Families SE December 2011 issue 135

ISSUE NO. 135 ESTABLISHED 1996

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DECEMBER 2011

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www.familiesse.co.uk

south east london

YES, I can touch-type Touch-typing taught in just 10 hours Book for Pre-Christmas Intensive Courses

"$") '(( #&'%

With proper tuition children can learn to touch-type surprisingly quickly and, what’s more, enjoy the whole experience. ■Improved speed and effectiveness in study. ■Well presented work increases self-esteem. ■There are particular benefits for those with dyslexia or dyspraxia.

Also booking for Saturday classes.

To find out more call:

020 8858 9180

YES Tuition and Training, The Station Building, 187 Greenwich High Road, Greenwich SE10 8JA. www.yes-tuitionandtraining.co.uk

THE TREE’S up and twinkling, the cats are twitching their noses at thought of turkey offcuts so hooray - here comes Christmas...

We would like to give a BIG thank you to the wonderful advertisers who support Families through the year. Without them, there would be no magazine - please support them too! Also to the many shops, nurseries, schools, cafes and more who ensure that there are copies to read every month - thank you, too (I can feel a group hug coming on). We wish you all joy, peace and smiles for Christmas and the new year.

Robina Cowan, editor

IN THIS ISSUE 2-3 Local News and Views Festive fun for little ones, Greenwich as a top destination, card aid for charities, therapy for children, and the best local shops in southeast London

4-5 Great Gifts Guide Inspired ideas for the whole family, at stocking-filler prices

6 Education News Your chance to rate your child’s school, Streatham girls go fundraising, how reading buddies are supporting each other, resources for dyslexics, and Blue Elephant brings drama to Southwark schoolchildren

7 Olley’s Fish Experience A family lunch at Herne Hill’s renowned restaurant “where fish is taken seriously”

8 Books for Christmas Justine Crow’s recommendations for bookworms and people who just love sharing a picture book (that’s all of us, then)

9-14 What’s On Holiday workshops, pantos, ice rinks and festive events, all rounded up to put a smile on everyone’s face

15 The Dos and Don’ts of Christmas One mother’s advice on making it a less-stress Christmas so you’ll remember the laughter and love, come January

16 Mothers Mean Business Showcasing Home and Kids - a fabulous shop in Hither Green

17 Christmas Windows Luca and Maya show your children how to get that stained glass look to decorate your windows

18-19 What’s New Useful information and products to make your life a little easier

20 The Back Page Local businesses in southeast London Front cover: Family wardrobe all from Heatons, www.heatonsstores.com Next issue: Next issue out

Friday 13 January 2012 (eek).

Copy deadline w/c 19 December

LocalNews email your news to editor@familiesse.co.uk

children Activities for Funky Monkey opens new classes Funky Monkey Keyboard Classes are expanding their south London centres from March 2012, adding a new venue just ten minutes from Herne Hill.

Funky Monkey run exciting and creative electronic keyboard classes, where 5-8 year-olds learn to read and write music, and master the keyboard. A relaxed, fun approach ensures maximum enjoyment with lively games, composition and first-rate music tuition. Perfect for younger children who are not quite ready for the piano.

The upcoming venue is in Clapham/ Stockwell SW4, joining the classes already running in Blackheath, Herne Hill, Dulwich and Streatham. For more information, call 0800 107 7949, email mail@funkymonkey.info or visit www.funkymonkey.info.

Countdown to Christmas Christmas fun for little ones is spreading all across southeast London, and here are some highlights: • There’ll be a Santa’s grotto at LWS Cafe, 46-48 Westow Street in Crystal Palace, from noon to 2pm on Sunday 11 December, 020 8653 4011, lwscharity@gmail.com • Tea Dance for Little People are hosting breakfast with Santa and an alternative grotto from 18-22 December, plus afternoon parties featuring a good old-fashioned dance-off with Santa and his Head Elf. Book first 106 Endwell Road, Brockley SE4, 0781 717 6018, info@tdlp.co.uk.

• At the Diddi Dance Christmas party, little visitors can enjoy some high energy dancing, with refreshments and a visit from Santa. 17 December at Mycenae House in Blackheath - book first on 07973 982 790, info@diddidance.com.

• Theatre Tots are staging The Dinosaurs’ Christmas a Christmas show just for under six year-olds. 13 and 18 December in Greenwich and Hither Green - see our What’s On listings for details.

• For traditional, “he’s behind you” panto fun, how about Jack and the Beanstalk at the Broadway Theatre in Catford? Tickets for some performances are available for a credit crunch £10. 020 8690 0002, www.broadwaytheatre.org.uk.

n ups w o r g r o f s w Ne

Families South East PO Box 11591, London SE26 6WB 020 8699 7240 www.familiesse.co.uk editor@familiesse.co.uk

®

Where are we?

Everywhere in southeast London! © Families South East. We take every care preparing this magazine, but the publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents nor for any consequence. Families South East is part of the Families group, established in 1990 and headed by Families South West. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence.

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Go Greenwich!

Frommer’s travel guide has listed Greenwich as one of the top ten global destinations for 2012.

In January, Greenwich will become a Royal Borough, before going on to host a total of 34 events in nine sports during the London Olympic and Paralympic Games.

It will also be the year in which the Cutty Sark is restored to its former splendour in the heart of Greenwich’s town centre.

A cultural festival will animate the borough’s streets and open spaces, attracting thousands more visitors and taking place before, during and after the Olympic and Paralympic Games. This includes the Greenwich Festivals, a series of high-quality events which celebrate the cultural vibrancy of Greenwich.

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Christmas shopping - right up your street Not long to go now (oh - the excitement). If you have some gaps in your ‘to buy’ list (don’t forget Uncle Jack, and the nephews/ nieces and cousins who were all born since last year), you need a friendly, local shopkeeper to inspire you. Here are our favourites:

GORGEOUS GIFTS

TOYS and GAMES

Alhambra Home & Garden 148 Kirkdale, Sydenham SE26, 020 3417 6385, www.alhambrahome.co.uk Aqua Lifestyle 1b Calton Avenue, Dulwich SE21, 020 8693 9222 Bunka 4 Dartmouth Road, Forest Hill SE23, 020 8291 4499 Dulwich Trader 9 Croxted Road, West Dulwich SE21, 020 8761 3457 Juliette’s Handmade World 3 Belvedere Road, Crystal Palace SE19, open Fridays to Sundays, 07545 955 532 Jumping Bean 45 Honor Oak Park, Forest Hill SE23, 020 8314 4747 Jumping Bean 47 High Street Beckenham BR3, 020 8650 5889 Home and Kids 37 Staplehurst Road, Hither Green SE13, 020 8244 0172, www.homeandkids.co.uk Moe’s Potting Shed 109 Rosendale Road, West Dulwich SE21, 020 8761 2600 Smash Bang Wallop 40 Westow Street, Crystal Palace SE19, 020 8771 5517 South of the River 56 Westow Street, Crystal Palace SE19, 020 8653 1669 .

2nd Impressions 10 Montpelier Vale, Blackheath SE3, 020 8852 6192 Art Stationers and Toyshop 31 Dulwich Village SE21, 020 8693 5938 Beckenham Toyshop 226 High Street, Beckenham BR3, 020 8650 5355 Choc-a-Block Toys 5 Nelson Road, Greenwich SE10 9JB, 020 8616 3308 Education Interactive 10 Staplehurst Road, Hither Green SE13, 020 8318 6380 Green Baby 52 Greenwich Church Street SE10, 020 8858 6690 Just Williams 105 Grove Vale, East Dulwich SE22, 020 8299 3444 Just Williams 18 Half Moon Lane, Herne Hill SE24, 020 7733 9995 Ottie and the Bea 12 Old Dover Road, Blackheath Royal Standard SE3, 020 8465 5318 Soup Dragon 106 Lordship Lane, East Dulwich SE22, 020 8693 5575

BOOKSHOPS Beckenham Bookshop 42 High Street, Beckenham BR3, 020 8650 9744 Bookseller Crow 50 Westow Street, Crystal Palace SE19, 020 8771 8831 Dulwich Books 3 Croxted Road, West Dulwich SE19, 020 8670 1920 Kirkdale Bookshop 272 Kirkdale, Sydenham SE26, 020 8778 4701 Review 131 Bellenden Road, Peckham SE15, 020 7639 7400 Tales on Moon Lane 25 Half Moon Lane, Herne Hill SE24, 020 7274 5759 Village Books 1d Calton Avenue, Dulwich Village SE21, 020 8693 2808

Challenging children

10th annual Scrooge Award

The TLC team from King’s College London are conducting a programme aimed at helping parents manage children’s challenging behaviours, including aggression, disobedience and tantrums.

The team are looking for families with three to eight year-olds who experience these difficulties.

Eligible families who wish to participate will receive free, non-medication-based treatment by working one-on-one with a therapist in six weekly 1-2 hour sessions at the Denmark Hill campus of King’s College London. They will be reimbursed for their time.

By participating in an assessment before and after treatment, the families will help the team evaluate the effectiveness of this programme.

The programme will run until January 2013. To find out more or ask about eligibility, call Jenny Allen on 020 7848 0756 or Kim McGregor on 020 7848 5836; or email tlc@kcl.ac.uk.

Every year the Charities Advisory Trust surveys high street retailers to see who is using charity to help boost sales but actually giving very little to charity.

Charity cards used to be an important way of earning money for charities. People bought them cards to show their friends that they were caring, decent people. However there is no legislation to control the amount going to charity - companies can give as little as 2% and still label the card as a charity card.

The good news is that years of campaigning by the Charities Advisory Trust has successfully pushed the donation to a minimum of 10% for many cards on the high street, while some such as John Lewis, Paperchase and Debenhams are giving more.

For the maximum donation (40-60%), buy your cards through Card Aid shops, online at www.cardaid.co.uk, or direct from charity shops.

This White Christmas card is from Card Aid and as they say: “Never say it’s just a Christmas card - just one pack pays for two weeks schooling in Africa.”

For the full ‘scrooge’ report, go to www.charitiesadvisorytrust.org.uk.

Family Legal Services To arrange an initial free consultation please ring

020 8858 6971 Friendly, professional legal advice Email family@grantsaw.co.uk Visit www.grantsaw.com Norman House, 110-114 Norman Road, Greenwich, SE10 9EH Find us just around the corner from Greenwich train & DLR stations

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The great gift guide:

Underneath the Christmas tree Our pick of interesting, quirky and fun gifts at stocking filler prices

Under £30 Hang a Eureka Toys Illuminated Moon on your wall, and use the remote control to scroll through 12 authentic lunar phases. A fascinating educational toy or a nightlight with a difference you choose. Rrp £29.99 from toyshops including Choc-a-Block in Greenwich, Just William in East Dulwich and Herne Hill, and online.

Bounce around the Christmas tree before lunch on a HappyHooperz sit-on reindeer. £21.99 from Argos, Amazon and happyhopperz.co.uk.

Delightfully retro wooden Pull Along Frog - watch him hop up and down. £23 from coxandcox.co.uk.

Go on - you looked and squeaked a big “Aaah” didn’t you. Handmade Snowdrop baby hat, arrives gift boxed. Baby not included! £20.95, CobWebKnits, 0560 163 2530, cobwebknits.co.uk.

Victorian Maid costume for girls aged 3-11. How very Downton Abbey - maybe she’ll make the beds for you... £25.50 from Kiddymania, 01455 615804, kiddymania.co.uk.

Under £20 A knitted T-Rex £12.99 - one of many knitted and crocheted toys, vegetables and donuts from Alhambra on Kirkdale, Sydenham and alhambra.home.co.uk.

Snuggle up in a pair of Gruffalo pyjamas, in blue or pink, £17 from Biff in Dulwich Village, biffkids.co.uk.

Up Up and Away fabric stickers to personalise notebooks, lunchboxes, laptops, mobile phones and more. £14, part of an extensive range of mini and wall stickers by By Love Mae, from Quick Brown Fox of Dulwich, 01206 272 051, quickbrownfoxofdulwich.co.uk.

Our favourite landmarks from Big Ben to the London Eye via Number 10 all in a bag. London Play Set £14.50 from coxandcox.co.uk, 0844 858 0744.

You’ve bought every book Justine recommends - now stop them toppling over. Folly bookends in three designs, £18.95 each from follyhome.co.uk or 01455 631984.

Keep out the ccc-cold with fake fur earmuffs from £12 or hat from £13, both from Vertaubet, 0844 842 0000, vertbaudet.co.uk.

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Alhambra Home & Garden

148 Kirkdale, London SE26 4BB Unique Christmas gifts for adults and kids, plus Spanish rugs, tiles, food and cookware.

Special Offer Shopping Night Friday 2 December 6pm-9pm

Under £10 Distinguish your child’s scooter from the others lined up in the park with a Scootrix personalised number plate, rrp £9.99 from retailers including Home and Kids in Hither Green, John Lewis and micro-scooters.co.uk.

