Families Oxfordshire Jan-Feb 2013

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Oxfordshire

Issue 53

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DELIVERY!

DELIVERY!

January - F ebru

ary 201 3

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DELIVERY!

Open Day: Early Years Foundation Stage Wednesday 27 February 2013 - 2pm – 3:30 pm

Free Drama Class Watch your child’s self-esteem soar with Perform’s unique drama, dance and singing classes.

Our weekly workshops will do wonders for their social, linguistic and physical development as well as being the best fun they’ll have all week.

perform.org.uk

Classes for 4 –12 year o ld perform.org s .uk

Oxfordshire 0845 400 1276

September/Occtober See What’s On in Oxfordshire this half term2012 p.17-19

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News & views Help is at Hand for Busy Mums!

Becoming a parent is probably one of the best things that ever happened to you.

But sometimes you wish you just had more time to enjoy it.

Now you can!

Mummy’s Maid will provide you with an extra pair of hands that understands!

Range of services we offer: • Childcare New baby service • Cleaning • Laundry • Ironing • Shopping • Errand running Interested in working for Mummy’s Maid? Call us for more information 0845 463 0075. www.mummysmaid.co.uk e: info@mummysmaid.co.uk

New Year allergies update

Did you know: ``

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Up to 50% of the population are affected by allergy conditions such as asthma, eczema, hay fever or a food allergy.

Food allergy is most prevalent during a child’s earliest years and nearly 8% of children. The most common foods are cow’s milk, hen’s eggs, peanut, tree nuts, sesame, soya and wheat.

Common symptoms from food are rashes (hives/ eczema), swelling, tummy pain, itchy eyes, wheezing.

This usually happens within 30 minutes of eating/ touching the food.

Children should be tested to confirm culprit, and NICE are clear.

Most children outgrow egg and milk allergy, but of nut allergy only 20% do.

Useful websites are www.allergyuk.org and www.eczema.org

By Dr David Cremonesini, Consultant Paediatrician

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Front cover image by Samantha Price

Need Mealtime Inspiration?

Visit www.menus4mums.co.uk and get weekly meal plans, recipe cards, and shopping lists based around quality supermarket bargains, taking the hassle out of organising your family’s meals and giving you one less thing to think about in your busy life. Just £6.95 for 4 weeks membership.

Free tuition session for Oxfordshire children Explore Learning provides maths and English tuition to children aged 5-14, designed to improve knowledge, confidence and enjoyment of learning. It helps children make fantastic academic progress, in an atmosphere that keeps them engaged and focused, making learning fun. As members, children work with tutors who are enthusiastic about learning and fantastic motivators. All courses map to the National Curriculum and the individual focus allows children to work at their own pace – whether they are finding school tricky or they are top of the class! If you are interested in finding out more please contact the Oxford centre to book your free trial session and see the centre in action!

Telephone: 01865 595 509 Email: oxford@explorelearning.co.uk Location: Inside Sainsbury, Heyford Hill, Oxford, OX4 4XR

Contents In this issue News and views................................................. 2-5 Local clubs & classes you choose!....................... 6 The Alexander Technique................................... 6-7 Choosing a nursery............................................... 8 School matters.................................................... 10 Hello and hope you enjoy the first issue of Families Oxfordshire in 2013.

Have your best family holiday ever................ 12-13

To start the New Year we’re calling on Families’ readers to help us form our very own team, to take part in the OX5RUN on Sunday 10 March. Raising money for the Oxford Children’s Hospital, it’s just a 5K run/sprint/jog or fast walk (depending!) around Blenheim Palace to help us raise some funds. So if you fancy doing something worthy and fun with us then drop me a line. It’ll be great to get involved and to show our joint support for this amazing hospital!

Best wishes

Gluten sensitivity and coeliac disease................ 14 What do you tell the children?............................. 15 OX5RUN and flexible working for mums............. 16 What’s on........................................................ 17-19

Advertise in Families Oxfordshire call 01993 815966

The Great Mums Get Together

or email editor@familiesoxfordshire.co.uk.

10-17 March 2013 CLIC Sargent, a national cancer charity for children is calling for Oxfordshire Mums to get together with other mums over tea, coffee and cakes to raise vital funds for children and young people with cancer. Join The Great Mums Get Together today by visiting www.clicsargent.org. uk/gettogether to sign-up and to receive an information pack. CLIC is also celebrating 20 years of its Home from Home in Oxford this year. Since its opening, CLIC Court has offered a free place to stay to over 1000 Oxfordshire families whose child is receiving specialist treatment here.

FRSETEER A TA

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to join in the fun call

Winners of our Sept/Oct Macamu music CD giveaway: Connie McCann, aged 6 of Kennington Daniella Weicha, aged 7 of Woodstock

01869 325 499

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Families Oxfordshire designed by Dickidot Limited.

01865 400801 www.dickidot.com Oxfordshire

September/Occtober January/February 2013 2012

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News & views Free legal support for Oxfordshire Families from Darbys Solicitors Imagine the Wilson family, who live in Witney.

First, they had a problem with their neighbour whose use of his land was ruining their peace and damaging the value of their house. They urgently needed legal advice. If this was you, where would you turn?

A family in this situation could go to a law firm they found on the internet or ring or walk into the offices of a law firm. Some law firms deal with this kind of case, some don’t. Some law firms give a free first interview, some don’t. Some law firms would have given free advice over the phone, others ask you to make an appointment and go in and see them – and pay up front.

The Wilsons though had joined the revolutionary legal support scheme for families, PURPLE LEGAL, run by Darbys Solicitors. This would allow the Wilsons’ to pick up the phone – free of charge – to a legal team whenever they had a legal enquiry.

Mr Wilson was told by a colleague that because his house had gone up so much in value he would end up giving half of his wealth to the tax man if he passed away. No problem for the Wilsons with this one either – Mr Wilson could ring PURPLE LEGAL again and have his enquiry answered, free of charge, by a specialist wills & tax planning lawyer.

Whether you are moving house, bringing family from abroad, need advice regarding an injury or medical negligence issue, or you need help with your divorce, join PURPLE LEGAL. The scheme is free to join, free to leave, and it brings a revolutionary level of service to the law.

More Oxfordshire Mum’s are returning to work A new survey by Medela has revealed that a third of mothers are returning to work earlier than expected because of the current economic climate. Committed to supporting working mothers, Medela conducted the survey in 2012 to look into the provisions employers are making for women returning to work. They discovered that one of the biggest struggles mothers faced was the lack of facilities available for breastfeeding or expressing milk. Let us know what your employer does to support mums by emailing editor@familiesoxfordshire.co.uk.

A new visa debit card for children Recently launched PKTMNY, means children can now take the first steps to managing their own money in a way which can still be controlled by their parents. PKTMNY provides children with a contactless prepaid VISA debit card, which parents personalise by setting controls on where and how much they can spend. It’s the first card to have such functionality and is linked to an online platform of interactive, age appropriate tools that make managing money, saving and spending fun, engaging and real for children. PKTMNY wants to enable children to understand the value of money in the cashless world we’re heading for and has been launched following a beta programme in conjunction with BritMums. This will ensure PKTMNY best meets the needs of children and families in Oxfordshire and the rest of the the UK and builds a community of mums who’ll help co-create the service into the future. To register go to www.PKTMNY.com.

Hundreds of thousands of families already enjoy the peace of mind that PURPLE LEGAL brings. You have nothing to lose, and peace of mind to gain, by joining them.

