Just for Families 3 2016

JustFamilies for

Incorporating The UK Forces Education Guide

Win Tickets to the Festive Gift Fair Girl Behind Th

e Camera

Have a Haunting Hallowe with The National Trus’en t

Issue 3

Welcome to our 3rd issue of Just for Families incorporating the UK Forces Education Guide.

JustFamilies for

Incorporating The UK Forces Education Guide

Back to School

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Autumn Reads with Pavilion -

Giveaway!

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In this issue you can find your little ones picture in both our ‘Back to School’ feature (that seems so long ago now) and our ‘Just for Fun’ interview.

An ‘Almost’ Stress Free Holiday

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Party Madness

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Just for Fun

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The Douglas Bader Foundation are our featured charity this issue, please take a look at what they do and the help they offer. We do try and promote at least one charity every issue. If you know of a worthy charity you would like us to include, please get in touch with us at sally@forcespublishing.co.uk. Or if one of the charities already mentioned before has helped you or your family, please let us know.

Have a Haunting Halloween with National Trust

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The Girl Behind The Camera

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Raising a Hero

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Social Media Safety

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Paw Patrol

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Safety seems to be a very forefront topic at present, read our Social Media Safety guide, which explains the do’s and don’t’s of social media.

K9 Protector explains how their protection dogs can fit into any family but offer the security some families may feel they need.

We have a new columnist which I’m sure most of you have heard of before, Jules Furness – The Girl Behind the Camera. Jules is currently nominated in the mumsent best vlogger category, we wish her lots of luck from all at Just for Families.

Neglected Cook Books

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Pavilion Cook Books -

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Giveaway!

Christmas on The Home Front

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Interview with Bags of Memories

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Lets Make Projects with Baker Ross The Festive Gift Fair -

Win Tickets!

Classic Football Shirts - Win!

Win!

42 48 50

Pavilion have given us 4 books to giveaway, Baker Ross is back with 2 prizes worth £50 each, Classic Football Shirts are offering one lucky winner £50 credit and we have Christmas Gift Fair tickets to Giveaway.

Talking of Christmas, why not visit ‘Bags of Memories’ for any personalised Christmas Gifts. Ex forces, Jenna, who attended the Unsung Hero course explains how fab the course is and shows us her new business ideas.

We hope you have an amazing Halloween and Christmas and look forward to welcoming in the New Year with Issue 4. Please feel free to email me any ideas you would like me to include to sally@ forcespublishing.co.uk Keep an eye on Facebook (don’t forget to ‘like’ us) for more competitions online.

Made by Luke Aged 8

Just For Families Military Mag

Sally *permission of children taken from our Facebook competition were received before going to print

Cover photo: The Conway Family Supporters of

Articles and photographs reproduced by kind permission of the contributors Forces & Corporate Publishing Ltd, Hamblin House, Hamblin Court, Rushden, Northants NN10 0RU. Tel: 01933 419994 www.forcespublishing.co.uk Editorial: Sally Haynes Design: Hayley Smith

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© No responsibility for the quality of goods or services advertised in this magazine can be accepted by the publishers or printers. Advertisements are included in good faith.

The MOD or any Service Establishment is not responsible for the advertiser or its advertised product or service.

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Queen Victoria School, Dunblane Donald Shaw, Head Master

Admissions Deadline 15th January Each Year Queen Victoria School (QVS) is a co-educational boarding school fully funded for tuition and boarding by the Ministry of Defence to provide stability and continuity of education for the children of UK Armed Forces personnel who are Scottish, or who have served in Scotland or who have been members of a Scottish regiment.

There are 277 pupil places in the School, ranging from Primary 7 through to S6. Age-ranges within each year-group are wide, however, because of the very varied and inevitably disrupted educational backgrounds from which the pupils come. One pupil came into S3 having been to 13 different schools; others into P7 having been to eleven different schools – and these are not just different schools, but different education systems as well.

If QVS pupils were not at the School, they would be attending whichever was the local school in the area in which their parents were posted. QVS has a particular brief from the Ministry of Defence to care for those eligible families who could not otherwise afford boarding education.