Personalised LEGO brick key rings instantly name school bags, coats - or keys. £3.50 from labels4kids.com/fam.

020 3417 6385 www.alhambrahome.co.uk

A box of Carddies is filled with 12 double-sided, hand drawn characters, colouring pencils and a colour-in backdrop to create a play scene. Choose from different themes, £8.99 each, carddies.com.

Is it a bird? Yes. It’s also a stylish way to seal bags, display pictures and keep things together. Coated steel Peter & Paul Bird clips, gift wrapped and sold in pairs, £9.95 from carolinemcgrath.co.uk.

A Routemaster mug is a jolly way to enjoy that morning cuppa before braving the morning commute. £6.95 arrives boxed with a brief history of the iconic London bus, dieselfrog.com, 01625 419884.

Classic beech wood rattle to shake and chew, £5.99 from Tippitoes, 0845 600 8595, tippitoes.com.

Dressed in a Baby Reindeer Suit, everyone will want to hold your little one while you get on with the sprouts. £8, F&F at Tesco, 0800 505555, tesco.com.

inspirational ideas... flexible solutions

gardening tutorials garden design • planting plans Tel: 020 8289 8086 or 0777 6237288

www.plewsgardendesign.co.uk

Fourway Pharmacy 12 Half Moon Lane, Herne Hill, London SE24 9HU • Moltex, Nature, Bambo and Tushies eco-friendly nappies • Buggiboards • Baby passport photos • Green toiletries, homeopathy, aromatherapy • Friendly and free health advice

Special offer!

Free pack of eco-friendly nappies when renting a TENS machine for labour!

Roger Humbles MRPharmS

020 7924 9344 e mail: fourway@npanet.co.uk

wwww.fourwaypharmacy.co.uk Toasty feet with Claw Slippers, £12 F&F and Tesco, 0800 505555, tesco.com Protect your Blackberry or iPhone with a gel-style Jelly Belly case. Scented with Bubblegum, Very Cherry, Blueberry, Top Banana, Green Apple, Wild Blackberry, French Vanilla, Liquorice or Grape, £15.99 at Carphone Warehouse.

The outlook's gloomy but the view is brighter through a Stick it Window Clock. Arrives as a kit and sticks to any smooth glass or metal surface, £17.50 from coxandcox.co.uk, 0844 858 0744.

When generations gather for Christmas, the family stories come out. The new Which? Tracing Your Family’s History has step-by-step instructions and practical tips for tracing your family history, and creating your own family tree using the CD-Rom which is included. Rrp £12.99 from bookshops or which.co.uk/books, 01992 822800.

There’s a moose in the hoos! A selection of hand-carved, wooden pull-along toys, £19 from unikgifts.co.uk

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Education through art

Education news Rating your child’s school Ofsted is giving parents the chance to air views anonymously on their child’s school.

An online questionnaire asks parents to give opinions on 12 different statements, ranging from “my child is happy at this school” to “my child receives appropriate homework for their age”, and “this school deals effectively with bullying”. It also asks if parents would recommend their child’s school to another parent.

Those completing the questionnaire are asked to say how strongly they agree or disagree with the statements, and visitors will be able to look at the responses for each question for individual schools.

Ofsted chair Baroness Sally Morgan said: “Parents can already look at league tables to find out a school’s exam results, but you can’t necessarily find out really how behaviour is in a school and you can’t really find out about the leadership in a school.” She suggested that the site will be used by parents looking for more information when they are deciding which school to send their child to, and by Ofsted when considering when and whether a school should be inspected.”

Read more or post comments at www.parentview.ofsted.gov.uk.

Reading buddy scheme Schools which run ‘reading buddy’ schemes have seen massive benefits for each child, as well as the school community in general.

The scheme is run by the National Literacy Trust, which offers members the resources they need to set up and pair their own reading buddies. For more information and a free extract from the resource, go to www.literacytrust.org.uk.

Actor Tim Lewis, who is currently starring in The Railway Children at Waterloo Station, has joined Camberwell-based Blue Elephant Theatre as their Children’s Patron.

Education and Development Director Stuart Cox said: “We are delighted as Tim is a great role model for young people, lives in our area and has performed in two of the most high profile shows for young people staged in the last five years.”

This is at a really positive time for the Blue Elephant as one of the primary schools they have been working with on a regular basis for two years is just about to announce their best ever OFSTED inspection. Keyworth primary school in Walworth has really embraced arts as a way of enhancing children’s education and has really been a partner to the Blue Elephant Theatre.

The Blue Elephant is an essential community resource (nurturing talent and academic ability as well as offering the opportunity to explore choices in life). It runs free Saturday drama classes to Southwark children; a Speak Out project which takes professional actors into secondary schools; interactive Forum Theatre performances. For more information or to offer support, go to www.blueelephanttheatre.co.uk/education.

Let me learn If your child has been diagnosed with dyslexia or dyscalculia, you may be looking to support your child at home.

Sue Kerrigan is dyslexic and a teacher. She helps children overcome their learning difficulties in maths and literacy with magnetic fun and memorable learning, and aims “to make the most boring learning fun and memorable.”

Sue is the founder of Let Me Learn, where she shares her teaching ideas and resources, including a free newsletter, Dyslexia Playbook and numerous worksheets which cover kinaesthetic and visual learning. Further memory cards, literacy games and revision aids are available to buy. Interested parents and teachers can find out more at www.letmelearn.co.uk.

Charity aces Clapham-based charity Ace of Clubs recently received a welcome donation of £500, thanks to a fundraising drive organised by Streatham & Clapham High Junior School.

The four to eleven year old pupils worked hard in their spare time making cakes, organizing second-hand book sales, making beds, dusting and hoovering ñ and even clearing dog mess!

Ace of Clubs helps many members of society: rough sleepers, those in temporary accommodation, the lonely, those with mental health problems, people with addictions and the elderly. The charity provides meals, welfare and benefits advice, help with form filling and making telephone calls, support, encouragement and most importantly a safe place to be during the day every day of the year.

The Junior School’s Head, Liz Astley, commented: “We are delighted that our girls think so much about others. The energy and enthusiasm they have put into their fundraising this term has been fantastic”.

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1 in 5 children ‘has special educational needs’ A new report shows that the number of children diagnosed with special needs has risen by 10 per cent in the past five years, amid concerns that schools are ‘playing the system’ to disguise poor exam results.

According to the Department for Education, around 1.7m schoolchildren in England, which is more than 1 in 5, have been diagnosed with special educational needs and suffer from behavioural problems, learning difficulties or physical disabilities. A report published this winter by the Department concluded that both boys and children from the most deprived backgrounds were more likely to be classified special needs than any other group.

The study also underlined the link between special needs and poor examination results, with only one-fifth of children with special needs leaving school with five good GCSEs. Ofsted is concerned that up to half of children were wrongly labelled ‘special needs’ as a way to mask inadequate teaching, and that “higher expectations of all children” would lead to an actual drop in the number being diagnosed.

As a result, the government has proposed an overhaul of the system, with ministers trialling the reforms in a number of locations.

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By Jen Brammer It can sometimes be tricky to find a local restaurant that serves good food for all the family to enjoy - as well as entertaining the kids. As a first timer at the famous Olley’s in Herne Hill, I must say I was very impressed.

We went for my birthday treat, and as I have been watching the calories, I must admit the thought of fish and chips was a bit worrying - until we browsed the menu.

She shall have a fishie (on a little dishie) Too hungry to wait for Tim to arrive, my daughter Lana and I pitched straight into sharing some starters. I can never choose one thing, so was delighted with the Seafood Platter: a tasty selection of prawns, bite-size coddies, scampi and calamari (which I think is always a risk - but it was delicious, with crisp, light batter and succulent fish). Not bad for only £4.95.

Cooking up a treat Choosing a main dish was a bit more tricky however - so much choice! There are 20 fish to choose from, or a celeb inspired combo if you’d rather follow in the footstep of Cilla Black or perhaps James Nesbitt? All the fish are prepared steamed, grilled or

fried and either with a paste or garnish, which was a welcome surprise. The selection of sides was perfect, from broccoli, spinach and Mediterranean veg to all the usual suspects of chips, mushy peas and pea fritters (which I couldn’t resist).

I opted for the steamed hake with a spring onion and ginger garnish, and Tim chose the fried halibut with chips and Mediterranean vegetables. Lana enjoyed the coddies as a starter so chose these for her main, and at £4.50 for coddie, chips and a drink, it was really good value.

We’ll be back Our lunch was amazing - we all thoroughly enjoyed it, and were far too full for a desert - Olley’s do not scrimp on portion size! Next time we’ll leave more room, or perhaps go for the ‘small appetite’ option.

Lana really enjoyed colouring her picture and for a three year-old, you can never underestimate the popularity of a balloon. So thanks Olley’s for making my birthday special. It was great to discover that fish and chips doesn’t always have to be unhealthy we’ll definitely be back soon.

About Olley’s Billed as the place “where fish is taken seriously”, Olley’s has been winning awards for over 20 years.

All of the fish is responsibly sourced from sustainable stocks and includes lemon sole, cod, plaice, salmon, halibut and skate, all cooked to order and served grilled or steamed with a side order and a smile.

Along with an extensive a la carte selection and well-priced wine list, there are Mussels & Chips and Small Appetite specials for £5.50 each, and the £4.50 children’s menu which includes free ice cream and a balloon.

Olley’s has a takeaway menu, and also delivers fish and chips to school quiz nights, children’s parties and fundraising events.

The restaurant is open from 12noon-3pm and 5-10pm Tuesdays to Saturdays, and noon-3pm and 5-9.30pm at 65-69 Norwood Road (opposite Brockwell Park), Herne Hill SE24 9AA. For bookings, call 020 8671 5665. For menus, more reviews and online bookings, go to www.olleys.info.

The original and largest network of part-time performing arts schools in the world.

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For 4-16 year olds, after school and at weekends.

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

C your local Stagecoach: Call Blackheath 020 8417 0010 B B Beckenham 020 3394 0810 Dulwich 0845 055 63 68 D Sydenham 020 8949 1116 S www.stagecoach.co.uk w agecoach.co.uk g

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The Bookseller Crow

is a fantastic, volume stuffed shop run by some of the most knowledgeable bookworms in the business.

Call in for the feel of a real bookshop, or if you’re too busy, pick up the phone or point your mouse at their website for a fast mailorder service. Justine Crow recommends this month’s best titles.

SO IT’S THAT time of year again when I eye the car warily and wonder how the heck we are going to fit all five of us in plus presents and warm coats and still find enough room for a tube of Pringles to sustain us on our festive family tour of Britain. If last year we resembled a tightly sprung game of Buckeroo, this year we’ll be more like refugee tuk-tuk, with our youngest having grown another foot and half in the last two months poking out of the top like a cheeky periscope. He of course is thrilled because for the first time ever he is taller than his torturer, Trasha. She meanwhile, omitted to consider in her lifetime game-plan that she might just have inherited the small hairy Crow gene that comes with an incredibly low bottom, thus finding that not only will she never be able to reach that final packet of fig rolls in Sainsbury’s - this I know - but also that, with a decade of torment for him to avenge, her tyrannical authority over her brother has ended.

A ZEAL OF ZEBRAS created by Woop Studios - Chronicle Books rrp £11.99. Thank goodness I own a bookshop. Thus, the presents slotted hither and thither amidst the elbows and scowls and overwhelming resentment on the journey will be flat and robust, including this salivatingly beautiful set of prints arranged as an alphabetical homage to collective nouns starting with the poignant ‘aurora’ of polar bears through an ‘implausibility’ of gnus to the final ‘zeal’ in the title. Oh yes, it will be a murder of Christmas Crows in that car, make no mistake.

L IS FOR LONDON is a charming stocking filler by Harriet Rowe, Hogs Back Books, rrp £6.99, beginning with a neat skyline, it zips through an ABC that features cricket and double-deckers and Eros, all the way to Victoria Embankment and, natch, one very famous Zoo. PIP & POSY, The Scary Monster by Axel Sheffler - Nosy Crow rrp £7.99. Always slightly suspicious as to where this relatively recent publisher got its name, it nonetheless has a big cheese on its payroll with this terrifically simple autumnal tale about dressing up. I remember him in the days before a certain Gruffalo. He’s still his own saucer-eyed rabbit.

CHARLES DICKENS, Scenes From an Ordinary Life by Mick Manning & Brita Granstrom - Frances Lincoln rrp £12.99.

These two specialise in the non-fiction picture book, ensuring that their historical subjects are really engaging, through the use of narrative and very more-ish illustrations. Cue indignant bellowing at the very temerity of the idea: “More?”

