag. You can also get the kids to design their own festive labels and give the bags to family and friends at school.

5. Visit a Christmas market.

Many cities and towns across the UK now have wonderful choice of markets, where you can buy a vast array of gifts, drink mulled wine and soak up the festive atmosphere. Bath has a great market with 170 stalls around the Romans Baths and Abbey (bathchristmasmarket.co.uk), whilst Birmingham hosts the Frankfurt Christmas Market, which is the largest German market held outside Germany and Austria (birmingham.gov.uk). If you want to shop closer to home check out the What's On section in this issue it includes: The Frost Fair (Hatfield House); St Albans Christmas Market and many more.

Put on some Christmas tunes and decorate the house as a family. Get all the decorations out and have fun making your home all Christmassy. Collect some greenery from the garden or whilst you are on a walk. The traditional holly and ivy looks great draped over a mantelpiece or around a doorframe.

You could also get the kids to make their own decorations - card, glue and glitter is all you need!

8. Go and see the Christmas lights.

If you’re on budget this a great way to get into the festive spirit without having to spend a fortune. Most towns and cities also have a festive switch-on, where a local celebrity or panto star turns on the lights and there is usually some free entertainment too. Check out the Christmas Lights Switch Ons listing in What's On to find your nearest event.

9. Help others.

Find out what your local food bank needs at Christmas time. Maybe they are collecting stocking fillers for children or need extra festive food. Get your children to think of someone locally who might like a visit or some extra help during the Christmas period. Go to directory.hertfordshire.gov.uk and search 'food banks' to find your local food bank.

10. Watch a Christmas film.

Snuggling up with a hot cocoa and watching a festive classic can be just what the doctor ordered after a hectic day of Christmas shopping. A Wonderful Life, The Polar Express, Elf, Miracle on 34th Street and Home Alone are just some of the films people love to watch.

Join in the Christmas fun and share your Christmas moments with us on twitter and facebook using the hashtag #FamiliesMagsFestiveFun familiesonline.co.uk

Christmas isn't Christmas until you've chosen your tree. The Pines and Needles experts (wearing kilts!) will be on hand to give advice at their store in Verumlamium Park between 24th November - 17th December.

The store is open from 8am until 9pm, so pay them a visit to get your festivities well and truly under way. It’s a great family day out and they also offer a delivery service from the St Albans store between 7pm-10pm to local postcodes: AL1, AL2 for an extra cost. It couldn’t be easier! The stores are re-stocked every morning with dozens of trees, freshly cut and delivered straight from their plantations. You won't get fresher, fuller or more fabulous trees anywhere else!

Find Pines and Needles at Verumlamium Park, opposite Westminster Lodge, Holywell Hill, St Albans, AL1 2DL. 24th Nov - 17th Dec 8am - 9pm USE CODE : FAM17 to get your free gift with your purchase.

Find out more at www.pinesandneedles.com/st-albans-christmas-tree-store

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Christmas

Books for the Season

By Justine Crow

As a bookseller, one of the least favourite phrases that I hear from passing parents is “No. You’ve got too many books already.” What sort of a message is that? I mean, those very same mums and dads also grumble that their kids just aren’t interested in reading any more. No excuses - Winter is the perfect season for hunkering down and burying noses, so here are some suggestions for filling your youngsters boots with words.

0-2 Years

The Snowbear by Sean Taylor & Claire Alexander

Phaidon RRP £8.95

And we begin with this artful and melodic board book that mixes and matches possibly the two most sung baby songs on the planet (well, your particular parental planet at any rate) accompanied by a banjo, a growling bear and a pirouetting cow (of course!) Perfect for winding down and instilling the irresistible idea in those little minds that bedtime means books.

Frances Lincoln RRP £11.99

Iggy and Martina head off into the snow to play but somehow they wander off just a little too far and after all their hard work getting cold hands whilst patting the snow into shape, who do you think comes to their rescue?

3-5 Years

6-8 Years

The Bear & the Piano Sound Book

by David Litchfield

Santa Claude

by Alex T Smith

Frances Lincoln RRP £14.99

Hodder RRP £5.99

Claude, the daft dog with the knack for being in the wrong place at the right time, has done much to encourage early readers in these pocket sized stories with lots of pictures alongside clear un-daunting text. Our eponymous hero is back and wearing a certain festive person’s trousers, which are just little too big (ho ho ho!) and is causing mayhem with his best friend dear old cuddly Sir Bobblysock.

Twinkle Twinkle ABC by Barney Saltzberg

Now that you’ve warmed up the vocal chords above, everyone can enjoy this new sound edition of last year’s sumptuous hit picture book for pre-schoolers. Not too loud though, or – whispers - you’ll wake the baby.

Scaredy Cat, Scaredy Cat

by Phil Earle Hodder RRP £6.99 Richard Scarry’s Best Treasury Ever

by Richard Scarry Harpercollins RRP £20.00

For fifty years children have been entertained by the antics of Lowly Worm, Hilda Hippo and Huckle Cat and I think the deep affection for the Busytown stories persists because they convey diversity, combined with slapstick and familiarity. Everything and everyone is on the go here in aeroplanes, umpteen diggers and buses, and of course Mr Frumble’s Pickle Car. Just don’t get a ticket from Sergeant Murphy!

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I have thoroughly enjoyed the barmy adventures of the inhabitants of Storey Street and recommend the previous three titles that can be read in any order – upside down.. inside out.. etc.