Darbys and PURPLE LEGAL – Always there for you. www.darbys.co.uk www.purplelegal.co.uk

BARE HAS MOVED: Now conveniently situated in Central Oxford at The Tao Beauty Salon, 99 St Aldates, Oxford OX11BT

T: 01865 930 339 E: info@bareUK.co.uk

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01993 01993815966 815966 www.familiesoxfordshire.co.uk www.familiesox.co.uk

Base Camps! Affordable, quality childcare in Oxfordshire At only *£20 per day (09:30-16:30), Base Camps offers piece of mind for working parents in Oxfordshire and a packed day where children can play and experience new activities at a local venue. With the option to extend the day from 08:00-18:00 for only an additional £5, it’s convenient and value-for-money too.

At Base Camps, their aim is to provide safe, stimulating holiday childcare based on team work and fun. All staff are over 18, CRB checked and qualified (or training to be qualified) in a relative field of teaching and coaching.

With Government guidelines recommending 60 minutes of strenuous activity a day, Base Camps guarantee 80 minutes of sports and games in their programme as well as signature team building challenges plus a varied timetable of arts and crafts activities.

All of the Base Camps venues are within easy reach of local communities and locations include: Berkshire, Essex, Hertfordshire and Oxfordshire with more to be confirmed across the South East.

Register now online and *save 10% by taking advantage of Early Booking Rate (discounted rate ends: 30/04/13).

www.basecamps.org.uk

Sing, Dance, Act NOW!

Oxfordshire

January/February 2013

5

The The Alexander AlexanderTechnique: Technique: Leah Wright, an Alexander Technique teacher in Witney, believes that the Alexander Technique is highly beneficial for creating the right posture for both parents and children, which most of us start to lose from a very young age.

This Leah says is because we are programmed to learn by copying, and that life can often take its toll through injury, stress or illness. She believes that as a parent, it is important to let babies develop at their own pace. This means do not encourage your baby to sit, stand or walk before they are actually ready to, as you’ll see her natural poise once she finds her sitting position. This is also the best example of how we are naturally built to sit.

Even constantly pushing a pram or a pushchair can have a negative impact on posture, if not done with care. And increasingly so nowadays, we find ourselves either working at a computer or driving for long periods of time, which are other common ways in which our posture can be affected.

Leah’s advice therefore is for parents to take a series of lessons, which their own children can then learn from, or, if a child already has a certain postural pattern, book them their own lessons, so they can experience the benefits first hand. To find your local teacher visit the website of the Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique at www.stat.org.uk or contact Leah at: leah@witneyat.com or 07866 794897.

Stressed from from juggling juggling your your life? life?

• Feel Feel lighter lighter -- and more alive and more alive Improve your • Improve your posture posture Move and bend • Move and bend more easily more easily Be free of aches • Be free of aches and pains and pains Feel more • Feel more confident and confident and relaxed relaxed

The Witney Centre for the Alexander Technique The Witney Centre for the Alexander Technique 46 Market Square, Witney OX28 6AL 46 Market Square, Witney OX28 6AL www.WitneyAT.com

Local clubs & classes You choose!

Babyballet

Baby Boogie Is a new class at Mill Arts in Didcot for parents and tots. It’s a great way for energetic children who love to dance, run, bounce and roll creatively without the restrictions of learning specific steps. Mums, dads, grannies and granddads are invited to book now! Classes held on Wednesdays at 1pm.

Cornerstone-arts.org Call 01235 515144

Tatty B umpkin a Baby B umpkin nd Clas

the Bear and the Charlotte and Twinkle allet allowing byb ba of rld magical wo nce, sing and da to e little ones who lov the perfect ers off t alle byb Ba . fun have increasing ile wh nce da to place to learn ontrol and f-c sel n, atio confidence, coordin is UK wide us lab syl Its lls. ski g socialisin ning, for girls and and is multi-award win to 5 years. Three boys aged 6 months rses available. cou ory week introduct

3 048 496

Call Charlotte 0758 babyballet.co.uk

ses cre ated to of well enha -b age, co eing in childre nce feelings mbinin n from g yoga active , story- an early pla telling, aligned y and music . to the Early Y Stories are curricu ea lu and lea m to encoura rs Foundation ge dev rning.

C elo lasses on Thu held in pment rsdays Abingd and Fri on days.

Call Lo uis

Camp Energy

Nature Tots

Is a great oppo rtunity for your preschool little on es to interact with and learn from natu re! Come alon g for an outdoor nature play, games, st ories and craft on ou r wild and won derful nature reserve.

All children m ust be accompani ed by an adul t and are held at Su tton Courtena y Environmenta l Education Cen tre, nr Didcot. Bookin g essential.

Call Christine 01235 862024 bbowt.org.uk

Camp Energy provides outs tanding activity camps for kids which are funactiontastic and open this half term 11 - 17 Fe bruary. Let Cam p Energy ease yo ur childcare w orries as one of Oxfords e 0845 top activity ca 680 34 tattybu for kids. It now mps 76 mpkin has a convenie .com/s nt new site at Su eoxfor mmer Fields Sc dshire hool, in Summertow n, Oxford.

Rugbytots g itin exc Call Barry 01 fun and Mad Academy 869 352000 Looking for something ones or need the ca to do with your little mpenergy.co n the , rgy ene Pro ra viding the perfect ble m t ext nd of music kids to burn off all tha ll based ski by an rug d S dance for young childr UK t e firs rious4s Rugbytots, the en, classes s old r yea p 7 are to o 2 packed with music, rt play programme for Provid mo vement, a op vel de to ing enjo signed rhythm and dance. MA could be for you! De yable a sports D’s approach social and l ica log n c cho d is o psy fun, funky and physi educa child’s physical, execute aching for c cal who pride encourages hildren tional d to th themselves on being attributes, it also gently , e F free spirited and o h in d r ig hel s h h sse a Cla e lf lls. s ski c t te relaxed. Offering cla rugby specifi clubs a rm courses standards. sses for three age llingford and , after nd priv groups: Baby classe Oxford, Wheatley, Wa school ate cla Oxford s, 3 months to s s s h e walking, Toddler cla s in Abingdon. websit ire go to the sse s for walkers e.

Se to 2 years and Presch 313 6707 themed Or why not b rious4sport ool classes Call Catherine 0845 ook a s party, fo for 2 to 4 year olds. ports way to Classes held in celebra r a fun and e rugbytots.co.uk Oxford and Bicester. nergeti te a ch c Call Ja ild’s bir mes 0 thday! madacademy.com 7799 0 04 711 Seriou s4Spo Ca 01993 815966 ll Sophie on 01869 rt.co.u 01993 815966 369502 k

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www.familiesoxfordshire.co.uk www.familiesox.co.uk

Helps Helpsparents Parents and andchildren…

Children…

Oxfordshire

September/Occtober January/February January/February2013 2013 2012

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Choosing a nursery Is a nursery right for your child (and you)?

By Joanna Moorhead

they be closed at short notice - so they’re more reliable than one carer who may be ill or have to cope with a sudden family emergency.

They may be prohibitively expensive if you have more than one child, although many nurseries do offer a sibling reduction. But if you can fit around its opening hours, if your budget stretches to the fees, and if you like the idea of a social environment and a place with plenty of activities and trained carers, a nursery could be the place for your child and for you.

How to reduce nursery costs The government is currently considering cutting staff-tochild ratios in nurseries as a way of reducing what many see as unsustainable prices - but the move is controversial, and organisations such as the Preschool Learning Alliance is warning such a change could risk children’s safety and well-being.