THE WOMBLES by Elizabeth Beresford - Bloomsbury rrp £14.99. There has never, ever been a time without them as far as I’m concerned. They were there when my last little sister was born and I wanted to name her after a real place, just like a womble, though curiously my mum didn’t call her Purley as I’d hoped. Then they were on the telly in that Clangers slot with miraculous stop-mo animation that really did wrap windy newspapers around a baffled Bungo, and they were there with polystyrene guitars through my Top of the Pops days when novelty records infected every chart countdown like a nasty rash. They were even present in France this year when we drove up from Bordeaux and I exclaimed at a road sign: “Cholay! So that’s where Madame comes from!” This splendid illustrated edition comes with a CD read by wobbly bike trumpet fanfare - Bernard Cribbins himself. Who has also always, always been there.

THE BORROWERS AND THE BORROWERS AFIELD by Mary Norton - Orion rrp £7.99. This attractive new volume of the first two tales about Pod, Homily and Arrietty is briefly spoilt with the sticker on the front informing us that it is ‘2 books in 1’ as if we are only capable of understanding anything if it is presented to us as a bargain. And what is the point of using Diana Stanley’s wonderful dust jacket that clearly references both titles only to blemish it with something so naff?

THE POP UP BOOK OF POO - Walker Books rrp £8.99.

Ostensibly designed for the somewhat younger relative, this will be popular with any male in your house under forty.

Meanwhile, I note the recent fad for not crediting the author on the cover of some non-fiction books. I had to grub around to discover that the myriad ephemera and related science delivered in many very entertaining movements, was written

by Gaby Goldsack and illustrated by Ian Dicks. Dismissing

those responsible for the hard work is bad manners on the publisher’s part. Like leaving the loo seat up, it is either clatty or thoughtless or lazy. Or all three.

100 PAPER PLANES TO FLY, Usborne rrp £7.99, doesn’t have any authors on the cover either (did it just magically appear out of nowhere?), just page after page of colourful designs to cut out, fold and fly. Designed by Hannah Ahmed and Brian Voakes (I did my homework), it is the ideal stocking filler so you can look forward to ducking a volley of flights from various family members throughout Christmas Day. THE NOT FOR PARENTS TRAVEL BOOK - Lonely Planet rrp £14.99. Ah. There it is on the inside cover at least, by Michael Dubois, Katri Hilden and Jane Price. Aping the iconic book of records and full of global facts no doubt aimed at that lucrative market, it is nonetheless rather thrilling to visit every country in the world without leaving the sofa.

NELSON by various - Blank Slate Books rrp £18.99. This is a superb present for anyone who likes graphic novels.

Containing just the tiniest hint of how’s-yer-father, it is a fantastic collaboration of artists including our favourite Gary Northfield of Derek the Sheep fame, Posy Simmonds and the great Hunt Emerson who all contribute a page to tell the life story of Nel Baker thus far, and importantly, profits go to Shelter. And boy, are they going to need ‘em this Christmas.

More stocking fillers now, this time for the tall, elegant ones in your life that came without the low-bum gene: LITTLE DICTIONARY OF FASHION, V & A rrp £9.99, HOW TO DRESS FOR SUCCESS and ABC OF FASHION, same stable and rrp. All cloth bound and well-cut (as opposed to my half cut, haha), boasting pedigree authorship in Christian Dior, Edith Head, Joe Hyams and Hardie Amies, not only are they useful but they are also rather lovely objets.

THE ENGLISH VILLAGE by Martin Wainwright - O’Mara rrp £9.99. If you are stuck for ideas, here’s a clever gift. Without ever going too deeply into the mud, the history and traditions of the rural hub marking our countryside like so many drawing pins on green baize, are chewed over from the perspective of its quintessential constituents such as the ‘big house’, the pub, the church and even the pond. As a townie that loves the country, it made me hanker after whiff of wood-smoke, a pint, a walk in the fresh air, though that could just be the prospect of that ruddy Christmas car journey.

THE BEE-KIND GARDEN by David Squire - Green Books rrp £9.95. Promising apian wisdom for all horticultural pursuits, it strikes me that this is a fine catch-all gift too. As a passing rep dryly commented, everyone wants to publish a book that can be sold ‘off the counter’, and this one ticks all the right clichés in that regard blending advice, definition, drawing and ditties as palatably smoothly and sweetly as, well, honey.

THE TWELVE KNITS OF CHRISTMAS by Fiona Goble Ivy Press rrp £9.99. For me knitting is alchemy; enchanted coloured string bewitched by clicking sticks. The delightful revival of knitting things, as well as clothes, takes me right back to a childhood spent in church halls, browsing the lavvy roll dolls and sprayed pine cones for pocket-money presents that would go on to gather dust. These days we appreciate the wit of artistry far more. I’ve got an Arran cardi that the mother-in-law made that literally stops the traffic. Doesn’t matter that I’m no longer (hah, like I once was) gorgeous, people hang out of cars to ask where I got it from - they wolf-whistle my woolly!

For all the moaning, the kids have been pretty philosophical about presents this year. Where once the boy would scribble a list for Santa featuring only global sports logos, and Trasha would hand us a heavily annotated Argos catalogue (including rowing machine and Rolex), now they are just so pleased we will be with all the family, grandma could knit them a cuddly iPhone each and they’d be happy. If she could knit me a quiet life I’d be happier. Right, time to load that car. Merry Christmas!

The Bookseller Crow, 50 Westow St. Crystal Palace, London SE19 3AF Telephone: 020 8771 8831 email: info@booksellercrow.co.uk www.booksellercrow.co.uk 8

families south east - december 2011

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NARNIA WITH PERFORM

MONKEY MUSIC CHRISTMAS

THE MIRACULOUS JOURNEY OF EDWARD TULANE

CRAFTY COOKS CHRISTMAS CLUB

What’sOn See our online listings for MORE activities: www.familiesse.co.uk then click What’s On

Holiday Workshops TO NARNIA WITH PERFORM 19-21 December, St STEPHEN’S MILLENNIUM HALL, Dulwich SE21, 0845 400 1277, www.perform.org.uk Perform are looking for a new Peter, Susan, Lucy and Edmund and magical friends to travel through the wardrobe, on an adventure based on ‘The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe’.

Exclusively for 4-8 year olds, Perform Winter Experiences are specially designed to encourage creativity and boost confidence and communication skills. Children make new friends, stretch their imaginations and enjoy plenty of fun and laughter as they go on an adventure of a lifetime. The children will battle with the White Witch, cheer on Aslan the Lion and discover the wonders of Narnia, preparing for a thrilling performance for family and friends on the last day.

INTENSIVE TOUCH TYPING COURSE 19-23 December, YES TUITION and Training, The Station Building, 187 Greenwich High Road SE10 8HA, 020 8858 9180, www.yes-tuitionandtraining.co.uk Learn a new skill during the Christmas break with a touch typing courses run by YES. Children find them fun, and they work - most children are tapping away proficiently in just ten hours. Termtime classes also available.

MONKEY MUSIC CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY CLASSES VARIOUS VENUES, 020 8764 5185, www.monkeymusic.co.uk Hour-long Christmas musical fun and entertainment in the holidays for children from 3 months - 7 years. All your Monkey Music favourites plus original catchy Christmassy songs. Classes will be held at local venues where old, new and current pupils alike will all receive a warm welcome.

Call Rebecca to book or ask about term time classes.

SOUTH LONDON YOUTH ORCHESTRA 19+21 December, JASSPA at James Alleyn’s School, Townley Road SE22, 020 8613 6444, www.jasspa.org.uk Three days of music for beginner strings to grade 8+ instrumentalists.

The players will finish with a Christmas programme of pieces by Rossini and Tchaikovsky. Ages 8-19.

CRAFTY COOKS CHRISTMAS CLUB 20+21 December, RUBARB and CUSTARD CAFE, 164 Manor Lane, Hither Green SE12, 020 8297 9541, 07811 108523, www.craftycooks.co.uk Drop off the children and they can make lots of Christmas goodies to take home while you get some last minute wrapping done! The children will make Christmas recipes including stained glass biscuits, Christmas pudding cakes and decorations. Ages 4-11 years, 9.30am-1pm each day, £30 for one day, £50 for two includes lunch.

THEATREBUGS CHRISTMAS WORKSHOP 21+22 December, QUAKER MEETING ROOM, Lawn Terrace, Blackheath SE3LL, 020 8244 2036, www.theatrebugs.co.uk Have some festive fun with Theatrebugs Greenwich this Christmas by joining them for one or two days of drama, dance, music, arts and crafts.

Each session runs from 9.30am-12.30pm and is suitable for 31⁄2 to 8 yearolds. One day £26, both days £48 includes a festive snack and drink.

Day 1: The magical sparkling star is missing from the top of the Christmas tree - where is it? And what’s that grumpy fairy doing there?

Day 2: Someone has stolen all the Christmas Stockings from Toytown whoever could it be? Surely not silly billy Mr. Fox? Maybe the boys and girls will know the answer.

SOANE COLLECTION WORKSHOPS SIR JOHN SOANE’S MUSEUM, 13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields WC2A 3PB, 020 7440 4263, www.soane.org Develop a skill or explore Soane’s treasures with specialist guidance.

Workshops are suitable for children aged 7+, and run either for whole or half days. £12 half days, £20 whole days, book first.

AWESOME EGYPTIAN AMULETS, 21 December. Touch real Egyptian artefacts and explore the Museum to find more, armed with only a torch and your wits! Learn how to write your name or a magic spell in hieroglyphs and make your own amulet inspired by ancient Egyptian designs.

Half day workshop.

DECK THE HALLS, 22 December. Create your own festive decorations inspired by the light and colours in Sir John Soane’s house. Half day workshop.

PICTURE ROOM CALENDAR, 29 December. Make a calendar to give yourself the best start for the New Year, taking inspiration from Soane’s Picture Room. Whole day workshop.

SIMPLE SOANE SKETCHBOOKS, 30 December. Like any good architect, Soane kept notebooks and sketchbooks all his life. See some of Soane’s original books and then make your own, with a beautifully-decorated cover. Half day workshop.

GALLERY TEA COSIES 28 + 29 December, DULWICH PICTURE GALLERY, Gallery Road SE21 7AD, 020 8299 8710, www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk Help celebrate the Gallery’s 200th birthday by creating a handmade tea cosy in the shape of the Gallery. Artist Erica Parrett will show children how to make felt using colourful wool and learn simple stitch techniques.

Ages 6-8 10.30am-12.30pm, ages 9-11 2.30-4.30pm, £18 for both days, book first.

Shows, Pantos and Christmas Music THE MIRACULOUS JOURNEY OF EDWARD TULANE 5-21 December, THEATRE PECKHAM, Havil Street SE5 7SD, 020 7708 5401, www.theatrepeckham.co.uk The story of a lost china rabbit and his extraordinary journey, Edward Tulane shows that even a heart of the most breakable kind can learn to love, to lose, and to love again.

This adaptation of The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo is a magical Christmas story with music, brought to life by a cast of professional actors. Children as young as five from the Theatre Peckham workshops play Edward, his owner Abilene and other roles.

Many London schools are part of the “Power of Reading” project and Edward Tulane is on the syllabus, so parents can support their children’s literacy as well as having a great family Christmas treat. Theatre Peckham delivers one of southeast London’s must-see professional theatre shows each Christmas at affordable prices and this year is no exception. Ages 5+, tickets £5 children, £8 adults, £22 families; discounts for schools.

THE DINOSAURS’ FIRST CHRISTMAS 13 December, PISTACHIOS CAFE, East Greenwich, and 18 December, PISTACHIOS CAFE, Hither Green, 0780 1072776, www.theatretots.com Joe the time traveller has been given the job of dancing back in time to give the dinosaurs their first Christmas. It turns out to be the best journey he has ever made... Theatre Tot’s Christmas show is suitable for under six year-olds. Both performances 4pm, tickets £10 children, £8 siblings, book first.

MATILDA THE MUSICAL Until 12 February 2012, CAMBRIDGE THEATRE, 32 Earlham Street WC2, 0844 412 4652, www.matildaathemusical.com Roald Dahl’s much-loved classic comes alive in this brand new musical.

Tired of being teased by her couch potato parents and horrible teacher Miss Trunchball, little Matilda discovers that she has a very special gift and sets out to teach the grown-ups a lesson. Tickets from £15.

THE SOOTY CHRISTMAS SHOW 13-31 December, GARRICK THEATRE, 2 Charing Cross Road, London WC2H 0HH, 0844 412 4662, www.nimaxtheatres.com

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where’s Father Christmas?

We’ve found him in grottos in and around London and you can too!

