Families Sussex Coast May-June 2012

Issue 23 . MAY/ JUNE 2012

FREE

Brighton,Eastbourne, Worthing, Lewes and everywhere in between!

Parties!

Your ultimate guide for all you need to know The Diamond Jubilee in Sussex Activities on offer in your local area Prizes to be won!

Theatre tickets and a Farm Holiday

COVER PHOTO by Robling Photography www.roblingphotography.com

The really useful magazine for families with children

2

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Call Ann now on 01243 430289 for a new start

Welcome & Contents 3

What’s inside 4 6

8 Welcome!

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to your new look Families Sussex Coast Magazine, and to me, your new editor. I am Vicki, and just like many of you a busy mum. Families for me has always been an excellent source of information about what’s on in our local area, and has always provided articles of interest to me and my family. I hope to do all the hard work for you in researching accurate, up to date information to help you to plan quality family time. This issue is no exception, and is jam packed with local information on the Olympics, Diamond Jubilee, Brighton Festival and great party ideas. Having grown up in Sussex, and now bringing up our three boys here, I hope that I can provide a must have guide to local family fun. ...Enjoy!

Vicki

FREE CD PROMOTION FOR FAMILIES AND TEACHERS

Ugh, I’m not eating those! How many times have you as a parent heard those words? With obesity, diet and healthy eating being so prominent in the news nowadays, parents and teachers are constantly being asked to find ways to get children to eat healthier and to get their ‘Five A Day’. One Children’s Theatre in Education Company has found a way to do just that.

Funshine Productions wrote ‘Let’s Get Fit4Life’ a complete and originalmusical play for young children and has now produced a cd featuring all the music. Directors of the company, John and Sharon Maxim are now offering any parents, carers, nursery or infant schools the chance to have the Let’s Get Fit4Life CD for FREE. The cd is great fun and presents healthy food facts in a positive and interesting way for young children, including 10 original catchy songs.

Please send your name, address and a cheque to cover post and packing (£1.60) to receive your free copy of the CD. Please make cheques payable to Funshine Productions Limited 25, Milton Road, Wallington, Surrey SM6 9RP. Alternatively visit www.healthykidzz.weebly.com and click on the BUY THE CD

PAGE.

9 11

News and competitions

Win tickets to Worthing theatres and a break at Feather Down Farm.

Big Events

A focus on fostering and Foster Care Fortnight.

How to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee in your local area?

The Olympic torch route through Sussex

Parties

What makes a good party?

The essential party guide

Where to find local entertainers, venues and party supplies

Magazine

What do you think about Families Sussex Coast ? Your chance to win stacks of prizes by completing our survey

12

What’s on?

16

Disney Magic!

Your essential guide to what’s on in Sussex, including a focus on the Brighton Festival

Families Sussex Coast covers: Brighton, Hove, Eastbourne, Worthing, Lewes, Burgess Hill, Hassocks and everywhere in between.

Next Issue July/August: Advertising and editorial deadline is 15th June. You can contribute to Families Sussex Coast through advertising, editorial and our what’s on pages.

Contact Families Sussex Coast 01903 506813

editor@familiessussexcoast.co.uk

Printed by Warners Midlands Plc, www.warners.co.uk. Please recycle your copy of Families Sussex Coast when you have finished with it.

Copyright: Families Sussex Coast April 2012

4 News & Competitions

Super Camps Holiday fun!

For our children the holidays mean less nagging to get homework done, a change from the school routine and an opportunity to do something different.

For parents, the feeling is often more of dread than excitement; juggling commitments as the perfect yin and yang for family and working life is sought.

But it’s not as impossible as it sounds. Super Camps – England’s largest provider of holiday childcare based at some of the finest schools in the UK are launching more activities and sites this year at even more competitive rates and most importantly – greater flexibility.

The ever popular RAW Camp, as advocated by legendary TV explorer, Benedict Allen, is back with new tasks including Trap Making, Advanced Navigation Skills and Wilderness First Aid – all vital skills for everyday life in or out of the jungle!

For those seeking something more creative, A Passion For…. five day workshops are available. Budding performers can tread the boards whilst for all young divas – the Popstars Academy.

Aspiring chefs can also add to their culinary skills and creatives can flourish through the exploration of sculpture, painting, collage and mosaic offered in the Arts courses.

New courses at some venues this year include training to be a secret agent or solving crimes as a top sleuth.

The Junior Sports Leadership Award is open to children aged 14-16 that offers a qualification on completion.

So far – it’s all looking good for our children – but how will it all fit in with working life? Easily done! There are optional extended hours from 8am until 6pm; competitive prices for individual day or lengthier courses.

New for this year is a “parent portal” allowing bookings and amendments at any time of the day or night. Providing spaces are available – parents can make the most of the special flexi-change policy.

Book now at www.supercamps.co.uk or call 01235 832222

Win!

one of the best-loved family holidays in the land

One lucky family can win a three night weekend stay with Feather Down Farm Days this September worth £500!

Farmers Robert and Jayne look forward to welcoming one lucky reader to Billingsmoor, their picture postcard organic farm in mid Devon. Their tranquil herd of Friesians, Kunekune pigs, sheep and chickens will soon lift the cares of daily life from your shoulders. You'll enjoy spectacular views across rolling countryside whilst your children enjoy the sort of freedom you remember from your youth.

To enter simply go to: www.familiesonline.co.uk/featherdown Closing date for entries: 9am, 2nd July 2012 Please quote this competition code: FDF2012

Vamos!

PHOTO by Hannah Beackenbury

Britain’s first bi-lingual Spanish state school gives pupils a big head-start The first Spanish bi-lingual state school in Britain is proving so successful that children are reaching GCSE level in the language at the age of 11. St Paul’s CE primary in Brighton has been giving its pupils Spanish lessons for more than six years. But this year it has gone a big step further, teaching three other curriculum subjects – PE, music and art – in both Spanish and English to pupils in years 1 and 3.

Everyday basic vocabulary such as greetings, colours and numbers are introduced through topics linked to the curriculum in all three subjects. Year 6 pupils recently tested have shown themselves to be at GCSE Spanish grades C or D level – five years ahead in terms of language learning. All the school’s staff – from teachers to office workers and the caretaker – have been involved in the project and learning Spanish. Pupils benefit from working with language assistants from two universities in Spain, and from links with schools in both Spain and Mexico. It’s been so successful that St Paul’s is set to spread the word across Brighton & Hove by sharing their best practice with six other local schools. Brighton & Hove City Council’s cabinet member for children and young people, Councillor Sue Shanks, said: “St Paul’s is a wonderful school, and I’m delighted that they are so willing to share their expertise in Spanish teaching with other local schools.”

Little French Bears Au Pair Agency

is a new au pair service coming to Sussex. Already well established in London, Little French Bears is a very cost efficient au pair service as there are no agency fees. The rates are also competitive with that of a full time nursery placement, which many working parents need. Little French Bears Au Pairs not only take care of the childcare, but also all those other jobs around the house which easily build up for a busy family, such as cooking and cleaning. All the au pairs are carefully selected for your family, and any administration costs are handled by Little French Bears. The agency also provide on going support to host families. Having an au pair gives your family help and support, and can be a short or long term solution to proving a positive life work balance for the busy family home. For more information, please contact www.littlefrenchbears.co.uk or 07804 892922.

Franchise opportunity!

Following the amazing success of their French and Spanish for Fidgets classes, Little Fidgets now have some fantastic franchise opportunities in the Worthing and Eastbourne areas; if you’re looking for an incredibly rewarding career that fits in with your family this could be just the thing for you. You need to speak French or Spanish with a good accent but you don’t need a teaching qualification because we provide all the training. Contact Lucy at Little Fidgets on 01273 833 340 for more information.