For our final visit we meet young resident Kay Catt, a timid soul with much to worry about.

Enter Wilf Wilkinson, the weirdest pensioner ever to set foot in the street. Never mind a flat cap and cardi, this old codger has a pointy hat. Just like a.. um.. wizard?

9-11 Years Father Christmas & Me by Matt Haig Canongate RRP £14.99 The third in the tinsel decked trilogy by a brilliant thinker and writer of books for all ages, in which we meet Amelia and her newly adoptive parents, none other than Father and Mary Christmas (who wouldn’t want them for a mum and dad?). But wait, everything we love about this very special time of year is under threat from a certain jealous Easter Bunny and his rabbit henchmen. Yikes!

The Book of Dust by Philip Pullman David Fickling RRP £20.00

By heck, this really is a major publishing event.

Set ten years before the Northern Lights, we meet a new character, Malcolm, who navigates the Thames in his canoe ‘La Belle Sauvage.’

One day he discovers that the priory across the water has a visitor, an infant named Lyra…

In a hundred years time, should bookshops still exist, long after flash-in-the-pan celeb authors have been forgotten, Pullman will be on the shelf right next to the great storytellers such as Dickens and Swift. If we do our job right as parents now, our children’s children will still have their noses buried in really good books like this. You can never have too many of them.

Justine Crow is co-founder of the famous South London bookshop ‘Bookseller Crow on the Hill’ based in Crystal Palace.

As well as being a blogger and reviewer, parent of three and qualified swimming teacher, she also co-authored The Little Book of Nits published by Bloomsbury.

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Christmas with the Little Diggers!

There are plenty of festive events at The SandPit Theatre this season.

The ‘Little Digger’s’ programme will provide everything from alternative theatre fun to pantomime. Their Christmas show, “Santa in Love”, includes everyones favourite Christmas songs to join in with and at the end of the show children can meet Santa and receive a gift!

There is also an exciting adaptation of Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’. With a suitcase full of ghosts, time travel, and a large dose of Christmas spirit with the children getting a chance to join in the play, this is not one to miss.

Little Diggers is the The SandPit Theatre’s children’s programme, providing quality, affordable entertainment for the local area. Tickets for all performances can be booked at www.sandpittheatre.co.uk or call the Box Office on 01727 799565.

Brain Tumour Research Charity Christmas Cards Pioneering charity Brain Tumour Research has taken an innovative approach to their range of Christmas cards this year, signing up supporter and artist, Caroline Copland, to design a new card.

Caroline, who sadly lost her mother Janet to a brain tumour three years ago, was inspired by the Christmas Hope Trees which decorate the charity’s Research Centres of Excellence across the UK each year.

The Hope Tree cards have been added to the range. All cards are priced at £4 per pack of ten, with at least 60% of the proceeds going towards supporting vital research. Brain Tumour Research funds sustainable research to find a cure for brain tumours, which kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer.

To order your cards visit www.braintumourresearch.org/fundraise/ christmas-cards

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Christmas Competition Rapunzel lets down her hair at Hertford Theatre and you can win a family ticket to the opening performance!

Longing to untangle herself from the hair curling clutches of the cruel witch, Mother Gothel, Rapunzel is trapped in the tower of towers. Will she escape?

Hertford Theatre director, Rhys Thomas, who writes and directs the panto says “families can expect an enchanting Christmas show, with jokes, music and brilliant characters, written with local families in mind."

This production is full of fabulously frizzy fun and cracking corkscrew capers. Whatever your age this show is a remedy for any bad hair day!

Rapunzel runs from 2nd December until 1st January with a range of times and prices for each performance. Find out more at www.hertfordtheatre.com For your chance to win a family ticket to the opening performance answer the question below:

What does the Prince ask Rapunzel to let down from her tower?

1. A ladder 2. Her hair 3. The bedsheets

Email your answer to: editor@familiesherts.co.uk Closing date: 15th November You’ve got to be in it to win it but, not everyone can! Non-winning entrants will receive a discount code for Rapunzel tickets.

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Childcare

Can You Really Get 30 Hours of Free Childcare Per Week?

By Ben Black

The recent increase from 15 to 30 hours of free early education and childcare per week brings with it no shortage of complications for parents looking to take advantage of the scheme – and confusion is rife.

In theory, the new 30 hours of free childcare scheme should be hugely helpful for parents of three and four year olds in England who will be eligible. However, there are sure to be some difficulties in the transition and the reality may be somewhat different from what was envisaged.

Applications must be made by parents through the Government’s childcare service on the gov.uk website the term before they plan to start using free childcare. There are strict termly deadlines for application, so it's important for parents to keep a close eye on the Government’s cut off dates - or they will miss out on funding for the following term.

If parents are eligible, they’ll receive a code

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that will allow them to arrange their childcare place with any childcare provider on Ofsted’s Early Years Register. This code will allow for childcare with the provider for three months, before the code expires. Parents will be notified before the expiry date, giving them the opportunity to log back in and either confirm or update their circumstances.

To be eligible, children must be three and four years old, each parent (or sole parent) must be working, based in England and earning more than £120 per week (for those aged 25 or over) and no more than £100,000 year.

the so-called ‘free’ childcare may not actually be free at all.

The consequence of childcare providers opting out of the scheme is that parents need to act as quickly as possible to secure the places that are on offer. Some providers may choose to offer only some of the funded hours, so parents may also need to consider splitting their childcare between more than one setting.