Hop onto www.familiesse.co.uk for our special listings The nation’s favourite magical teddy bear returns to the West End this Christmas, to take centre stage in a charming winter treat packed full of giggles. The all new Sooty Christmas Show features TV host Richard Cadell and the inexhaustible trio of Sooty, Sweep and Soo. The show also features the world’s greatest ringmaster, Norman Barrett and his performing budgies, alongside iconic Sooty Show characters Butch the bull dog and Ramsbottom the snake.

The show opens as Sooty, Sweep, Soo and Richard are getting ready for their Christmas Party. Sooty is having a few problems rehearsing his magic show, while Sweep’s Christmas cake is a recipe for disaster. Poor little Soo just can’t decide which dress to wear. Luckily Uncle Norman drops by to lend a hand assisted by his amazing troupe of performing budgies! Plus Father Christmas flies in to deliver a present for every child in the theatre to take home. Tickets from £12.50.

BOING! 13-31 December, Lilian Baylis Studio, SADLER’S WELLS, Rosebery Avenue EC1R 4TN, 0844 412 1300, www.sadlerswells.com In collaboration with Champloo Dance Company, Travelling Light and Bristol Old Vic have created an energetic and enchanting piece of dance theatre combining comedy, acrobatics and breakdance. Set on Christmas Eve, Boing! captures the delirious excitement of waiting for Santa to arrive on the most magical night of the year. Tickets £7 children, £12 adults.

CHRISTMAS MAGIC: THE NUTCRACKER 13+26 December, LONDON COLISEUM, 33 St Martin’s Lane, London WC2, 0871 911 0200, www.eno.org The English National Ballet’s sumptuous production includes two family friendly performances, when under 5s will be welcome.

On an enchanted Christmas Eve, under the heavy boughs of the candlelit tree, Clara battles with the Mouse King and falls in love with a handsome stranger. As the air grows colder and snowflakes begin to fall, Clara and her valiant Nutcracker take a hot air balloon ride across the frost-dusted London skyline from the glistening Land of Snow. Her fantastical journey continues as dancers from all over the world leap out of a magical puppet theatre and the Mouse King is finally vanquished.

The full season runs from 8 December to 15 January. Tickets from £10.

CHRISTMAS CONCERT 14 December, Richard Hoggart Building, GOLDSMITHS UNIVERSITY OF LONDON, Lewisham Way SE14 6NW, 020 7919 7171, www.gold.ac.uk

december 2011 - families south east

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THE DINOSAURS’ FIRST CHRISTMAS

THE SOOTY CHRISTMAS SHOW

THE MAGICIAN’S DAUGHTER

MoreWhat’sOn Find even more activities: www.familiesse.co.uk then click What's On THE SNOWMAN

Join in with the Christmas music, presented by Goldsmiths’ Chamber Choir and vocal group. 6.30pm start, free but book first.

KING’S CAROL SERVICES 16-18 December, KINGS CHURCH CENTRE, Catford Hill SE6 4PS, 020 8690 4646, www.kingschurchlondon.org Four carol concerts over the weekend with traditional readings and carols along with performances, songs and drama. 7.30pm Friday and Sunday, 5pm Saturday and Sunday, free.

BAGPUSS 22 December - 8 January 2012, SOHO THEATRE, 21 Dean Street, London W1D 3NE, 020 7478 0100, www.sohotheatre.com A magical production filled with storytelling, songs, puppetry and much-loved characters, providing a perfect treat for children and nostalgic adults. Tickets £11.50 children, £13.50 adults.

THE SNOW QUEEN Until 8 January 2012, UNICORN THEATRE, 147 Tooley Street SE1 2HZ, 020 7645 0560, www.unicorntheatre.com After a freak snowstorm on the southern tip of India, Kumar disappears.

Gowri, his best friend, discovers that he has been captured by the formidable Snow Queen, and embarks on a journey across the length and breadth of the continent to save him.

Join the Unicorn for a brand new version of Hans Andersen’s magical tale, set in the burning heat of southern India, through lush backwaters, glitzy Bollywood and desolate bandit country. Ages 7+, tickets from £15.

THE SNOWMAN Until 8 January, PEACOCK THEATRE, Portugal Street, Holborn WC2, 0844 412 4322, www.sadlerswells.com The live version of Raymond Brigg’s much-loved children’s classic returns for the 14th consecutive year. When a young boy’s snowman comes to life on Christmas Eve, the two set off on a night-time quest for adventure. On their travels, they meet dancing penguins, reindeer and of course, Father Christmas. Tickets from £12.

ALADDIN 2 December - 2 January 2012, Ashcroft Theatre, FAIRFIELD, Park Lane, Croydon CR9 1DG, 020 8688 9291 A fun-packed pantomime with Larry Lamb as the biggest baddie of them all and a west end cast. The show promises big laughs, great music, stunning sets and dazzling costumes. Tickets from £15.

RING A DING DING 3-10 December, UNICORN THEATRE, 020 7645 0560, www.unicorntheatre.com Oily Cart - Britain’s best-loved creators of theatre for young people return with an immersive, interactive and multi-sensory show for young children. The production is an epic (though tiny) table-top tale of discovery, where your fingers and noses will never be far from the action. Ages 3-6, tickets from £9.

NOAH’S ARK Until 20 December, BLUE ELEPHANT THEATRE, 59a Bethwin Road, Camberwell SE 5 QXT, 020 7701 0100, www.blueelephanttheatre.co.uk Noah’s Ark is an adventure story about a modern boy who dreams himself into a behind-the-scenes look at the well-known biblical story.

Mervyn Peak’s play takes a human, witty and down-to-earth approach to the tale, imagining power struggles on-board the Ark as food rations run low and some crafty animals look to overthrow Mr Noah’s leadership.

The actors play a variety of parts, both human and animal, and the production includes original songs and plenty of audience participation.

Ages 7+, tickets £7.50 children, £12.50 adults.

THE MAGICIAN’S DAUGHTER 6-24 December, ALBANY THEATRE, Douglas Quay, Deptford SE8.

020 8692 4446, www.thealbany.org.uk Inspired by Shakespeare’s story of ‘The Tempest’, Little Angel Theatre bring their trademark blend of puppetry and song to this captivating story of the adventures of a young girl on a magical faraway island.

Join Miranda’s daughter as she discovers for herself Ariel, Caliban and the wonders of the ‘isle full of noises’, just like her Mum did many years ago.

Written by former Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen and directed by Peter Glanville, this is a delightful and funny story suitable for children aged 3+. Baby friendly performances Saturdays and Wed 21 December at 11.30am.

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families south east - december 2011

ALADDIN

PEPPA PIG’S TREASURE HUNT

Until 8 January, GREENWICH THEATRE, Crooms Hill, London SE10, 020 8858 7755, www.greenwichtheatre.org.uk

1 December - 1 January 2012, CRITERION THEATRE, Piccadilly Circus W1, 0844 847 1788, www.peppapiglive.com Peppa Pig and her friends set off on a treasure hunt and get up to fun and games on a day out on Grandad Dog’s boat. There are clues a-plenty for the audience to follow, along with true-to-life puppets and sing-along songs.

Things are not going well for Aladdin. His mum’s laundry barely earns them enough to live on, let alone feed his pet panda, and to make matters worse he’s just caught a forbidden glimpse of Princess So-Shy and is surely in trouble with the Emperor. His one glimmer of hope arrives in the form of a slightly strange long lost uncle who offers him a job and the promise of untold riches. Could this be the answer to all his problems? Adult tickets from £18, children half price.

SANTA CLAUS AND THE CHRISTMAS ADVENTURE Until 31 December, AMBASSADORS THEATRE, West Street WC2H 9ND, 08448 11 2334, www.theambassadorstheatre.co.uk Santa Claus will have a very special helper this Christmas as Britain’s most popular magician, Paul Daniels, takes to the stage in a live Christmas show with a traditional ‘grotto’ experience.

The adventure takes place at Santa’s HQ in the North Pole, The Reindeer SatNav is programmed and the toys are piled high on the sleigh, then chaos strikes. Rudolph is missing and the Elves are misbehaving - will Santa ever deliver the presents to all the boys and girls? Help Santa find Rudolph, and in return the children will get to meet him after the show and even receive a present. Parents are encouraged to bring their cameras in order to capture the magic moment their little ones meet Father Christmas for the very first time.

Ages 2+, tickets from £8.

SANTA CLAUS + THE CHRISTMAS ADVENTURE 2-30 December, Arnhem Gallery, FAIRFIELD, Park Lane, Croydon CR0 1DG, 020 8668 9291, www.fairfield.co.uk

THE LAZY ELF 10-22 December, ARTS THEATRE, London WC2H 7LB, 020 7907 7092, www.thelazyelf.com Ben Hanson (Bouncer from Tracey Beaker) takes the part of Larry, an extremely lazy elf who would rather nap than make toys for all the boys and girls. The audience are asked to join the other elves in helping Larry realise the value of hard work and the true meaning of Christmas. A musical show, suitable for families; single tickets £14, family tickets £48 include a small gift for children.

CHRISTMAS CAROL SINGALONG 15 + 21 December, ROYAL ALBERT HALL, Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AP, 020 7838 3109, www.raymondgubbay.co.uk Add your voice by joining in an afternoon of well-loved carols and Christmas songs with the London Concert Chorus and the London Concert Orchestra. 2.30pm start, tickets from £12.

SWALLOWS AND AMAZONS 15 December - 14 January, VAUDEVILLE THEATRE, Strand, London WC2R, 020 7452 3000, www.nationaltheatre.org.uk A musical stage production of Arthur Ransome’s classic story. Follow Captain John and his able crew as they set sail to Wildcat Island on an exotic adventure to encounter savages, capture dastardly pirates and defeat mortal enemies. Ages 6+, tickets from £12.

MOJO

In Santa’s HQ in the North Pole, the reindeer SatNav is programmed and the toys are piled up high on the sleigh, then chaos strikes Rudolph is missing and the elves are misbehaving. Will Santa ever get the presents to all the boys and girls? Santa needs your help, and in return the children will get to meet him after the show and even receive a present. Ages 3-7, tickets from £10.

16-31 December, Silk Street Theatre, BARBICAN, Silk Street EC2Y 8DS, 020 7638 4141, www.barbican.org.uk A riot of dance, puppetry and music, Theatre-Rites’ Mojo takes the audience on a spectacular journey through the magic and mayhem of growing up. Bursting with energy and evocative movement, objects come to life and characters discover their mojo. Ages 5+, tickets £7.50 children, £15 adults.

OLIVER

THE GRUFFALO Until 15 January 2012, LYRIC THEATRE, Shaftsbury Avenue, 0844 412 4661, www.gruffalolive.com The hugely popular modern classic by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler returns to the west end for a monster season. Follow the quick-thinking Mouse into the deep, dark wood in this magical and musical modern classic. Discover what happens when he comes face to face with wheeler-dealer Fox, an eccentric old Owl and a maracashaking Snake. Songs, laughs and scary fun for children aged 3+ and their families. Tickets from £12.50.

17 December, WANSTEAD HOUSE, 21 The Green, Wanstead E11, 0151 336 4302, mail@littleactorstheatre.com Little Actors Theatre Company is presenting Theatre Club in ‘Oliver’.

The children aged between five and fourteen will present their own devised version of the classic Dickens’ story of the unfortunate orphan, who eventually finds safety and happiness in the world of Victorian London. Jamie Thompson collated a script which accommodates every child. Directed by professional actors Tessa Slack and Jamie Thompson with choreography by Ros Parker. The performances take place on Saturday 17th December at 11.30am, admission free.

Events & Exhibitions DIDDI DANCE CHRISTMAS PARTY 17 December, MYCENAE HOUSE, 90 Mycenae Road, Blackheath SE3 7SE, 07973 982790, info@diddidance.com Join the little Diddi Dancers for high energy dancing followed by food and a visit from Santa. 11am-1pm, tickets £10 per child or £15 for two siblings, book first.

DULWICH FARMERS’ MARKET 18 December, DULWICH COLLEGE, Dulwich Common SE21, www.weareccfm.com A festive treat of locally grown and sourced meats, vegetables, baked goods, fruit juices and more, plus hand made arts and crafts. 9am-1pm.

SOUTHBANK CENTRE WINTER FESTIVAL Until 11 January 2012, SOUTHBANK, SE1, www.southbankcentre.co.uk/winter Festive markets, plenty of free events, and magical shows for all ages.

Here are some family-friendly highlights: WHITE, 17-31 December. A performance especially for children aged two to four years, with music, stories and surprises.

SLAVA’S SNOWSHOW, 17 December - 8 January. A multi awardwinning international sensation that has delighted and thrilled audiences in over 80 cities around the globe. Experience a joyous, dream-like world full of drama, comedy and snow. Ages 8+. Adult tickets from £20, children half price.

