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YUMMY MUMMY MAGAZINE

LUXURY FAMILY HOLIDAYS IN THE LANGUEDOC

JUNE/JULY 22 ISSUE 46

YUMMY MUMMY MAGAZINE

The luxury parenting publication for discerning mothers living in London Perched on a hilltop surrounded by vineyards overlooking a tranquil Mediterranean lagoon, Château Capitoul has been lovingly restored to create a magnificent luxury sanctuary, set in 200 acres of beautiful, unspoilt countryside in one of the most exquisite locations in the South of France. A new piece of research from Miracle-Gro, one of the leading garden care brands in the UK, shows that British children and families love for gardening, is at an alltime high. Millions of British children are learning to be ‘green fingered’, by getting stuck in with helping their parents pot plants, mow the lawn and grow vegetables. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling was first published on 26th June 1997 - The unforgettable first novel that set Harry Potter’s destiny in motion,. On Sunday 26th June 2022, Harry Potter turns the page to celebrate 25 years in print – and fans can celebrate in nostalgic style! Nickelodeon, in partnership with The Luna Cinema has announced a brand new outdoor immersive event, ‘The Nickelodeon Experience’ set to launch this summer, promising to be an epic adventure for the entire family. This first-of-itskind experience will be touring the UK from July 2022, kicking off in Scotland, before venturing around the UK to Manchester and Hertfordshire.

Alex Lux Editor EDITOR ALEX LUX EDITORIAL ASSISTANT KATIE MILLER DESIGN & PRODUCTION LISA WADE SENIOR BUSINESS ACCOUNT MANAGER VANESSA LANE ACCOUNT MANAGERS NICOLA DREW, LISA WESTERMAN DIRECTORS RORY SMITH, PATRICK SMITH

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MY PERSONALISED BABY

products which can all be individually personalised. Every Gift purchased on their website is personalised FREE of charge. Luxury Gift Boxes are available with every purchase, at just £5 Customers absolutely love the selection of gifts available on My Personalised Baby and this is y Personalised Baby is a family reflected in their excellent Trustpilot rating; since run business by Chloe and partner launch in 2021, My Personalised Baby has received Johnny. lots of Five Star reviews on Trustpilot. From being a Mummy of five, 24 and 48 hour Royal Mail Tracked Delivery fashion lover, and lover of baby wear, Chloe and available for those last minute gifts. partner Johnny decided to start their dream My Personalised Baby are offering business in 2021, which became My an exclusive discount to readers of Personalised Baby. READER Yummy Mummy Magazine. Babies bring a huge amount of OFFER: SAVE 20% OFF using the code joy, pride and love to families and EXTRA20. they deserve to be spoiled from the day they are born. There is nothing quite as gorgeous as seeing their first smile, adorable first giggle, and of course hearing them speak their first words. My Personalised Baby believes in celebrating their individual personalities by surrounding them with clothes, toys and comforters that are clearly identified as their own. And that’s the inspiration for My Personalised Baby. My Personalised Baby are proud of their growing luxury collection of baby products that can be transformed into the perfect personalised gift for baby boys and girls. My Personalised Baby offers a great range of blankets, hooded towels, dressing gowns, clothes, hats, soft toys and the most cuddly of comforters, choose the embroidery colour and typeface and then simply type in the baby’s name. They also have a wide selection of gift sets featuring complementary

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[SHOPPING]

BABIES & KIDS WE LOVE These cute Fairies in the Garden glitter butterfly hair clips by Rex London. rexlondon.com

CIRCLE OF LIGHT This cute baby playmat has a colourful collection of cool animals on yellow base with yellow reverse. antipodream.co.uk

SEARCHING FOR TREASURE Treasure Map Trails are fantasy-themed treasure maps of towns and cities across the UK for children aged 5 to 12. They get adventurous families outside and having fun together, and seeing local towns in a totally new way. There are more than 40 adventures, with new ones launching every week. The maps are printed A3 posters that kids carry around and complete as they search for treasures including statues, sculptures and carvings, many of which tell a story about the local history. treasuremaptrails.com

BOX CLEVER When your children have played with toys in every room of the home, have them roll this box with them. They can roll it to each room and pick up the toys and then roll it back to their room. It will make clean up much more easy and even a bit of fun for the children. naken.co.uk

STAR ATTRACTION

THE ABCs ABCs The Little Coach House wooden alphabet boards are the perfect hands-on resource for young children. Your child can learn the letters of the alphabet and they can feel the shape of each of the letters using their finger or our tracing stick. charnwoodschild.co.uk 1 0 J U N E / J U LY 2 0 2 2

A super soft, super huggable, super star comforter, inspired by the colours, spot pattern and friendly features of this African giant. nhmshop.co.uk

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Get ready for a family adventure this summer with

‘The Nickelodeon Experience’ Knebworth House, 14th – 27th August 2022

ickelodeon, in partnership with The Luna Cinema has announced a brand new outdoor immersive event, ‘The Nickelodeon Experience’ set to launch this summer, promising to be an epic adventure for the entire family. This first-of-its-kind experience will be touring the UK from July 2022, kicking off in Scotland, before venturing around the UK to Manchester and Hertfordshire. Adventure seekers, aged 2-14 years old, can explore the worlds of their favourite Nickelodeon TV shows and discover ten activity zones. From multi-sensory and interactive adventures to creative and skill-based challenges, kids get to map their own journey and curate their own fun. Kids can go behind the scenes of some of Nickelodeon’s most popular shows including The Thundermans School for Superheroes where they’ll learn to acquire their own super-powers. Step into an episode of Henry Danger, where

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Nick fans must navigate Henry Danger’s Maze full of secret twists, turns, puzzles and passages. They can also race against the clock to solve the Hunter Street Escape Room mystery, which puts teamwork to the test in an attempt to crack the code and find the key. The adventures don’t stop there! From a trip to Adventure Bay with an opportunity to meet PAW Patrol’s fan-favourites Chase and Marshall, to a sub-terranean adventure in The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ underground lair, complete with ooze covered tunnels, Nick fans will be utterly captivated in this immersive outdoor adventure. What’s more, an arts and crafts zone featuring Baby Shark’s Big Show and Blue’s Clues themed activities awaits all budding artists. Attendees can also jump on a giant pirate ship, play in rock pools, and make a splash in an immersive play zone based on the swashbuckling world of Santiago of The Seas. For the perfect finale to the experience, you’re invited to the Slime Time Party to finally know how it feels to get SLIMED – the ultimate Nickelodeon honour! Alongside these immersive zones, children and their parents can relax at SpongeBob SquarePants’ Bikini Bottom Beach, where they can also sample delicious delights from the many themed food and beverage stalls and visit the Nickelodeon store and take home the perfect memento from an incredible range of exclusive Nickelodeon Experience merchandise.

George Wood, founder of The Luna Cinema says: “We cannot wait for the launch of The Nickelodeon Experience this summer! For years we’ve wanted to develop a truly interactive experience that allowed kids to immerse themselves in the worlds of their favourite TV shows, just as we do with Friends fans at FriendsFest and film lovers with our Luna Cinema screenings. To have such an iconic catalogue of shows, including global brands like PAW Patrol, The Thundermans and SpongeBob SquarePants under the Nickelodeon umbrella is a treasure trove of content to explore and bring to life.”

THE DETAILS Capacities are limited but you can book your tickets now at thenickelodeonexperience.co.uk Kids tickets start at £29.50 and infants under two years old go free. Knebworth House, Hertfordshire – 14th – 27th August 2022 The Nickelodeon Experience is proudly produced by The Luna Cinema and suitable for children aged two to fourteen years old.

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Ohpopsi launches its first kids’ collection

Inspired by the dreams of our little ones, Ohpopsi launches ‘When I Grow Up’ - its first collection of children’s wallpapers

“W

hat do you want to be when you grow up?” is the question we so often ask our little ones. With answers ranging from the sublime to the ridiculous, seemingly nothing is out of bounds. Featuring nine hand drawn designs and four coordinates, each wallcovering tells a story of adventure and imagination. From deep sea explorations with Beneath the Waves to fun on the farm and Feather Fandango’s carnival of colour, encouraging conversation and dreams of the future. Zoe Eaton, Creative Director of Ohpopsi, said: “When I Grow Up is bursting with joy! It celebrates the magic of childhood dreams and all the wonderful adventures that await.” With colourways such as Watermelon, Marshmallow, Fruit Salad and Aniseed Twist, this joyful launch is gender neutral, bright and uplifting. Prices start from £37 per roll and the collection is available from ohpopsi.com

ABOUT OHPOPSI Bold and unapologetic, Ohpopsi is an independent, British wallpaper brand making its mark on the interior design world, one statement 1 4 J U N E / J U LY 2 0 2 2

wall at a time. Agile and ambitious, with a hugely experienced team of industry experts at the helm, Ohpopsi is destined for big things. On a mission to enable self-expression, Ohpopsi’s creative team specialises in developing original wallpaper designs to reflect customers’ individuality and imagination. Contemporary and playful, Ohpopsi is dedicated to bold pattern and confident colour. For vibrant, stand out pieces that encourage personal style, make Ohpopsi the go-to design house. ohpopsi.com