Another factor to consider is the time period over which the funded childcare hours are distributed. The existing 15 hours are

Participating childcare settings include nurseries and nursery classes, playgroups and pre-schools, childminders and Sure Start Children’s Centres. The key word is ‘participating’ as not all childcare settings will be participating in the scheme.

Parents who are not eligible will be able to continue receiving 15 hours of funded childcare. Those who become ineligible after commencing to use 30 hours funded childcare will receive a ‘grace period’ of 30 hours funded care, before returning to the 15 hour entitlement.

One of the key issues is the negative impact of the 30 hours funded childcare on the business models of childcare providers. This is because the hourly rate received by the provider from the Government may not cover the running costs of the setting, leading to a funding shortfall. As a result, some providers have chosen to opt out of the scheme all together, whilst others will be charging parents for additional things such as nappies and food, or charging more for babies and children under two years old, meaning that

usually taken weekly over 38 weeks and many participating parents in the new 30 hours scheme will be expecting to use them in the same way. However, childcare providers are perfectly entitled to offer fewer hours over a longer period. Whilst this may be helpful for parents looking to spread the hours out to cover more weeks, it will mean that you actually get fewer than 30 hours of funded childcare each week.

It is important that parents are fully aware of all their options. Check eligibility and in particular, discern whether your preferred childcare setting will offer some – or all – of the free hours and how they will implement the scheme.

Ben Black is CEO at My Family Care. You can find out more information on the new childcare options on the My Family Care website at www.myfamilycare.co.uk, as well as on the new Childcare Choices website set up by the HRMC at www.childcarechoices.gov.uk. This also gives information about the new Tax Free Childcare Scheme. familiesonline.co.uk

Child Development The Secret Lives of 4 & 5 Year Olds at School Most parents and carers wish they could be a fly-on-the-wall when their child starts school.

Well, Channel 4’s Secret Lives of 4 & 5 year Olds which returns this November, allows them to do just that. Filmed in a specially rigged Essex school, the new series aims to give viewers a child’s perspective of their transition to a school setting.

Claire Winter talks to Dr Elizabeth Kilbey, a psychologist from the show, about what she learnt whilst filming the series.

Can you tell us more about the series?

“It offers this wonderful window, through which we can watch the children playing and interacting with each other. We give them lots of things to do, to see how they manage and play. It’s an amazing way of showing viewers what their children are actually doing at school.”

How did the children cope with the transition to school?

“Parents main worry is generally ‘will my child be alright?’ and some children are very anxious. A great example is that wonderful picture of Prince George looking a bit worried on his first day of school. What I can now confidently tell parents and carers is that their children are absolutely fine, once they are gone. They are doing lots of interesting things and coping brilliantly.”

Not all children cope with the transition so well, what advice would you give to them?

“Take a calm, pragmatic approach. Essentially children tend to be worried about what they think might happen. In reality, they are going to be fine, but they just don’t know that yet. Be confident and reassure your child that everything will be okay. Children are inherently social beings. They are curious and want to interact with people so even timid children will find something that sparks their imagination. Remember, the school setting is

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‘The Secret Lives of 4 and 5 Year Olds’ will be aired on Channel 4 in Nov ember. designed to engage them. It’s getting them to go in which is the tough bit. Once they are there they’ll be fine.”

What advice can you give parents whose children haven’t started school yet?

“Children need to develop communications skills, get used to talking and relating to others and playing cooperatively. All of these social abilities will be vital later in life.

Encourage lots of play with other children and get them to question how things work because natural curiosity is the main driver for learning.”

How can kids deal with friendship issues, if they have fallen out with someone?

“It’s very tempting as a parent to want to fix this problem, but children fall in and out of friendships hundreds of times a day and can usually sort issues out themselves.

If the problem is more complicated and you think there is unkind behaviour or bullying, then an adult might need to step in. But on the whole, conflict, when you are learning to be social is perfectly normal. Ask your child, “Is there anything you can do to sort the situation out?” Try and help them understand the other child’s perspective. As parents, we often overcomplicate issues. We can learn a lot from children, particularly the way they are so open and forgiving.”

How can we deal with the issue of gender with young children?

I feel that gender isn’t particularly a driving force for children this age. They do make

assumptions about children but they are happy for them to be corrected and they play on a much more straightforward basis.

Gender becomes a much bigger issue for children towards the end of primary school.

It’s important to encourage them to keep an open mind and understand that children of all ages and genders need the same opportunities because that is what is important for their development. Brains are not gendered, brains allow our children to learn.

What can you do if a child is exhibiting OCD type behaviour?

“Anxiety needs a non-emotional response and a calm authority can be incredibly helpful. It’s tempting to offer support to someone who is suffering by saying, “isn’t this terrible,” but this reinforces the idea that there is something to be scared of. Parents shouldn’t try to neutralise the anxiety or reinforce it; it is best to carry on, with a business as usual approach.

“If you are concerned or the behaviour is continuing over a long period of time and in more than one setting, get some advice from your school, GP or Health Visitor.”

What was the most interesting insight you gained from watching the children?

“I learnt that children of this age are hilarious and multi-layered. They are not that different from adults. They have amazingly rich social lives. They test hypotheses, ask questions, fail and then carry on. They are resilient and incredibly complicated, just like we are.”

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Christmas What’s On Shows & Pantos 96 SHENLEY ROAD Borehamwood, WD6 1EB 01442 454000 www.96shenleyroad.co.uk Hoot Owl 12 Nov – 2.30pm Children’s theatre. Watch out!