News & Competitions 5

Win tickets to Worthing Theatres

In celebration of three enchanting children’s shows visiting Worthing Theatres in the upcoming weeks, Families Sussex Coast Magazine has four family tickets to give away to Tiddler (May 21), Cirque du Ciel ShangHi (May 24) or Bob the Builder (June 8).

For your chance to win one of the family tickets, simply answer the question below and send your answer, name and daytime telephone number to Families Children’s Competition, Pavilion Theatre, Marine Parade, Worthing. BN11 3PX or email your details and answer to competitions @ adur-worthing.gov.uk with ‘Families Children’s Competition’ in the subject line. Entries to be received by May 14.

Q. Which of these are you unlikely to see in any of the shows listed above?

A. Singing B. Monster trucks C. Mexican hat juggling

Tiddler is the latest show to be adapted

from Axel Scheffler and Julia Donaldson’s best-selling books. It includes tales such as Tiddler, The Smartest Giant in Town and Monkey Puzzle and weaves the stories together with live music,songs and puppets.

Cirque du Ciel ShangHi brings circus acts from China to the UK and combines acrobatics, martial arts and original music in a display which includes Mexican hat juggling, aerial silks, Chinese Monkey Poles and more.

Finally everyone’s favourite builder, Bob the Builder, will be helping to get the Fixham Theatre ready for a brand new musical – can Bob fix it? Yes he can!

JUST WALK FOR CHARITY

Now in its sixth year, Just Walk is a wonderful family charity walk where you can choose your distance and choose which charity you raise funds for. Just Walk is on Saturday 12th May at Goodwood Racecourse. There are two family walks to choose from, 10km and 20km, and two long distance walks of 40km and 60km.

Refreshments are provided and there are lots of staff along the way, including lots of UK Doctors to offer you any support. Once you have paid an event fee, ALL the money you raise will go to your chosen charity. For further information visit www.acrossthedivide.com/just-walk

Ahoy me Shipmates!

Kiddie Coupons

is a brand-new book aimed at West Sussex families with Primary-School aged children.

Worth over £220.00, the handy-sized 2012 guide is packed cover-to-cover with coupons, information and great ideas for wonderful family days out and family dining in West Sussex.

The book features a fantastic mix of well-known venues such as Butlins, PizzaExpress, Lakeside Superbowl and Chiquito, to lesser-known gems such as Fishers Farm Park, The Fish Factory and Charitable Organisations including Arundel Lido, Tangmere Military Aviation Museum and Amberley Museum and Heritage Centre.

For your chance to win one of 5 FREE Kiddie Coupons books, simply email the correct answer to editor@familiessussexcoast.co.uk What is the total value of money off vouchers in the Kiddie Coupons? a. £20.00 b. £220.00 c. £2200.00 Prizes will be issued on a first come first served basis

PERFORM

INVITES YOU TRAVEL TO TREASURE ISLAND AND RESCUE THE SACRED COCONUT!

Perform drama, dance and singing workshops announce their most brave, brilliant and lively theme yet, Mermaids and Pirates!

This April we are inviting all local 4-8 year olds to set sail on the good ship Jammy Dodger to discover faraway lands in our Mermaids and Pirates adventure. They’ll discover a world of swashbuckling sea adventures, tropical delights and buried treasure. Meet the Seasick Pirate, dance the Coconut Calypso, have a Pineapple Party and discover that X Marks the Spot!

Any interested 4-8 year old can try out the classes by attending a Free Trial Session. Come along to your local class. Haywards Heath on Mondays, Ditchling and Uckfield on Wednesdays, Brighton on Thursdays, Lewes on Fridays, and Horsham and Hove on Saturdays.

For more information please contact:

Company: Perform Phone: 0845 400 4000 Email: enquiries@perform.org.uk Website: www.perform.org.uk

6

Big Events !

Worthing

• Worthing Children’s Parade takes place on Saturday 16 June to mark

the Jubilee . The Parade will begin at 10.00am at Splash Point and proceed along the promenade to West Buildings, where it will cross Marine Parade and move up to Montague Street. It will then snake along the full length of Montague Street, turning left into South Street and right into Warwick Street, finishing at Steyne Gardens at around 11.30am. To accompany the Parade there will be a charity fair in Steyne Gardens from 10.00am – 4.00pm • Residents and groups are being urged to book their tables for Worthing’s Party on the Prom on Saturday 16 June. There will be entertainment and competitions including pavement art, best decorated table, best group fancy dress, best jubilee cake and a competition for young people to write a poem or verse on the subject of the diamond jubilee. Bookings should go to: Jubilee 2012 c/o TCI, 2nd Floor, 7 Chapel Road, Worthing, BN11 1EG.

Lewes PHOTO by Robling Photography www.roblingphotography.com,

Celebrating the Diamond Jubilee

• Lewes is also taking part in the Big Jubilee Lunch and street Party on 3 June.

• Lewes Carnival, organised by Lewes Castle Rotary club is taking place

on Tuesday 5 June. The theme this year is “60 Glorious Years.” Entry into the Carnival Procession is free. The procession starts at 12.30 pm

•

in Sussex

The Diamond Jubilee Bank Holiday Weekend is Saturday 2 June until Tuesday 5 June. Celebrations will be taking place all across the country, including the Diamond Jubilee Concert on Monday 4 June at Buckingham Palace. The BBC, working with Gary Barlow, are bringing together some of the biggest names from the worlds of music, dance and musical theatre.

Sussex is also hosting many great events. Here is a brief line up of what is going on in our main towns. Please check the website for further details, including details of the many Beacons that are to be lit across our region on Monday 4 June. www.familiessussexcoast.co.uk

Eastbourne

• The Eastbourne Sunshine Carnival signals the start of the three day fes-

tival on Saturday 2 June, bringing together a dazzling array of costumes, dressed floats and dancers in a seafront procession, which ends in a spectacular seafront party on the Western Lawns.

• Eastbourne Cultural Communities Network follow on Sunday 3 June with a day of global fusion, featuring food, music and dance from cookery demonstrations and an Italian Market to Bollywood dancing.

• The regal celebration continues on 4 June with a classic motoring cavalcade along the seafront and live music stage providing entertainment on the Western Lawns, with a big TV screen showing events live from Buckingham Palace. Fun competitions during the day range from creating the Best Crown to a Barn Dancing dance-off, and a gleaming flotilla of yachts, dressed for the occasion, will mark the anniversary by sailing to the iconic Beachy Head lighthouse.

Brighton

• Jubilee trees - Trees will be planted across Brighton & Hove to mark

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. The Big Tree Plant campaign and the Jubilee Woods Project are two initiatives which will promote tree planting as part of this year’s celebrations. For more information go to www.MoreTreesMoreGood.org.uk/jubilee and www.treesforcities.org • The Big Jubilee Lunch takes place on Sunday 3 June. The Big Lunch is a very simple idea from the Eden Project and the aim is to get as many people as possible across the whole of the UK to have lunch with their neighbours in a simple act of community, friendship and fun.

The Big Jubilee Lunch will be a part of the main programme of events over the central weekend of the Diamond Jubilee.

Cake Photo supplied by Sainsbury

Leading foster care agency chooses Worthing

Fostering Solutions,

one of the United Kingdom’s leading independent foster care agencies has announced the imminent opening of its new offices in Worthing. The offices at 4 Tudor Buildings, Littlehampton Road, Worthing, will be opening in late April to provide a local office base for foster carers in West Sussex. “In line with the other regional offices, location is of vital importance, and Worthing was chosen as the perfect place for us to be” explained Fostering Solutions operations manager Dawn Dunn.

It’s important that Fostering Solutions are readily accessible for their existing West Sussex carers and for future foster carers. There are already a number of excellent foster carers in the area, but they can’t take every single vulnerable child or young person referred to Fostering Solutions by local authorities. They need more people in and around Worthing to come forward and help them to help some of the 785 looked after children in region. The residents of West Sussex can do a great deal to help these children and young people; the first step is to find out more about the role of a foster carer and this is easily done by looking at their website www.fosteringsolutions.com or calling into the office on Littlehampton Road to chat with the team.