THE HAHARMONICS CLOWN CHOIR, 20-22 December. Use music, movement and singing to create your own clown character to keep the entire family entertained over Christmas.

MURMURS, 20 December - 2 January. A beautiful tour of whirlwind romance, city labyrinths and undersea encounters told through a blend of illusion, circus and dance. Ages 8+.

TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS MARKET, until 24 December. Sixty traditional twinkling wooden chalets along the Queen’s Walk present unique hand-crafted gifts and unusual Christmas presents.

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An enchanting musical tale for all the family

Original book by Kate DiCamillo Adapted and directed by Teresa Early Original music by Roger Goslyn

Wow-ing audiences for 25 years.

Book early!

! ! #

5 – 21 December 2011

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The Golden Hinde Trust Units 1 & 2 Pickfords Wharf Clink Street, London SE1 9DG

Booking/ Info: 020 7403 0123 Email: info@goldenhinde.com Website: www.goldenhinde.com

www.theatrepeckham.co.uk

Money comes to life It’s fascinating and fun!

Special events and more every day in the Bank’s Museum

Admission free 10am – 5pm Monday to Friday. Closed weekends and public holidays. Entrance in Bartholomew Lane, London EC2R 8AH. Tel: 020 7601 5545 www.bankofengland.co.uk/museum w w w. f a m i l i e s s e . c o . u k

Best Entertainment Olivier Awards Nomination Starring CBBC’s

Dan and Jeff

VAUDEVILLE THEATRE THE STRAND WC2 18 December - 8 January 0844 482 9675 www.pottedpanto.com december 2011 - families south east

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PEPPA PIG’S TREASURE HUNT

THE GRUFFALO

MoreWhat’sOn

storytelling beside the Tiffany Christmas Tree during this year’s season of Skate at Somerset House, presented by Tiffany & Co. All the storytelling sessions are free. The sessions run 3.15-3.45pm and there is no need to book. Authors will be on hand to sign books and meet visitors after each session. Presented in association with Usborne Publishing and Random House. Skate sessions from £7.50 for children, £10.50 adults include free skate hire.

Find even more activities: www.familiesse.co.uk then click What's On

U.DANCE - LAUNCH PAD, 7 January 2012. Youth dance companies from across London perform with the hope of securing a place at U.Dance 2012; a three-day festival of youth dance at Southbank Centre.

THE GOLDEN HINDE GOLDEN HINDE, St Mary’s Overie Dock SE1, 020 7403 0123, www.goldenhinde.com The full-size replica of Sir Frances Drake’s 16th century galleon is great fun for children with a piratical bent, and an opportunity to lean about life on the high seas during the Tudor era. Costumed staff add to the experience, and at weekends you can book children’s parties.

Self-guided admission £4.40 children, £6 adults, £18 families.

TUDOR FUN DAY, 10 + 17 December. A Tudor fun with a Christmas twist. Listen to Tudor Christmas stories, play crazy games and join in with carols. 11am-3.30pm, £3 children, £7 adults, £20 families.

CHRISTMAS MARKET, 11 December. Board the ship and visit various stalls displaying a wide range of naval, Tudor and pirate gifts.

11am-5pm.

CHRISTMAS CAROL CONCERT, 17+23 December. A local choir will stand on the main deck of the ship and sing a selection of traditional and modern carols. There will also be a reading of Drake’s inspirational prayer and a Christmas bible extract. Mulled wine and mince pies will be available. 6-7.30pm.

CHRISTMAS TOUR, 23 December. Enjoy a 30-minute whistle-stop tour around the ship with a costumed educator with tales to tell of Tudor life at sea. 11am-5pm, tours take place every 30 minutes. Tickets £2.

TRANSPORT MUSEUM EVENTS LONDON TRANSPORT MUSEUM, 39 Wellington Street, Covent Garden WC2E 7BB, 020 7379 6433, www.ltmuseum.co.uk Museum open 10am-6pm Mondays to Thursdays and weekends, from 11am Fridays. Closed Christmas Eve to Boxing Day. Admission free for under 16s, £13 adults. Tickets are valid for 12 months’ unlimited admission.

MOSAIC GIFTS WORKSHOP, 19-23 December. Take inspiration from the museum’s bright and varied tile collection and make mosaic coasters and wall hangings to take home. Ages 5+, noon-5pm.

KITE WORKSHOPS, 27 December - 3 January 2012. Mark the coming of the London 2012 Games and show your team’s support by flying their colours and flags high in the sky on hand crafted kites. Design your own box or diamond kite from card and fabric. Ages 5+, noon-5pm.

STORY TIME, 27 December - 3 January 2012. Little visitors can hear stories about a Duck in a Truck and the Little London red train’s adventures.

V&A MUSEUM OF CHILDHOOD

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NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM

Open 10am-5pm Mondays to Fridays, admission free.

GEFFRYE MUSEUM EVENTS GEFFRYE MUSEUM, Kingsland Road E2 8EA, 020 7739 9893, www.geffrye-museum.org.uk Special workshops and quizzes inspire creativity and provide amusement for accompanied 5-11 year-olds on the first Saturday of each month and during school holidays. Places allocated 30 minutes in advance of each workshop. Museum open 10am-5pm Tuesdays to Saturdays, from noon Sundays.

CHURCHILL WAR ROOMS CHURCHILL WAR ROOMS, Clive Steps, King Charles Street SW1A, www.iwm.org.uk The Churchill War Rooms were originally the Cabinet War Rooms, created in 1938 as underground storage areas for the Office of Works Building in Whitehall. They were soon converted to house the central core of government and to become a temporary military information centre serving the Prime Minister and the Chiefs of Staff of the air, naval and land forces. Visitors can hear the first-hand personal accounts of those who worked in the Cabinet War Rooms during the war. Learn what life and conditions were like underground and experiencing the authenticity and emotional resonance of walking through the corridors where Churchill made history. Open 9.30am-6pm, admission free for under 16s, £15.95 adults.

BRITONS AT WAR, 17+18 December. In this informal session visitors are encouraged to consider the fear felt by Britons before war even broke out. While many of us know about the evacuation of children from major towns and cities, there were also plans to move the Civil Service to safety. This engaging session explores the motivations and preparations involved. As well as discussing the topic with experts, visitors will have the change to examine genuine objects relating to the topic. Entry included in general admission price. 11am-12.30pm and 2-4pm, suitable for all ages with parental supervision.

OUT OF THE BOX, 17+18 December. An engaging drop-in session where all visitors to the Churchill War Rooms can examine replica objects that have become unique symbols of Churchill, the most famous of British wartime leaders. Have a delve into a grown-up dressing up box, containing iconic Churchill replica items such as hats, coats and cigars. Take a step further in Churchill’s footsteps by handling the objects and even trying on the clothes. Interpreters will be on hand to help visitors learn more about the collections and direct them towards original items on display, for example Churchill’s own Siren Suit which can be found in the ‘daily routine’ area of the museum. 11am-12.30pm and 2-4pm, suitable for all ages with parental supervision.

SCIENCE MUSEUM

BANK OF ENGLAND MUSEUM FUN

SCIENCE MUSEUM, Exhibition Road SW7 2DD, 0870 870 4868, www.sciencemuseum.org.uk Aiming to be the best place in the world for people to enjoy science, the Science Museum makes sense of the science that shapes our lives, sparking curiosity, releasing creativity and changing the future by engaging people of all generations and backgrounds in science, engineering, medicine, technology, design and enterprise. Open daily 10am-6pm except 24-26 December.

ROBOTS FESTIVAL, until 31 December. A showcase of the latest and greatest in robot research and development. Robots and scientists from around the word will surprise and educate, including emotibots, swarming, swimming shark robots, throwable exploration robots, medical robots and many more. There will be accompanying workshops for children.

COCKROACH TOURS, weekends until December. Take on the form of a cockroach; dress up in a realistic costume and take a journey through the museum, exploring the impact on the climate of scientific and technological developments from the perspective of one of the oldest, most resilient life forms on the planet. Book first on 0870 870 4868.

LAUNCHPAD SCIENCE SHOWS. The largest free interactive science gallery in the UK is packed with exhibits which allow visitors to launch a rocket, turn their head into a sound box and control a magnetic cloud.

Ages 8-14, free.

WHO AM I? Find out what makes you special through interactive activities which use the latest in brain science and genetics. Free.

BANK OF ENGLAND MUSEUM, Threadneedle Street, London EC2R, 020 7601 5545, www.bankofengland.co.uk/museum The Bank of England Museum tells the story of the Bank of England from its foundation in 1694 to its role today as the UK’s central bank.

Examine intricately-designed banknotes, feel the weight of a genuine gold bar and see the pikes and muskets that were once used to defend the Bank. Children’s activity sheets provide fun for younger visitors.

Until 22 January, SOMERSET HOUSE, Strand, London WC2R 1LA, www.somersethouse.org.uk Open 10am-10pm daily.

At the weekends, families and children of all ages are invited to join some of Britain’s top children’s authors for a magical half hour of

MUSEUM OF CHILDHOOD, Cambridge Heath Road, Bethnal Green E2 9PA, 020 8983 5200, www.museumofchildhood.org.uk This gem of a museum is fascinating for families with young children.

The collection includes dolls, dolls’ houses, puppets, teddy bears, games, childcare, clothing, furniture and art and photography.

Everyday drop-in activities include storytelling, arts and crafts, and trails. There’s dressing-up, role play and an under 3’s area, an indoor sandpit, and regular special events. If it’s sunny there’s an outdoor space to enjoy a picnic. Open 10am-5.45pm daily, admission free.

THE STUFF OF NIGHTMARES, until 26 February 2012. When re-told to children, fairy tales often assume an air of innocence. Good always triumphs over evil, heroes are selfless and love is everlasting. Some fairy tales however, explore the darker side of a child’s imaginary landscape. The Stuff of Nightmares takes a closer look at the playthings of innocents, and features an installation made by local schoolchildren, alongside work by Katherine Tulloh, Ruhe Weinbergh, Daniel Bell and Sharon Brindle.

MAGIC WORLDS, until 4 March 2012. Delve into the captivating world of fantasy. Visitors can immerse themselves in the imaginary and fantastical realms of witches, fairies, elves, dragons, magicians and illusionists. On display will be costumes, tricks, paintings, ceramics, beautifully illustrated books and posters, games, optical toys and dramatic puppets.

families south east - december 2011

MUSEUM OF LONDON

TRANSPORT MUSEUM

ICE MAGIC FOR CHRISTMAS

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, Cromwell Road SW7 5BD, 020 7942 5000, www.nhm.ac.uk Dinosaurs, volcanoes, precious gems and creepy crawlies - discover the diversity of the natural world through the nation’s finest collection of natural history specimens. Fascinating exhibitions display up to 70 million plants, animals, fossils, rocks and minerals, with a hands-on education centre where you can meet real scientists at work. Museum open 10am-5.50pm, admission free.

CHRISTMAS AT KENT LIFE KENT LIFE, Lock Lane, Sandling, Maidstone ME14 3AU, 01622 7633936, www.kentlife.org.uk Open 10am-6pm weekends and school holidays, to 5pm other weekdays. Admission £6.50 children, £8.95 adults, £25.95 families.

HOLIDAY FUN, 17 Dec - 2 January. Lots of fun things to do to keep the children occupied including a snowman trail, paint-apot studio and Santa’s tractor sleigh rides. Extra charges apply (under 4s and members free).

LIVING FARM NATIVITY, 18 December. Dress up and be part of the nativity on a journey through the grounds singing Christmas carols, and discover the nativity story scenes with the help of the animals.

THE HUSKY EXPERIENCE 16-18, 21-28 December and January weekends to 22nd (closed on bank holidays), EAGLE HEIGHTS WILDLIFE PARK, Lullingstone Lane, Eynsford, Kent DA4 0JB, 01322 866 577, www.eagleheights.co.uk On arrival you will be introduced to a husky handler over a welcome drink of tea or coffee. Next, it’s time to meet the dogs, with the chance to pet the animals and put on their harnesses, while your handler explains what the dogs do and why and where they come from. Finally it’s time to hop on the cart for an eight-dog husky ride through stunning countryside with dramatic views of the Darent Valley. This experience lasts approximately 1 to 2 hours depending on the dogs. Ages 8+, £75 book first.

NATIONAL ARMY MUSEUM NATIONAL ARMY MUSEUM, Royal Hospital Road SW3 4HT, 020 7881 6606, www.nam.ac.uk The history of British land forces from 1485 to the present day, with costumes, paintings, artefacts and special displays telling the stories of men and women who served in British armies across the globe. Open 10am-5.30pm daily, admission free.