I am HOOT OWL. I am hungry.

And here I come!

Cost: £7 ABBEY THEATRE Westminster Lodge, Holywell Hill, St Albans, AL1 2DL 01727 857861 www.abbeytheatre.org.uk The Snow Queen 15-17, 20-23, 27-29 Dec Family show for all ages from the story by Hans Christan Andersen.

Cost: £12. Concs £11. 13 yrs & under £6 THE ALBAN ARENA Civic Centre, St Albans, AL1 3LD 01727 844488 www.alban-arena.co.uk The Nutcracker 25 Nov – 2.30pm Vienna Festival Ballet.

Cost: £23. Concs £20, £15 Aladdin 7-10, 12-17, 19-24, 26-31 Dec, 2-7 Jan Fun-packed family pantomime.

Cost: from £11.50 BARN THEATRE Handside Lane, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6ST 01707 324300 www.barntheatre.co.uk Narnia The Musical 15-19, 21-24, 27-31 Dec The first & most famous story of The Chronicles of Narnia.

Cost: £15. Family £50 BROADWAY THEATRE Eastcheap, Letchworth Garden City, SG6 3DD 01462 681088 www.broadway-letchworth.com Child of The Divide 14 Nov – 1.30 & 7.30pm Ages 7+. A remarkable story of family, identity & belonging; marking the 70th anniversary of the partition of India.

Cost: £15

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Dear Santa 11 & 13 Dec – 1.30 & 4.30pm 12 Dec – 10.30am & 4.30pm A perfect introduction to theatre for ages 2 to 7. Plus, the opportunity to meet Santa after the show!

Cost: £12. Family £44 CW ENTERTAINMENT Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6BX 0300 3039 620 www.cwentertainment.co.uk Beauty and the Beast 9-31 Dec Pantomime.

Cost: £18. Concs £16. Family £58 GORDON CRAIG THEATRE Lytton Way, Stevenage, SG1 1LZ 01438 363200 www.gordon-craig.co.uk Jack and the Beanstalk Various dates between 1 Dec-28 Jan Pantomime.

Cost: from £14.50 HARPENDEN PUBLIC HALLS Southdown Road, Harpenden, AL5 1PD 01582 767525 www.harpendenpublichalls.co.uk Dick Whittington Various dates between 9-22 Dec Pantomime.

Cost: £14. Concs £12 HERTFORD THEATRE The Wash, Hertford, SG14 1PS 01992 531500 www.hertfordtheatre.com Rapunzel!

2 Dec-1 Jan Journey deep into the misty, magical Black Forest for the hairraising adventures of Rapunzel.

Ages 4+. Cost: Varies. Family ticket from £68 Relaxed Performance of Rapunzel!

28 Dec – 11am Ideal for children & adults with SEN/Autism, or anyone who would benefit from a more relaxed environment. With British Sign Language Signer.

Cost: £10 The Magical Santa Christmas Show 16 & 17 Dec – 10.30am, 12.30 & 2.30pm Join Santa & Ellie The Elf as they get everything ready for Christmas. Magical tricks & singa-long Christmas songs. After the performance, children will meet Santa & receive a gift. Ages 2-5.

Cost: Child £10 (with present).

Accompanying adult £7

THE MARKET THEATRE 6a Sun Street, Hitchin, SG5 1AE 01462 433553 www.markettheatre.co.uk Dick Whittington 9, 10, 16, 17, 22, 23, 28-30 Dec Christmas show for ages 3-9.

Cost: £10 THE OLD TOWN HALL THEATRE High Street, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 3AE 01442 228091 www.oldtownhall.co.uk A Real Alien Adventure 11 Nov – 2.30pm Family show with shadow puppetry, magic & audience interaction.

Cost: £6.50. Dacorum Card £5 Morgan and West: More Magic for Kids 2 Dec – 2.30pm Crazy capers for everyone aged 5+ with time-travelling magicians Morgan & West.

Cost: £6.50. Dacorum Card £5 A Christmas Carol 19 Dec – 4pm 20-22 Dec – 11am & 3pm 23 Dec – 11am The tale of Ebenezer Scrooge gets a fast & funny face-lift.

Contemporary adaptation of the Dickens classic for ages 6+.

Cost: £8. Dacorum Card £6 THE RADLETT CENTRE 1 Alden ham Avenue, Radlett, WD7 8HL 01923 859291 www.radlettcentre.co.uk The Gruffalo's Child 12 Nov – 1.30 & 4.30pm 13 Nov – 10.30am & 1.30pm Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s award-winning sequel comes to life in this magical, musical adaptation.

Ages 3+.

Cost: £12 Beauty and the Beast Various dates & times 9-31 Dec Family pantomime for ages 3+.

Cost: from £18 THE SPOTLIGHT High Street, Hoddesdon, EN11 8BE 01992 441946 www.broxbourne.gov.uk/ thespotlight Pop Divas – Live!

2 Dec – 2pm Tribute show (Meghan Trainor, Arianna Grande, Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Little Mix, Katy Perry & Adele).

Cost: £15

Snow White 13-30 Dec Family pantomime with CITV star Anna Williamson.

Cost: Varies, see website RHODES BISHOPS STORTFORD 1-3 South Road, Bishop’s Stortford, CM23 3JG 01279 710200 www. rhodesbishopsstortford.org.uk Shark in the Park 8 Nov – 1.30pm Fin-tastic family musical. See all 3 of Nick Sharratt’s Shark in the Park books live on stage. Ages 3+.