Under current regulations, there must be one staff member for every three under-twos, and one for every four children aged two and three.

Most nurseries provide funded places for three to five year olds under the government free nursery education scheme. If your child is younger, check whether your employer can offer help towards your nursery costs through the childcare voucher scheme. Under this, money is taken out of your pay packet before deductions, giving you savings on tax and National Insurance - in return, you are given a voucher or e-voucher that you forward to your nursery, and the amount is deducted from your bill. So it’s a way of getting more childcare for your money - though it requires your employer’s co-operation.

How to choose the right nursery

Nurseries aren’t the cheapest form of childcare - according to the latest figures, the average cost of a nursery place for a child under two for 25 hours a week is £103.19 a week. But prices vary dramatically, and in some areas nurseries charge as much as £15,000 a year for 25 hours’ care a week.

Is a nursery the right choice for you?

Studies show, though, that attending nursery can increase a child’s confidence, because it involves mixing with adults, and other children, from outside the family group. It gives children social skills, and experience from an early age of an environment outside the home. The nursery ‘key worker’ scheme, under which each child is allocated a special member of staff with whom they can bond, helps provide security.

Healthy food and menus are another big plus of nursery provision: staff work hard to ensure children are given a balanced diet. And as your child gets older, play and learning opportunities will be targeted appropriately: staff are trained in what young children can do when, and will be conscious of a child’s likely interests and potential.

Nurseries work best for parents who have regular working hours, because it’s difficult or impossible for staff to deal with erratic patterns of collection and drop-off: nurseries often open early in the morning and some close late in the evening, but they are not as flexible as, say, a nanny or a childminder. On the other hand, they have the big advantage that only very, very rarely will

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01993 01993815966 815966 www.familiesoxfordshire.co.uk www.familiesox.co.uk

Start your nursery search well ahead of the time when you’re actually going to need to leave your child: the more confident you are of the choices you make, the happier you’ll be when it comes to the day you have to head back to the office. Ask around so you get other parents’ views on what nurseries are like in your area. Make a shortlist of ones that might work for you (remember to take geography into account: how easy will it be for you and/or your partner to do the drop off/collect?) and don’t hesitate to ask to visit a second time.

Make sure you read the most recent Ofsted inspection report for the nurseries you are considering, and ask whether they have any awards of excellence. Be guided by your instincts when looking at a nursery: it may seem a cliché to say do the children look happy, but it is an important barometer of whether a nursery is good. Be aware of the quality of both indoor and outdoor play areas: are the spaces pleasant, bright, welcoming, and do they seem safe? Ask about meals, how the food is prepared, and what time meals are served.

Are you able to provide input for your child’s food - suggestions for what s/he would like to eat, or recipes? What kinds of snacks are provided and how often are they available?

Watch the children while they’re playing, and pay attention to how much they’re interacting with the staff. How do the staff come across - do they seem happy, relaxed, fun to be around? Do you feel comfortable talking to them? Do they seem interested in your child and his/her likes/dislikes and interests?

Ask about organised play sessions - weekly music groups, perhaps, or storytelling. Are there trips to the library, and to the park? How are these organised, and how often do they take place?

Make sure you understand what the nursery charges, how payment is made, and exactly what the fees include (for example, do they cover meals, nappies, outings). How many weeks a year is the nursery open? How are parents involved in the nursery, and are there opportunities for parents to meet up?

Is all well when I’m not there?

Some nurseries have webcams which allow parents to see live images of their child at play from their desk at work. But while some parents welcome this idea, others are sceptical - they say they want their child’s nursery to know they trust its workers, and worry that they’ll be seen as a way of spying on care workers.

Others say they like the idea of watching their child at play so much that they’d spend too much time doing it - and wouldn’t ever get any work done!

As your child is settling into nursery, trust your instincts about how well it’s going.

You know your child better than anyone else, so if your hunch is that your child is

happy and contented , that’s almost certainly the case. Remember that in the early days, he or she will probably get more tired than usual -nursery is a big change, emotionally as well as physically. Both your child and you need time to adjust to the new set-up.

Try not to drag out your goodbyes: leaving your child will be difficult, especially at first, but keeping it brief will help you both.

Remember that your child may cry every day when you drop them off (and so might you!) for quite a while; this is a normal part of getting used to this big change in your lives. Cope with it by emphasising the positives: think about why you’re working (to make money and provide a better standard of living; to ensure you have an interesting life, and income, in the longer term) and how much your child will benefit from a wider social network.

Troubleshooting Fingers crossed, you’ll never have a problem with a nursery your child attends. But what happens when there IS an issue? As every working parent knows, nothing undermines your ability to work more than a nagging suspicion that your child isn’t happy, or isn’t being looked after as well as possible or even - worst scenario of all - isn’t safe.

If you have any worries at all about your child’s nursery you must resolve them, and as quickly as possible. So as soon as something strikes you as ‘not right’, talk to the nursery manager or your allocated member of staff - many niggles are simply down to a lack of communication.

Explain what’s up, and the chances are you’ll never have to mention it again, and things will all be smoothed over.

But if you’re not satisfied that all is well, put your concern in writing to the nursery manager.

All nurseries should have a protocol for dealing with complaints - ask to see this if it’s not spelled out in the nursery handbook.

Providing short term household services to busy mums without the need for long term contracts Are you a busy mum who would love someone to come in and take care of some of the household chores on a short term basis, allowing you to concentrate on other things?

Well look no further - Mummy’s Maid will provide you with an Extra Pair of Hands that Understand!

Mummy’s Maid offers Short Term Household contracts from as little as 2 hours.

Whatever your needs Mummy’s Maid can help!

Tel: 0845 463 0075 info@mummysmaid.co.uk www.mummysmaid.co.uk

Issue 54 : (D)

September/Occtober January/February 2013 2012

Oxfordshire

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School matters School open days

All Oxfordshire Schools Should Dig for the Future!

Oxon Pupil Selected for England Rugby

Abingdon Preparatory School Phonics Open Morning Tuesday 26 February 9.30am For boys from 4-13 years and girls from 4-7 years.

Telephone: 01865 391570 www.abingdon.org.uk/prep

d’Overbroeck’s College Saturday 2 February 10am-1pm For entry age 11+, 13+ 01865 302620 Direct into the 6th form 01865 310000 www.doverbroecks.com

Our Lady’s Abingdon Friday 8 March 9.30-11.45am Contact Admissions Senior School Telephone 01235 524658 Junior School Telephone 01235 523147

Magdalen College School Saturday 19 January 9.30-12 noon Open afternoons Tues 5, Thurs 7, Tues 19 March Book at www.mcsoxford.org

Rye St Antony

Karen Gackowski at OLA believes it’s an amazing opportunity to expand the school’s garden, whose gardening club members really enjoy planting, growing and picking their own vegetables. Being given so many plants, the children also want to expand their garden, by using old tyres and other large containers.

The school will receive another two deliveries including a garden of soft fruit bushes, canes and plants and another in the spring consisting of lettuces, spinach, carrots, leeks, tomatoes, runner and green beans, courgettes, cabbages and potatoes!

Early Years Foundation Stage

Year 4’s to the Rescue!

Wednesday 27 February 2.00-3.30pm

Children at Cokethorpe Junior School attended the launch of The Children’s Air Ambulance charity at Eynsham Hall. Not only that, they met the pilots and even felt what it’s like being one by getting inside the AgustaWestland AW109 helicopter!

www.ryestantony.co.uk

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Pupils from Our Lady’s Abingdon Junior School are working hard towards the Green Flag Eco Schools’ Award - having already achieved the Bronze and Silver.