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GARDENING VOTED TOP OF THE TREE AS THE FAVOURITE FAMILY PAST TIME

new piece of research from MiracleGro, one of the leading garden care brands in the UK, shows that British children and families love for gardening, is at an all-time high. Millions of British children are learning to be ‘green fingered’, by getting stuck in with helping their parents pot plants, mow the lawn and grow vegetables. A survey of 1,000 parents and 1,000 grandparents of children aged 5-12 found a growing movement to get their children to embrace outdoor activities and get away from the TV. As many as 60% of children are now growing vegetables, with one in six naming a sunflower as their children’s favourite plant. Watering the garden, planting bulbs, and potting plants were 1 6 J U N E / J U LY 2 0 2 2

deemed the best garden activities to share with a youngster, while 21% enjoy filling up the bird bath. Gardening Guru, Kate Turner, from MiracleGro, which commissioned the survey, said: “It’s amazing that so many youngsters are being inspired to take up such an important life skill. “Not only that but spending time with loved ones outdoors can be such a special experience that families can cherish for years. That’s why we’re working with Greenfingers - a national charity dedicated to supporting life-limited children and their families who spend time in hospices around the UK – to assist with a therapeutic garden within ‘The Nook’, a purpose-built children’s hospice in Norfolk.” The study also found 47% spent the various

“Not only does spending time with loved ones in the outdoors create an incredible bond between families, but there is a huge wealth of knowledge that can be passed down from parents and grandparents”

THE MOST POPULAR GARDENING TASKS FOR PARENTS/ GRANDPARENTS AND KIDS:

lockdowns teaching new things to the young people in their care. 64% those polled hope their child or grandchild grows up to be green fingered. A further 43% believe gardening is beneficial to their youngster’s mental health. And eight in 10 want them to spend more time outdoors than inside watching TV. Top reasons for this are that it’s better for their health (70%) and it helps them burn off excess energy (56%). But 57% think it’s important for kids to have an interest in nature, as they are the generation that’s going to have to ‘save the planet’. While 85%look forward to the bond that can develop by spending time in the garden with their children or grandchildren. It also emerged half of respondents have spent more time gardening than in the pre-pandemic times, which has meant 30% of children have been outside more too, according to the OnePoll data. Almost 9 in 10 enjoy teaching their kids or grandchildren new things, with 70% having fond memories of learning new skills from their own parents or grandparents. Miracle-Gro has launched a special edition ‘Greenfingers’ peat-free compost pack to support the charity, Kate Turner added: “Not only does spending time with loved ones in the outdoors create an incredible bond between families, but there is a huge wealth of knowledge that can be passed down from parents and grandparents.” Getting kids interested from a young age can foster a love of gardening and the outdoors that can last a lifetime and the memories can also live on forever.

1. Watering plants 2. Planting flowers/ bulbs 3. Potting plants 4. Growing vegetables 5. Weeding 6. Picking vegetables 7. Filling up the bird bath 8. Sweeping a path 9. Deadheading flowers 10. Mowing the lawn 11. Jet washing 12. Painting fences 13. Homing insects 14. Pruning hedges 15. Cutting back trees 16. Leaf blowing 17. Cleaning the pond 18. Digging trenches 19. Building a shed 20. Laying decking

THE DETAILS Greenfingers Special Edition Peat Free Premium All-Purpose Compost 40L is available now in Garden Centres nationwide- RRP £7.99.

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YUMMY MUMMY

Green Inspiration for Children this Summer

aster might only just have passed but time waits for no-one – especially busy parents – and the school summer holidays will be upon us before you can say ‘ALTON TOWERS!’. If theme parks aren’t your thing, or you’re wondering how on Earth to keep children well-occupied during their time off school, how about turning to nature for inspiration? Many younger children, who can become hyperactive when cooped up indoors with only the TV or mobile devices for entertainment, are readily engaged by simple horticultural activities, especially when they can watch the seeds or baby plants they’ve tended come to life. You can make the home-growing process even more fun for children with LECHUZA’s OJO planters, which are specially for youngsters and parents who are keen to help green-fingers develop in their offspring. The cute OJO planters, which are based on the original iconic design created by LECHUZA parent company, PLAYMOBIL, offer children the opportunity to grow fun hairstyles with their houseplants, be they decorative ferns and

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succulents, or easy-pick edibles such as chives, cress, parsley or basil. If you’re worried about what will happen to their new green friends when you go on holiday, then have no fear – all LECHUZA planters come with an inbuilt self-watering system which means you’ll never have to worry about plants dying of thirst if you want to go away for a week or two. Large, interactive eyes on the pot will indicate how much water is left in the reservoir, helping children to learn for themselves when a top-up is needed. The lightweight, shatterproof and UV-resistant OJO planters are available in six different colours – ruby pink, apple green, aquamarine, ocean blue, fire red, and raven black – which can be mixed and matched so children can enjoy them with their friends. For parents who don’t have time to source their own seeds or plant and soil, LECHUZA makes things simple with the OJO Plant Set, which has everything kids will need to start growing in their OJO pot, including LECHUZA’s own high-quality PON Substrate and organic wheatgrass seeds, which grow quickly into a bushy plant and give OJO a fantastic ‘hair do’. lechuza.co.uk

“You can make the home-growing process even more fun for children with LECHUZA’s OJO planters, which are specially for youngsters and parents who are keen to help greenfingers develop in their offspring”

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REMEMBER WHEN IT ALL BEGAN? Relive the magic in 2022 on Sunday 26th June!

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

Published by Bloomsbury Children’s Books

arry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling was first published on 26th June 1997 - the unforgettable first novel that set Harry Potter’s destiny in motion,. On Sunday 26th June 2022, Harry Potter turns the page to celebrate 25 years in print – and fans can celebrate in nostalgic style! Millennials were the first to discover the boy wizard in 1997, and Harry Potter helped create millions of passionate readers - more than any other generation. These were the children who grew up with Harry, queueing up outside

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bookshops at midnight to get the next book and who lost their original copies to younger siblings, and have never forgiven their parents! The magical story of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone has continued to inspire new generations of readers ever since. On Sunday 26th June 2022, 1997 nostalgia returns when Britannia was cool, the Spice Girls ruled the world and a boy wizard called Harry first made an appearance in bookshops nationwide, for those original readers! Waterstones flagship store in London’s Piccadilly is hosting an exclusive celebratory event at 2pm with two

JK Rowling, photo by Debra Hurford-Brown

ABOUT J.K. ROWLING

Jim Kay © Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

of Harry’s award-winning illustrator’s Thomas Taylor and Jonny Duddle. The day will bring back treasured memories for the fans who remember the excitement when Harry’s journey first began, as well as introduce a new generation to the unforgettable story of the Boy Who Lived. In celebration of 25 years of Harry Potter magic, Bloomsbury is proud to be releasing a glorious silver anniversary hardback limited edition of J.K. Rowling’s classic first story, featuring the original, iconic 1997 cover illustration by Thomas Taylor of Harry Potter with his lightning bolt scar, standing next to the Hogwarts Express on Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. That artwork would go on to become one of the most iconic book covers of the twentieth century.

The author of the seven Harry Potter books, made into eight blockbuster films. She has also written three short companion volumes for charity, including Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, which later became the inspiration for a new series of films, also written by J.K. Rowling. From the idea born by J.K. Rowling on a train journey in 1990, with an initial hardback print run of just 500 copies, the series has gone on to sell over 500 million books worldwide in over 80 languages. In the years since Harry Potter was first whisked from King’s Cross Station onto Platform nine and three quarters, his incredible adventures have left a unique and lasting mark on popular culture.

ABOUT BLOOMSBURY A leading independent publishing house. The children’s division publishes books for children and young adults in print, eBook and audio. It publishes across preschool, picture books, fiction and non-fiction. Its awardwinning, diverse list includes authors such as J.K. Rowling, Benjamin Zephaniah, Katherine Rundell, Neil Gaiman, Renée Watson and Sarah J. Maas, and illustrators such as Chris Riddell, Emily Gravett, Rikin Parekh, Kate Pankhurst, Jim Kay and Tom Percival. For more information go to bloomsbury.com

This irresistible anniversary limited edition (published on 9th June 2022) will be available for one year only. With exciting bonus material, enjoy drawings from J.K.Rowling‘s own personal archive offering a tantalising first glimpse of her endlessly spellbinding wizarding world. And discover Thomas Taylor’s charming account of how a young artist came to illustrate Harry Potter for the very first time. Also on Sunday 26th June, Bloomsbury’s Harry Potter Fans Film of top fans memories and first reading experiences of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone will be unveiled on social media, with one lucky storyteller winning a copy of the limited anniversary edition, signed by J.K. Rowling! And there’s more magical Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone activity to come in Autumn 2022 - celebrating 25 years in print! Hashtag: #HarryPotter25 @KidsBloomsbury

Jonny Duddle © Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.

Jim Kay © Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

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Bespoke Playground Classics “PlayEquip’s London based designers and installers work with each client on an individual basis”

layEquip is a stand-out playground company based in the UK with their workshop up in the Peak District. No two projects are the same, from abstract metal playgrounds to natural montessori style garden equipment that blends beautifully into the natural environment. Their play equipment is designed to enrich their environments, encourage inclusive play and to promote both physical, social and mental development. PlayEquip’s London based designers and installers work with each client on an individual basis, listening to the needs and wants and tailoring specifically for each project. Even the online products are able to be adapted to become site specific or have additional needs met. A move away from cheap materials and bright colours, PlayEquip’s premium hardwood playground and fitness equipment is both chemical free and aesthetically pleasing. Offering a natural take on traditional pieces like monkey bars and swings whilst also designing thought provoking and exciting playhouses and teepees. With these designs PlayEquip hopes to create invitations and opportunities for open-ended play and engage children’s imaginations and enhance their social and emotional intelligence. PlayEquip loves taking on briefs and adding their own unique conceptual designs, with the help of a child’s creative power, structures can take on new forms every day.