Cost: £15. Concs £13. Family £52 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Various dates & times 9 Dec-6 Jan Pantomime.

Cost: dependent on date, see website. Family tickets available THE SANDPIT THEATRE The Ridgeway, St Albans, AL4 9NX 01727 799565 www.sandpittheatre.co.uk Santa in Love 3 Dec – 2pm Join Santa & friends in this funfilled family musical complete with games, giggles & Christmas songs. Meet Santa after the show too.

Cost: £12. Concs £10 (includes present for children) A Christmas Carol 16 Dec – 3pm Dicken’s classic tale, with a popup book and lots of humbugs!

Cost: £6. Concs £4 THE WESTON AUDITORIUM University of Hertfordshire, De Havilland Campus, Hatfield, AL10 9EU 01707 281127 www.herts.ac.uk/ artsandgalleries Shark in the Park 11 Nov – 2pm See all 3 of Nick Sharratt’s Shark in the Park books live on stage.

Cost: £12. Concs £10. Family £40 Penguin!

10 Dec – 11am & 2pm Ben receives a present and inside is a penguin…but penguin will not talk to Ben. 45 min show plus 10 mins to meet the puppets.

Cost: £8. Concs £6 A Russian Christmas 17 Dec – 3pm Orchestral concert of festive Russian music.

Cost: £20. Concs £15. Child £8.

Student £6 familiesonline.co.uk

WYLLYOTTS THEATRE

HARPENDEN: BATFORD

Wyllyotts Place, Darkes Lane, Potters Bar, EN6 2HN 01707 645005 www.wyllyottstheatre.co.uk

www.harpenden.gov.uk 10 Dec

The Nutcracker Ballet 26 Nov – 2pm

www.harpenden.gov.uk 1 Dec

Vienna Festival Ballet.

Cost: £18. Child £13

HERTFORD CHRISTMAS GALA

Cinderella Various dates 13-31 Dec, generally 1pm & 5pm Pantomime.

Cost: dependent on date, see website. Family tickets available ST ALBANS MUMMERS Various locations in St Albans City Centre starting in front of the Town Hall 01727 864511 www.enjoystalbans.com 26 Dec from 11.30am For over 40 years the Mummers have performed their unique adaptation of George & The Dragon on Boxing Day. PLANET ICE Jarmans Park, Hemel Hempstead, HP2 4JS 08458 725 799 www.planet-ice.co.uk Around the World In 80 Days…

12 Dec – 5 & 7pm Christmas ice show.

Cost: £8.50. Concs £6. Child £5.50. Family tickets available ST MARY’S CHURCH Hitchin, SG5 1HP www.hitchinband.co.uk The Snowman 2 Dec – 3, 4.30 & 6pm Special screenings of the timeless animated film featuring a live performance of the musical score performed by the Hitchin Band.

Cost: £10. Under 16s £5. Under 3s Free. 10% discount on 4+ chargeable tickets

Christmas Lights Switch Ons HARPENDEN CHRISTMAS CARNIVAL Church Green, Harpenden, AL5 2TN 26 Nov Farmers Market from 12 noon.

Stage acts from 1pm. Arrival of Father Christmas & the Town Mayor in the walking procession along the High Street at 3pm.

Lights switched on 5pm.

familiesonline.co.uk

Christmas Markets

HARPENDEN: SOUTHDOWN

Town Centre 01992 552885 www.hertford.gov.uk 24 Nov – 3.30-8pm Christmas markets; street entertainment; performance stage, petting reindeer & Christmas grotto.

HEMEL HEMPSTEAD 2462 Marlowes www.visitherts.co.uk 26 Nov – 12-5.40pm Children activities, street entertainment, stage performances & the chance to meet Father Christmas.

Culminating in the lights being switched on & a fireworks display.

HODDESDON LOVES CHRISTMAS High Street 01992 785655 www.broxbourne.gov.uk 25 Nov – 10am-6pm Stalls with gifts & produce for the festive season. Choirs & musical groups. Santa's Grotto; fairground rides; arts & crafts; face painting. A Father Christmas parade later in the afternoon before the switch on of the Christmas tree lights followed by a short fireworks display.

SAWBRIDGEWORTH Bell Street Car Park www.sawbridgeworth-tc.gov.uk 27 Nov from 4.30pm. Switch on 6.30pm ST ALBANS St Peter's Street www.enjoystalbans.com 26 Nov – 12-6pm WELWYN GARDEN CITY Howardsgate www.welwyngarden.co.uk 16 Nov from 3pm. Switch on 6.30pm Meet Santa. Reindeer. Polar Bear. Fun fair. Rides. Street food market.

WHEATHAMPSTEAD www.wheathampstead-pc.gov.uk 30 Nov – 5.45-8pm Santa; children’s rides; food stalls & carols.

APPLECROFT SCHOOL Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6JZ Winter Bazaar 2 Dec – 11am-2.30pm Christmas & craft stalls, children's games, Santa's Grotto, refreshments.

Cost: £1 entry. Child/Senior free ASHLYNS SCHOOL Chesham Road, Berkhamsted, HP4 3AH Craft Fair 19 Nov Around 70 stalls of local crafts & handmade gifts. Refreshments.

Activities for children.

Cost: £2 entry. Accompanied children free. Free parking BERKHAMSTED COURT HOUSE Church Lane, HP4 2AX 11, 18 & 25 Nov – 9am-1pm Charity Christmas cards, gifts & stocking fillers on sale.