Among other eco projects they are working on, the pupils have received the first of three fruit and vegetable gardens, courtesy of Sodexo and organic plant supplier, Rocket Gardens’ as part of their ‘Dig for the Future’ project, encouraging schools to grow organic produce and to learn more about the food they eat.

01993 01993815966 815966 www.familiesoxfordshire.co.uk www.familiesox.co.uk

Theo Brophy Clews, a 15 year old pupil at Abingdon School, has been fasttracked to the England U17 Rugby Squad by England Coach John Fletcher and his team. Theo is extremely honored by this opportunity and is looking forward to the challenges ahead. He has been fully involved with sport from a young age and has representing his school at cricket and hockey, alongside rugby.

Gingerbread School Boys in Oxford Operatic Debut Eleven pupils from Magdalen College School were metamorphosed into gingerbread men for the children’s chorus, in the first night of Englebert Humperdinck’s opera, Hansel and Gretel.

Held at Oxford’s Sheldonian Theatre before Xmas, it was an intensive time as the boys spent many nights rehearsing with musical director Tim Anderson.

National award for Oxon school girl

Congratulations to student Pandora who has been named the 2012 Achievement Award winner at the Stagecoach Inspiration Awards. Pandora, now 16, received her award in December at the Victoria Palace Theatre. The Stagecoach Student’s Award for Achievement, a national award, is presented to a student who has achieved success despite personal difficulty. Pandora was thrilled to be nominated by her stage school, Stagecoach Oxford. She was 13 years old when her mother contracted cancer and together with her father and grandmother, she became a devoted carer.

What time is it Mr Wolf?

This is my favourite game!

Thomas, aged 4

Independent education for boys from 4-13 years and girls aged 4-7

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Tuesday 26 February 9.30am Abingdon Preparatory School 01865 391570 registrar@abingdonprep.org.uk www.abingdon.org.uk/prep

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PHONICS OPEN MORNING

03/12/2012 15:31:32

CHILDCARE FROM

THE NEW AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE OPTION FOR PARENTS DURING THE HOLIDAYS

Oxfordshire

September/Occtober January/February 2013 2012

11

Have your best family holiday ever: Our top ten secrets

So how do you do it?

Here are our top ten secrets.

One: Don’t cut corners. To get the right holiday, you may have to spend a long time on research. Don’t begrudge this time, and don’t expect the perfect holiday to fall into your lap without it: after your mortgage, your car and (if you’re paying them) your child’s school or university costs, the money you spend on your holiday is your biggest outlay.

So, doing the homework matters. Start with a list of what sort of holiday you’re looking for – the location you’re after, what facilities you need, what sort of accommodation you need, how far it needs to be from the airport and so on.

Give yourself parameters, and then get googling. Keep a list of possible resorts/ villas/hotels; whittle it down to a shortlist; and then make a decision.

Two: Don’t expect a bargain. After two decades of planning holidays for my family (my children are aged between ten and 20), I’m sure of one thing: where school holidays are concerned, bargains are as rare as hen’s teeth. It’s far better to start from the premise that you’ll get what you pay for. Look for the best deal, as in the best quality that you can possibly afford: but if somewhere seems a lot cheaper than other places, scrutinise it very carefully.

Three: Space is crucial. You know those places that say ‘sleep 4/6’ and turn out, on closer inspection, to have a pull-down bed in the sitting room? Avoid them (at full capacity) like the plague. Squeezing as many people as possible in is fine for students, less good for grown-ups. You want a bit of luxury on holiday – and space is luxurious.

Standfirst: Joanna Moorhead, who has been planning her family’s holidays for the last 20 years, shares her insider tips to help you plan for a summer to remember in 2013 Fantastic family holidays don’t just happen. They’re crafted, often by hours of work from one or both parents, who spend endless amounts of time planning, plotting, budgeting and making sure safety nets are in place to stop hiccups becoming disasters. Of course everyone loves spontaneity but for spontaneous decisions to be possible, especially where a family with children are concerned, a framework has to be in place...and getting that framework right is the backbone of every holiday.

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01993 01993815966 815966 www.familiesoxfordshire.co.uk www.familiesox.co.uk

Four: Location, location, location. Just as when you’re buying a house, this is your number one priority. Some of the villas I’ve looked at for my family’s holiday this year are twice the price of others, simply because of where they are. And guess what: I can understand why. On holiday I want a great view and shops and restaurants we can walk to. If you’ve got younger children, a beach within walking distance may be your number one location priority. Know what you need and don’t settle for less.

Five: Friends matter, so think very carefully about who to holiday with.

However close you are, nothing scratches away at a friendship’s weakest points as much as sharing two weeks together. You think you know that couple, and you think you like their kids? Take it from me, you’re going to know a lot more about them and you may have totally reassessed their kids by the flight home!

Six: Be honest about the sort of experience you want. Holidays aren’t times to be aspirational, or eyeing up the Joneses, or following the in-crowd.

They’re about being honest about how you’d really love to spend a fortnight with your family – and who cares what anyone else might think. You don’t need anyone else’s approval, or envy, for the holiday you choose: what this is about is working out what’s right for your family, and making it happen.

Seven: Once you’re there, alternate busy days with quiet ones. Even if you’re a busy, boisterous, action-packed family, everyone needs some downtime. The easiest, simplest way to make sure you get both is to alternate them. If you went to a water park yesterday, relax by the pool today. If you went fell-walking yesterday, read a book and have a cream tea today. Overloading is the enemy of a good holiday.

Eight: Don’t over-plan: have ideas, but leave space to be open to what you find when you get there. It’s well worth doing some research about the area you’ll be staying in, however, it’s a mistake to plan every jot and comma of your stay before you even touch down.

You want to explore, to discover, to be surprised, to make friends – and all these things will only happen if you’ve left the space for them to unfold. So, for as much knowledge as you’ve learned beforehand, always be flexible about what you’re going to find out, and want to do, when you actually get there.

Nine: Embrace change: as your family grows up, be ready to move on to new destinations and new experiences.

For three years running my family had wonderful holidays in a hilltop villa in Mallorca. It was perfect for us: but by the third year it was obvious my older daughters needed something more: shops, places to hang out, a beach they could walk to. I was desperately unhappy about giving up the villa: but guess what? The following year I found somewhere even better.

Ten: Set boundaries. It might be a holiday, but rules ensure everyone – especially the parents – get a break. If your children are younger, those rules might be about bedtime or about time for the children to go to the crèche; if your children are older, the rules might be about sharing the washing up, or about how much contact you need to have with them through the day. But put your rules in place, because then everyone can relax and have what they came to do: have a wonderful fortnight away.

Stay on a Farm

Where to go… the Alps The Alps are much too good to save for your skiing holidays, in fact, those who’ve tried the area summer and winter often say summer is the best time to be there. For a wonderful family Alpine holiday, you’ll be hard-pressed to improve on the Chilly Powder formula – choose from a luxurious hotel or a villa, all set in a biscuit-tin pictureperfect location, complete with in-chalet childcare and – for the foodies – an in-chalet chef. Sports on offer include white water rafting, rock-climbing, trekking, tennis and summer tobogganing (which is one of the most fun summer sports

Farm Stay UK is a farmer’s cooperative that are working farms, small holders or rural enterprises and they offer holiday accommodation ranging from B&B in a farmhouse to self-catering in converted barns and traditional campsites.