Fostering Solutions foster carers enjoy full initial and ongoing training, 24 hour support every day of the year and generous allowances. All you need to have before you apply, either online or via an application form, is a spare bedroom in your home for a child or young person to call their own. Go on, take that first step.

Big Events

7

Olympics Lighting the way to London 201

By Rebecca Carr On 18 May 2012, the Olympic Torch Relay will start with a 70-day celebration that will travel thousands of miles to bring the London 2012 Games to hundreds of communities across the UK. The Olympic Flame will be lit on 10 May in Olympia, Greece and will embark on a 8 day relay around Greece before arriving at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens for the official Olympic Flame handover ceremony. Lighting the cauldron in the Olympic Stadium signifies the beginning of the games and the flame will stay lit until the closing ceremony on 12 August.

The Olympic Flame is one of the most recognized symbols of any Olympic Games.

A ritual for the lighting of the Flame is followed at every Games. It is lit from the sun’s rays at the Temple of Hera in Olympia, in a traditional ceremony among the ruins of the home of the Ancient Games. The flame is then handed over to the new host city and the Flame is then transferred from one torchbearer to another, spreading the message of peace, unity and friendship.

It’s not just sporting superstars who’ll carry the Olympic Flame this summer.

People from all walks of life and from every part of the UK will take part. In all, 8,000 torchbearers will get the chance of a lifetime to carry the flame and over half of the torchbearers will be young people aged 12 - 25.

When will the torch come through Sussex?

For the first time in Olympic history, Britain will be the first country to hold a torch relay completely within the UK. The Olympic Torch Relay will be a fantastic spectacular, a chance to celebrate your community and showcase it to the world – so don’t miss out.!

The Torch will be traveling through Sussex on 16 July and 17 July 2012.

On 16 July, it will travel through Worthing and Lancing, eventually finishing the day at Brighton where an evening celebration will be held.

On 17 July, the torch will continue its journey from Brighton, travelling through Lewes, Eastbourne and eventually ending it’s tour of the Sussex Coast in Hastings.

Festival 2012

Since 2008, the Cultural Olympiad has been inspiring the arts in a variety of events from local projects to large-scale performances across the whole of the UK. Festival 2012 will be the finale and the most exciting festival the UK has ever seen. Whether you like dancing, music, fashion or food, you’ll find something you can get involved in, with many free events suitable for the family to enjoy.

Festival 2012 opens on 21 June and will run to 9th September (the final day of the London 2012 Paralympic Games).

Festival areas include; arts, carnivals, comedy, dance, film, music, food and much more. Many events are free but tickets may be required so check the website for more details.

One of the highlights of Festival 2012 is The Big Dance Schools Pledge – the world’s largest and most influential dance initiative, which invites schools from around the UK and the world to join in a world record attempt for the largest simultaneous dance routine. The Schools Pledge is formed in two parts: Firstly, learn the choreography and take part in the world record attend for the largest dance routine on 18 May and secondly, do an additional 20 minutes of dance a day during Big Dance week from 7 – 15 July 2012.

On 18 May, schools around the world will go to their school halls, playgrounds, playing fields or to public spaces and perform a 5 minute choreography arranged by Wayne McGregor CBE, resident choreographer at the Royal Ballet. The current record is held by the Netherlands with 264,188 people and 1,472 locations.

The schools pledge is a fantastic and fun opportunity for young people of all ages to learn a new dance inspired by the Olympics and to perform it as part of a world record attempt and share a unique moment in time, dancing together and in unison with schools from other countries.

For more details and to register your school visit: www.bigdance2012.com or visit: http://festival.london2012.com

8 Party Time !

Birthday Traditions

12 ways to create magical moments

Inexpensive and clever ways to make the most of a child’s birthday by creating some fun traditions to make a child’s birthday a special day to remember”

By Elisabeth Dolton

Think of your child’s birthday and what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Already? What are we going to do this year? Whatever you think, instead of racking your brains thinking for the latest party ideas, what about actually doing some things the same as you did last year? Build simple birthday traditions that you all know about, look forward to, and that create memories that last a lifetime. This is the stuff of magic moments!

We have collected 12 fabulous traditions that can make your children’s birthdays special every year.

1. Big-Day Countdown - Make the approach to their birthday important.

Hang a garland of seven envelopes, each with a small daily goodie, leading up to the grand finale.

2. Decorate and Titivate - The night before your child’s birthday sneak into their room and decorate it with a special sign wishing them a Happy Birthday. Blow up balloons and put birthday wishes all over the house.

3. Bake a cake - Make a birthday cake instead of buying one. Your child will appreciate even a simple cake made from a mix. Get your child to pick out what they want their birthday cake to look like, a rocket, princess castle, favourite animal, etc.

4. Have a special meal - Have breakfast in bed awakened by the whole family singing happy birthday. Create a beautiful tea party to enjoy the finger sandwiches and tea. Let the birthday child pick the dinner menu however crazy their wishes.

5. Have a ‘birthday’ plate - Have a special plate that each child uses for meals on their birthday. The same could be done for a birthday eggcup, a special seat at the table, or hat they have to wear all day.

6. Opening presents - Hide presents around the house and provide clues to help your child find them. Follow a ribbon to their first gift, or unroll string all around the house that take them to their presents.

7. Celebrate them growing up - Create a photo banner of your child’s annual photographs. Take a family photo on the same settee every year put them in a scrapbook that you add to every year. Ask them their favourite colour, ice-cream, hobby, etc., note them down and do this on every birthday.

8. Capture the moment - Get out the camcorder and interview your child about the special things they have done that year, include props like their award-winning science project that year, their sports trophies, the selfportrait they did of themselves, etc.

9. Special family events - Do the same walk every year, have dinner at the same place, go sledging, have a picnic on the beach. Do activities that are typical of what you are like as a family, e.g. if you are a musical family, hold a concert, if you are outdoorsy plan a boat trip.

10. Annual additions - Plant a tree or flowers that bloom annually around your child’s birthday. Ask grandparents to add to a charm bracelet or commemorative coin collection each year.

11. Tell a Tale - Let the birthday child stay up a little later after the other children have gone to bed and tell them about the day they were born, and how you felt when they arrived.

12. Remind them of how special they are - A simple way is give each member of the family a birthday candle, then pass around a small dessert.

Each person puts in their candle and tells the birthday girl/boy something they love about them.They pass the dessert to the next person, who does the same thing until everyone has added their candle...light them and sing

....Happy Birthday

4 ways to make sure birthdays remain special for special children

Since traditions are often visual and repeated, most children with special needs will really appreciate and learn to love these birthday traditions. To help ensure their special day, here are a few extra watchouts...

1. Watch what they eat It’s easy to let slip strict dietary requirements during a day of celebration.

For children with allergies and even vegetarian, let your party host know in advance and make appropriate plans.

2. Avoid overload Don’t overwhelm with too many guests, lights, games, candles, music and presents. Decorate simply, put on a relaxing CD, and provide a quiet place where the child can go if s/he wants to.

3. Prepare them Let your special needs child know in advance what to expect. Explain the plan of the day. Let them sit where they are comfortable and if out; provide them with an exit strategy. Give your child a signal they can use with you if they need to leave a place or situation.

4. Keep the day low key Treat the birthday as just another day, an important day, but not one that’s too busy. Let your special needs child, and all your children, plan the day so that it’s kept special and unique.

8Greatideas for low cost going home gifts parties don’t have to end with expensive loot bags.

Here are 8 simple ways to end the party in style without stretching the budget.