HATFIELD HOUSE Hatfield, AL9 5NQ 01707 287010 www.hatfield-house.co.uk The Frost Fair 16-19 Nov – 10am-5pm Up to 200 stands of original gift ideas. Crafts people showing display their skills. Fine Food Fair. Entertainment from choirs, dancers and street entertainers.

Father Christmas.

Cost: £8. Discount for advanced booking. Accompanied children free.

KNEBWORTH HOUSE Knebworth, SG1 2AX 01438 812661 www.knebworthhouse.com 10, 11 & 12 Nov – 10am-4pm Knebworth Christmas Fair Over 200 art & craft, gift, homeware and food & drink stalls. Father Christmas Grotto & live reindeer!

Cost: £5. Child (includes Father Christmas visit) £5. Advance tickets £4 Sunday Lunch with Santa 3, 10 & 17 Dec – 12.30pm Festive two-course lunch with a visit from Santa & gift for every child. Booking essential.

Cost: £25. Child (age up to 13) £12

PARADISE WILDLIFE PARK White Stubbs Lane, Broxbourne, EN10 7QA 01992 470490 www.pwpark.com Christmas Fayre 18 Nov from 10am Stalls. Gingerbread making for children. Reindeer. Santa arrives in his carriage pulled by white horses at 10.30am.

Cost: Craft fayre only £2. Free for under 2s or with Park tickets REDBOURN CHRISTMAS MARKET Redbourn High Street, AL3 7LW www.redbournchristmasmarket. com 3 Dec – 11am-5pm Local crafts & gift ideas, food, music & Santa Claus.

ST ALBANS CHRISTMAS MARKET Vintry Garden & outside St Albans Cathedral www.enjoystalbans.com 25 Nov-23 Dec. Mon-Wed & Fri 11am-6pm; Thurs 11am- 8pm; Sat & Sun 10am-6pm Around 50 traditional wooden chalets selling festive decorations, gifts, food, clothing & homewares. Plus, entertainment, twinkly lights & plenty of Christmas cheer!

Clubs, Classes & Activities ARTSHED ARTS Westmill Farm, Westmill Road, Ware, SG12 0ES 01920 466446 www.artshedarts.co.uk Pottery Throwing Taster Sessions 16 Dec – 30 min slots 10am-2pm 8yrs +. Two people can throw at the same time. Booking essential.

Cost: £18 including clay, glazing & firing ASHRIDGE ESTATE Visitor Centre, Moneybury Hill, Ringshall, Berkhamsted, HP4 1LT 01442 851227 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ ashridge-estate Christmas Pudding Walk 27 Nov-8 Jan – 10am-3pm Self-led walk, following the puddings on this way-marked route through the woodland.

FREE 13

Christmas What’s On Children’s Christmas Trail 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 30, 31 Dec – 10am-3pm Follow mouse & other creatures as they create a wonderful Christmas garland. With Christmas gift for every helper.

Cost: Child £3 Children's Christmas Crafts 26-29 Dec – 10am-3pm Make a paper Xmas wreath or finger mouse puppet inspired by Ashridge’s Christmas trail story.

Cost: Child £2 Jingle Ponies 17 Dec – 11am-12noon Parade of local horses (and their owners) in fancy dress for the Christmas festivities.

FREE Post-Christmas Walk 27 Dec – 10am-12noon Join knowledgeable volunteers on a scenic walk after the excesses of Christmas.

Must book.

Cost: £5. Child £3 BABY & CHILD FIRST AID COURSE Fire Station Community Meeting Room, 153 London Road, St Albans, AL1 1TQ www.nct.org.uk/branches 11 Nov or 9 Dec 10am-12.30pm or 1.30-4pm Build your confidence as a parent or carer in dealing with emergency situations.

Cost: £30. Couple £55. (Limited number of concessionary places at £12) BERKHAMSTED BASECAMP All camps take place in Berkhamsted www.berkhamstedbasecamp. co.uk 18-22 Dec. 2-5 Jan Multi activity camps for ages 3-11.

Cost: Day £35. 5-day week £160.

4-day week £140 BRITISH SCHOOLS MUSEUM 41/42 Queen Street, Hitchin, SG4 9TS 01462 429245 www.britishschoolsmuseum. co.uk Children's Books Activity Day 25 Nov – 10am-1pm Final chance to see the Museum’s exhibition on children's books.

Crafts & activities for all the family and a Museum trail with prizes.

Cost: See website Christmas Fayre 8 Dec – 4.30-7.30pm

14 Families Herts

9 Dec – 10am-4pm Stalls selling crafts & homemade goods. Refreshments. See the Headmaster's House decorated for a Victorian Christmas.

Cost: See website BROADWAY STUDIO & GALLERY 2 The Arcade, Letchworth Garden City, SG6 3EW 01462 681088 www.broadway-letchworth.com Family Arts Studio 12 Nov & 10 Dec – 10am-1pm Hands-on craft activities led by professional artists, inspired by artworks in the Broadway Gallery. No booking required.

Open to all, but aimed at accompanied children aged 3-10.

FREE HERTFORD MUSEUM 18 Bull Plain, Hertford, SG14 1DT 01992 582686 www.hertfordmuseum.org Stay and Play Saturdays 4 Nov & 2 Dec. Drop in 10.30am-4.30pm.

Toys & crafts. Explore the galleries.

FREE Christmas Bonanza!