DRAW YOUR WEAPONS. A colourful and dynamic exhibition exploring the history of the war comic, in partnership with leading publisher DC Thomson.

CUMING MUSEUM EVENTS CUMING MUSEUM, 151 Walworth Road SE17 1RY, 020 7525 2096, www.southwark.gov.uk/cumingmuseum Thursdays, FAMILY CLUB. Explore and play with the Cuming explorers.

10am-11.15am for under 5s and their parents/ carers.

HMS BELFAST On the THAMES by Morgans Lane, Tooley Street SE1 2JH, www.iwm.org.uk. (Thames Clipper London Bridge City Pier) Discover the exciting stories of those who served HMS Belfast; exploring the nine decks where sailors once hurried up and down its ladders, or take a look at the mess desk where her 950-strong crew ate and slept.

Open 10am-6pm, admission free for under 16s, £13.50 adults.

KYE HISTORY, 10+11 December. Find out more about story of HMS Belfast and the company that sailed her on her various journeys around the world, and have a sip of warming naval hot chocolate. Kye is a naval term for grated cocoa. 11am, 12.30, 2 and 4pm start times.

GUN TURRET EXPERIENCE. Immerse yourself in the new Gun Turret Experience, a chance to see what fighting at sea would have really been like. Overlooking the front of the ship, or Fo’c’sle, is the forward most of HMS Belfast’s Triple Gun Turrets. Lights, audio, videos and projections will recreate the experience, highlighting the hectic and cramped conditions that would have seen twenty-six men in this confined space at any one time. The guns are trained and elevated onto a target some 12.5 miles (20 kilometres) away in north-west London - the London Gateway Motorway Services Area on the M1 - a reminder of the awesome power of naval gunnery in the Second World War. Entry included in general admission price.

FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE MUSEUM FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE MUSEUM, 2 Lambeth Palace Road, South Bank, London SE1, 020 7620 0347, www.florence-nightingale.co.uk

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V&A MUSEUM OF CHILDHOOD

HORNIMAN

DINOSAURS UNLEASHED

Uncover the lady behind the legend at the brand new Florence Nightingale Museum on London’s South Bank. The museum presents a vivid retelling of her story and how modern nursing began. The museum’s unparalleled collection features highlights such as Florence’s pet little owl Athena as well as her lamp and medicine chest from the Crimean War. Engaging interactive exhibits as well as regular contemporary art exhibitions enhance the experience, visitors even use stethoscopes to hear the audio tour. Admission £4.80 child, £5.80 adults, £16 families.

IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM EVENTS IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM, Lambeth Road, London SE1, 020 7416 5000, www.iwm.org.uk Museum open daily 10am-6pm. Admission £3.95 children, £5.95 adults, families from £12.50.

THE CHILDREN’S WAR. Look at the home front in Britain and the impact of WW2 through the eyes of the children who lived through it. Incorporating hands-on activities for visitors of all ages, it also features the popular 1940s house and part of a post-war prefab.

CHRISTMAS IN THE WARTIME HOUSE, 17-23 and 28-31 December. Find out more about how Christmas was celebrated on the home front during WW2. At a time of rationing and shortages and no guarantee that families could be together, it was still possible to celebrate. Take part in talks and activities in this free family drop-in. 11am-12.30pm and 2-4pm.

CHILDREN AT THE V&A V&A MUSEUM, Cromwell Road SW7 2RL, 020 7942 2000, www.vam.ac.uk/families During any visit, families can pick up a trail from the Information Desk and explore the museum through puzzles, drawing and observation. Suitable for 7-12 year-olds. There are also hundreds of exciting hands-on exhibits containing plenty to touch and try out. Museum open 10am-5.45pm daily, admission free Saturday BACK-PACKS. Pick up a back pack and explore the museum with fantastic jigsaws, stories, puzzles and games. 10.30am-5pm.

DINOSAURS UNLEASHED Until 31 December, The O2, Meridian Gardens, Peninsula Square, Greenwich SE10 0DX, 0844 844 2121, www,dinosaursunleashed.co.uk Dinosaurs last roamed Earth 65 million years ago - now they’re back and unleashed at The O2. With over 22 life-size dinosaurs, a prehistoric CGI aquarium, holographic video presentations by wildlife expert Chris Packham, real and replica fossils, interactives galore and more than 40 educational interpretation panels, this unique exhibition appeals to family audiences, especially budding young palaeontologists aged 2-12.

Children can get their hands dirty and dig for fossils, piecing them together in the Fossil Zone. They can also create their own dinosaur skins and colours at the popular Dino-Paints as well as testing their dinosaur knowledge with dynamic quizzes. Open daily 10am 6pm, timed entry tickets £11.25 children, £14.25 adults, £42.60 adults, discounted for Greenwich borough residents.

MUSEUM OF LONDON DOCKLANDS MUSEUM OF LONDON DOCKLANDS, West India Quay E14, 020 7001 9844, www.museumoflondon.org.uk/docklands Open daily 10am-6pm, admission free. Regular programmes of weekend and holiday events and workshops help visitors find out more about London’s history, covering events such as the Great Plague, Londoners’ jobs and occupations, and Roman life.

VICTORIAN GROTTO, 10-23 December. Father Christmas has his very own Victorian grotto, clad with traditional decorations and joined by helpers along the way. Children can share their seasonal hopes and dreams with the man in red and of course, go home with a special gift to start their seasonal merriment.

There is also a chance for kids to have their photo taken with Father Christmas, mounted as a festive keepsake to remind them of their visit. Children can share their seasonal hopes and dreams with the man in red and of course, go home with a special gift to start their seasonal merriment. There is also a chance for kids to have their photo taken with Father Christmas, mounted as a festive keepsake to remind them of their visit. £5 entry.

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS, 10 December. Make some traditional festive decorations with a twist - you use the computer to create them. Ages 5+, 12.301.30pm and 2.30-3.30pm, free.

MUSEUM OF LONDON EVENTS MUSEUM OF LONDON, London Wall EC2Y 5HN, 020 7001 9844, www.museumoflondon.org.uk Open daily 10am-6pm, admission free. Regular programmes of weekend and holiday events and workshops help visitors find out more about London’s history, covering events such as the Great Plague, Londoners’ jobs and occupations, and Roman life.

VICTORIAN TRINKETS, 28 December. Make your own festive trinket to take home. 11am, 12noon and 2pm starts, free with a ticket.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL, 31 December. Dickens’ classic tale comes to life in a family-friendly ‘close up’ production. 2-3pm, free.

LITTLE MOLES, termtime Wednesdays. Weekly hands-on creative sessions for 1 to 5 year-olds and their carers. 3.30-4.30pm, free but book first.

UNDER 5s STORYTIME, last Tuesday of the month.

Stories, music and interactive fun for under 5s and their carers. 3-3.30pm.

FAMILY EVENTS AT THE HORNIMAN HORNIMAN MUSEUM and gardens, 100 London Road, Forest Hill SE23, 020 8699 1872, www.horniman.ac.uk Museum open 10.30am-5.30pm daily, general admission free, charges apply for special exhibitions and the aquarium. The museum’s music gallery and hands-on base, regular weekend and holiday drop-ins and workshops allow family visitors to explore the collection through arts and crafts, music, stories and hands-on sessions. All this within 16 acres of beautiful green space.

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december 2011 - families south east

13

FAMILY ARTS IN DULWICH

JEWISH MUSEUM

MoreWhat’sOn Find even more activities: www.familiesse.co.uk then click What's On

CAROL CONCERT AND CHRISTMAS MARKET, 11 December. A festive event in the Horniman Gardens with gifts to browse and buy, and Christmas music from the English Baroque Choir and Crystal Palace Band. Concert 5pm, market open 3-6pm.

BALI - DANCING FOR THE GODS, until 8 January 2012. An exhibition exploring Balinese culture and the central role of dance as a visual feast. Beautifully gilded costumes, lavishly decorated artefacts, puppets and sculptures are featured alongside unique film and photography from the 1930s. Adm fee.

NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM EVENTS National Maritime Museum, Queen’s House and Royal Observatory, Romney Road, Greenwich SE10, 020 8858 4422, www.nmm.ac.uk.

The museum’s new Sammy Ofer Wing allows the museum to completely change the way it presents its galleries, exhibitions and events. A new, purpose designed exhibition gallery will host a full programme of temporary shows, while a permanent gallery - Voyagers - introduces the story of Britain and the sea. Rest your sealegs with break in the new restaurant and cafe, taking in the views over Greenwich Park, along with a state-of-the-art library. Museum open 10am-5pm daily. Admission free.

EXPLORE SATURDAYS. Meet a character from the past and take part in an exciting performance that brings maritime history to life. Suitable for ages 6+. Noon, 1, 2 and 3pm start, free.

DISCOVER SUNDAYS. Be inspired by the museum’s galleries and take part in free design, craft, illustration and music workshops designed for families. Suitable for all ages. 11.30am-1.30pm and 2-5pm, free.

PLAY TUESDAYS. Young children can have fun with their families as they explore the museum through making, music, dance and drama.

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM 10.30 and 11.30am, 1 and 2pm, suitable for under 5s; collect a ticket Until 8 January, NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, Cromwell Road SW7 from the admissions desk.

5BD, 020 7942 5011, www.nhmskating.com THE SECRET LIFE OF STARS. A spectacular new show, narrated by Set within the historic Victorian grounds of the Natural History Museum, Patrick Stewart, explores the fascinating life history of the stars, from the the 1,000 square metre ice rink attracts beginners and advanced smallest red dwarf to the largest blue giant. Using state-of-the-art digital skaters alike, as well as those simply wanting to bask in the beautiful simulation, it charts the life of a star from birth to death and beyond, and atmosphere, where twinkling fairy lights adorn the surrounding tall trees. looks at what impact this has on the universe around us.

As well as the main rink there is a children’s rink, a beautiful fairground HIGH ARCTIC, until January 2012. An exciting exhibition which carousel and a cafe-bar. Whether skating or spectating, the Natural conveys the scale, splendour and fragility of our unique Arctic History Museum Ice Rink is the place to be and be seen. 11am-10pm environment through an immersive installation which encourages weekdays, from 10am weekends, children’s tickets from £7, adults from us to question our relationship with the world around us. £11.50.

CANARY WHARF

Ice Rinks

DISCOVER GREENWICH OLD ROYAL NAVAL COLLEGE (next to the Cutty Sark), Greenwich SE10, www.greenwichwhs.org.uk Unlock the history of Maritime Greenwich, through artefacts, artwork, film and stories of former lives to bring the past to life. A permanent exhibition takes visitors on a journey from the College’s Tudor beginnings, through its naval past, as the Royal Hospital for Seamen and Royal Navy Staff College, right up to the present day. Special objects, including personal items from Henry VIII’s palace, as well as fascinating stories from monarchs, admirals and architects help chart the historic town’s development.

Activities for children and families play a significant part in the new destination, enabling families to maximise their visit to Maritime Greenwich and for children to explore and understand the history of the magnificent site.

TOWER OF LONDON Until 8 January, TOWER OF LONDON, Tower Hill EC3N 4AB, 0844 871 8814, www.toweroflondonicerink.com Feel the cold tingle of London’s crisp winter air, listen to the music, and take in wonderful surroundings as you glide around the rink in the moat of one of London’s most iconic landmarks. Daily from 10am-10pm, tickets from £8 children, £10.50 adults.

WESTFIELD STRATFORD Until 8 January, WESTFIELD STRATFORD, Newham E20, 0844 847 1667, www.westfield.com/uk Take to the ice in the awesome surroundings of Europe’s largest shopping centre, overlooking the Olympic Park. Tickets from £5.50 children, £8.50 adults, £23 families.

‘CHRISTMAS IN NEW YORK’ Until 8 January, BLUEWATER, Greenhithe, Kent DA9 9ST, 0844 858 6753, www.christmasinny.co.uk Set against the iconic skyline of the Rockefeller Centre, Empire State Building and Statue of Liberty, guests will experience true down town New York, including a beautiful ice rink and free Santa’s Grotto, plus unique activities including a Snow Slide and a traditional Winter Carousel. Open 10am-9.45pm weekdays and Sundays, from 9am Saturdays. Skate tickets from £8 children, £10 adults, £32 families.

CANARY WHARF Until 19 February, CANADA SQUARE PARK, Canary Wharf, 0844 847 1556, www.canarywharficerink.com Take to the ice beneath the iconic towers of Canary Wharf, surrounded by twinkling Christmas lights and 200 shops, bars and restaurants.

Expert tuition is available for beginners, or take off on your own.

Sessions run from 9.45am-11pm Mondays to Saturdays, to 7.30pm Sundays. Children £7.50, adults from £10.