1. Brown paper bags with the child’s name in big writing and decorated with stickers are very effective.

2. Bake cookies or other treats and package them in cellophane tied with ribbon.

3. Let the birthday person create their own toys using clay, paint, beads and buttons.

4. Get cardboard picture frames and slip in a note about where the party pictures have been uploaded online.

5. Do something arty during the party and let the guests take their handiwork home - cheap plates or bowls can be decorated with ceramic paint, a strip of wood decorated with their initial, etc.

6. To last a little longer, give seeds to plant in the garden or a cookie cutter that’s related to the party theme.

7. Buy enough bouncy balls for each guest, scatter them about your lawn before the party. The balls are a great decoration and each guest gets to take one home.

8. Print off free colouring sheets of favourite characters from the internet, and burn a CD of the birthday person’s favourite songs.

Party Time ! 9

All you need to party Party entertainment

Ace Tec Leisure Bouncy castles, children’s disco games. Creating party smiles for over 20 years. 01273 430431 www.ace-leisure.com Animal Magic Mobile petting zoo with over 37 species including Meerkats. 01323 482211 www.animal-magic.co.uk

Miss Sparkle Puppets, theme parties, balloons, magic and treasure hunts. 01273 880490 Mr Pineapple Head Clown Physical comedy clown show. 01273 473913 www. mrpineapplehead.co.uk Mr Pumpkin Suitable for 2-6 year olds. Magic, balloons, cuddly puppets and party games. Prizes for all the children. Skittle Alley also available. 01903 525902 or 07957 761748

The Pottery House cafe

Paint from a large selection including Disney characters, animals, clocks, trinket boxes, money boxes. Order food or bring your own. 01273 773697

The Pottery Fun Factory Worthing and Ferring

Paint a mug, plate, bowl, character, moneybox. 01903 211322 www.potteryfunfactory.co.uk

Red Jelly Parties

Creative play parties for ages 6 and under. Party themes include magical mermaids, pirate adventure and blast off. Children decorate huge cardboard castles, rockets or make giant collages. 01273 930013 www.redjellykids. co.uk

Bee-fit Our party package includes 2 hours of party entertainment lead by our experienced staff, with traditional games, music, pass the parcel, parachute, balloons, washable tattoos, fun fitness equipment, and lots more.

01903 241740 WWW.Bee-fit.co.uk or parties@bee-fit.co.uk

Mr Marvel Paul Winter – Children’s entertainer Magic, puppets, balloon modelling, games, competitions and discos. 01273 676138 www.paulwinterentertains. com

Brillo the Clown For 3-8 year olds. Show with clowning, magic, unicycling and juggling. 01273 584544 www.brillotheclown.co.uk

Perform Parties Drama, dance and singing with games and themes for all ages. 0845 400 400 www.performparties.org.uk

Caterpillar Music Party A fun hour with kids’ magic, action songs, dancing with puppets, instruments, parachute play and games.

01903 230810 worthing@caterpillarmusic.com

Potty the Pirate Leading magician and puppeteer in Sussex, magic, puppets, balloons and sing-along tunes! 01273 220299 www.pottythepirate.com

Children’s Parties Sussex Themed aprties with disco and games. Themes include Ben 10, Super Mario, Barbie and Sonic. 01273 327551 www.childrenspartiessussex.co.uk

Premier Rides Funfair, fairground rides and attractions 01403 270076 www.premierrides.com

Fanciful Cakes Children’s party cakes made to order. 07733 119386 www.fancifulcakes.co.uk

Robbie the Magician Magic shows for children of all ages with a live rabbit!

01903 734171 or 0776542563 www.robbiethemagician. com

Bubbles Party Shop Everything you need for a party including balloons for ages 1 to 100! 41 Southwick Square, Southwick, 01273 593060 www.bubbles-partyshop.co.uk

Circus Brighton Fire dancing and circus workshop with hooping, diablo, poi, stilt walking. 0800 433 4618 www.circusbrighton.co.uk Clown Buz Children’s Show Balancing, slapstick, magic, disco, clown faces and for bigger events a miniature car. 01903 244920 paulbuz@btinternet.com Dandelion Puppets Wildlife stories and or games. 01273 857482 www.dandelionpuppets.co.uk Dotty Children’s Entertainer For 2-7 years, light hearted comedy magic slap stick, puppets, storytelling, balloon making, games, dancing and singing. 01273 502744 or 07956 579577 www.dottyworld.com Fred’s Flying Circus Clowns, magicians, fire-eaters and balloon modelling or a circus workshop. 07974 345679 www.fredsflyingcircus.co.uk Just 4 Kids Discos Disco parties for ages 4-11 years. 07522 899820 www.just4kidsdiscos.com

Talking Tots Traditional games and talking tots activities. 07827 697523 Tumble Tots Parties For ages 1-6 with specially designed equipment, action songs and lots of fun. 01323 892234 sarah.delaloyedean@tumbletots.com

Craft Parties

Arty Parties A unique party where each child leaves with a gift – their own work of art.

07989 472760 www.arty-facts.co.uk Creation Station Our fabulous Arty Parties are available all year round, weekdays, holidays, evenings & weekends, and suit kids aged 1 to 11 years. We can tailor your party to any theme, and there are loads of amazing activities to choose from. 0844 8549186 aby@thecreationstation.co.uk www.thecreationstation.co.uk

Sew Retro Parties

For age 7+. Sew retro come to you and you and your guests make a party bag out of recycled or vintage material. 07581 028706 www.sewretro.co.uk

Party Supplies

Beautiful Bunting Handmade cotton bunting including princess and pirate bunting. 01273 479464 www.beautifulbunting.co.uk

Tea Cups & Tiaras

Children’s table and chair hire and beautifully themed party décor kits to wow your guests – perfect for any celebration. 07749 573509 info@teacupsandtiaras.co.uk Sugar Loaf Party Shop Eastbourne

Sugar craft for cake decorating, balloons, banners and bunting for parties. 01323 728750

Party Venues

Bluebell Railway Children’s Parties A ride on the train with party food in the restaurant before or after, and a present for the birthday child.

01825 720800 www.bluebell-railway.com Drusillas Park Three great party packages for fun at the zoo – Explorers who can feed the penguins, Amazon Adventure, or Thomas Theme.

01323 874100 angela.hale@drusillas.co.uk Duke of York Cinema Kid’s Club Parties bags. 01273 818549 Dyke Road Park Cafe Hire the room next to the Park. Food can be provided and even a BBQ. 01273 554441

Lily Lou Entertainment Fairytales, pirates, glitter disco, High School Musical and many more styles. 0800 4334618 www.fairyparty.co.uk

Hands-On Pottery Parties

Lagoon Watersports Parties Windsurfing, sailing, canoeing, wakeboarding parties for age 6+. 01273 424842 www.lagoonwatersports.co.uk

The Painting Pottery Cafe

Esporta Birthday Parties (Esporta, Brighton Health and Racquet Club) Swimming Parties, football parties, disco parties and fun and games.

01273 667827 www.esporta.com

Picturesque

Funplex Soft play area with party room, party food, just bring your own cake and party bags.

01273 690888 www.funplex.co.uk

Magic Martin Magical miracles and entertainment. 01903 532413 www.thisismagicmartin.com Mick Casey Children’s Discos Including Tinker the Clown, children’s discos, bouncy castles and face painting. 01273 596908 mickcaseyentertainment@hotmail.co.uk

Choose making with clay or painting to make your very own memento. 01273 300198 www.hands-onpottery. com handsonpots@yahoo.co.uk paint pots with friends in the party room. The birthday child will receive a piggy bank signed by all guests.

Also learn to throw a pot party. 01273 628952 www. paintingpotterycafe.co.uk Beading parties for children aged 7-11. 01903 718978 www.picturesquebeadart.co.uk

10 Information Gymboree

Parties for ages 1-5. Softplay, activities, songs and games. 01273 772900 www.gymboree-uk.com

Impulse Leisure

Bouncy castle, ball pool, games, sports – football, basketball, netball and racket sports. Southwick also offers trampolining and go-karting and Wadurs offers raft style pool parties. www.impulseleisure.co.uk

King Alfred Leisure Centre

parties can include bouncy castle, tiny terror trikes, football and pool parties. 01273 290290 www.kingalfredleisure.co.uk

Knockhatch Adventure Park

Parties in the park with all the main attractions including the soft play area, party food, bags and invites.