24 Nov – 4-8pm To celebrate the Christmas lights switch on in Hertford, drop in for some festive fun. Santa’s Grotto (small charge per child); carol singing; simple sparkly crafts; listen to a Christmas story.

FREE. Donations welcome Christmassy Crafts!

21 Dec. Drop in 10.30am-3.30pm (last entry 3pm) Cost: £1.50 per child KIDS FITNESS Healthy U Gym, 1-4 Kimps Way, Bennetts End, Hemel Hempstead, HP3 8EN 01442 769071 www.healthyugym.com Tues & Thurs – 4.15-5.15pm Stretch sessions; circuit classes; body weight exercises; HIIT classes & ball games. Also learn why these are important & what muscles are being used while doing different exercises. Ages 6-11, girls & boys.

Book in advance.

Cost: £4 per session LITTLE VOICES Applecroft School, Applecroft Road, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6JZ 07506 680123

www.littlevoices.org.uk/ locations/welwyngardencity Weds (term time) Ages 4-18. Performing Arts training teaching singing & drama whilst building confidence & promoting children’s personal & social development.

Individual tuition within a group of 6 children.

Cost: varies depending on age.

FREE trial class MILL GREEN MUSEUM & MILL Mill Green, Hatfield, AL9 5PD 01707 357850 www.welhat.gov.uk/museum Toddler Workshop 16 Nov & 14 Dec – 10-11.30am Art & craft, story time, visit the mill & museum. Drink and biscuit provided.

Cost: £3 per toddler (includes entrance for one adult) Christmas Holiday Activities for Children 21 Dec – 10am, 11.15am, 1.15pm & 2.30pm Make a fresh flower table centre for your Christmas table.

Cost: £3.50 per child per session PANSHANGER PARK Nr Welwyn, SG14 2WN 01727 858901 www.hertswildlifetrust.org.uk Rustic Reindeer Workshop 26 Nov – 10am-1pm Outdoor workshop. Make a rustic log reindeer to take home.

Materials & tools provided. Plus, hot campfire snacks! Ages 8+ (children must be accompanied by an adult). Booking essential.

Cost: £15 per reindeer Christmas Crafts Kids Workshop 3 Dec – 10am-12noon or 1-3pm Ages 4+ (children must be accompanied by an adult).

Make natural tree decorations; a tree cookie; a wax candle; a log elf & more. Outdoors with campfire snacks.

Cost: £7 per child ROYSTON MUSEUM 5 Lower King Street, Royston, SG8 5AL 01763 242587 www.roystonmuseum.org.uk Toddler Music & Dance 10 & 20 Nov, 8 & 15 Dec 10.30-11.30am Toddler music & dance workshop themed around the museum’s collections. Booking essential.

FREE

Historical Crafter day: Whydale 11 Nov – 10.30am-12noon Ages 4-10. Be inspired by this local artist and create your own pictures. Drop-in crafty activities & trail around the museum.

Cost: £3 per child Family Felt-Making 18 Nov – 10.30am-12noon Family-friendly beginner’s workshop for ages 4 to adult (children must be with an adult).

Learn about the ancient craft of creating felt from wool fibres in a fun atmosphere.

Cost: £5 per person Historical Crafty Kids: Winter Celebrations 9 Dec Discover how people used to celebrate winter. Drop in crafty activities & trail around the museum for ages 4-10.

Cost: £3 per child Crafty Kids: Merry Christmas!

16 Dec – 10.30am-12noon Drop-in craft activities for ages 4-10.

Cost: £3 per child RYE MEADS NATURE RESERVE Rye Road, Stanstead Abbotts, SG12 8JS 01992 708384 www.rspb.org.uk Messy Welly Club 15 Nov & 20 Dec – 10.3011.45am Messy outdoor play for under 5s with parent/guardian. Booking essential.

Cost: £3.50. Non-members £4.50. £3 parking for nonmembers VERULAMIUM MUSEUM St Michael's, St Albans, AL3 4SW 01727 751810 www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk Tots Tales 8 Nov & 13 Dec – 10.30am, 11.45am, 1.30pm Story, craft activity & museum hunt. Ages 2-4, accompanied by an adult. Book in advance.

Cost: £3. Museum entry charge applies to non-residents Meet Tessa Wheeler 18 Nov – 2 & 3pm In the 1930s, Tessa Wheeler & her husband Mortimer led archaeological digs at Verulamium and discovered lots about the Roman town.

Hear stories of the original Verulamium excavations with this storyteller archaeologist.

FREE. Museum entry charge applies to non-residents familiesonline.co.uk

Attractions & Events SANTA TO YOUR DOOR A Christmas Celebration 2 Dec – 11am-3pm A festive family fun day! Create decorations, listen to cosy Christmas stories & spot the stars in the gallery trail.

FREE. £1.50 per child for craft activity. Museum entry charge applies to non-residents Crafts in the Colonnade 20 & 27 Dec – 2-4pm (last entry 3.40pm) Simple festive crafts inspired by the museum’s collections.

Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Cost: £1.50. Museum entry charge applies to non-residents Museum Explorers 21 & 28 Dec Borrow items from an explorer kit to help you investigate the museum.

FREE. Museum entry charge applies to non-residents WITHIN THE WALLS GARDEN PROJECT St Paul's Walden, Nr Hitchin, SG4 8BT www.facebook.com/ withinthewallsgardenproject Garden Gang Weds 1-3pm Outdoor session for ages 0-4 with parent/carer.