Alternative accommodation includes pods, wigwams and shepherds huts which are great because there’s all the fun of camping, with a bit of glamour.

Facilities at each site will differ with some being part of an established campsite and others are part of a smaller venue. For more details visit www.Farmstay.co.uk and if you are interested in staying in a pod, wigwam or shepherds hut search for ‘alternative & camping’.

I’ve ever tried, and kids adore it).

Prices vary depending on what sort of package you’re after, but as a for-instance, Chalet des Amis (three bedrooms; sleeps up to eight) is £1,200 in the midsummer. More information at www.chillypowder.com.

Where to go...north Devon

Devon is one of the UK’s most popular holiday destinations, and for good reason: wonderful beaches, plenty to do (even in the rain), beautiful scenery and a wide choice of where to stay. Libbear Barton, a country estate on the north side of the county, hits just the right note of luxury

(beamed cottages that are beautifully laid out and furnished) and has everything on hand, from stair-gates to babysitters, for the hard-pressed family. There’s an indoor pool, games room, play areas inside and out, fishing lake and woods, all on a rolling, 40-acre estate, with the sea a half

hour’s drive away. Perfect for big families or families holidaying together – the farmhouse sleeps up to 14. Prices vary, but for example Moley’s Place, sleeping eight in four bedrooms, costs around £1,700 a week in high summer. More information at www.libbearbarton.co.uk.

Oxfordshire

January/February 2013

13

Gluten sensitivity and coeliac disease - is your child affected?

The prevalence of Coeliac Disease has increased five-fold overall since 1974 (1). Yet testing for the condition has been plagued with difficulties and inaccuracies especially in children. Nutritionist Christine Bailey who specialises in digestive disorders and allergies in children discusses new tests available and the signs and symptoms to look out for.

Coeliac Disease (CD) is one of the most common lifelong diseases in both Europe and the US (2). Its prevalence is estimated at around 1% of the population (3).

This equates to approximately 3 million Americans and 620 000 people in the UK. The problem is that it is seriously under-diagnosed especially in children.

Approximately 78% of sufferers don’t realise they have the disease – in fact only 10-20% have been diagnosed (4).

What is also shocking is that there has been an increase in its prevalence over the last 50 years – one study suggested CD has increased by up to 400 percent (5) (elevated Tissue Transglutaminase TTG antibodies). While classic symptoms include diarrhoea, intestinal bloating and stomach cramps the majority of people including children do not experience any digestive symptoms making detection harder. Left untreated, it can lead to the malabsorption of nutrients, damage to the small intestine and other medical complications.

Coeliac Disease is an autoimmune condition triggered by gluten, which is found in certain foods (wheat, barley and rye). It is a life long condition and requires the complete avoidance of all foods and drinks containing gluten. If your child has coeliac disease, eating gluten will cause a reaction in their bodies that damages or destroys the villi (small projections in the intestines that help us absorb nutrients).

When this occurs, the surface of the small intestine is flattened and a child’s body can’t absorb vitamins and nutrients from food.

You’re not necessarily born with coeliac disease - although the condition is linked to certain genetic markers there is normally an environmental trigger that causes the immune system to lose tolerance to gluten.

For children it can be particularly difficult to diagnose – classic blood tests are accurate only when the villi are severely damaged

14

01993 815966 www.familiesoxfordshire.co.uk

and in children this may not have occurred.

However if left undiagnosed it can lead to development of other autoimmune conditions as well as affecting the growth and development and overall health later in life.

If there is a family history of autoimmune conditions and / or coeliac disease then it is recommended you get your child tested.

Until recently this would involve a standard blood test from the GP to look for a range of antibodies. (e.g IgA anti-gliadin antibodies, IgG antigliadin antibodies, IgA anti-endomysial antibodies, Tissue transglutaminase antibody and total IgA antibodies). If positive, an Intestinal biopsy is often performed. The trouble is these are not particularly accurate (6) and blood tests can be distressing for children. Thankfully there are new private laboratory tests, involving saliva collection. This is not only sensitive and accurate but also easier to undertake for young children. There are also more comprehensive blood tests, which are available privately for older children. Even if your child does not appear to be showing any symptoms (see list below) if you have a family history of the coeliac disease it is recommended you get your children tested for the genetic markers (HLA DQ2/8). This blood test will identify whether or not your child has the genetic markers that make it more likely they will develop the disease if they continue to eat gluten. Ask your practitioner or qualified nutritionist for the most appropriate tests for your family.

Signs and Symptoms Because symptoms in children are often subtle and mimic other intestinal diseases, like Irritable Bowel Syndrome or lactose intolerance, the disease is often difficult to diagnose. Some children experience symptoms the first time they are exposed to gluten, while others develop symptoms later in life.

Typical symptoms include: •

Diarrhoea, constipation

•

Abdominal pain

•

Poor appetite

•

A bloated or painful belly, gas, flatulence

•

Weight loss or difficulty gaining weight

These symptoms can begin during infancy (between 6 and 24 months), after the child begins to eat gluten-containing foods.

If your child is diagnosed with coeliac

disease it is important they receive nutritional advice to help with planning a gluten free diet, ensuring they are optimally nourished and also to ensure their gut heals. In many cases nutritional supplements will be recommended.

While there are obvious sources of gluten such as breads, pastas, flours, cereals, cakes and biscuits. It is often used as an ingredient in many favourite foods such as fish fingers, sausages, gravies, sauces and soy sauce. Working with a qualified nutritionist can help you plan a healthy gluten free diet. However in some cases simply removing gluten may not be sufficient as many children with Coeliac Disease also react to other foods such as dairy so additional testing and support may be needed.

For further information about testing, nutritional support, cookery days and recipes contact Christine Bailey www. advancenutrition.co.uk

Oxfordshire Paediatric Allergy Clinic

By Dr David, Consultant Paediatrician

Full allergy assessments including: Immunotherapy for hayfever, exzema and asthma. Skin/blood testing.

Clinics held at Mayfield House, Summertown (self payers only) Milton Keynes Milton Keynes, BMI Saxon Clinic (self payers/insurance)

email: kidsallergy@gmail.com or call 01487 814256

How to tell the children?

When love is broken

Most importantly reassure them that it is not their fault in any way. Really make sure that they get this. Contrary to popular belief, not all children blame themselves but it does happen. You might have to revisit this with them again and again.

by Soila Sindoyo MBPsSS

Be honest. If it’s a trial separation then let them know, if it’s definitely going to end in a divorce then let them know that too. Do not, under any circumstances, give them false hope. Do not promise them ANYTHING. If you don’t have an answer then let me them know.

Tell them when you are somewhere safe, somewhere calm and preferably somewhere familiar to them. Don’t make it a ‘special’ occasion i.e. take them to the cinema, get them whatever they want and then out to lunch and break the news in there. They don’t need any associations with the news.

Depending on the age of the child, realise that this moment might be something that they will always remember – the time you told them that you, mummy and daddy, were going to live separately. It is therefore critical that the news is conveyed with caution and here is what you should keep in mind and to have in place, when and while you are breaking the news.

Choose the right time. You know your children best so you will know when the right time is. However, before bed is not a good idea as this means that they are left with their own thoughts through the night, not the best time to digest such news. You want them to be able to come to you through the day with any questions they may have. Of course they will still think about it when the lights are out and for a long time coming but let’s reduce the pain and stress as much as possible.