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PlayEquip’s Company Director says that ‘during the lockdown, more interest came from people wanting to exercise in their own back garden. Customers also wanted to develop their own outdoor spaces into safe places for their children to play outdoors’. PlayEquip soon realised that their customer base wasn’t just aimed at children, but that parents wanted to include outdoor fitness into the designs so it could be used by the whole family. Monkey bars and gymnastic bars etc. offer a range of outdoor exercises and family bonding fun.

For more details please visit playequip.com Email - info@playequip.com Tel: 0177 383 0069

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IT’S OUR PLANET

TOO!

100% sustainable and plastic free eco subscription box for children launches

ove based social enterprise, It’s Our Planet Too has created a new eco subscription box for children – A TOOL KIT FOR ECO HEROES. Designed to connect children with our precious planetand help empower parents to start conversations with their children about the environment. The tool kits are 100% sustainable and plastic free and provide a fun and exciting eco-led gift, that educates and gives back. Each themed tool kit will deliver fun activities, news and information to encourage children to think about how what we do affects our environment, from tiny seedlings to huge trees and the animals that rely on them. Inside their launch tool kit (themed ‘Our World Is Changing’), you will find over four hours of activities, a recipe, an eco heroes manifesto poster, a reward chart and much more. Knowing that many parents don’t feel equipped to speak to their children aboutenvironmental concerns, an easy crib sheet is included in each tool kit. The aim is to empower parents to start those conversations and make it easier to include

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their children on the journey to greener living. The tool kits are 100% sustainable and plastic free and printed locally, many of the tasks utilise materials already found in the home or even in the recycling box! The contents support the national curriculum and have been developed in consultation with a primary headteacher. At It’s Our Planet Too, their vision is for every child to believe that they have the power to protect our planet. With the need to tackle climate change, improve climate literacy and weave sustainable practices into all we do, there has never been a more crucial time to inspire and educate our children about environmental issues. The tool kits will be available to purchase from their website from mid-April. Prices start at £9.50 for an individual tool kit, discounted subscriptions are available for 3, 6 and 12 months. As a social venture, they are committed to giving back. They do this by educating littles ones(and their families) to make positive changes towards a greener future, whilst supporting charities. They pledge to give a minimum of 50% of their profits to good causes. itsourplanettoo.co.uk

“At It’s Our Planet Too, their vision is for every child to believe that they have the power to protect our planet”

ClayBear Official, beautifully designed children’s wear for your little one! Soft, Organic, comfortable and durable pieces for playtime and beyond.

Please visit us at www.claybearofficial.com and follow us on social media @Claybearofficial.

Photo by donnahocking_photography

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London’s Coolest Restaurants FOR KIDS There are countless London restaurants that welcome families and offer special kids’ menus and fun activities to keep little ones entertained! It is important to note that if your child has food allergies or sensitivities, confirm before you go that the restaurant is able to accommodate these restrictions. Here’s our pick of childfriendly restaurants that have a little something for everyone...

BUBBA GUMP SHRIMP

STICKY FINGERS, KENSINGTON Founded by Bill Wyman, bass player with the Rolling Stones, Sticky Fingers (taking its name from the Stones’ album) is a must visit for the whole family who likes to have a great time! Food at Sticky Fingers as the name suggests, is designed for getting your hands and face messy….. and that goes for the grown-ups too! The much loved steak and ribs restaurant has a children’s menu catering for under 12’s. And you can’t get more child-friendly than an ice cream float from the soda fountain! Mums deserve a treat too so for pure and naughty indulgence check out the freak shakes! You can also celebrate Birthdays in style at Sticky Fingers whether it’s for the little one or the older members of your family, they will make sure it is special. 1A Phillimore Gardens, W8 7QB Tel: 020 7938 5338 stickyfingers.co.uk

Give the little ones a taste of America’s Deep South at this Forrest Gump themed fun restaurant. Capturing the essence of the hit movie, shrimp is of course their speciality with a menu also including American burgers, steaks, grills and ribs, crisp salads and naughty desserts! Bubba Gump Shrimp serves kids’ favourites such as popcorn shrimp, chicken strips and macaroni cheese as part of its children’s menu; while, for dessert, they can even build their own sundae from delicious sweet treats! 13 Coventry Street, Piccadilly, W1D 7AB Tel: 0203 763 5288 bubbagumpshrimp.co.uk

HARD ROCK CAFÉ Take the kids to their newest flagship cafe and Rock Shop in Piccadilly Circus. Discover food, entertainment and culture spanning over 1,900 square metres on two floors. Take your children down your memory lane with authentic, one-of-akind memorabilia from decades of music history, from British music legends and international stars alike. The tasty menu is freshly prepared American cuisine includes mouth-watering steaks, sizzling fajitas and succulent burgers. There is a menu specifically designed for the under 10’s with wonderful names such as Ain’t Nothin’ But a Hot Dog and Skiddley’s Not-So-Diddly Chicken Breast! 2 6 J U N E / J U LY 2 0 2 2

PLANET HOLLYWOOD Criterion Building, 225-229 Piccadilly, W1J 9HR. 020 7287 4600. hardrockcafe.com/ location/piccadilly-circus

GORDON RAMSEY RESTAURANTS A great introduction to fine dining for your children – and it doesn’t get any better than this! The ultimate in family dining - there are Kids’ Menus with great offers, magicians, face painting, activity boxes and more! And incredible Children’s Party Experiences - Ice-Cream Parties at Heddon Street Kitchen, Pizza Parties at Bread Street Kitchen and Cookies & Cup Cake Parties at Hidden Heddon. A fantastic and enjoyable way for your pride and joy to discover their culinary skills – and looking the part in their own little chef apron! Contact the Gordon Ramsey team on 020 7592 1373. gordonramsayrestaurants.com

favourites, such as fish and chips, burgers, caesar salad, pulled pork and quesadillas. 20 Shaftesbury Ave, London W1D 7EU. Tel: 020 7434 3111

ED’S EASY DINERS Enjoy American-style dining at its best! An authentic diner that captures the spirit of the American Dream. High stools, thick milkshakes, over ten tasty burgers and Foot Long Hot Dogs - makes this restaurant a great hangout for all ages. And for younger children under 10 they can choose from Ed’s Junior Menu including a main, side and drink for only £5.99! With feel good retro music you will be smiling throughout your meal. Located at Victoria Shopping Centre, Buckingham Palace Road SW1, Watford, Lakeside Shopping Centre and Cambridge. edseasydiner.com

A visit to Planet Hollywood is always a big hit with families and is located in the heart of the West End near the bright lights of Leicester Square. There’s plenty to keep the kids entertained including colouring sets and movie memorabilia. With delicious food on offer including burgers, hot dogs, fries and ice cream you can’t really go wrong! Their Kids’ Meal Deal caters for 12 years and under. There are big screens throughout the restaurant showing film clips, videos and trailers while you eat providing a fun atmosphere for all the family to enjoy. 57-60 Haymarket, London SW1Y 4QX. Tel: 020 7287 1000

GIRAFFE

RAINFOREST CAFÉ Let the kids go wild watching waterfalls, lightning, rain, animals and real tropical fish at the Rainforest Café. bringing together the sights and sounds of the Amazon rainforest in a vibrant and exciting atmosphere of fun for all the family. See the venue brought to life by elephants, gorillas, jaguars, crocodiles, gorillas, mechanical butterflies and orangutans, together with tropical fish tanks and a thunderstorm! All adding up to an exciting dining experience for all ages. There is an extensive international à la carte menu that includes classic

Eating out with young kids doesn’t have to be a battle. A restaurant meal is a social event and an opportunity to spend time together – eating, talking, playing games like I Spy, drawing, and just generally having fun. The more engaged your little ones are, the more likely they will be well behaved!

With plenty of healthy options, you can take your kids for a guilt-free meal at Giraffe at outlets across London. Whether porridge, fresh fruit or pancakes for breakfast; or salmon, omelette or nachos for lunch, your kids will love tucking into the fresh fare at this relaxed eatery. Don’t miss their Kids Menu Deal – a main meal, drink and dessert for only £6.50! No restrictions, available all day every day with tasty choices including bangers, pizza and pasta and yummy Strawberry & Banana Lollipops and Choc Brownies - your kids will be spoilt for choice! Located Victoria, Spitalfields, Southbank Centre, Kings Cross and Heathrow Airport. giraffe.net J U N E / J U LY 2 0 2 2 2 7

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THE ENCHANTED SUMMER ADVENTURE AT AUDLEY END MINIATURE RAILWAY

READER OFFER: SAVE

Then adventurers will journey back to our fairy and elf friends who are ready and waiting to welcome visitors to their tiny woodland homes. Wander through the magical pathways in our Fairy and Elf Walk and spot our tiny friends hiding amongst the trees - be sure to tick them off in your activity booklet.

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“The train passes through the ancient mine where rumour has it, the fire breathing dragons live”

oin us for a magical journey of exploration and discovery deep in the enchanted woods at Audley End Miniature Railway from 23rd July until 4th September 2022. This spectacular summer-long adventure is jam-packed with activities and entertainment, mythical creatures and magical surprises, ensuring a memorable day out in the great outdoors for the whole family. Our resident explorer will set young adventurers on their way from the platform, boarding a miniature train to take a captivating woodland journey where they will spot enchanted creatures along the route. The train passes through the ancient mine where rumour has it, the fire breathing dragons live, guarding the precious ancient crystals.