01323 442051 www.knockhatch.com

Monkey Bizness

Party room, food, invites and hours of Monkey Bizness fun!

08458 739645 www.monkey-bizness.co.uk

Observatory Science Centre birthday parties

For ages 6-12. Includes the giant science equipment, a visit to one of the telescope domes, a fun science based activity and birthday tea. www.the-observatory.org

Portslade Sports Centre

Bouncy castles and soft play for little ones, party games for older ones and team sports for big kids. 01273 411100 www.portsladesportscentre.co.uk

Stoneywish Nature Reserve Ditchling

Hire the function room and garden and take kids into the reserve. 01273 832201 www.stoneywish.com

Turn your child’s party into the talk of the playground!

Mamma Mia, High School Musical, Mermaids & Pirates, Superheroes, Fairytale Forest, Peppa Pig, In the Night Garden - Perform provides brilliant theme-based entertainment at over 1500 children’s parties every year.

Perform Parties are high energy, fun and totally infectious - and unlike traditional party entertainers, kids just can’t resist joining in all the activities.

Based around one of their colourful themes and involving lots of lively games, songs And improvisations, they use the power of children’s imaginations to get everyone involved.

• Mini Ps Parties for 1-3s • Perform Parties for 4-8s • Perform Plus Parties for 8-12s Covering all areas within a 90 minute drive of Central London, Perform even provides the party invites!to http://www.perform.org.uk/parties/perform.html where you can see a DVD of a party in action!

However, as Perform parties are extremely popular, you need to book well in advance. For more information contact 0845400 4000 or go go to http://www.perform.org.uk/parties/perform.html where you can see a DVD of a party in action!

Let the fun begin!

Allow your imagination to enter the wonderland of JK Parties…

JK parties will provide your child with a fantastic and memorable birthday party. Parties include Disco Divas, Pirates, Street Dance parties and more.

Bespoke parties are created just for your child.

Entertainment games are theme focused with prizes galore!

The JK entertainers are enthusiastic, fun and have a passion for entertaining, providing a professional service you can trust.

JK is highly recommended “ The party was superb!

The children were excitable and enjoyed the interactive party games, as well as the Pom-Poms dance routine. The JK entertainers were so energetic!”

Rock Starts Party, January 2012 All JK entertainers are professionals who are fully insured and CRB checked for your peace of mind.

We are newly available in Worthing, adding to our established service across the rest of Sussex.

10% off your party booking by quoting FAMILIESSXCOAST22. Free room hire available – please enquire.

To book or find out more please contact 07504059640 or visit www. jktheatrearts.co.uk

Washbrooks Farm Hurstpierpoint

Book the barn room so kids can use all the facilities. Can provide food and party bags.

01273 832201 www.wasbrooks.co.uk

Westows

Softplay, bouncy castles, football with your own themed room, food, party bags – just bring your own cake.

01273 721338 www.westows.com

Arty Party with the award winning Creation Station!!

The Creation Station offers the ultimate hassle free children’s themed party entertainment - arty fun and games, with no stress or mess for you!! Our fabulous Arty Parties are available all year round, weekdays, holidays, evenings and weekends, and suit kids aged 1 to 11 years. We can tailor your party to any theme, and there are loads of amazing activities to choose from – take a look at www.thecreationstation.co.uk for lots of creative ideas.

Parties can be held at your home, any private residence, in a hall or hired public space – we come to you, wherever you are in Sussex! Prices start at just £100 with activities to suit every budget You get FREE party bags and invitations too, so less for you to worry about, and so much more to enjoy!

To plan a wonderful party call Aby on 0844 854 9186 or email aby@thecreationstation.co.uk for more details.

Children’s fun fitness & stress free parties.

Bee-fit have been providing a fun fitness programme for babies and young children in Worthing since January 2004. Tina Le Merle and Sally Roberts are qualified coaches who formed Bee-fit after concerns regarding the growing inactivity of children.

Our aim is to promote the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, by showing children that regular exercise and keeping fit can be fun, and essential for ensuring health and happiness in the future.

Following the success of our fitness classes, Bee-fit children’s parties were added in 2005, allowing you to enjoy the party, while we do all the hard work. Our party package includes 2 hours of party entertainment lead by our experienced staff, with traditional games, music, pass the parcel, parachute, balloons, washable tattoos, fun fitness equipment, and lots more.

We are here to help.- Bee-fit will plan a party to suit your needs, it can be a joint party, you can invite the whole class, you can hold it in a hall or in your garden – you can have a football party, a mini disco – with lights and glow sticks, you can come in your pyjamas or fancy dress or you can go all sporty with relay races & team games. The choice is yours. Whatever you choose you are guaranteed to have a fast moving, active and totally fun time with smiles all round!!

For full details please see our website WWW.Bee-fit.co.uk or contact parties @beefit.co.uk

A birthday party to remember at

Washbrooks farm

Animals, indoor and outdoor play areas, tractor rides, jump pillow, football pitch and more. Celebrate your child’s birthday at Washbrooks farm, with all day access to the farm and play areas, with three party rooms to choose from. Washbrooks provide a really special, fun and entertaining party at excellent value.

Food, party bags and animal petting can be organised on arrangement or feel free to bring your own food.

Take the worry out of organising your child’s next birthday party and book a date at Washbrooks now.

For more information please call 01273 832201 or look us up at www.washbrooks.co.uk.

ReaderÕs Survey 11

How much do you really love us? (be honest ) !

However, we don’t want to rest on our laurels. We want to know what you think what you like, and what you’d like more - or less of.

Please fill in and return our questionnaire and win fabulous prizes!

It should take no more than 2 minutes to fill in!

We have 5 family games bundles to be won from Mattel each worth over £100.

Games to include Scrabble Original, Scrabble Junior, Pictionary, UNO, Angry Birds board game and the new Chameleon Crunch active learning game for kids.

1. How much of each issue do you read?

All of it from cover to cover More than half Just the articles which catch my eye 2. Which element is the MOST USEFUL OF ALL (tick max two) Articles List of holiday activities Lists of clubs and classes What‘s On in your area Children’s party venues and entertainers Adverts Local news 3. How often do you contact advertisers you’ve seen in Families?

Often Occasionally Never 4. Which advertiser type have you contacted after seeing them in Families?

Nursery School Children’s activity club Nanny/Au Pair/babysitting agency Health practitioner/therapist Party supplier Parenting course Photographer Private tutor Holiday/family hotel Cleaner/hairdresser/gardener 5. Online how do you find most of your family-related information? (about local nurseries, schools, clubs and classes, local news and events etc) Tick all relevant to you.

- I mostly use FamiliesOnline - I never use FamiliesOnline - I mostly Google randomly - I mostly visit other sites such as …………………… …………………………........................................

6. In your opinion which category of information do you find the hardest to find online?

A really good searchable list of what’s on events in my area Specific parenting articles Children’s activity classes Local nurseries and schools Local plumbers, carpenters etc More news about my area To chat to local mums Book/product/restaurant reviews by other mums To sell my unwanted stuff Other ..........................................................

7. Tick any that applies to you I have and use a Facebook account I have and use a Twitter account I own a smart phone, I-pad or plan to buy one soon I use a What’s on app If so, which one do you like and use?

----------------------------------------------------------8. Which age group are you in?

20 something 30 something 40 something 50 something 9. How would you describe Families?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Any other comments? ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thankyou for your time.

Please return your replies by 30th June to Families, PO Box 2378, Watford, WD18 1RF Data will be treated in confidence and details will NOT be passed on to a third party.