Ceremonial – piping, drumming, Highland Dancing and drill – constitutes an important part of the life of the School and is a visible link between the pupils and the work that their parents have chosen to do, in the UK Armed Forces. The Pipes, Drums and Dancers of QVS are internationally renowned, having played at tattoos both at home and abroad, and have been invited to play at the Basel Tattoo this year.

Academic results are consistently well above the national averages, however, and there is a wide programme of extra-curricular activities, Games and the Combined Cadet Force. Major sports are rugby – where QVS is generally considered to “punch well above its weight” as a small school – and hockey, although there is a growing commitment to football as well.

QVS pupils and their families greatly value the strength of mutual support in a school community where all recognise the reality of Service life.

Set in 45 acres of beautiful Perthshire countryside, Queen Victoria School is easily accessible by road, rail or air.

There is no substitute for visiting a school, meeting its pupils and staff and picking up the atmosphere. If you would like to know more before travelling to Dunblane to visit us, however, and to request a DVD, please contact our Admissions Secretary on +44 (0) 131 310 2927. Alternatively, you can write to: Admissions Secretary, Queen Victoria School, Dunblane, Perthshire FK15 0JY, United Kingdom, or visit our website

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age 5, Florence , 7 e g a d Te age 1 3 & Herbie e g a y r Hen

Harry age 6, Rosie age 3 and James age 10

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Rebekah age 6 & Calum age 9

Jack age 4 & Luke ag e 8

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Henry age 4

Lily age 4

Billy age 4

Lexie age 4 & Oliver age 8

e h t d n A . . . s i r winneMacie age 4!

Congratulations Macie, the team here at Just For Families hope you had a fantastic first day at school!

A box of eZee Beads will be on it’s way to you as we speak!

Thank you for all your entries and we hope all your little ones enjoyed their first days too.

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CARING FOR THE COMMUNITY Free Initial Consultation for ◆ Family Issues ◆ Divorce ◆ Cohabitation ◆ Compromise Agreement

Please call for our Fixed Fee appointments for the following: ◆ Landlord & Tenant Disputes ◆ Building Disputes

◆ Personal Injury ◆ Unfair Dismissal

◆ Property & Boundary Disputes ◆ Commercial Disputes ◆ Employment

We give competitive quotes for residential & commercial properties, Wills, power of attorney and other private client matters For more information contact us HAMPSHIRE ANDOVER 24 - 32 LONDON STREET ANDOVER SP10 2PE 01264 333336

WILTSHIRE

STOCKBRIDGE THE COURTYARD JASMINE HOUSE HIGH STREET, STOCKBRIDGE HAMPSHIRE SO20 6HB 01264 810910

WARMINSTER (1) EAST GATE HOUSE 94 EAST STREET WARMINSTER BA12 9BG 01985 214444

WARMINSTER (2) 5 ASH WALK WARMINSTER BA12 8PY 01985 214444

w w w. m i d d l e t o n s . c o . u k Just For Families 9

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Handstand

Wide-awake Hedgehog

By Lisa Stickley

By Rosie Wellesley

Lisa Stickley is a leading British designer and illustrator, whose unique and illustrative prints have been commissioned by the likes of Burberry, Paul Smith, Liberty and Harrods.

Isaac the hedgehog first appeared in The Very Helpful Hedgehog, Rosie Wellesley’s debut picture book, which was shortlisted for the Junior Magazine awards and featured as a CBeebies Bedtime Story.

Now Isaac is back, in this perfectly-timed story of autumn and hibernation, and children who claim they are NOT SLEEPY at bedtime!

Isaac is not sleepy. In fact, he’s quite the opposite – he’s wide awake and wants to play.

However, autumn is coming and all his animal friends are going into hibernation; they’re struggling to keep their eyes open and disappear oneby-one to shelter from the approaching winter. The only playmate Isaac can find is

an invisible friend. Will their games together be enough to tire him out for a long, long sleep?