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Young adventurers can let off steam and explore the play area, before becoming nature detectives in our special Nature Corner, hunting out the bugs and creepy crawlies that live all around us. Adventurers can hone their skills in our games area with bean bag throws, hoopla and noughts and crosses. Then sit back and relax and watch young imaginations be fired up by the interactive adventure story-telling show on our Woodland Stage. The Woodland café will be serving locally sourced, homemade food all day, and the Ice Cream Hut will be serving delicious Dragon and Unicorn Ice Cream. Booking is required audley-end-railway.co.uk

SPECIAL OFFER Get 25% off Enchanted Summer Festival tickets using code YM25 at checkout!

THE DETAILS 23rd July to 4th September 2022: Adult and Children over 92cm £15.00, Children under 92cm £7.50, Children under 1 year and carers FREE Ticket price includes Train Ride, Fairy and Elf Walk, Nature Corner, Games Area, Interactive Story Telling and Adventure Play Area. Facebook AudleyEndMiniatureRailway Instagram @audleyendminiaturerailway Twitter @AudleyEndMR

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Starry Eyed Sleeping

ecorating a child’s bedroom takes care and consideration, especially if they are at a transitional age. Choosing a suitable décor will ensure your child’s room is a comforting space that can grow with them. Celestial themes are a great choice as they aren’t outgrown quickly, and incorporating astronomy is a fantastic homage to the immersive world we live in. Bring out the inner explorer in your child by using rich navy wallpaper so they can travel across the sky and spot the stars without their head leaving the pillow. Blue is also a great colour for calming heart rates and feelings of worry.

Here are a few other tips for avoiding those night-time niggles… Sleeping in a room full of clutter creates a chaotic atmosphere. It’s important to keep the space around you in good order. Having ample storage is a sure-fire way to keep a child’s bedroom tidy. Clearly label accessible drawers or storage tubs so your child can easily find the right place to put away their things and feel included in the bedtime routine. Have set times for play and include ‘tidy up time’ as a part of the sequence to create a positive flow when winding down for the day. Children sleep better in darker spaces, so try and limit the light that comes through, especially in the summer. Blackout blinds or curtains are a brilliant light-blocking solution. If your child is scared of the dark, invest in a nightlight. Sleep.org advises to ‘use one with a red bulb.’ Children are growing constantly, both mentally and physically, and nightfall is when a child’s brain recuperates from the day and their bodies develop. Finding a mattress that’s responsive to fidgeting and daily growth is vital for rest. Pocket sprung and open coil mattresses are much more responsive and supportive to a child’s body and both maintain their shape over a period of time. Little Folks Furniture is the enterprise of Christopher Lusty who has been designing, manufacturing, and supplying nursery and children’s furniture for 25 years. All designs are made with sustainable timber and are tested in-house to make sure they meet exacting safety standards. littlefolksfurniture.co.uk 01985 300 588 3 0 J U N E / J U LY 2 0 2 2

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SUPERLOOPER:

ADORABLE PRELOVED BABY CLOTHES

uperLooper is a clothing library for parents to rent and recycle adorable preloved baby clothes - with purpose. It’s a service to recirculate those hardly-worn baby clothes, which so many of us unintentionally hoard. Jenny Barrett, founder of SuperLooper was appalled to discover there’s 183 million items of outgrown baby clothes* stored in UK cupboards alone. Being a mum of three, she knew all about this because even when her kids had grown up, she still couldn’t let go of far too many of her favourite things. Also she had spare stock from her organic baby clothing company which she didn’t want to go to waste, so she set out to find loving homes for these things and keep them in circulation for as long as possible! As a not-for-profit, SuperLooper helps reduce some of the waste that inevitably happens when we have babies. All the lovely clothes in the library have been shared either by parents doing a ‘conscious clear-out’ of their cupboards or by beautiful brands who want to make sure

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“All the lovely clothes in the library have been shared either by parents doing a ‘conscious clear-out’ of their cupboards or by beautiful brands who want to make sure their overstock items get worn and enjoyed!”

their overstock items get worn and enjoyed! SuperLooper collaborates with brands to include their customers who don’t want to dress their babies in preloved clothes, but who definitely do want to do their bit for the planet. The Little Green Radicals SuperLoop is the first of its kind and encourages their eco-aware customers to return out-grown items in return for vouchers for their next spend with the brand. This means more lovely clothes for SuperLooper families to rent and recycle. A win:win for all! The library caters for little-ones 0-3 years and includes clothing for all categories, styles and seasons from designer labels, organic brands and high street names to vintage treasures. As long as they’re cute, they’re in the SuperLoop! From £23 per month, parents who love great clothes but hate over-consumption choose from an online cornucopia of one-off gems and lovely everyday essentials which they change when they need. Gift bundles and vouchers are available for Grandparents, friends and work-mates to give the ultimate in sustainable presents. #ownyourfuturenotyourclothes superlooperlife.com @superlooperlife *hubbub.org.uk

HAPPY BABIES HAPPY PLANET BABY CLOTHES WITH ZIPS

Use code ‘YummyFive’ for £5 clothing rental free on your first order

Rent & Recycle Preloved Baby Clothes with Purpose www.superlooperlife.com Happy Babies & Happy Planet @superlooperlife

We are a brand-new luxury pyjama company, founded by a mum with a love for children’s clothing. Based in the UK we believe that looking your best should not stop at bedtime, that’s why you will not find boring pyjamas here. We aim to make bedtime an event to look forward to. We believe in empowering our children to look and feel great. Our pyjamas made from high-quality fabrics that are soft and silky, designed to make your little ones feel their best at night-time. With increased demand for distinctive clothing that stands out, personalisation can be added to the pyjamas for that extra special touch.

www.orakai.co.uk

www.zippyup.com @zippy.up

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The secret Mediterranean

Luxury villas with private pools and 5* facilities at Château Capitoul in the Languedoc

erched on a hilltop surrounded by vineyards overlooking a tranquil Mediterranean lagoon, Château Capitoul has been lovingly restored to create a magnificent luxury sanctuary, set in 200 acres of beautiful, unspoilt countryside in one of the most exquisite locations in the South of France. Integrated into a secluded, wooded slope with sweeping views over the water and Pyrenees beyond, a hamlet of 44 beautifully crafted luxury villas, ideal for family holidays or gatherings with friends awaits. Spacious and fully equipped for self-catering, many with private pools and all with magnificent terraced Mediterranean gardens by world renowned landscape designer James Basson. For a truly personalized experience, the concierge team is on hand with recommendations and insider tips to ensure guests get the most out of their stay whether its arranging the best seat at a local restaurant or a day out kayaking on the Orb River. Whether relaxing within the grounds or exploring the local area, guests will find an astonishing amount to do in an around Château Capitoul. After warming up on the tennis and boules courts, guests can cool down in the vast infinity pool, soaking up the views with a cocktail from the bar under the shade of an olive tree. And just beyond the Château, the soaring cliffs of La Clape provide a 37,000-acre natural playground for bikers, walkers and climbers, while those looking to explore the endless beautiful beaches and characterful coastal towns can cycle to the seaside in 25 mins before heading to Narbonne for a culture hit.

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READER OFFER: SAVE

READER OFFER SAVE 5% To save 5% on your next holiday, book online at chateaucapitoul.com using code LONDON22 The original Château has been transformed into an intimate boutique hotel with eight elegant bedrooms & suites with vineyard views, that blend classical French style with art deco and art nouveau features. In the cool cellars of the Château, sits an inviting and sensuous sanctuary for relaxing and reviving where guests can enjoy rituals and treatments from French Spa brand Cinq Mondes followed by a swim in the indoor pool. On the ground floor, Méditerranéo, a light and intimate gastronomic restaurant offer diners the opportunity to drink up the views through the symmetrical bay windows whilst sampling a handpicked selection of Languedoc wines. Here chef Valere Diochet takes advantage of the huge range of local produce to deliver a confident, flavour-led cuisine with a distinct pan-Mediterranean accent

“Château Capitoul lies within the natural park of the Massif de la Clape, an ancient landscape where rocky cliffs overlook vinescattered countryside”

that manages to be simultaneously rustic and elegant. Alternatively, Asado, a lively but laid-back bar and brasero restaurant serves generous plates of local fish and regional meats charred over huge wood fired grills accompanied with fresh seasonal salads and vegetables from the kitchen garden. Outside on balmy, summer nights guest can soak up the spectacular views from the expansive terrace. In the boutique, guests can purchase and taste wines from the Château vineyards and other estates owned by the Bonfils family, who manage the winemaking whilst several times a week guided wine walks and other wine related activities are organised for guests and non-residents. Château Capitoul lies within the natural park of the Massif de la Clape, an ancient landscape where rocky cliffs overlook vine-scattered countryside, between the historic city of Narbonne and the bohemian, picturesque fishing village of Gruissan. Far from the south of France’s over-trodden tourist trail, the properties position ensures unique access to the authentic Languedoc landscape in many alluring guises from its secret, sandy beaches to Michelin starred restaurants, UNESCO world heritage sites and thriving markets. With easy access from the U.K, Château Capitoul is situated within 1hr 30 of six airports (Beziers, Perpignan, Carcassonne, Montpellier, Toulouse and Girona just across the border in Spain), or alternatively high-speed rail links to the South of France provides a hassle free and ecofriendlier solution for your holiday. To receive a personalised quote, please visit chateaucapitoul.com or call 0345 686 6506 J U N E / J U LY 2 0 2 2 3 5