SOMERSET HOUSE Until 22 January, SOMERSET HOUSE, Strand WC2, 020 7845 4600, www.somersethouse.org.uk All the glamour and sparkle of skating within the grounds of Somerset House. There is a skate school for beginners and novices, a penguin club for under 8s and free children’s storytelling at weekends by the giant Tiffany Christmas tree. Sessions from 10am - 11.30pm, tickets from £7.50.

Art Activities FAMILY ARTS IN DULWICH DULWICH PICTURE GALLERY, Gallery Road, Dulwich Village SE21 7AD, 020 8693 5254, www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk Museum open 10am-5pm Tuesdays to Fridays, from 11am weekends and bank holidays. Listed activities free for families with a gallery ticket or £3 per child.

ARTPLAY, first and last Sunday of each month. Creative drop-in workshops for adults and children, with a different activity each session.

Make anything and everything from bunting to block printing and all things in between. 2-3.45pm.

CHRISTMAS WREATHS, 11 December. Use recycled fabrics, ribbons and threads to create a beautiful Christmas wreath to decorate your door, and make small fabric decorations to decorate your house.

Children aged 6-10 plus an adult. 10.30am-4pm, £12 per participant.

JEWISH MUSEUM EVENTS JEWISH MUSEUM, Raymond Burton House, 129-131 Albert Street, Camden Town NW1 7NB, 020 7284 7324, www.jewishmuseum.org.uk The museum houses internationally acclaimed collections where visitors can explore Jewish culture, heritage and identity within the wider context of British history. Open 10am-5pm daily, Fridays to 2pm. Admission £3.50 children, £7.50 adults, £18 families.

HANUKAH CANDLES, 11 December. Celebrate the Festival of Lights by making your own Hanukah candles to light up you home, using

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families south east - december 2011

coloured wax and traditional techniques. 3-5pm drop-in for all ages, free with museum admission.

LIGHT UP THE NIGHT, 18 December. Make a beautiful lantern and join the museum’s annual lantern procession down Albert Street. 3-5pm for all ages, book first. Free with museum admission.

ART AT SIR JOHN SOANE’S HOUSE SIR JOHN SOANE’S MUSEUM, 13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields WC2A 3PB, 020 7440 4263, www.soane.org Tucked away in Lincoln’s Inn Fields at the heart of London, this magical, mysterious museum encourages young visitors to explore Soane’s treasures and develop new skills with specialist guidance. Sir John Soane (1753- 1737) was an inveterate collector, filling every nook and cranny of his beautiful home with items that fascinated him. From fossils to classical fragments from Ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome and from contemporary paintings to architectural models, drawings and literature, he intended that after his death both his house and its extraordinary contents should be used to educate and inspire. Free drop-in activities run on the third Saturday of every month, with activities for all ages and families can take part together from 1.30-4.40pm.

SOMERSET HOUSE FAMILY EVENTS SOMERSET HOUSE, Strand WC2, 020 7845 4600, www.somersethouse.org.uk Free family workshops run on Saturdays from 2-3.30pm. Tickets

available from 1pm from the information desk. Children aged 6-12 years must be accompanied by an adult.

THE NATIONAL GALLERY TRAFALGAR SQUARE WC2N 5DN Open daily 10am-6pm, Fridays to 9pm, admission free.

With over 2,300 paintings in the collection, there are hundreds of reasons to visit the gallery, along with free hands-on art workshops for families at weekends and during school holidays. No need to book, but places are limited and allocated on arrival up to one hour before the start.

FAMILIES AT THE TATE TATE BRITAIN, Millbank SW1, 020 7887 8888, www.tate.org.uk/britain Open daily 10am-5.50pm, and until 10pm the first Friday of the month.

Family trails are available daily from the Information Desks and are free for 5yrs and under. Go on a journey around Tate Britain and post your discoveries into your ‘Post it’ box as you go. When you get home, open up the box and show your friends what you found. Or you could follow the ‘Join up’ trail: play the listening game, search for shapes, patterns and talking hands, and make your own sculptures.

Every weekend the free Art Trolley encourages children to imagine and create, make colourful collages, style a wonderful sculpture or perhaps make a sketchbook and fill it with great ideas.

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The DOs and DON’Ts of a

Happy Family Christmas

By Sarah Butters

DON’T expect it to be perfect

DON’T expect your children to be angels

Like it or not, your Christmas will not be perfect. You will overcook the turkey, undercook the pudding and end up sobbing into a huge glass of Sauvignon Blanc because your mother-in-law has criticised your gravy. But because you’ve put so much time and effort into hosting the perfect Christmas, the disappointment at the odd hiccup is overwhelming.

Start the festive period accepting you’re not Nigella and it won’t be perfect and you’ll enjoy the parts that go well.

They’ve broken up from school about to burst with excitement about the arrival of Santa. You’ve been using the ‘if you’re not good, Santa won’t come’ since Easter and then the presents are opened and your little angels turn into little devils. Rules and routine are thrown out of the window so relatives can be entertained and trips can be taken. Combine that with too many treats and lots of attention from well meaning visitors and the magic of Christmas can disappear pretty quickly. Try not to let all discipline go out of the window and if you sense that there’s a tantrum on the way, remove your child from the mayhem. During your time out, remind them that Santa can take gifts back from children who don’t behave!

DO try and relax By the time Christmas Day arrives, most of us are exhausted. You’ve probably spent the weeks prior to the big day panic shopping, baking everything that Jamie suggested in his Christmas special and ferrying the family from one festive event to the next.

Earmark some time for you. It’s supposed to be a holiday!

DO make your own traditions Every family has its own way of celebrating. Now you have your own children it’s time for you to make your own traditions. Whether it’s a trip to the local crib service on Christmas Eve, or a day of Christmas baking on the Sunday before the festivities begin, it’s up to YOU to create your traditions. A great idea I’ve taken from a friend is the Christmas Eve hamper. This is a basket, left by one of Santa’s helpers filled with goodies to enjoy on the night before Christmas. In it are festive pyjamas for the children, new tooth brushes, a mug to make hot chocolate and a DVD for the family to watch. It’s the perfect kit to help kick start Christmas.

DO get out and about You are not under house arrest over the festive period. We shouldn’t be surprised that if you fill your home with relatives you rarely see and then lock the door, there will be arguments. Add some wine and the results are anything but festive. Don’t be afraid of getting wrapped up and heading out for a bracing walk. It will clear the house and let the little ones run off some steam.

EARLY YEARS

ICAL MUS TRE E TH A

DO give out jobs A resentful host is not a happy host so when you do your pre-Christmas shopping list, make sure you also write a list of jobs you’ll need doing on the big day. If you know your mother-in-law has a view about your Yorkshire Puddings, set her to work making some better ones. Remember, a busy cook is often a quiet cook!

DON’T waste money Let’s face it, this is going to be a tough year for all of us. We want to give our children everything on their list, but won’t bable to. Many will be celebrating just making it to 25 December with a job and a roof over our heads. However, you can still enjoy the festivities while being frugal. Swop traditional cards for an email including a festive photo. Organise a secret Santa for adult family members with a spending limit. Or simply suggest that you only buy for the family’s children. Keep reminding yourself that it’s not about the money your spend on each other, it’s about the time you spend with each other.

DO laugh!

Forget the stress of present buying and preparing a feast fit for a royalty and take a minute to laugh.

Remember, when you strip away all the tinsel and tat this is about preparing one meal, on one day with decorations and a gift or two. And if you’re finding smiling hard, try using our favourite Christmas Cracker joke to cheer you up: “What’s Santa’s favourite pizza? One that’s deep, and crisp and even.”

DON’T stress about the presents So you haven’t been able to find the latest Moshi Monster or bag a pooping Doggy Doo game.

Before you berate yourself, ask yourself this. Do you remember the presents you didn’t get when you were a child? Or do you remember the experiences you had? My Christmas memories are of preparing lunch with my wonderful Nana and attempting to wake my King Charles Cavalier after he’d drink the best part of a bottle of Blue Nun. Your kids will remember the laughter and the love and when you wake up in January, so will you.

Happy Christmas!

DO enjoy the preparation If you’re not careful, baking the cake, decorating the house and dressing the tree can begin to feel like a chore. Don’t let it become hard work. Give yourself the time to enjoy it and accept that with a little help from your little ones you can create some lovely

WEEKLY CLASSES PRIVATE TUITION AND EXAMS

EAST DULWICH / FOREST HILL

Christmas memories. OK, you won’t have a cake fit for Delia. There’ll be precious few needles left on the tree and your house will resemble the aftermath of a children’s birthday party. But despite the imperfections you’ll have happy children and you won’t have spent a penny. Now that’s a happy Christmas.

MA DRA AGES 12 - 19

CE DANLUB T E C E STR GLEE &

NORTH DULWICH / HERNE HILL

COME AND AUDITION FOR OUR CHRISTMAS PRODUCTION OF

CRYSTAL PALACE / SYDENHAM

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Imagination for the Everyday Early years Drama www.theatretots.com

Mothers Mean Business Home & Kids

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Home & Kids is a treasure trove of toys, gifts and chic interior accessories, including many items made by talented local artists and creators. It is owned and run by Maritza Masiello, a mother of four from Lee. FSE: What did you do before opening Home & Kids?

MM: In my ‘former life’, I worked as a legal accountant in the City before going into retail.

I previously ran independent children’s boutique Love Me Again on the same site with my former business partner but then got the opportunity to go it alone.

Home & Kids is a NEW boutique in Hither Green, specialising in beautiful interior items for the home as well as traditional and fun toys for babies and children.

We pride ourselves in working with local producers of gifts, furniture and accessories as well as bringing you great British and Scandinavian designs including Donna Wilson and Ferm Living.

We also have kids favourites including Mini and Maxi Scooters, Brio toys, Belle and Boo accessories and baby favourites Sophie Giraffe, Boo Boo Baby produce, Daisy Roots and Skwish.

Visit our website for more details / or come and visit us at

37 Staplehurst Road, Hither Green SE13 5ND

020 8244 0172

www.HomeAndKids.co.uk

Fun French for Children • 3 – 11 years old • Games, Songs & Drama • Native French Teachers • Professional Materials • Free Trial Session For SE3, SE4, SE12 SE21, SE22, SE23 & SE24

Call Séverine: 020 8699 7665

East Dulwich & Dulwich Park 0778 613 0537 (Suzie)

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Rotherhithe & Bermondsey 020 8979 9139 (Tim & Emily)

families south east - december 2011

FSE: Where did the inspiration come from?

MM: I decided to focus on Home and Kids as there is a growing demand for something different from the high street when it comes to toys, gifts and accessories.

Hither Green is a really vibrant area and has real buzz about it and I have loved running a business here. It is wonderful to be able to build on that experience with my own shop.

FSE: How easy or difficult was it to start up?

MM: As with any new business, there are many challenges along the way but I believed in Home & Kids so much, that any difficulties were dealt with as best as possible. I suppose, when you have that drive, there’s no stopping you!

FSE: What’s instore for customers?

MM: The shop stocks popular brands including Brio, Lego storage, and classic teething toy Sophie la Giraffe, as well as Donna Wilson cushions, Ferm Living, Belle and Boo and luxury products from Abahna. You will also find lamps and other eye-catching interior items for the home including a selection of vintage items.

FSE: Tell us about the locally sourced products MM: Local designs on sale include beautiful made-to-order wooden children’s furniture from Blackheath-based company Pharos Woodworks, and funky baby t-shirts, cards, bags and pictures by Greenwich-based Gyp Designs. Lee artist and illustrator Rachel Pank also has a small display of original artwork based on her published children’s books.

FSE: Which are your best-selling gifts for Christmas?

MM: For the kids, without a doubt are the mini micro and maxi scooters. They are the most popular must have. They have been for the last two years and it seems to be the same trend this year too. For the grown ups, it has to be the Donna Wilson cushions and accessories. They are very special and I always knew that when I eventually ventured into interiors, I would want to stock them, and the best bit is that my customers seem to love them too.

FSE: Juggling the shop and a family sounds like hard work. How do you make the work/ family balance work?

MM: I don’t have a clear cut answer for that one.

I try to be focussed on my kids and husband during the afternoon/ evening but as soon as the kids are in bed, I’m usually catching up with accounts, ordering or marketing. Luckily my husband is in business too so he is very understanding and is also a great source of advice and information.

FSE If you ever get any time to yourself, how do you like to relax?

MM: I don’t have much time to relax, however the time between finishing at the shop and the school run is precious, and this is when I usually take my dog for a walk in Greenwich Park. I find it very therapeutic to be there and it definitely gives me time to think.

FSE: Where can readers find you?

MM: Home & Kids is at 37 Staplehurst Road, Hither Green SE13 5ND, 020 8244 0172.

We are open from Monday to Friday 9.30am-5pm and Saturday 9.30am-6pm, and online at www.homeandkids.co.uk.