This new book, featuring Rosie’s much-loved hedgehog character, explores the seasons and nature, changes in the world around us and animal behaviour. Told through a simple, gentle and fun story, it’s perfect for cosying up at bedtime with even the littlest wide-awake hedgehogs!

Drawing on the passion she has for pen and ink, and inspired by 1960s children’s stories and illustrations, daily musings from her two young daughters and her general love of doodling, Lisa brings us her first children’s book with Handstand.

Little Edith loves to do handstands… but she is only just learning how to do them. Is she any good? Can she actually stay upright?

Thwarted by spiders, worms and a very near miss with a bird, Edith tells her tale of mastering the art of being upside down.

Handstand is a light-hearted tale that teaches one of life’s great lessons: practice makes perfect. Edith is a champion for perseverance and creative thinking, and her story includes a subtle lesson for readers in the days of the week and counting as her handstanding progresses each day.

A beautifully presented story for adults and children to share, embellished with Lisa’s signature vintage-inspired artwork, Handstand taps into the innocence of childhood with the charm and humour of Lauren Child’s Charlie and Lola and Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Stickley demonstrates not only that she can make the pages look beautiful, but that she is a hugely talented storyteller too.

Autumn Reads Up Pavilion Books have a copy of both these fab ! bs for Gra books to give away to two lucky readers!

For your chance to get your hands on a copy of these great books simply send us your name and address either via email to competitions@ forcespublishing.co.uk or in the post to: Forces & Corporate Publishing Ltd, Hamblin House, Hamblin Court, Rushden, Northants NN10 0RU Closing date 21/11/16

“Lest We Forget” 13th November 2016

Flori Aged 3

Sophie Aged 8 Millie Aged 5

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Daisy Aged 6 Amelie Aged 5

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An ‘almost’ stress free holiday…

October Half Term

I

think there can be quite a stigma around Butlins holidays, but genuinely, I think everyone should try it, even if it is just the once. I hadn’t been for years; we’d been saving to go away for half term, enough to go away in the UK but not quite enough to go abroad. I know it’s not going to change, but it really does get me that the same holiday can triple in price when it comes to half term. We are a family of three and to go abroad in half term, somewhere nice, but not extravagant, we were looking at over 2k. So we shopped about and I really fancied giving Butlins a go as everything is under one roof and there are plenty of activities for our daughter (who is 7!).

This holiday was one purely aimed at our daughter; some quality family time as my husband had been working a lot.

Our daughter kept seeing the adverts on TV and had wanted to go for a while.

So we booked up, and for the 3 weeks before hand, the countdown began...

The check in is brilliant. You drive into the resort where you are approached by someone who comes to your car and tells you the direction to go in. You are then greeted by a person in a booth (a bit like a toll) and given your keys and a welcome pack...ta da you’re in. Stress free, and very efficient.

We stayed in the new (May 2015) Seaside Apartments. I can’t compare these to any others as I haven’t stayed in them but the Seaside apartments were clean, fresh, modern and included early check in and a house maid service daily. We had an upstairs apartment with a balcony. There were two bedrooms, one double and one twin, with plenty of wardrobe space. The living area consisted of a corner sofa with large flat screen tv and a kitchen / diner. On the balcony was a table and chairs and a beautiful view of the sea.

In your welcome pack there is a leisure guide telling you when all the activities are on, which becomes your bible during your stay. I genuinely kept mine in my handbag the whole time we were

there. There is something going on every minute of the day, whether it be a photo shoot with Angelina Balerina or Pingu, a puppet show, arts and crafts, a show in the Centre Stage or in the pavilion, the funfair, the arcades or swimming. You will certainly not hear the words ‘I’m bored’ whilst your there.