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Making Parenting easier

here are no written guidelines for parenting. Parenting brings about a sea change, a world full of love and new challenges. Leclerc Baby wants parents to feel free and to enjoy parenthood. When it comes to folding and unfolding a stroller, every parent has felt the need for an extra pair of hands. This can often lead to frustration, especially when travelling. With Leclerc Baby, you simply push a button to fold and unfold our stroller, freeing your other arm to focus on your child and make them happy. In addition to the stroller, Leclerc Baby provides a variety of accessories to make traveling easier and more comfortable for you and your child. With its SPF 50+ Sun Canopy, you can be confident that your child will be safe in the sun while you enjoy and celebrate life with them. The Leclerc Baby diaper bag has plenty of storage space and convenient compartments, allowing you to bring everything you need for your child on a trip. Leclerc Baby also offers an organizer with multiple compartments, allowing you to perfectly organize all of your important items. The Leclerc

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Baby Organizer comes in eight different colors to match your diaper bag and stroller. While Leclerc Baby focusses in making parenting easier, it also ensures by keeping your child safe while in the stroller. The backrest on the Leclerc Baby stroller is adjustable in three ways, including a sleeping position. With its perfect wheel alignment and suspension, you can take your child for a quick stroll down any street in the Leclerc Baby stroller.

FEATURES • Easy & Safe • Lightweight & Compact • Cabin Proof • Folds & Unfolds in 1.5 seconds leclercbaby.com

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A family forest escape

Claire Spreadbury and her brood head to Cheshire for rest, relaxation and to reconnect with nature.

rying to entice a hormone-ridden 11-year-old outside to learn survival skills in the forest, when it’s pouring with rain, is quite a tall order. Long, painful sighs evolve into deafening silence, followed by several devastating death stares. So, I use my jolliest sing-song voice to over-compensate and get us out the door. Forest rangers Gerry and Mike lead us into the woods and brief us on how to build a shelter. Rosie shuffles about looking for wood while Poppy, her 8-year-old sister, runs about the forest enthusiastically grabbing everything needed to make the A-frame. We’re in Cheshire’s largest woodland, at Forest Holidays’ brand new site in Delamare Forest, and we’re getting stuck in. After the year or so we’ve all gone through, immersing yourself in nature has never felt more necessary, and within 20 minutes, all signs of Kevin The Teenager have completely disappeared, as my mainly wonderful eldest daughter builds a spit, bench and herb garden for our genuinely epic den. We’re all pretty proud of it. And as a reward, we mooch over to another part of the forest, where the kids use Swedish fire steels to light the campfire, and toast and gobble fluffy marshmallows until we feel sick. The 11th Forest Holidays site opened on April 12 and is situated deep into Delamere. Dark

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“We’re in Cheshire’s largest woodland, at Forest Holidays’ brand new site in Delamare Forest”

wooden lodges are dotted about the forest and despite being brand new, the site looks reassuringly rustic. We’re in a White Willow Premium cabin, exclusive to this location, which contains everything we’ve come to expect from an openplan family cabin, plus lots of fancy extras, like two robes per person – one for the lodge, one for the hot tub, Hypnos mattresses, a Nespresso machine and Nutribullet, a wireless charger and inbuilt Bluetooth speaker, complimentary Prosecco, and an outdoor grill, fridge and pizza oven.

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I keep finding myself swinging in the egg chair, staring out the floor to ceiling windows. Waking up to the light of a new day streaming through the tall pines is a total delight. And being completely surrounded by forest feels wonderfully good for the soul. Smatterings of dappled sunlight make the tree trunks glow as we amble towards the reception to sign up for the Peter Rabbit trail (£7.95 per child). Rosie might have rolled her eyes (again) at the utterance of Beatrix Potter’s most famous character, but the holiday spirit soon kicks in, as we meander round the one-mile track, looking for clues, spotting birds and learning about nature. It’s easy to feast like kings here, whether you bring all your food and cook in the kitchen, order food or recipe boxes that make life easy (the pizza packs, £17 – which come with ready-made dough and toppings to make and cook two pizzas in your outdoor oven – are utterly delicious), or stop off at the Forest Retreat and enjoy food and drink made by someone else and not served in your home – which still feels like a novelty.

Sink a refreshing bottle of Peroni (£4.50 for 660ml) or watch the sun dip down behind the trees over a G&T (£5.75) while the small folk explore the two-towered treehouse, beautiful bug hotel and handmade adventure playgrounds, which include a fallen sweet chestnut tree, lovingly carved into a bench by local tree sculptor, Andy Burgess. For a proper treat, afternoon tea (£17.50 per person) is delivered and set up wherever you want it in your cabin. Forest-themed crockery comes with an array of Tea Pigs pyramid bags, and delectable sandwiches, scones, cakes and pies are piled high on wooden towers. We can hardly move after gobbling less than half of it, but it sets us up for an afternoon of mountain biking. The undulating landscape makes for the perfect play area as the hire bikes’ giant tyres (£32 4 0 J U N E / J U LY 2 0 2 2

adult/£28 child, for the whole weekend, or bring your own) bump and hop across hills, streams and grass-strewn woodlands. Rosie squeals and gasps as she follows her dad down steep and scary paths, before using every last ounce of energy she has to pedal back up. And if you want to get out of the forest, there’s plenty to explore in an around Cheshire, too. Go Ape (£25 per person) is just the other side of the forest, which you can walk to in 20 minutes, before climbing up and around the trees, testing your balance and bravery. Every heart-thumping step is worth it for the adrenaline-fuelled zip wire finish, most often accompanied by delighted squeals and a messy (but soft) crash landing. There’s also the brand new Bewilderwood outdoor attraction – full of treehouses, wobbly wires and slippery slopes, one of the country’s best zoos over in Chester (both are around a 20-minute drive away), and in half an hour, you can reach The Ice Cream Farm, where you can scoop and lick at an impressive 50 flavours of the good stuff. The adventure park is a bit young for our two, but we happily join the queue for the new drive thru, and snap up four cones of deliciousness (dairy-free options are plentiful, too). Single standard cones are £3 for one scoop, but anyone really hungry can attempt the quadruple for £6. More R&R can be found back at Delamere, but after the sixth slam of the door, I was beginning to wonder if the in-cabin spa treatment was actually worthwhile. After months of longing for a massage, booking local Glo therapists in to pummel the stress out of my home-working shoulders was a no-brainer. I tried to banish the family, but Poppy refused to go for a bike ride. Now fully camouflaged up after completing her den-making kit in the woods outside the lodge, she wanted to stay and play at being Bear Grylls. But Bear Grylls gets bored, hungry and nosy after quite short time periods… It wasn’t quite the serene experience I would have had at a spa, but it was still lovely. Maybe it’s the fact I’ve been staring at the same four walls for the best part of 14 months, but I’m not sure Saturday nights with the family get much better than making pizza, cooking it outside, playing giant Jenga on the deck and splashing about in a hot tub watching the stars come out, all the while being surrounded by trees in the middle of a forest. Even the 11-year-old seemed happy.

How to plan your trip White Willow Premium cabins at Forest Holidays in Delamere start from £830 for a two-bedroom lodge for four nights. Visit forestholidays.co.uk. A two-hour Relax & Unwind mix and match spa treatment costs £150. The Forest Discovery Ranger Experience costs £10 per adult, £8 per child, and The Forest School Den Kit costs £60.

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NUGGY & BOO

uggy & Boo is home to amazing handmade organic children’s clothing for ages newborn to 6 years. “Being parents of 2 young and adventurous boys, we understand better than anyone the need for long lasting, durable but fun clothing.” Nuggy & Boo started during the first lockdown in April 2020 when founder and mum, Fran found herself like many others at home with a newborn baby and no idea what the future was looking like. “We were at home with a brand new baby and little to no access to essentials such as nappies, formula and even clothing. Bailey was a whopping 10lbs when he was born and really long so none of the clothes we had ready for him actually fit”. It was then that Fran decided to try her hand at making her own. She openly laughs about cutting up countless tshirts belonging to her partner Jamie and even using the elastic from his underwear for the waistbands in leggings. She started making outfits for friends and family

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members and soon set up a facebook page to share her makes. Realising there was an opportunity to build upon, Fran designed and built a website and created the business known as Nuggy & Boo, named after the boys nicknames. Roll forward 2 years and Fran is now designing her own range of prints in a selection of styles with a dedicated UK wide customer base supported by her partner Jamie and has even been recommended by British Vogue as one of their premium clothing brands. Every item is handmade by Fran using certified organic cotton to ensure it’s super soft and stretchy against baby skin. “We are passionate about creating long lasting, fun and affordable clothing. We know how quickly kids can grow and we want to make sure that our clothing can accommodate everyone for as long as possible without losing the element of fun and fashion.” To see Nuggy & Boo’s full range of styles and designs please visit nuggyandboo.co.uk and follow them on Instagram @nuggyandboo

NUGGY & BOO

www.nuggyandboo.com @nuggyandboo

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THE PREGNANCY CALENDAR

he Pregnancy Calendar is the award winning original gifting experience for mum-to-be. 24 gifts for 24 days to countdown the final month of pregnancy. Inside each drawer of a beautiful keepsake box for baby’s first memories, is a gift for mum or baby, from pregnancy essentials to pamper treats and baby gifts, this is the ultimate gift for mumto-be. Each gift is carefully selected for pregnancy and for baby’s delicate skin and needs. Inside every calendar you will find resources for mum and baby to enjoy together, keepsakes and memory makers along with essentials for hospital bags, this gift really does keep on giving. In the beautiful collection of calendars, you will find a range of gifts for pregnancy and beyond. The Deluxe Pregnancy Calendar has over 30 gifts for 24 days and comes with a beautiful wall print for baby’s nursery. Gifts inside the Deluxe Edition include special pregnancy jewellery, pregnancy essentials, pamper treats for mummy-to-be and unique baby gifts. Other calendars in the range include The Spa

Escape Calendar, packed with everything she needs to have her very own spa day at home. The New Mum & Baby Calendar, which comes with everything to encourage self care after baby is born. The Personal Pregnancy Calendar which is half filled leaving the rest to personalise. Lastly, the very popular Christmas Edition, especially for advent. This luxury advent calendar comes with Christmas treats as well as the mum and baby gifts you would expect to see inside every calendar, plus keepsakes and traditions to start as a family. Vegan options are also available.