If you would like to be entered in the prize draw, don’t forget to include your email address.

Winners will be notified directly. One prize each family. Editor’s decision is final, no cash alternative.

My e-mail:....................................................................................................................

My postcode: ----------------------------------------------If you prefer to enter online follow this link http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/7JSTGQB

12 Brighton Festival

Brighton Festival Brighton’s unrivalled celebration of art & culture from 5 - 27 May 2012 For 3 weeks, Brighton and Hove comes alive with an exhilarating mix of music, theatre, performance, film, debate, visual arts and unique outdoor experiences - 143 events in total.

Book online at www.brightonfestival.org or phone 01273 709709 Children’s Parade Sat 5 May, 10.30am Sydney Street Led by Vanessa Redgrave. Kick-starting Brighton Festival with an open air fiesta of colour, costume and live music.

Wake Up World Sat 5 May, 2pm Brighton Dome, Concert Hall The perfect event for all after the Children’s Parade & Under 18’s go free!

Bee Detective Sat 5 - Mon 7 May St Nicholas’ Rest Garden Combining performance, projected animations and waggle dancing, Bee Detective is accessible to deaf audiences through captioning and sign language and essential viewing for all.

Polly Dunbar Sat 12 May, 10.00am Sallis Benney Theatre & University of Brighton Gallery Enter the world of Tilly and Friends and meet their creator Polly Dunbar in this fun-filled event with one of Brighton’s best-loved illustrators.

Polly Dunbar Sat 12 May, 10.00am Sallis Benney Theatre & University of Brighton Gallery Enter the world of Tilly and Friends and meet their creator Polly Dunbar in this fun-filled event with one of Brighton’s best-loved illustrators.

Sam Lloyd and her Monster Mates Sat 19 May, 12.30pm & 2pm Jubilee Library Make haste for this hands-on session of fun and games with Sam Lloyd and her award-winning Monster Mates puppet books.

Mackenzie Crook - The Windvale Sprites Sat 12 May, 12.00pm Sallis Benney Theatre & University of Brighton Gallery When a storm sweeps through the country, Asa wakes up the next day to find a small winged creature.

Trolleys Sat 19 May, 2pm & 3.15pm Marina Square A new street ballet for five supermarket trolleys.

I’m Hans Christian Andersen Sat 12 May, 6.30pm Sallis Benney Theatre & University of Brighton Gallery This ‘classy, compelling’ (Independent) one-woman show navigates the love stories we hear, the ones we tell, and those we never finish.

Andrew Lane - Young Sherlock Sat 12 May, 2.00pm Sallis Benney Theatre & University of Brighton Gallery He’s the most brilliant mind in fiction. But before he became the world’s greatest detective who was young Sherlock Holmes and how did his crime-fighting career begin?

Wrong Pong Sun 13 May, 10.00am Sallis Benney Theatre & University of Brighton Gallery Treat yourself to some truly troll-tastic fun with two of the brightest new stars of children’s funny fiction, writer Steven Butler and illustrator Chris Fisher.

Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell Sun 13 May, 2.00pm Sallis Benney Theatre & University of Brighton Gallery Join this multi-award-winning writing/illustrating team to hear all about Muddle Earth Too, the utterly bonkers and ingeniously inventive sequel to Muddle Earth.

Enid Blyton Book Quiz Sun 13 May, 4.00pm Sallis Benney Theatre & University of Brighton Gallery Join the creator of The Famous Five, Malory Towers and The Faraway Tree for lashings of Festival fun in the annual 26 Letters Book Quiz.

Andy Briggs - Tarzan: The Greystoke Legacy Sun 13 May, 12.00pm Sallis Benney Theatre & University of Brighton Gallery Edgar Rice Burroughs’ iconic hero is back, reborn as a 21st-century eco-warrior for the PlayStation generation.

Join his creator, Andy Briggs for an hour of wild interactive fun with a serious eco message.

Julia Donaldson & Lydia Monks Sun 6 May, 10.30am Brighton Dome, Concert Hall Children’s Laureate Julia Donaldson (The Gruffalo) is joined by top illustrator Lydia Monks for a fun family show featuring their bestselling picture books and plenty of audience participation.

Lauren Child - Ruby Redfort: Look into My Eyes Sun 6 May, 3.00pm Brighton Dome, Corn Exchange So why not break out of your boredom and get yourself acquainted with Ruby Redfort, genius codebreaker and daring detective.

Tales From India Sat 19 May, 10.30am Jubilee Library Come on a magical journey with master storyteller Jamila Gavin as she brings to life Hindu tales of evil kings, beautiful princesses and epic battles between good and evil.

Tweet, Chirp and Flap - Music Workshop Sat 19 May, 11.00am Brighton Dome, Concert Hall Join a flock of Britten Sinfonia musicians for hands-on musical activities.

Tweet, Chirp and Flap Sat 19 May, 1.00pm Brighton Dome, Concert Hall Britten Sinfonia present an interactive family concert all about birds!

Push Sat 19 May, 2.45pm & 4pm Marina Square Outdoor choreography that explores the quality of touch and its physical and its physical and emotional resonance.

Kid Carpet & The Noisy Animals Sat 19 - Sun 20 May The Old Market Ready to set off on a rock ‘n’ roll adventure? Then join Kid Carpet and his animal band.

An Egyptian Escape Sun 20 May, 10.30am Jubilee Library Learn how to storyboard your plots, lay out your plans, illustrate your characters and give them convincing dialogue in this fun and informative graphic novel workshop with award-winning writer/illustrator team Emma Dodd and K.A. Gerrard.

SeaSaw

Sun 20 May, 11am & 3pm A trail of contemporary dance, performance art and physical theatre vignettes inspired by our relationship with the water and the shoreline.

Graphic Novel Workshop

Sun 20 May, 2.00pm Jubilee Library Calling all budding young graphic novelists… Fancy some hands-on hints on honing your style?

Then get yourself down to this essential workshop with award-winning illustrator Paul Collicutt.

Illustration Workshop Sat 26 May, 10.30am Founders Room, Dome Foyer In this exclusive workshop for older children, Nick Sharratt shares some of the secrets of his craft, demonstrating his own tried and tested techniques before leading the group in some hands-on drawing practice.

Festival Ceilidh

Sat 26 May, 7.00pm The Old Market With South London’s The Flying Chaucers, what better send-off to this year’s Brighton Festival than with our all-swinging, all-dancing Ceilidh!

Cloud Man

Sat 26 - Sun 27 May The Old Market Cloudia has always had her head in the clouds. She is a cloud expert and all of her life she has dreamt of seeing a Cloud Man.

Brighton Fringe 13 Mrs McMoon

Brighton Fringe All tickets are available now at Email:

10th May, 12.00pm, 15th May 10.00am, 24th May 10.00am & 12.00pm, 25th May 10.00am The Hurly Burly Mrs McMoon returns with her mystically magical, interactive storytelling show. Set in the safe and warm surroundings of her cosy old living room, she’ll spin magic from the tick tock of clocks and the smell of freshly baked cakes.

boxoffice@brightonfringe.org Telephone Enquiries: 01273 91-72-72 Booking Hotline: 01273 91-72-72 Millionaire Mum and Me

5th May, 10.30am, 1.00pm, 3.00pm Jubilee Library A fantastic new puppet show for children. Joe Egg has everything money can buy. The problem is, he doesn’t really want any of it! Joe just wants his mum back. Egg is such a silly surname, and now mum has opened a cheesy chain of pet stores. At least Joe can tell the animals how he feels.

Create a Magical Train Journey Big Gig for Little Monsters

20th May, 1.00pm & 3.30pm Komedia Al Start and her fantastic band are back with a great big monster-themed gig for kids and their grown-ups. Tall stories, tiny ukuleles, Big-foot’s banjo and songs about all kinds of kooky creatures.