Tell them together wherever possible. This may sound obvious but I have heard of cases where one parent takes it upon him/ herself to talk to the children without the knowledge of the other.

If you cannot tell them together for whatever reason, do let the other parent know what, when and how you are intending to tell the children.

This is one of the times that you will need to be totally present with your child. Watch them as you speak. Watch their body language and their facial expressions. They can tell you a lot about what is going on within them. Are they fidgety, avoiding eye contact, fighting back tears, curled up? Sometimes these and other behaviours will give you a cue on when to reach out to them physically. “Come here Tom, you look like you could do with a hug right now.” There are some children who might feel that they suddenly need to look after you – “Are you alright mummy/ daddy?” Don’t let them parent you this could just be their way of avoiding hearing, processing and dealing with their own anxieties, fears and worries and displacing/transferring them onto you.

Whatever you tell them make sure it’s age appropriate and use age appropriate words and language. Little ones might not understand a whole account of what is going on while teenagers may need more information.

Be prepared to have them come to speak with you at the most inconvenient time... Yes, children have a way of finding the strangest time to want to discuss the most difficult things; when you’re running late for instance. Bear with them. The timing may not be the best for you but it is for your little one.

Finally, do not, under any circumstances, tell the children to keep what is happening at home to themselves. This is very heavy news for a child to carry. www.soila.co.uk

Agree on what you will be telling them and how you will be saying it. As we all know, words carry a lot of power and prepare yourselves for questions.

Some questions to anticipate: Why? Do you not love mummy/daddy anymore?

Where are we going to live?

Am I changing schools?

Will I still see daddy/mummy?

Oxfordshire

September/Occtober January/February 2013 2012

15

Extra’s Oxford Children’s Hospital talks OX5RUN Julia Spargo, a mum of two from Bicester, tells Families Oxfordshire why she is running five miles for the Oxford Children’s Hospital on 10 March. As part of that cause, Families are calling on readers to help form a Families Oxfordshire team, to raise money for this Oxfordshire charity. If you’d like to join us simply email editor@ familiesoxfordshire.co.uk.

My daughter Beth was born a year ago, prematurely with a cleft palate, dislocated hips and respiratory problems. Beth was moved to the Oxford Children’s Hospital. Until you’re part of the community that uses the hospital you don’t appreciate how long some children spend there. Nor do you realise how many of the homely facilities and pioneering pieces of medical equipment have been paid for through fundraising and donations.

The biggest fundraising event of the year is the Oxford Mail OX5RUN, a five mile run taking place at Blenheim Palace on Sunday March 10th. Beth has taken every medical scan, examination and operation with a loud protest and a cheeky grin, she can now breathe independently and has just started to make speech sounds. So running five miles around the beautiful grounds of Blenheim is the least I can do. I hope some of you reading this will join me. You can run on your own or set up a team. Visit www.ouh.nhs.uk/charity or call 01865 743445 to find out about the event.

Flexible working ideas for Mums We all know that having children can be a full-time job however, many of us need to earn money as well as being devoted mums. So, if you’re thinking about starting work, considering ways of working from home or simply seeking a new challenge, Phoenix Trading could be for you; selling their fabulous range of UK manufactured greetings cards and gift wrap.

Tess Brooker has twin girls at primary school and has been a Phoenix Trader for seven years. During that time her business has fitted around a full time job, a part time job, life pre-children and now with children, for which Phoenix has proved to be a flexible choice. If you’ve a couple of free hours a week, want to build a full time business or something in between, this is all possible. The good quality and priced products, ensures repeat business and with no targets or minimum orders, members are free to set their own challenges.

There are various ways of selling the products such as home parties, coffee mornings, craft fairs and events, brochure drops, social media promotion, web orders and more.

Tess provides full start-up training and on-going support and members are given their own business kit including a comprehensive business manual and a free website to get them started. If this is something you’d be interested in email tess. phoenix@brookerfamily.net or go online to www.brookerfamily. net and become a Phoenix Trader for just £30.00.

Open Morning Saturday, 2nd February 2013 for entry at age 11+, 13+ and directly into the Sixth Form

to reserve your place, please visit our website.

OPEN MORNING

Saturday 2 March, 9.30am to 12 noon

16

an 11-18 independent coeducational school based in Oxford

Vibrant independent Oxfordshire day school for 140 girls and boys aged 4 to 11

www.doverbroecks.com

www.cokethorpe.org.uk

01993 01993815966 815966 www.familiesoxfordshire.co.uk www.familiesox.co.uk

what’s on family, drama and music Kenton Theatre

May, 27 May, 1 July)

Jack and the Beanstalk

New Street, Henley-on-Thames RG9 2BP

Have you discovered the perfect musical start to the week for you and your pre-school child? Hey Diddle Diddle is a friendly sing-song and play session held weekly, including a chance to stay and play (and explore the big OP toy cupboard!)

8-19 Jan

Based on the best-selling picture book

by Faustin Charles and Mike Terry. A great mix of storytelling, comedy and puppetry makes this a must-see show, presented by Blunderbus! Ages 3-7.

Tickets: £5 for one adult and one preschool child. £2 for second child.

Age: under 5’s

A gigantic Giant, a wicked Witch, a fabulous Fairy, a handsome Hero, a daft Dame and a cute, cuddly Cow in a tale of love, adventure and some beans! The kingdom is in trouble!

Giant Blunderbone, egged on by the evil witch, threatens to gobble up king and country! Packed with jokes, slapstick comedy and all the magic of a traditional pantomime.

Holiday workshops:

Suitable for 5 years +

NEW THEATRE

What›s in the Box?

01491 575698 www.kentontheatre.co.uk

The Selfish Crocodile Mon 11 Feb 11am, 2.30pm

George Street Oxford OX1 2AG

www.newtheatreoxford.org.uk

Childish Things 9 – raising money for Helen & Douglas House 4-6 Feb Previous Childish Things have included appearances by Michael McIntyre, Rowan Atkinson, Bill Bailey, Rob Brydon, Miranda Hart, James Corden and Stephen Fry, amongst many others.

Childish Things 9 will once again consist of a music night (Mon 4 Feb) and two comedy nights (Tue 5 and Wed 6 Feb.) Acts will be announced in the run up to the show dates.

English National Ballet: The Sleeping Beauty 19-23 Feb English National Ballet’s The Sleeping Beauty reawakens the magic of the world’s favourite fairy tale in an enchanted world of castles, curses, forests and fairies. With wonderful choreography by Kenneth Macmillan, The Sleeping Beauty is the ultimate classical ballet.

Tues 12 & Wed 13 Feb 10am to 4pm A perfect two days for children with big imaginations, using devising techniques, games and a huge box of inspirational pictures, music and objects to create exciting stories.

Tickets: £50 Ages: 7-11.

Stage Combat

Romeo and Juliet Sat 2 Feb 6pm Young actors from the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School bring bold storytelling, imaginative staging, music and the power and beauty of the adapted original text. This will appeal to younger audiences and adults alike, and is theatre of the highest calibre.

Suitable for ages 7+

Fri 15 Feb 10am to 4pm

Cushion Concert: The Koto

Unmissable for all budding actors, this workshop will teach you basic stage combat techniques including how to judge distance, mask blows, and throw staged punches. Led by expert Ian McCracken.

Sun 10 Feb 11 am

Tickets: £25 Ages: 12-16

The Koto is the national instrument of Japan and is an ancient wooden instrument with 13 strings laid across 13 moveable bridges. The player then picks and plucks to make the sound.