THE DETAILS The Pregnancy Calendar Co. Is the luxury gifting company for pregnancy and beyond. For more information please contact Claire at info@thepregnancycalendar.co.uk or visit thepregnancycalendar.co.uk.

Meet the Balmoral Cot from The Baby Cot Shop, inspired by the Netflix series Bridgeton. This regal, regency style masterpiece boasts an opulent design that takes centre-stage in baby’s nursery. The curved headboards, exposed wood grain and plush velvet interior ooze a classic, elegant and timeless aesthetic. Embellished with a bespoke headboard fabric of your choice, you can style it to match or blend in with their nursery’s colour palette and ambience. Visit The Baby Cot Shop boutique at 408 King’s Road, Chelsea, London, SW10 0LJ, or shop online at www.thebabycotshop.com 4 4 J U N E / J U LY 2 0 2 2

Camp Beaumont Adventure Day Camps Childcare from Just £43 a day

t Camp Beaumont, we’re dedicated to delivering confidence-building adventures throughout the school holidays. We run award-winning day camps and offer over 50 activities including archery, arts, crafts, treasure hunts and tennis across 45 locations in London and the surrounding areas. Book our multi-activity programmes from

as little as 1 day to multiple weeks and ensure your child learns new skills, makes new friends and enjoys their most exciting school holiday yet! Camp Beaumont is looking to support families and help children to get back on track this summer following the pandemic. With a focus on reducing stress and learning new skills through a range of activities, sport and socialisation, we have carefully selected activities that get children moving, socialising and back in the great outdoors! Our fully DBS-checked Group Leaders keep safety and fun at the forefront of their minds and love hearing the positive feedback we get from parents. Our camps are completely inclusive for every 3-16 year old. Camp Beaumont has been caring for children for over 40 years and are currently taking bookings for the summer holidays, so join us in 2022 and help children bounce back this summer! campbeaumont.co.uk

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FAMILY HACKS:

invest in furniture that grows with your little ones

he thing that comes top of any family’s checklist is furniture that grows with their little ones and as family needs develop. After all, why buy a piece of furniture that can’t be used after a few weeks, let alone months? With items such as bedside sleepers, cots and changing stations having a traditionally short shelflife (and that’s not taking into account playroom furniture that becomes unloved and replaced by the new and shiny or beds that outgrow evolving needs), life can be made easier for families with a very simple change in approach; by opting for furniture that has longevity and versatility. Take nursery and kids’ bedroom furniture brand, Boori, for instance. Many of their products are godsends for families, and it’s all because they have been designed and built to last and grow with your children (whether as a baby, toddler, child or teenager). One of their products that successfully ticks

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this list is their Neat Bedside Sleeper (which we are thankful to say launched earlier this year). Bedside sleepers can only be used in the first six months of a baby’s life, which is also when it is recommended that babies sleep close by to parents until. Naturally, this means bedside sleepers become redundant for families very quickly. However, Boori’s bedside sleeper can be used as a bedside sleeper, standalone bassinet and children’s desk later on too. It’s not just nursery furniture that Boori excels in, but kids’ bedroom furniture as well. One Boori product we’re loving right now is their Natty Single Loft Bed. This bed starts life as a loft bed but can easily transform into a bunk bed or single bed with separate conversion kits. This is especially great for evolving families, or families with children that get excited by change! It’s not hard to see why over 1 million families have relied on Boori ever since they were established in Sydney in 1993! boori.com/uk

“It’s not just nursery furniture that Boori excels in, but kids’ bedroom furniture as well”

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GROWING TOGETHER: From tots to teens, TV gardener David Domoney offers advice on how to get your children interested in growing indoor plants.

s a father of three children under six, TV gardener David Domoney knows only too well how important it is for him – and the kids – to get into the garden to de-stress. But as well as introducing his children to outdoor plants, he’s found that involving them in growing plants indoors also helps boost their mood and stimulates their interest in mother nature. Now, he has written My House Plant Changed My Life, which aims to help people realise the wellbeing power of the houseplant, and offers suggestions on how to get children involved in growing indoor plants from an early age. “In this day and age, technology is absorbing our kids’ minds more than ever. More time is spent on smartphones, tablets, computers and plasma screens and it’s sucking the connection with nature out of humanity. Yet there’s a feeling that kids want more interaction with nature,” says Domoney, co-presenter of ITV’s Love Your Garden with Alan Titchmarsh. He sets out age categories to determine how to engage children, be they tots, tweens or teens. “Different age groups are so different in their abilities and desires,” he says. “Plant selection can be made for them specific to what stage in life they are.”

So which houseplants suits which ages? Babies and toddlers Choose plants that are tactile to start them off, Domoney recommends. “All my children as babies 4 8 J U N E / J U LY 2 0 2 2

wanted to touch plants. Sensory plants like the maidenhair fern, a fine leaf fern which, if you blow on it, moves, so you also have that animation to it. The velvet plant has a lovely touching, captivating experience.” Touching plants can have a calming effect on toddlers, he adds. “The moment they touch plants – then gently letting them know not to bite, pull or rip – [can have] a calming effect. Bash and crash toys are one thing, but the soft interaction and understanding of holding back is an important lesson.”

“Touching plants can have a calming effect on toddlers”

Young children As they come out of the terrible twos, young children could be encouraged to water plants, Domoney suggests, as they may want to participate in what their parents are doing and emulate their behaviour. Seeing their parents looking after plants gives them something to aspire to, he notes. “Use different varieties, like living stones (lithops) and fleshy succulents like aloe. Just make sure they don’t put any of the plant in their mouth. Teach them that plants are to look after and care for.” Treat your little one to a tiny watering can to help them on their way, he suggests. “It helps to develop an idea of nurture – that you care for these plants and they grow. There’s a reliance on the person that is handling it and you are teaching an element of dexterity, like balance with the can, interaction with water – it’s more than play.” Tweens (aged 7-12) When dexterity and development are rapidly progressing, children can be encouraged to look after plants for themselves, unsupervised, says Domoney. “There are fun, curious plants they can have on their own windowsills, like the polka dot plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya), a lovely pinksplashed plant. “It’s also an ideal time to teach them how to propagate their own plants by taking cuttings. It might involve pulling a leaf off a jade plant and putting it in an eggcup of water on the windowsill, seeing it root and potting it up. Done in the right way, that plant could be with them on their shelves and windowsills at university.” “Tweens then give the plants they propagate to Grandma, Grandpa, school teacher, best friend [pandemic restrictions allowing],” he continues. “The art of growing and giving is an important lesson for children. Giving is one of the key components of happiness. “Success, achievement, sharing, fascination and amazement that things are growing, are incredibly positive for the mind at that age.”

pudica, which closes up when you touch it. “The prayer plant (maranta) closes its leaves up at night and then opens up the next day – this type of interaction creates the fascination. They will share that with their friends. “You go from just caring for the plant to loving and being fascinated by it.” Your children may still have the cacti they had when they were younger, but where there’s a history, the plant will be worth more to them mentally, now, and there’s an obligation to keep it going, he adds. Older teens (aged 16-18) Your teens may want cool architectural plants to give them adult style and kudos, encouraging them to share their favourites on social media, says Domoney. “Being cool and having cool plants around like yucca, dragon trees and palms in the bedroom is perceived to gain respect.”

THE DETAILS My House Plant Changed My Life by David Domoney is published by DK on February 4, priced £9.99.

Young teens (aged 13-15) By now they are old enough to be able to grow plants, but to keep their interest they may need to be amazed by them, says Domoney. “Plants with personality that take the relationship further on than just the growing and the cutting, encourage you to interact – plants like the Venus fly trap, and Mimosa J U N E / J U LY 2 0 2 2 4 9

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Scandinavian design for kids and accessories that are fun and stylish! Mini Objects of Desire – MOOD Kids was founded in 2017 and is constantly striving to provide excellent customer service. With sustainability at the heart of what they do, they look to source furniture that will last through the years. Cots converting into toddler beds or Sofa’s and Cribs converting into a cute reading bench. Highchairs that will see a family through from 6 months to 9 years old! With their in-house dedicated delivery team your order could be with you the very next day. Be sure to check out their Christmas gift guide on their website. Their Mr Maria Miffy lights have always been a popular READER choice for gift giving as well as OFFER: SAVE the classic Baghera Riders and the Playforever cars! With fun and vibrant gifts which include their BIBU cushions and range of corduroy Miffy soft toys you can wrap up your Christmas shopping with MOOD Kids.