Cost: £5 per child. Siblings under 18 mths free Twilight Team Weds 4-6pm An after-school club with a difference! Ages 4-11. Try fire lighting & campfire cooking, follow twilight trails & play glostick games.

Cost: £10 per child Bush craft For Home-Schooled Children Tues 1-2.30pm Ages 4- 12. Learn how to use tools to work with wood. Make elder pens & hazel key-rings. Try fire-lighting & campfire cooking.

Cost: £10 per child. Additional siblings £5

Call 0208 959 1045 / 07969 121094 info@adamantsparties.co.uk A visit from Santa on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or any other time. He will deliver your presents and chat to the children.

He may sing a few festive songs before he says goodbye!

COURTYARD ARTS CENTRE Port Vale, Hertford, SG14 3AA 01992 509596 www.courtyardarts.org.uk Carols at Courtyard 6 Dec – 10am-4pm Enjoy a mulled wine or hot chocolate & mince pie whilst listening to the Courtyard Quartet sing seasonal songs (from 11am). Shop & additional crafts stalls.

FREE. Donations welcome JINGLE BELL JOG & REINDEER RUN

LOWEWOOD MUSEUM

ST ALBANS CATHEDRAL

High Street, Hoddesdon, EN11 8BH 01992 445596 www.broxbourne.gov.uk

AL1 1BY 01727 860780 www.stalbanscathedral.org

Father Christmas 2 Dec Have a go at Christmas craft & visit Father Christmas in his grotto.

Cost: £5 per visit to Father Christmas (includes gift) PARADISE WILDLIFE PARK White Stubbs Lane, Broxbourne, EN10 7QA 01992 470490 www.pwpark.com Christmas Fayre 18 Nov from 10am See ‘Christmas Markets’ above for details.

Santa’s Grotto Every weekend from 18 Nov. Daily 16-24 Dec – 11.30am-1pm & 2.30-4pm Book online.

Cost: £4.50 + Park entry Carol Concert 9 Dec – 2pm Book online in advance.

Cost: included in Park entry SHEPRETH WILDLIFE PARK

Waterend Barn, Civic Close, St Peters Street, St Albans, AL1 3LE 01442 820717 www.renniegrove.org/ jinglebelljog 3 Dec Race around the streets of St Albans. 1.5km for all ages. 5km for adults/over 10s.

Cost: Reindeer Run (includes antlers, flashing nose & medal): Age 4 & under £5, 5-16 yrs £10, Over 16s £16. Jingle Bell Jog (includes Santa suit & medal): 10-16 yrs £10, Over 16s £16

Station Road, Shepreth, SG8 6PZ www.sheprethwildlifepark.co.uk

LEE VALLEY BOATS

SPORTSPACE HEMEL HEMPSTEAD

Broxbourne Riverside Moorings, Nazeing Road, Broxbourne, EN10 6QT 01992 462085 leevalleyboats.co.uk Santa Cruise 16 & 17 Dec – 10am, 11.45am, 1.30pm & 3.15pm Mulled wine & mince pie for adults. Present from Santa for children. Book in advance. £10 per person

Santa’s Grotto Every weekend throughout December See website for details.

SKATE VAN HAGE Great Amwell, Pepper Hill, SG12 9RP 01920 870811 www.vanhage.co.uk 16 Nov-8 Jan Real ice rink.

Cost: varies, see website

Park Rd, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 1JS 01442 507100 www.sportspace.co.uk Frozen Inspired Christmas Party 21 Dec – 10.30am-12.30pm Ages 4-11. Build a snowman cuddly toy, sing along with Elsa and enjoy a warm cocoa & Christmas cookie Cost: £20 (non-member £22)

Next issue: education, early years care, clubs & classes To advertise your business or service call 020 8428 6384 or email editor@familiesherts.co.uk

familiesonline.co.uk

Christingle Service 10 Dec – 3pm Children & adults alike love this service which ends in candlelight.

FREE Carols on the Hour 16 Dec – on the hour 11am-4pm Sing some uplifting carols with the Cathedral choirs. Lasts 30 minutes.

FREE Crib Service 24 Dec – 2.30pm Popular lively service lasting no more than an hour, intended mainly for children & young families. Children can also visit the crib in the Cathedral & join in singing carols.

FREE ST ELIZABETH'S CENTRE Perry Green, Much Hadham, SG10 6EW 01279 843451 www.stelizabeths.org.uk Christmas Bazaar 25 Nov – 12-4pm Music, gifts & games plus Father Christmas & his reindeer!

Santa Dash 1 Dec. Warm up 10.30am, starts 11am One-mile fun run, walk or wheelchair dash held in beautiful grounds, followed by mince pies & mulled wine. Fancy dress optional! Contact the Fundraising Team to find out more.

ST FRANCIS CHURCH Church Road, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6HH www.stfranciswgc.org.uk Christmas Tree Festival 9 Dec – 12-6pm 10 Dec – 12-5pm Approx. 70 decorated trees.

Santa's Grotto. Children’s crafts.

Family games. Hot food.

Cost: £3. Accompanied under 12s free WILLOWS ACTIVITY FARM Coursers Road, London Colney, St Albans, AL2 1BB 0870 129 9718 www.willowsactivityfarm.com Santa Spectacular 22 Nov-24 Dec Indoor & outdoor fun. Meet Santa & his reindeer and receive a golden key to his Toy Shop.

Attend Elf Academy. Make a reindeer cuddly toy. Synthetic ice rink. 3D film & Christmas shows.

Cost: £11.50-£34 15

Christmas What’s On

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