Bring your own cushion!

NORTH WALL ARTS CENTRE

Suitable for ages 18 months up to 8 years

South Parade Summertown OX2 7NN

Rapunzel

01865 319450 www.thenorthwall.com

Thurs 14 Feb 2pm

Rumpelstiltskin Thurs 14 Feb 11am & 1.30pm

Welcome to Dame Gothel’s garden where you can let your hair down with Rapunzel. Narrated by a wonderful frog, this fun adaptation includes the witch, the beautiful girl locked in a tall tower and the handsome prince who attempts to save Rapunzel.

Theatre presents the hilarious story of a small dog with a big personality and even bigger dreams. Presented by Little Angel Theatre Company Suitable for ages 2-5

Snow Play Sat 23 Feb 2pm When Mr Green comes back from holiday to find Mr White in his house it’s the start of a brilliant series of adventures as Mr White covers the whole house in snow and Mr Green does everything he can to get him outside into the garden. The audience gets stuck in too with their own snow, making a snowman and joining in with a massive snowball fight!

Suitable for 3 - 7 years

James Campbell’s Comedy 4 Kids Sun 3 Mar 2pm A stand-up comedy show for children 6 and up, their parents and anyone who likes comedy without the rude words. A show which might, or might not, discuss scooters, Scottish country dancing, and what to do with gregarious giraffes.

Suitable for ages 6+ Book at www.cornerstone-arts.org or call Box office on 01235 515144

PEGASUS THEATRE Magdalen Road Oxford OX4 1RE

01865 812150 www.pegasustheatre.org.uk

Macamu The Magic Music Band Thurs 24 Jan 1.30pm & 4.30pm

11-12 Beaumont Street Oxford OX1 2LW

Widdershins aims to create pure gold on stage with this new version of the Grimm’s classic tale using puppets, music & storytelling.

Suitable for 4 years +

Meet Sam and his band, Macamu. Make music out of every sound and visit Sam when he’s least expecting it. A song packed adventure with a four-piece band, puppets, storytelling and beautiful images.

01865 305305

Tickets: £7 Age 4+

Dogs Don’t Do Ballet

Reach for the Sky

THE MILL ARTS CENTRE

Sun 17 Feb 2pm

Tues 1 Feb 1.30pm & 6pm

Spiceball Park Banbury Oxfordshire OX16 5QE

Biff is no ordinary dog. He likes moonlight and music and walking on his tiptoes. Biff thinks he’s a ballerina, which is all very well but DOGS DON’T DO BALLET do they? Lovely Little Angel

A traditional Hopi story inspires this schools performance by pupils from local primary and secondary schools who create their own interpretation using a mixture of dance, drama and music.

OXFORD PLAYHOUSE AND BURTON TAYLOR STUDIO

www.oxfordplayhouse.com

...and finally...

Hey Diddle Diddle

Mondays 10.30 to 11.15am from 14 Jan to 22 July

(No sessions 11 Feb, 1 Apr, 8 Apr, 6

01295 252050 www.themillartscentre.co.uk

Oxfordshire

September/Occtober January/February 2013 2012

17

what’s on January / February 2013 Baby Boogie

Waddesdon Manor

Sun 3 March Workshops: 12pm & 3pm

Aylesbury, Bucks, HP18 0JH

A 45 minute workshop to learn some dance steps with your under 4 year old followed by a disco to share your new found moves together.

A Dancin’ Oxford 2013 Festival eventJ

JANUARY 2013

Weekends open in Jan 10am-5pm

Audlett Drive, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 3NJ

2-31 Jan Bring children’s unwanted good quality toys to the Helen & Douglas House donation station at Snakes and Ladders. All toys donated will be sold

by Helen & Douglas House in their shops to raise funds. Everyone who donates will receive 15% off child entry to Snakes and Ladders on the day. We cannot accept electrical items.

www.snakes-and-ladders.co.uk 01235 522 227

RSPB Walks and Talks Waterperry Gardens, Nr Wheatley, Oxon OX33 1JZ

19-20 Jan FREE event Come and enjoy a bracing winter walk courtesy of our free open weekend to see behind the scenes with free tours of nurseries, orchards and gardens.

Guided Walks Ewelme Watercress Beds and Local Nature Reserve Watercress Beds Centre, High St., Ewelme, Oxon.

First Sunday in every month £2 per adult.

Accompanied children free.

01491 835173

RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch River and Rowing Museum Mill Meadows Henley-on-Thames Oxon RG9 1BF

Sun 27 Jan 10.30am-3.30 pm (drop in anytime) For fun wildlife-related activities, making animal masks, dragonflies and bird feeders. Use binoculars and see what you can spot or add your results to the Big Garden Birdwatch.

50% discount on admission for RSPB members.

FREE with admission.

01491 41560 www.rrm.co.uk

18

Fugitive!

Oxford Castle – Unlocked

For gardens, woodland playground, aviary, restaurants and gift shop.

44-46 Oxford Castle, Oxford, OX1 1AY

www.waddesdon.org.uk

Open daily 10am to 5.30pm (tours run every 20 minutes.)

Family Fun – A Winters Day The Toy Amnesty Returns!

Snakes and Ladders

FEBRUARY 2013

Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust

Sat 19 Jan 11am-3pm College Lake Nature Reserve HP23 5QG Discover the amazing changes that happen at this time of year. Why do trees lose their leaves? Who is hibernating? Enjoy trails, tales, games and children’s art and crafts or explore the nature reserve.

Admission: £3 donation/child.

01442 826774 No dogs allowed.

Suitable for wheelchair users.

The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre 81-83 High Street, Great Missenden, Bucks, HP16 OAL

2-6 Jan (Drop-in anytime.)

Visit the great little Museum, aimed at 6 to 12 year-olds and their families and find out about Roald Dahl’s life and stories. While you’re there, why not join in one of the phizz-whizzing events we offer exclusively to Museum visitors?

Event charges are additional to Museum admission (adults £6.60, children 5 to18 £4.40).

The Giraffe and the Pelly and sweets! Drop-in throughout the day

Sat 9-Sun 17 Feb

The inmates of OxfordCastleUnlocked are preparing to reveal all about their daring escape attempts during February half term. Visitors will get to turn detective and hunt down some of the castle prison’s most prolific offenders with an interactive trail throughout the buildings and enjoy themed arts and crafts under the watchful eye of the prison governor!

The first solo exhibition of Hans Josephsohn’s work in UK public gallery, showing Josephsohn’s powerful and startling sculptures in bronze, such as the monumental busts, reclining nudes and more abstracted relief panels. www. modernartoxford.org.uk

01865 722 733

Discover the art of printing by hand on our antique printing presses, taught by the Bodleian’s Dr Paul Nash. Learn new skills, have fun and make your own keepsake to take home!

RRM – OXFORD Meadow Music Tues 12 Feb 10.30am-12.30pm Bring along an adult and create your own meadow together. Make your artwork on wood with a different piece of music to inspire each section and let the melody move you!

£8.50. Suitable for ages 4-11.

A Motor Car for Toad!

Sat 23 Feb 2-4pm

Cost: £8. Suitable for ages 8+

The Thousand and One Exploring the role that stories old and new, universal and personal play in our lives.

Wed 13 Feb 10.30am-12.30pm

www.storymuseum.org.uk

Learn some craft skills to build this fabulous Morris 13 for Toad. With some imagination and ingenuity you can give Toad a car to be proud of and celebrate the Morris 13 centenary at the same time!