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OOD Kids brings you Scandinavian design from the leading manufacturers in Children’s furniture and

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MEET THE ECO BABY BRAND CHANGING THE WORLD

ONE BOTTOM AT A TIME

The happiest nappies all round While no disposable nappy gives 100% performance with 0% environmental impact, Pura’s Mumsnet rated range strikes a happy balance. Available in sizes 1 to 6, they’re made with 100% green electricity, are cotton enhanced for amazing comfort and contain 0% allergens or nasties. A super absorbent plant fibre core also keeps bottoms dry and nappy leak free for up to 12 hours. Happy babies, Happy planet!

et’s be honest. Life can be a whirlwind. And caring for your planet isn’t always top priority when you’re busy looking after your little ones. So, Pura has created an affordable, eco-friendly range that allows you to do both. Because we believe that no parent should have to choose between caring for their kids or caring for their planet. Nor should buying eco-friendly mean you have to compromise on quality or value. Launched by Cheshire parents Guy and Abi Fennell in 2020, the Pura range of wipes, nappies and nappy pants are as convenient, affordable, and, with a 5-star Trustpilot rating, perform just as well as traditional baby brands – while being less harmful for the planet!

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Plastic-free baby wipes Pura’s multi-award winning 100% plastic-free, biodegradable plant-based wipes contain 99% water, aloe vera, and no nasties. Allergy UK accredited, they’re perfect for newborns, sensitive and eczema-prone skin. They also come in a Water UK certified Fine to Flush flushable version – perfect for flushing when potty training without causing fatbergs.

“While no disposable nappy gives 100% performance with 0% environmental impact, Pura’s Mumsnet rated range strikes a happy balance”

Eco nappy pants Pura’s newest arrivals are eco nappy pants! Designed for active babies, or those ready to potty train, they have stretchy tear-off sides and can be pulled up and down like big kid undies – with the same leakage protection and eco credentials as Pura’s regular nappies. Pura is a pending B-Corp and Carbon Neutral Company. So why not switch to Pura today. Because the world can’t wait. Eco is no longer a luxury, it’s a necessity. It’s time for a change. Visit mypura.com

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THE KENSINGTON WING T

“To ensure the safety of women and their birth partners, The Kensington Wing have important infection control procedures for staff and visitors to adhere to, but remain welcoming to your chosen birth partner for all stages of your pregnancy, birth and postnatal stay”

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he Kensington Wing is the dedicated private maternity unit at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, providing women with around-the-clock clinical care, comfortable en-suite private rooms and hospitality services. Being located in the heart of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital - one of the UK’s safest hospitals - the safety and wellbeing of mother and baby are reassuringly supported at all times. The Kensington Wing is immediately located next to the hospital’s outstanding and newly expanded Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and a consultant anaesthetist remains on site at all times, 24/7, dedicated to the needs of women on the Kensington Wing. In these uncertain times, expectant parents can have additional anxieties or concerns about childbirth or going into a hospital. To ensure the safety of women and their birth partners, The Kensington Wing have important infection control procedures for staff and visitors to adhere to, but remain welcoming to your chosen birth partner for all stages of your pregnancy, birth and postnatal stay. Your individual room and en-suite facilities are a haven in these times and the catering and hospitality team ensures your stay is relaxing as well as safe. On the Kensington Wing the consultant obstetricians, midwives, nurses and maternity support workers provide care as a team. And are delighted to offer both consultant-led and midwife-led maternity packages. The Kensington Wing’s highly experienced team of midwives welcome enquiries from prospective women and the opportunity to discuss midwifeled care in more detail. These ‘meet the midwife’ sessions are always a relaxed and special time to

talk and discover more without any obligation. For those women who are appropriate for midwife-led care, the team provide full support throughout your pregnancy and the midwifery team are available 24 hours seven days a week for advice or concerns throughout your pregnancy, birth and postnatal stay. The consultant-led care package allows you the choice of one of our experienced consultant obstetricians to personally guide you through your pregnancy and birth. Your consultant provides continuity and individualised expertise throughout your journey. They build a relationship with you and your partner through the antenatal period to give you confidence to birth safely with them in line with your birth preferences. They remain to support you through the postnatal period including your 6 week postnatal check. All consultants are available to meet you and your birth partner without any obligation. The Kensington Wing enquiry team are always happy to support with these arrangements and answer any questions. If you would like to talk to one of the team, call 020 3315 8616, email chelwest.kensington@nhs.net or visit our website thekensingtonwing.co.uk

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URGENT CARE CLINIC

t looks like summer has finally arrived, which means many of us will be spending as much time as possible in the sun with our family and friends. Whilst exercising is great for staying fit and healthy, sometimes being active can lead to unfortunate sprains or strains; such as tennis elbow or runner’s knee when it comes to mum, or a broken arm or nasty cut when it comes to kids’ rough and tumble. Should anything happen, your local Urgent Care Clinic in St John’s Wood can provide excellent care and quick treatment for you and your little ones.

A wide range of treatments The clinic can treat sprains, strains and fractures, as well as a whole range of other ailments, including cuts and burns, eye infections, and stomach bugs. If your child isn’t feeling well and you’re not sure whether you should bring them in, simply give the clinic a call! If needed, instant referrals can be arranged for tests and scans, physiotherapy and specialist consultations – all under one roof in the comfortable private hospital of John & Lizzie’s.

Just walk in The Urgent Care Clinic is open Monday to Friday, 8am – 8pm (last appointment at 7pm), and weekends between 8am – 6pm (last appointment at 5pm). There’s no need to book in

advance – simply walk in and you’ll be guaranteed prompt, tailored care.

In safe hands The hospital has been recognised by Bupa as a COVID-19 Green Zone for complying with the UK guidance on COVID-19 infection control.

Visit the Urgent Care Clinic Located at the entrance of John & Lizzie’s Hospital at 60 Grove End Road in NW8, the Urgent Care Clinic is for all the family, including children aged one and up. Initial consultations with a doctor cost £120 and a nurse’s appointment costs £65.

GET IN TOUCH Give the team a call on 0207 432 8300 Find out more at: hje.org.uk/services /urgent-care-clinic St John & St Elizabeth Hospital 60 Grove End Road London NW8 9NH

Opening times 8am - 7pm Monday to Friday 8am - 5pm Weekends

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MINDFUL TRAVEL

Dr Ravleen Sabharwal, The London General Practice

indful travel in the post-pandemic world is the order of the day. Never have we focused so much on our health and well-being whilst away from home. Apart from its infamous shopping, nightlife and culture, London offers unparalleled access to robust private healthcare services should you face a health challenge whilst visiting.

By Dr Ravleen Sabharwal MBBS BSc MRCP MRCGP DRCOG

THE DETAILS

SICK KIDS

To book your screening appointment, please call now: 0207 935 1000 Or email us at: info@ thelondongeneralpractice.com

A child falling sick whilst abroad is every parent’s nightmare. Our experienced GP’s provide 24/7 home and hotel visits to ensure your child’s wellbeing at your residence without you having to make a trip to the emergency room.

The London General Practice 114a Harley Street, London W1G 7JL

COVID This is not to say that London has any more COVID than other places, but there’s no escaping the infection that has dominated the past 2 years of our lives. Our cumulative years of experience, and the changing consultation models mean that Doctors can consult in person or remotely at short notice. With novel treatments, or our 7 day ‘COVID safety-net’ service, you can feel assured that your needs are met safely and comfortably as a visitor.

DIARRHOEA AND VOMITING Whilst London can offer the best of nightlife and restaurants, we do occasionally see travellers who through a combination of exhaustion, overindulgence and possibly a suspect meal have developed a gastrointestinal infection. This notso-infrequent presentation is often managed most comfortably in your hotel room, as our doctors are able to visit, administer the medications needed to keep you out of hospital. 5 8 J U N E / J U LY 2 0 2 2

MISSING MEDICATIONS Lost your luggage or just forgot your pills? Our doctors can consult remotely and organise for your medication to be delivered to your residence. Whilst it’s not always necessary to register prior to travel, at the London General Practice we welcome enquires about our premium healthcare, from those planning their personal or corporate travel to London. We are able to provide excellent healthcare to ensure your safety during your stay. Our 24/7 service is one of a kind in the capital, and we have a network of the best specialists in London should we need to refer you on.

OPEN 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK

Private GP Services thelondongeneralpractice.com Occupational Health and Corporate Health Services

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purchasing ingredients you may never use again and even more hours on preparation. With this in mind we have curated a time saving, award winning, nutritionist endorsed range of “ready prepped dishes” created with nutritionally diverse ingredients and superfoods. Our skilled London based chefs then put in hours of passionate preparation to perfect the flavour pairings and create your dishes. Our offering New Mummies The first few weeks after the birth of a child offer an essential and fleeting period of rest and recovery for the new mother. Short on time, low on energy; eating well is paramount but can be problematic – with everything else to think about! Hello hormones! We’ve got the perfect care bundle of meals ready in minutes sorted, offering you more time and less stress to enjoy your special bundle of joy. New Parents Sleepless nights and busy days merge into one at the realization that nothing will ever be the same again. What a beautiful whirlwind and unforgettable experience it is being a new parent. Our curated, deliciously nutritious meal bundle gives new parents one less thing to have to think about.