The Great Arctic Caper

20 May, 1.30 pm Sallis Benney Theatre Think cold snap’s a card game? Think polar bears look cuddly? Giggle about Arctic wind?

Then join comedians Tim FitzHigham and Tiernan Douieb in their haphazard journey to the coldest place on Earth!

Baby Loves Disco Fringe Summer Sizzle

7th May, 12.00pm & 3.00pm Audio /above Audio The original, best dance party for kids (0-7 years) and parents too.

Dean’s Festival

2 May, 11.00 am Woodingdean Primary School Family funday! Great day out for all ages and abilities!

Climbing wall, games, sporting activities, displays, stalls, refreshments, top food, bar plus many more fabulous things to see and do.

The Wicked Witch of Brighton

12th May, 3.30 pm Hove Methodist Church Join Red jelly Kids on a creative journey you’ll never forget! At our arty party, we’ll decorate a huge cardboard train playhouse with paint and collage. And as we ride to wild and wonderful places, we’ll make magical accessories and explore banks of sparkly messy materials.

Herlock Bones & The Missing Eggs

13th May, 11.00am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm & 4.00pm The Brunswick A fabulous fun-filled detective tale for kids aged 3-8 years. Meet Herlock Bones and his farmyard friends as he tries to find out who stole the prize winning eggs from Hattie Hen.

Once Apop a Snickety Wow!

26 May, 11.00am Saltdean Oval Park Free family fun day for all to enjoy. Food, arts & crafts market with entertainment throughout the day from children’s activities through to live music.

20th May, 3.30pm Sallis Benney Theatre Reception Listening to storyteller Jamie Crawford, children and parents will journey to extraordinary worlds, they will laugh out loud, fall silent in wonder, jump with surprise, grapple with riddles, call out, join in, sing along to the choruses and come back home in time for tea.

Mr Pineapple Head

Wonderlands: Triple Bill of Fantastical Voyages

Friends of Saltdean Lido Fun Day

5th, 7th, 19th, 20th & 26th May, 12.00pm The Brunswick A family clown theatre show. Mr Pineapple Head works in the style of a silent clown, performing physical comedy and slapstick routines to music. Genuinely funny, professional silliness!

20th May, 12.00pm Brighton and Hove High School Three plays with actors from AKT Kids’ & Youth Theatre, including a punked-up Alice in Wonderland and Sarah Daniel’s play ‘Dust’.

Spook Circus

20th May, 11.00am Sallis Benney Theatre Be careful what you wish for. That’s what the Queen discovers when after having 12 sons she wishes for a daughter. For at the very moment her beautiful daughter is born, her sons are transformed into wild ducks.

5th, 6th, 7th, 12th, 13th, 19th, 20th, 26th & 27th May, 2.00pm Peter Campbell-Wells presents his dazzling troupe of eerie entertainers! His card magician is in a huff, the orchestra is tone deaf, and the star of the show is always hungry! Can Pete keep control and bring them in line for the Brighton Fringe?

12th, 13th, 26th & 27th May, 3.00 pm Hanover Community Centre Granny Gaga and Mr Farty Pants need your help in stopping the Wicked Witch of Brighton from turning Queen’s Park into a giant multi-story car park. Bring drums, whistles and water pistols – and be ready to sing and shout.

Twelve Wild Ducks

Comedy Club 4 Kids

26th May, 2.00pm Komedia Cracking entertainment for everyone over the age of six, we have the best comedians on the UK circuit doing what they do best... but without the rude bits!

A Mosaic Puppet Theatre Production

20th May, 2.30pm & 4.00pm Hove Town Hall The MOSAIC Puppet Theatre Group is back with another enchanting story of cultural identity told through puppetry magic, in a stimulating and interactive show full of dance and songs.

Show Off

6th, 13th & 26th May, 3.00pm The Old Courtroom Children and adults take to the stage in this visually impressive collage of creative performance from awardwinning Artichoke. A series of fun and energetic short plays born from improvisation games, comic studies, storytelling and masks.

Much Ado About Wenlock

26th & 27th May, 11.30am The Warren On your starting blocks! In 1850, a Shropshire market town hosted its own ‘Olympian Games’, combining country sports with knitting races. This captivatingly comic production tells the tale.

14 Whats On !

Theatre

Pavilion Theatre Worthing 21st May, 4.30pm A brand new show adapted from the bestselling books by creators of The Gruffalo Axel Scheffler and Children’s Laureate Julia Donaldson. It is a magical collection of their most popular titles including Tiddler, The Smartest Giant in Town and Monkey Puzzle.

WorthingTheatres 01903 206206 www.worthingtheatres.co.uk

Cirque Du Ciel ShangHi

Pavilion Theatre Worthing 24th May, 7.30pm This internationally acclaimed production comes to the stage direct from China and has now been theatrically reworked to include acrobatics, modern dance, martial arts, original music and many other traditional and modern Chinese elements.

01903 206206 www.worthingtheatres.co.uk

The Wiggles Live in Concert

Brighton Centre 17th June 11.00am & 2.00pm The Wiggles, the fab four from Australia, are very proud to be bringing their world famous live show back to the UK and Ireland in 2012.

Brighton Centre 0844 8471515 www. brightoncentre.co.uk

Essence of Ireland

Congress Theatre Eastbourne 26th June, 7.30pm Now with their biggest and most talented cast of Dancers, Singers, and Musicians, Essence of Ireland combines breathtaking dance routines with the very best of Irish music. 01323 412000 www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk

The Fat Controller will be causing a locomotion, when he alights at the Park to take control of the efficient running of the railway. Make tracks to Tidmouth Hault and enjoy photo opportunities with Sir Topham Hatt himself.

01323 874100 www.drusillas.co.uk

Sompting Jubilee Festival

Bob the Builder

Connaught Theatre Worthing 8th June, 1.00pm & 3.30pm The Fixham Theatre is set for a grand re-opening and Dickie Olivier needs Bob’s help to fix the stage for his brand new musical. 01903 206206 www.worthingtheatres.co.uk

Cinema Tiddler

The Observatory Science Centre

Drusillas Park 7th May

The Chuckle Brothers

The Return of the Pirates of the River Rother 2 Pavilion Theatre Worthing 20th May 2.00pm & 5.00pm Ahoy there landlubbers! Prepare to splice the main brace as the boys go on a full blown swash-buckling adventure at sea.

Worthing Theatres 01903 206206 www.worthingtheatres.co.uk

The Fat Controller

Big Scream!

Duke of York cinema, Brighton Every Wednesday morning at 11.00am for parents and carers with children under 1 year. See website for films. www.picturehouses.co.uk

Saturday morning Kid’s Club Duke of York cinema, Brighton 10.30 start with film at 11.00. See website for films 0871 7042056 www.picturehouses.co.uk

Saturday morning pictures

The Ritz Digital & Connaught Cinema, Worthing Every Saturday 10.15am Check website for films 01903 206206 www.worthingtheatres.co.uk

Activities & events

Mumpreneurs Networking Club Haslemere and Midhurst 10.00am - Tue 1 May Arundel/L’Hampton 10.30am - Wed 9 May Brighton 9.30am - Fri 11 May Shoreham 10.30am - Thu 17 May Worthing 9.45am - Fri 18 May Burgess Hill 9.30am - Fri 18 May Lewes 10.00am - Tue 22 May Chichester 10.00am - Thu 24 May

The networking group for mums in business. Locations on website. http://www. agoodgossip.co.uk/

Miniature Steam Train Running Days Field Place,Worthing 13th May, 27th May, 10th June, 24th June

The Miniature steam train running days are on the 2nd and 4th Sun of each month between April and October. Make sure you check the opening times as they vary on special event days.01903 600565

The Common Touch

26th May, 13.30pm – 16.00pm

A family event with games, activities and guided walk looking at the history and wildlife of Chailey Common. 07986 703088 www.accessingthecountryside.eu

Childrens’ Birdwatching

Rye Harbour 26th May, 14.00pm – 16.00pm

Learn a bit more about birdwatching and come and see our breeding birds on Ternery Pool. Suitable for accompanied children aged 6-14.