The one thing my husband was amazed at were the queues. For a show that started at 7/7.30 parents were queuing at 5. This is not our idea of fun! Only having one child gave us the luxury of going in late and we always managed to find at least one spot or chair that our daughter could sit in. We more often than not had to stand but we didn’t mind (with a glass of wine and a pint in our hands we were happy). However if like most, you have a bigger family, to get a seat you would have to be ready to queue. I did see a lot of families sending Grandad with a pint to queue, but they looked more than happy to be fair! You can buy bands which when we booked our holiday, as we left it until the last minute, had already sold out. I would actually recommend these. BLine Pass - gets you into the venues 15 minutes before everyone else and the Sky Bar Pass - which gives you use of a separate bar on a mezzanine level.

If I can offer any advice it’s book early for everything. When we went (MondayFriday) the pumpkin carving was on every day, twice a day. We popped in Tuesday to book and all sessions were full already. Luckily Butlins were very good and put in an extra slot for the Friday morning and we managed to get on that one. My daughter loved it.

We went to do the craft sessions but it was raining and everyone else had the same idea so we gave up on that, as we were too far at the back of the queue to get in. We did go to the cinema and it was really good, but again you have to queue for the tickets and make sure you get there in plenty of time as they don’t allocate seats so there were a few families having to split up.

We are genuinely lucky as our daughter is very laid back which I think made our holiday relaxing, however, if your child decides they want to do something and isn’t happy with changing plans you will have to be super organised. On the last night there was a big Halloween party. We had bought our daughter a witch’s dress, face paints, the lot and she was super excited. We had watched the wrestling in the day on the Centre Stage, which was really well planned and very entertaining, but as we walked through the pavilion (where the evening party was going to be) when the wrestling had finished, every seat was taken ready for the night. We struggled with either letting our daughter down or the reality of having to scrum it all evening. There was an evening pool party, 7-9, and we put this to Sophie who was just as happy to go there… phew!

Food! You can book all-inclusive which I believe is lovely and has a great selection, but we didn’t do this, we went Self Catering. There are so many independent places to eat it’s amazing. Take-out pizza, Burger King, an amazing Italian, The Smoke Pit, pubs, a fish & chip shop. The list is endless, you will not go hungry.

All in all I would highly recommend Butlins but book early, book direct and if the prices drop, make sure when you book they offer price match. It doesn’t matter where you see the holiday cheaper, online or in your local travel agents, they will price match to make sure you get it the cheapest you can.

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y t r a P

s s e n d Ma Celebrating my children’s birthdays should be one of the highlights of the year, but instead, I approach them with a sense of foreboding. With two parties to organise, seven days apart, my stress levels soar and our bank balance plummets. The consumption of sugar in our house far exceeds the recommended intake as we barely finish the first round of party food before we’re moving on to the second.

And just as I want to collapse in a heap after shutting the door on the first group of hyped-up children, I have to summon the same level of enthusiasm from my flagging reserves to do it all again.

Party-hosting anxiety is not uncommon with the increased pressure on today’s parents to give their child the party of the year. My mind goes into overdrive as I plan, prepare and lie awake at night worrying if I’ve remembered every detail. Parties even seem to have become a competition ground as parents try to outdo each other with extravagant entertainment and lavish going-home gifts. A recent survey revealed that the average party costs a whopping £320 and that doesn’t include the presents. My kids have zip-wired through trees, balanced on high ropes, bounced on trampolines and stuffed bears as well as been to circus skills, archery, karting, kayaking, climbing, bowling, swimming and pony

parties. It is only natural they come home wanting something similar for their own birthdays, but what do you do if you can’t keep-up-with-the-Joneses?

Party bags have gone haywire too.

Once, my daughter came home with a personalised, embroidered party bag full of goodies worth far more than the present we gave the birthday girl. What happened to the balloon and a piece of soggy cake in a napkin? After a Build-A-Bear party, she returned with a huge box containing her bear complete with bag and two sets of clothes. No wonder kids look disappointed when all they get is a plastic party bag with a notepad, pencil and a bag of sweets.

It now seems parties are no longer just for the children. As parents pay high prices for party organisers, they’ve channelled their energies into making them social occasions for parents too. Nice if you are a guest, but not if you are paying for it. Not only do the children have to be catered for, but so do the parents and a simple cup of tea from a village hall teapot won’t suffice, now it’s Prosecco and nibbles.