“New mummies - Short on time, low on energy; eating well is paramount but can be problematic” “Our curated, deliciously nutritious meal bundle gives new parents one less thing to have to think about.”

POW Food -(aka Power Of Wellness) is the rising star that deserves a place at everyone’s table with their nutritionally designed, responsibly sourced and flavourful food.”

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POW Food at Home POW Food is an award winning, purposeful family business offering home delivered “ready prepped” food for households and housewives looking for time saving, premium, delicious and nutritious options for their families and guests. Never compromising on the quality of ingredients or taste, all POW Food is designed by London’s leading Nutritionist, Samantha Bourne DipNT, MBANT, NTCC, CNHC, and hand made in small batches by skilled chefs in a London based kitchen. POW Food is perfect for those looking for deliciously diverse “a la carte” home dining options, nutrition regulated, goal orientated single and double complete meal boxes, nutritious soups and meal plans. Time saving, assured quality and excellence We know that nothing really tastes like it’s been freshly made with genuine talent and flair unless you hire a personal chef or spend hours

POW - A La Carte Elegant starter sharers, deliciously lean proteins incorporating responsibly sourced meat, sustainable fish and award winning vegan dishes. Perfectly aligned tasty sides, healthy salads and super food dressings. Energising guilt free desserts. Complete ready meals for one or two people Nourish & replenish with our award-winning ready meals. Designed by nutritionists, crafted by chefs. Want a subscription to keep things simple? We have that covered too Meal plans Browse our specialty curated meal plans, designed by Nutritionist Samantha Bourne DipNT, NTCC, CNHC. Nutritious and delicious ready meals, soups and snacks to help you reach your goals and treat your loved ones.

Support your Immune Function Our immune function is highly complex and intimately connected to every aspect of health. The POW ‘Eat to support immune function’ 5 day meal box is carefully designed to provide an abundance of immune supportive antioxidants and nutrients. Support your Mood Scientific studies show that mental health and brain function are intimately linked to a healthy microbiome (gut), and therefore the foods that we consume can profoundly affect the way we feel and our mental wellbeing. Over 95% of Serotonin, our happy hormone, is produced in the gut so making sure that we eat the correct nutrients in our diet is paramount. Stay in shape Although genetics play a part in individual metabolism, dietary and lifestyle choices are the deciding factor as to whether a person stays fit and healthy, and choosing meals that are high in gut loving fibre, good lean protein and complex carbohydrates supports the body’s metabolism without over burdening the digestive system. Each POW dish in this meal plan contains antioxidants, phytonutrients and healthy fats POW Food pantry Browse our pantry selection of nutritious soups, drinks, dressings, supplements and more.

Vegan heaven Aubergine and courgette lasagne layered with a rich prebiotic tomato sauce and sunflower cheese.

Caring We care about creating food that will leave you, your family and guests feeling fabulous from the inside out, as well as having a lasting positive impact. Placing huge precedence on responsible ingredient sourcing, food production methods, and giving back; for every purchase you make with us, 30p is donated to City Harvest to help feed underprivileged children around London.

“Ali was the first UK caterer to develop gluten and dairy-free menus over 20 years ago”

Sustainably sourced fish pie topped with cauliflower mash and made without gluten or dairy.

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“POW Food was set up by Ali and Emily Warburton and evolved from a passion for bringing people together through deliciously nutritious food”

From farm to fork Did you know that even organic produce has pesticide traces that can build up in our systems and cause health problems? We massage and then soak all our fruit and vegetables in a natural solution to remove any remaining traces. Happy hens and slow reared livestock make a systemic difference to us and our environment. This is why we work closely with family farms like Sutton Hoo to ensure all our meat products have lived happy lives and been well fed using feed containing no nasties such as antibiotics or drugs that promote growth. The Founders POW Food was set up by Ali and Emily Warburton and evolved from a passion for bringing people together through deliciously nutritious food that supports the mind and body. Having served the corporate world for over four years, they’ve decided to take things home. Ali Warburton, who founded “The Original Jello Shot” in the ‘90s, had her babies and then, as a single mother, spent over 20 years running one of London’s most notable high-end catering and events companies catering for film premieres, high society weddings, fashion and media. Ali was the first UK caterer to develop gluten and dairy-free menus over 20 years ago, providing food for the best photographers in the World along with their A-list talent, many were from California and so the requests were ahead of the UK catering industry and highly refined. It is from this wealth of experience and fastidious nature of the client, that our kitchen leadership skill base is built upon. Emily, who has forever had a passion for nutrition and is a mental health activist, returned from a career on Superyachts to complete a course in Business Sustainability Management through The University of Cambridge before joining forces with Ali to start POW Food. Through a personal mental health journey and understanding of the power of nutrition, 6 2 J U N E / J U LY 2 0 2 2

Vegan heaven - Aubergine and courgette lasagne layered with a rich prebiotic tomato sauce and sunflower cheese.

“Charlie trained as a chef, working in some of the best restaurants in London”

Emily uses her platforms (reaching over 150k followers), and speaks on panels and in schools about “How to be kind to your mind, and the power of nutrition.” Charlie has an eminent creative flair for profound taste that transpires through all of his food. Coming from a family line of catering industry experts (his Grandmother founded “Gay Gourmet” in the 1970s and published many recipe books), Charlie grew up with food as an intrinsic part of his life. He trained as a chef, working in some of the best restaurants in London. For 20 years he has worked with Ali as Creative Head Chef. Availability POW Food is available for all your fabulous foodie needs online via their website at powfood.co.uk and will be available at selected high end stores soon. Special features For those looking for more of a bespoke service, contact POW Concierge for fasttracking, hospitality staff, personalised menus, nutritionist talks and more.

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Mental health and resilience top of the agenda at

QUEEN ETHELBURGA’S

s the education sector moves into the bright light of the Summer Term and towards the annual exam season, Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate’s (QE) focus on delivering pastoral care of the highest standard for its students continues to be of utmost importance. Nestled in 220 acres of beautiful North Yorkshire countryside but still under 2.5 hours from the capital by train, our location is ideal. Our highly secure, rural campus, with state-of-the-art facilities and exceptional staff community will ensure that your child has a safe, enjoyable learning experience that they’ll remember always. The academic results speak for themselves, but what really sets QE apart is the wraparound pastoral support for students and the incredible facilities and accommodation that they benefit from as part of campus life. Care is the most important element within the QE Community; every member of the Collegiate, staff and student, is responsible for the pastoral care and happiness of the site. QE offers support and guidance to all students and parents to ensure that we are all working to support individual students needs and equipping them with the right skills, not only to be successful in education, but to excel in their chosen career 6 4 J U N E / J U LY 2 0 2 2

THE DETAILS For more information about studying and becoming a boarding student at QE, visit qe.org

and life in general. We are focused on developing our students’ skills and resilience, whilst nurturing their wellbeing. We have a dedicated team of trained staff on call 24 hours a day to offer support and guidance to all students within a specialist welfare area. QE’s innovative THRIVE@QE programme offers each and every student the opportunity to access a huge range of activities to support their positive mental health and wellbeing. Students at QE also have an opportunity to link in with the extensive Peer Mentoring System which runs across the whole Collegiate. At QE, everything possible is done to prepare students for the many experiences they will encounter as they move through their educational journey and future life.

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HOW CAN I STOP MY CHILD BEING AFRAID OF DOGS?

An expert from the Blue Cross explains teaching children about dogs’ body language and introducing them to friendly dogs can help.

y five-year-old daughter is terrified of dogs after she was nipped by one last year. How can I help to ease her fears? Kerry Taylor, education manager at the Blue Cross animal charity (bluecross.org.uk), says: “Fear can be a challenging emotion, especially for a child. They might not understand or be able to control their actions, so finding a method that helps your daughter relax, such as deep breathing or counting to 10, might be useful for when she’s in a fearful situation. “As your daughter’s fear is a direct result of being bitten, it might be helpful to talk about what happened and explore the reasons why. Talking this through may build a picture of why the dog may have bitten and what could be done to reduce the chance of this happening again. This isn’t around blaming the child or dog, but useful in trying to understand the situation and promote an appreciation from both points of view. “Although your daughter is still fairly young, she may relate to the fact that dogs have feelings too. They can’t talk the same way as we do, so they rely on their body language to let us know how they might be feeling. Knowing more about how dogs communicate may help build her confidence and

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help her start to recognise how dogs may look when they’re relaxed or unsure. “Remember this process will take time, and a gradual exposure to positive experiences around dogs will have more success than pushing your daughter out of her comfort zones and doing too much too soon. You may want to start by encouraging some learning around dogs such as watching a cartoon, an online video, or looking at pictures. Talk about how great dogs are, the jobs they can have and the family relationships they can build. “Do you have friends or family that have a quiet, relaxed and friendly dog that you might be able to slowly introduce your daughter to? This will need to be done over time in a controlled way, once she feels ready. Being in an environment where your daughter and the dog feel comfortable will help, and several short, positive experiences will hopefully assist in reducing her anxiety around dogs. “But remember it can be common for children to build a positive relationship with a dog they know well, but still show some uncertainty around dogs they don’t know as well. This is ok and can be similar for dogs too. So be mindful that you may need to start again slowly when introducing new dogs.”

“It can be common for children to build a positive relationship with a dog they know well, but still show some uncertainty around dogs they don’t know as well”