We are also on Facebook and Twitter.

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Luca & Maya make...

christmas windows

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december 2011 - families south east

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What’sNew Baby r u o Y d n a u Yo Baby calm When babies cry a lot, sleep little and may have colic, many new parents frantically search prescriptive books for answers to their tiring and distressing days and nights.

Baby Calm run workshops for just this stage in your life. There is an emergency three hour workshop covering colic and crying; a three hour antenatal workshop to give parents confidence before their baby arrives; and a four week course which is designed to soothe babies and fill new mothers with confidence.

BabyCalm was founded in 2007 by Sarah Ockwell-Smith, a psychologist, antenatal teacher, doula and mother of four. Classes are now rapidly spreading across the UK, with venues including East Dulwich, Peckham, Croydon and Streatham.

For more information, go to www.babycalm.co.uk or call 0845 094 0075.

Be safe, be seen School runs still need to be done, and the shopping won’t do itself just because it’s dark outside.

This Max Viz baby carrier is an eye-catching yellow, with reflective silver piping. It opens flat to make it easy to strap in your baby, and the wide, cross over shoulder straps provide decent back support.

Max Viz is a range of products from Tippitoes at www.tippitoes.com, 0845 600 8595.

Teenager r u o Y d n a u o Y

Empty nesters

Career planning LEARN YOUNG HAVE FUN Rally round for a smashing time.

A fun filled introduction to tennis for 2-8 yr olds.

Played indoors with small rackets, sponge balls and scaled-down court.

Aids agility, co-ordination and balance.

A positive introduction to tennis with lots of fun.

Weekend and weekday sessions now available.

For further details ring Gordon on 07877391005 or e-mail gordon@tennis-4-kids.com

www.tennis-4-kids.com

Crawley Studios

Great Fun for Any Age Come along and enjoy the excitement of painting the item of your choice.

We provide a large selection of unpainted pottery, from egg cups and mugs to ducks and dinosaurs, as well as paints, brushes, stencils and stamps.

Children’s parties with a difference For further details please ring:

Tel/Fax: 020 8516 0002 www.crawleystudios.co.uk Open daily weekdays, weekends and evenings by appointment only 39 Wood Vale, Forest Hill, London SE23 3DS

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families south east - december 2011

A survey of 448 graduates undertaken by Totaljobs.com found that 43% would not choose the same university course again, and 38% blamed their choice of course for their unemployment after graduation.

BestCourse4Me is a website which guides students through the best university selection, based on previous graduates’ earnings. The site shows courses and careers by subject, with graphs and charts illustrating the potential earnings for different graduate careers, along with video interviews with students.

The site was developed by Metakinetic, whose director Darren Bull comments: “With UK course fees rising to nine thousand pounds a year, university education is one of the most significant investments a young person will make. No one would spend almost thirty thousand pounds without doing some solid research about the potential return on that investment and this is precisely what the BestCourse4Me website allows people to do.”

BestCourse4me is a free and utterly independent service provided by Student Information Services Ltd; a not-for-profit organisation and registered charity founded in 2009. Find it at www.bestcourse4me.com.

If your teenager started uni this year, are you already counting the days until they’re back for Christmas?

A new study undertaken by the University of Sheffield reveals just how tough the first few weeks of university can be for parents, and that the empty nest feeling can be emotionally very difficult.

Debora Green, head of Student Support and Guidance at the University of Sheffield, said: “Students have the excitement of new experiences and new people to ease feelings of homesickness but the parents are left with the empty home. They also know that they can rely on family for support, even if they don’t ever ask for it. Parents need to remember: parenting doesn’t end at this stage, it only changes.”

The research also showed concerns about their children’s safety was the number one issue for London parents (42%), while the emptiness of the family home came in second place (38%).

Concerns over their child’s financial welfare were next (32%), with worries about their child feeling lonely just behind (26%).

Debora advises parents to “Remember that universities invest in lots of services to help students: at Sheffield we have a university health service, residential mentoring support, a counselling service, front line information and advice based in the Students’ Union building, a multi-faith chaplaincy and personal tutoring support. It’s hard to let go, but they are in safe hands.”

Meanwhile, there’s not long to go now until the stray socks are back around the house and your best biscuits are nabbed as a late night snack...

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ation Useful Inform Speech and language specialist

We are looking for babies and children between the ages of 0 and 12 years to assist us in a range of fun activities investigating how children see.

The Child Vision Lab is based at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology in Central London.

We will refund any travelling costs up to £20.

020 7608 6819

The Netbuddy website has added a Speech & Language Therapist to their online experts.

Chris Wade specialises in working with children and young adults with Autism, Aspergers and learning disabilities. He can answer any questions parents may have on typical speech and language development for example: ‘Should my five year-old be able to say the ‘r’ sound?’ or ‘My child only uses two word sentences, how can I help her to use longer sentences?’ He can also help explain the maze of assessments or the complex process of statementing.

Ask your questions or read other parents’ Q&A conversations at www.netbuddy.org.uk.

Paying your dues The taxman is looking to ensure that payments are up to date from people who work as tutors, coaches, fitness instructors and more. We asked Riyas Kallan (pictured) from Taxfile to explain what’s involved: “The Tax Catch up Plan (TCP) is for people with any undeclared income, from tuition and coaching as a main or secondary income, on which the correct tax has not been issued. This is a great opportunity for a large number of south London residents who supply tuition in traditional subjects; instruction or coaching, fitness and dance instruction, musical instrument tuition, art, services provided by life coaches and others.

Under the plan, tutors and coaches have until 31 March 2012 to come forward and tell HMRC about their outstanding tax for the years up to 5 April 2010, and pay what they owe. The plan makes it easy for

customers to put their tax affairs in order and keep them on the right track in the future.

Those who come forward by the deadline are likely to receive the best possible terms for paying the tax owed. If they have to pay a penalty, it is unlikely to be more than 20 per cent of the unpaid tax. Conversely, those who wait for HMRC to come to them will find that they have to pay much higher penalties, or even face criminal prosecution. After 31 March, using information pulled together from different sources, HMRC will investigate those who have chosen not to come forward.

The Head of HMRC’s campaign explains it as follows; ‘We are using various intelligence sources to identify and then target those who do not take advantage of this opportunity to declare their full income. The message is clear: contact us before we contact you.’

The Tax Catch up Plan has two stages: • From 10 October 2011 to 6 January 2012, tutors/ coaches/ instructors must register with HMRC to ‘notify’ them that they plan to make a voluntary tax disclosure.

• By 31 March 2012 those who have registered to notify must tell HMRC what they owe and pay the tax, interest and penalties due.”

Still confused about all these changes in the tax system? Taxfile’ s tax accountants in south London can provide help for any doubts you might have. Visit their website or call them on 020 8761 8000 and find all the answers to your questions, with hands-on help if you need it.

www.childvisionlab.org

Une école francaise pour enfants francophones ou bilingues agés de 2 à 7 ans We don’t teach French as a foreign language but simply use it as a living language Herne Hill

Native teachers

Pour plus de renseignements:

www.ecolecadetrousselle.co.uk email: info@ecolecadetrousselle.co.uk Contacter Fatima Bida-Foster 07917 301550

At Tumbletots we endeavour to provide the opportunities, through a challenging environment of active physical play, for children to fully explore and develop their physical capability, especially their motor skills of balance, agility and co-ordination, whilst at the same time stimulating the imagination and having fun. Classes also include music, songs and rhymes, and are split into different age groups starting at six months up to 5 years.

Information / bookings: for Dulwich, Blackheath, Battersea and Clapham Call Julia Forrest on 020 8464 4433 or email julia.forrest1@ntlworld.com

Support for single parents Parents in receipt of Income Support will have to move to Job Seekers Allowance when their youngest child becomes five years old, under the government’s proposed new Work Programme, which is due for implementation early next year.

The Single Parent Action Network (SPAN) notes that this is proving a real worry for single parents.

SPAN’s development director Simon Bates explained: “Single parents experience a number of structural barriers to work, including access to affordable childcare and employment that is flexible enough for them to juggle time for being a parent.” He continues: “The government believes that work is the best route out of poverty for single parents.

At face value this is a difficult position to argue against and SPAN does not suggest that single parents should always be dependent on the benefits system. Rather, our concern is the implication that this has for parenting, motherhood, child welfare and social inclusion.”

SPAN has responded by offering single parents a range of online resources to help them. The OneSpace website includes a searchable tool, ‘Your Local Support’ which details organisations who can help them. Advice is available from the Citizens Advice Bureau, Shelter, experts in family law, Child Support and a relationship counsellor. There is a large online community of other single parents too, offering each other everything from a supportive ear to shared experiences so no one need feel alone. Parents can also access free courses such as life skills, assertiveness and ways into work, all aimed at helping any parent to understand their work readiness as well as an online parenting course. Read more at www.onespace.org.uk.

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Come and Join the Fun! The award winning movement to music, dance and singing programme for boys and girls from 6 months upwards run within a fun, safe and caring environment.

Babies 6 - 18mths Tiny Toes 18 mths - 3 yrs Mini Movers 3 - 4 yrs Tots Tap 3 yrs + Mini Groovers 4 yrs + Classes available in Greenwich and surrounding areas Contact Miss Stephanie on

07809 148 348

greenwich@babyballet.co.uk bb_Greenwich Babyballet Greenwich

www.babyballet.co.uk

As seen on...

december 2011 - families south east

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Families South East PO Box 11591 London SE26 6WB Tel: 020 8699 7240 Email: info@familiesse.co.uk Contact: Robina Cowan

FAMILY & HOME SERVICES KITCHEN & BATHROOM RENOVATIONS

Free advice and quote.

Call Shaun on:

07913 656502 020 8249 3264

PAINTING & DECORATING Interior / Exterior Experienced, Reliable, Clean Fully Guaranteed / Insured FREE ADVICE AND QUOTE

Must-Have Design,

Competitive Fixed Fees

www.architect.so Book a Feasibility Consultation or Call 02086779145 / 07792781971

Handyman For all your household repairs and odd jobs.

I offer a professional and courteous service

www.shaunthehandyman.co.uk 020 8249 3264 or 07913 656 502

John:- James & Lamont

Advertise HERE

020 8462 4646 - 07802 535695

for new year business

PARTIES

CLASSES & TUTORS

Families online For back issues and more articles than we can squeeze into each issue, a directory of local companies, competitions and forums plus the latest What'sOn listings, join us online.

www.familiesse.co.uk HEALTH & COUNSELLING THE VALE PRACTICE

DAVID MULLANY

Structural & Cranial Osteopathy – Acupuncture Specialising in the treatment of children and expectant mothers.

Coaching Services 07970 852788

T. 020 8299 9798 www.thevalepractice.co.uk Adult & Children’s Entertainer Magic, Plate Spinning Balloon Modelling Interactive Games Karaoke, Mini Disco

Counselling Individuals and Couples

Helen Storey

020 8670 6141

• Inheritance disputes

Our experience includes dealing with substantial assets We aim to resolve disputes in a constructive and non-confrontational way We can also help with pre-nuptial and cohabitation agreements

www.bennettwelch.com Bank Chambers, Westow Hill, Upper Norwood, London SE19 1TY

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07789 654 941 gerryfletcher@yahoo.co.uk

MORE local therapists: www.familiesse.co.uk/directory

Plus education news, family life, local companies and events - advertise yours in Families Call or email us now!

Call Greg Randall on

• Disputes about children

BS, MA, MBACP, Relate

With a NURSERIES feature and HALF TERM ACTIVITIES

www.familiesse.co.uk

• Civil partnership dissolution

Young People, Couples, Individuals, Families

New year issue out Friday 13 January 2012

For features on great children’s parties, organising a successful sleepover and MORE party entertainers, read us online:

• Separation

MBACP

020 8699 1652

www.amigosmagic.co.uk

• Divorce

Relationship Counselling Geraldine Fletcher

Tel: 020 8480 8176

We help with family problems, including:

david@davidmullanyconsulting.com www.davidmullanyconsulting.com

families south east - december 2011

TAXFILE Accountants & Tax Advisors Tax Preparation, Tax Returns Tax Refunds, Tax Advice VAT Returns, General Accounting 25 Thurlow Park Road, London SE21 8JP t: +44(0)20 8761 8000 f: +44(0)20 8766 7220 e: riyas@taxfile.co.uk w: www.taxfile.co.uk Good tax advice does wonders for your money - imagine what award winning advice can do! w w w. f a m i l i e s s e . c o . u k

DESIGN: Lancasters 020 8658 9975 www.lancasters.co.uk Printed on paper from sustainable forests. www.russellpress.com

I offer a complete ‘one stop’ service from design and planning through to installation, plumbing, tiling and flooring.