Booking essential 01797 227784

Bushcraft Days for Children 1st June & 2nd June, 10.00am – 15.00pm

Enjoy a great day outdoors during the school holidays and learn some useful bushcraft skills in local woodlands around Crawley and Horsham. At Tilgate Park, Buchan Country Park, Leechpool and Owlbeech Woods. Suitable for children aged 8-14 years. Booking essential 01293 519086 or 07771 375254.

Adur Festival

Shoreham-by-Sea, Lancing, Southwick, Sompting 1st – 17th June

Adur comes alive with arts during the festival - live shows, performances, exhibitions & loads more for visitors and the local community to enjoy. Includes Open Houses and art exhibition. 01273 263274

Hertmonceux 2nd – 10th June In addition to our hands-on exhibits there will be daily telescope tours and a Fantastic Science Show 01323 832731 www.the-observatory. org

2nd-3rd June Sompting Parish Council is celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee by holding a fantastic action packed Sompting Jubilee Festival on the Sompting recreation ground, at the Harriet Johnson Centre and Sompting Village Hall. 07824 903539

Diamond Jubilee Big Lunch Shoreham By Sea

3rd June Organised by Southlanders Community Group. Food stands, market stalls, organised sports. Bring a picnic.

Contact Ray Cork 01273 454690 or 07704426083

Fireman Sam’s Pontypandy Welcome Show

Drusillas Park -5th June For the first time at Drusillas, Fireman Sam will introduce the audience to life in Pontypandy during a high energy Welcome Show. There will also be the chance to meet the hero next door himself during meet and greet sessions at various intervals throughout the day. 01323 874100 www.drusillas. co.uk

Durrington Festival Village Fayre & Evening Event 2012 Worthing-9th June Brighton and Hove Albion in the Community football, go-karting, dancing, choirs, charity stalls. Fireworks, funfair rides. 01903 211847

Sportsbourne

Eastbourne Rugby Football Club Park Avenue 9th June, 11.00am-3.00pm A completely FREE community project started by Eastbourne Rugby Club.

The idea is to bring together a number of different sports on one day and encourage local young people and families to come along and try out new sports. 01323 503076.

Dogs Trust Shoreham’s Open Day & Fun Dog Show

Shoreham By Sea-10th June This annual event is organised by the Dogs Trust Shoreham and is held at Adur Recreation Ground. 01273 440856

Whats On !

Bugs R Us - Bognor Watch Group

.Bersted Brooks Local Nature Reserve 26th June, 14.00pm-15.00pm Looking for large and small bugs.

Suitable for ages 5-12 years. All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Contact John Knight on 01243 552030

Worthing Open Houses 2012

Worthing 16th & 17th June 23rd & 24th June 30th June & 1st July This year there are almost 200 artists exhibiting and 37 venues opening their doors to the art loving public. 01903 212288 worthingopenhouses@gmail.com

Devonshire Park Tennis

College Road, Eastbourne 16th - 23 June, 10.00am-9.00pm Enjoy world class tennis action from top men and women of the WTA and ATP tours, in this exciting pre-Wimbledon tournament at Eastbourne’s Devonshire Park. 0871 230 7131

Tennis Legends

Devonshire Park Tennis 17th & 18th June Featuring 5 grand slam champions including Goran Ivanesvic and Martina Hingis

Lions Donkey Derby & FunDay

Shoreham By Sea 17th June The Lions Donkey Derby and Fun Day has been a regular feature of the Shoreham scene for 35 years and offers fun for all the family, and raises funds for local charity. 07949704186

West Sussex Armed Forces Weekend

Worthing 30th June Join us in Steyne Gardens for a lively weekend for all the family to enjoy 01903 207485 or 07906 576780

Galleries & museums

My Favourite Toy

Hove Museum 10th March - 6th November Whether it’s a teddy, dolls house or a transforming car, this exhibition celebrates toys of all kinds, from across the eras. Free Admission.

01273 290900 www.brighton-hovemuseum.org.uk

Drop into a Rock Pool

26th June, 13.00pm-15.00pm Follow the Cuckmere River down to Cliff End at the Seven Sisters, pick up a net and find out who lives in the rock pools just below the cliffs. 01323 870100 or 07950 820326

Punch and Judy

Worthing Museum Art Gallery 5th May- 1st September Mr. Punch celebrates his 350th ‘birthday’ in 2012 and is opening his family album for all to see. 01903 221448 museum@adur-worthing.gov.uk

Hove Farmers Market Contact Tel - 01273 470900 This Farmers Market is held from 10.00 am - 3.00 pm.

Location - George Street, Hove

Lewes Farmers Market

Tel - 01273 470900 This Farmers Market is held the 1st Saturday of every month, from 09.00-13.00.

Location - Cliffe Pedestrian Precinct, Lewes http://www.commoncause.org.uk

Shoreham By Sea 30th June All Day Celebration of diverse cultural groups within the community, with stalls, food, performance and music.

Free Entry. 01273 389629

21st – 23rd June Schools present adaptations of the bards plays throughout the week based around SplashPoint and beyond.

Seaside Recreation Ground, Eastbourne 23rd & 24th June Lark in the Park is an Eastbourne based Charitable Trust for local youngsters with special needs. 01323 644873

markets

International Neighbours Festival

Worthing Schools Shakespeare Festival on the Prom Worthing

Eastbourne Lark in the Park

Farmers

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Shoreham Farmers Market Brighton Farmers Market

Tel - 01273 734021 or 01243 814369 This Farmers Market is held the 1st Sunday of every month, from 10am4pm Location - Ralli Hall next to Hove Station

Burgess Hill Farmers Market

Tel - 02392 471548 Email - farmccf@hotmail.com 2nd Thursday of every month, from 9.00 am - 2.00 pm Location - Church Walk in Burgess Hill

Hassocks Farmers Market

Held on the Fourth Saturday of each month location - the forecourt of National Tyres.

Held on the Second Saturday of each month Location - East Street

Worthing Farmers Market

Tel - 01273 263152 Held on 4th Saturday of the month from 9am to 1pm.

Location - South Street Square

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Abracadabra! It's Disney Live! presents Mickey's Magic Show!

WItN s to

The Brighton Centre is delighted to announce that from 23rd -26th August, Mickey, Minnie and a host of Disney friends will come together in their very own magic show live on stage!

Witness the magic from legendary Disney films performed right before your eyes. See the Fairy Godmother transform Cinderella's rags into a beautiful ball gown; the spectacular levitation of Aladdin’s Princess Jasmine; and the enchanted dancing brooms of Fantasia.

Join Donald and Goofy, Alice and the Mad Hatter, the Disney Princesses, plus many more for a one-of-a-kind stage show you'll never forget - when Disney Magic takes on a whole new meaning!

Ticke ive!

L Disney Magic We have a fantastic prize for two ’s y e lucky readers to win the chance see Mick ow Sh the show at the Brighton Centre plus the opportunity for the children to meet some of the cast! For your chance to win answer this: Which of Mickey Mouse’s friends is a duck?

Email your answer with your name, address and phone number to: editor@familiessussexcoast.co.uk by 30th June 2012.

Terms & Conditions: Tickets valid on Thursday 23rd August at 4.30pm only.

A family ticket includes 2 adults and 2 children. Child ticket is valid for under 12’s. No purchase necessary. Tickets are non-exchangeable. Closing date for entries is 30th June 2012, entries received after this date will not be counted.

The Meet and Greet with the characters will take place after the show.

TO BOOK TICKETS FOR DISNEY LIVE! MICKEY’S MAGIC SHOW CALL 0844 847 1515 OR VISIT WWW.BRIGHTONCENTRE.CO.UK.