01865 790050

£8.50. Suitable for ages 7-11.

10am-5pm, normal admission charges apply

Lights, Camera, Action Blenheim Palace, Star of TV and Film.

Especially for the half term week Waterperry is opening the gardens, Stables Café and shop, aviary and woodland playground so come along and let the children run off some steam. The House will be closed.

Blenheim Palace, Woodstock Oxon, OX20 1PP

Free for Museum visitors. Suitable for all ages.

A special exhibition about filming that’s taken place at Blenheim Palace over the years. Staged at various locations throughout the Palace and grounds, for visitors to find out what happens when Hollywood descends!

Buckswashling Birds For all ages

PPG + P&G www.blenheimpalace.com

Sat 26 Jan. Drop in bet 11am and 3pm.

01993 810 530

01993 815966 www.familiesoxfordshire.co.uk

23 Feb - 14 April

01865 260666

9 Feb – 1 April

01494 892192

Hans Josephsohn

The Story Museum Family printing workshop

Let your imagination run wild and draw squiggles of swashboggling sweets in the windows of The Grubber.

Free for Museum visitors. www.roalddahlmuseum.org

Free admission

Adults: £9.25, Children: £6.95, Family (2 adults, 2 children): £29.95 www.oxfordcastleunlocked.co.uk

Sat 12-13 Jan

Celebrate Britain›s Big Garden Birdwatch with Dave from the RSPB. Find out about some buckswashling birds and make a diddly dragonfly.

Playful and celebratory, Pica’s sculpture and works on paper – many of which will be shown in the UK for the first time .

Modern Art Oxford 30 Pembroke Street, Oxford OX1 1BP

Amalia Pica Until 10 Feb Amalia Pica at Modern Art Oxford is a major presentation of work by the Argentinean-born, London-based artist.

Waddesdon Manor Aylesbury, Bucks, HP18 0JH

Mon 18 to Sun 24 Feb

Family Cookery School The Manor Restaurant Thurs 21-22 Feb 9.30am-1.30pm - with lunch 2pm-5.30pm - with afternoon tea Have fun creating a selection of chocolaty desserts and cakes. The course will include lunch or afternoon tea, all cooking ingredients and a goody box to take home.

£20.00 per person (includes garden admission.)

Suitable for ages 7-11.

01296 653259 www.waddesdon.org.uk

Have a Hoot!

Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust At East Oxford Community Centre, Cowley Road OX4 1DD

Sat 2 Feb 11am-3pm Go along to the East Oxford Community Centre and have your photo taken with owls and other birds of prey; be entertained by a wildlife themed puppet show; get involved with a variety of arts and crafts. No need to book.

MARCH 2013 Nature’s Theatre Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust Sutton Courtenay Environmental Education Centre OX14 4TE

Sat 23 March 10am-12noon or 1-3pm

No dogs please. Suitable for wheelchair users.

You are invited to a very special woodland puppet show to enjoy the wild performance and make a puppet to take home too.

01865 775476

Admission: £5 donation per child.

Outdoor Adventure!

Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust. At Sutton Courtenay Environmental

01235 862024

Education Centre OX14 4TE.

Sat 2 Feb 10am-12noon For exploration, excitement and mud! Build shelters, make model boats and learn the skill of fire making.

BOOKING ESSENTIAL. Admission: £5 donation per child aged 8+ No dogs please. Suitable for wheelchair users.

No dogs please. Suitable for wheelchair users.

For ages 8+.

Pitt Rivers Museum South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PP

Pitt Stop: Home Sweet Home Sat 2 Mar 1– 4pm

What makes a house a home? Discover homes from around the world and make a model to take back to your own!

01235 862024

Easter Eggcitement Thurs 14 Mar 2– 4pm

Pitt Rivers Museum

Go on a special egg hunt and then decorate an egg to take home.

South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PP

Pacific Island Adventure Mon 11- 13 Feb 1-4pm What was it like on Captain Cook’s voyage? Join his crew and bring home some treasures of your own!

www.prm.ox.ac.uk

Birds and Beasts Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust

Under 5’s.

Free Family Friendly Fun Every Sunday 2-4pm Try activity backpacks, trails, story corner, craft activities and much more. Drop-in sessions, suitable for all ages.

www.prm.ox.ac.uk/new.html www.prm.ox.ac.uk

Tues 12-Fri 15 Feb 10am-4pm Meet: Sutton Courtenay Environmental Education Centre OX14 4TE. Discover some of the amazing animals that live on the nature reserve. Make bird feeders and follow trails. Fun activities to get the whole family excited about nature. Activities take around two hours.

Admission: £3 donation per child.

No dogs please. Suitable for wheelchair users.

For all ages.

01235 862024

Exploration Station

Are you paying enough attention to your children’s nutrition?

yy helps support a healthy immune system and maintains DNA

Fun drop-in crafts for all the family every Sat, Tues, Wed and Thurs during February half term.

yy positively impacts several key indicators of cardiovascular wellness

£1.50 per pack Gallery Trials Don’t miss our exciting gallery trials! See website for further details.

www.oxford.gov.uk 01865 249811

01865 841409 07855324417

yy helps reduce oxidative stress

Oxford Town Hall, St. Aldates, Oxford

Museum of Oxford

Contact Jane Brooks on:

Juice PLUS+® delivers key antioxidants and other phytonutrients that are absorbed by the body.

For piece-of-mind about your family’s health, consider Juice PLUS+®

www.juiceplus.co.uk/tem31586 Call on

07733 228 038

Pre-School Gymnastic classes for children walking to 4 years at Kidlington, Stonesfield and Woodstock.

Children’s Swimming lessons from preschool classes to Advanced ASA Stage 7 at Kassam Stadium,Wendlebury, Minster Lovell, Southmoor and Holiday Inn at Peartree Roundabout, Oxford.

Small groups or one to one tuition available.

For more information email:

info@janebrooksgymandswim.com

Oxfordshire

January/February 2013

19

Registered charity:1093411

WEAR A HAT DAY Thursday 28

continuity opportunity success

th March

2013

Inspiring ...

a love of learning for boys and girls aged 3—18

Open Morning

Friday 8 March 2013

9.30-11.45am

See the school on a normal day Please contact us for details

REGISTER NOW | Tel: 01296 733011

www.olab.org.uk 01235 524658 office@olab.org.uk Radley Road, Abingdon OX14 3PS

www.braintumourresearch.org

Maths & English tuition Explore Learning centres provide maths and English tuition to children aged 5-14, designed to improve knowledge, confidence and enjoyment of learning. tries new things with relish. She counts the days until she can come back here!”

Explore Parent.

Book your free trial session today to find out how Explore Learning can help your child to gain confidence, enthusiasm and new skills.

HILDCARE

USE THEM AT EXPLORE!

VO

UCHERS

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As members, children work with tutors who are great role models, enthusiastic about learning and fantastic motivators. The individual focus allows children to work at their own pace – whether they are finding school tricky or are top of the class!

“The hesitancy and lack of confidence that held her back is gone. Now she

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Explore helps children make fantastic academic progress, in addition the vibrant atmosphere keeps them engaged and focussed enabling them to have fun while they learn.

01865 595 509

Inside Sainsbury’s, Oxford www.explorelearning.co.uk/oxford

Families Oxfordshire.indd 1

Advertise in Families Oxfordshire call 01993 815966 or email editor@familiesoxfordshire.co.uk.

01/08/2012 14:55

Oxfordshire