Cakes have evolved too. A hastily thrown together chocolate sponge, decorated with buttercream and smarties the night before, has been

replaced by bespoke, multi-tiered creations which look far too expensive to eat. These works of art are prestigiously displayed, more like a wedding cake than a children’s party cake, unlike my home-made efforts which suffer from stage-fright until the last possible moment.

I wish it were as simple as it was for our parents’ generation, when kids were content with a birthday tea and a few party games. But it is hard these days to get kids enthused by Pin the Tail on the Donkey. Not to mention the level of effort required. Retro parties were hard work; parents doubled up as entertainers and after it was all over, they’d flop, exhausted, on the sofa. But they did it year after year - I remember begging my parents to let me have a McDonald’s party instead, but they considered it an unnecessary indulgence.

I look back at my birthday parties with more than a hint of nostalgia and try to recreate the relaxed, take-it-as-itcomes atmosphere for my own kids. I remember the projector screen being rolled out so we could watch a Cine film, in the days before video recorders.

We all waited patiently whilst my Dad tried to feed it into the projector, muttering under his breath. We tried to do something similar for my 9 year old, except we glamorized it a bit, calling it an ‘Oscar Night’ and asking guests to dress up. But finding a film no one had seen already proved impossible and resulted in several of the guests getting bored and playing on their mobile phones.

I look back at my

birthday parties with more than a hint of

nostalgia and try to

recreate the relaxed, take-it-as-it-comes atmosphere for my own kids

I sometimes feel guilty I can’t reciprocate some of the expensive parties my children are invited to, but are they really worth the money? Surely all this adrenaline-fuelled stimulation is detracting from the real meaning of

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need a bar of chocolate, a plate, knife and fork and a hat, scarf and gloves.

The children sit in a circle around the chocolate taking it in turns to roll two dice. If they roll a double, they put on the clothes and start to unwrap and eat the bar of chocolate using the knife and fork until another child rolls a double and takes their place.

the get-together - made good with a token mumbled ‘Happy Birthday to You …’ to the birthday boy/girl. What used to be the highlight - blowing out the birthday candles and making a wish - is now more of a side-show as guests are distracted by the more exciting activities on offer.

Parties can be done on a budget if you are prepared to do some of the work yourselves. Hiring a swimming pool and inviting the whole class isn’t cheap, but taking just a few friends along to an organised splash-time is more affordable. Going to the cinema then going home for tea instead of paying for a meal at a restaurant, significantly cuts costs. A picnic at a playground is a good summertime alternative to an indoor soft play, and you can invite as many as you like. Organising a treasure-hunt is time-consuming but fantastic fun if you have somewhere safe nearby to let the kids roam free.

Having a disco and being the DJ – you just need to draw the curtains, plug in some flashing lights and have some prizes ready for the best dancing. Being the referee for a football match, having a camp-out in the garden or a cooking/ craft party in your own kitchen can all be done relatively cheaply.

they’re not allowed to move their feet but can twist their bodies to escape his touch. If the ‘blind man’ finds another child and guesses who they are, that child becomes the next ‘blind man’ and so on.

Musical Chairs: chairs are placed side by side in alternate directions, one fewer than the number of children. The children walk (or usually run!) round the chairs to music. When the music stops, they try to find a seat. The player who cannot find a seat is out. One chair is removed and the game starts again.

Items on a tray: the aim of this game is to memorize as many items on a tray in a set time. Each child then writes down what they can remember on a piece of paper. The child who remembers the most is the winner.

Grandma’s footsteps: one child walks slowly from one end of the room to the other followed by the rest of the children. If they look back and catch someone moving they are sent back to the start. The next ‘grandma’ is the child who is nearest the leader when they reach the end of the room.

Some of our favourites are:

Hunt the Thimble: one child leaves the room whilst a small object is hidden, traditionally a thimble. When the child returns, he has to find the object. As he moves around the room, the others tell him whether he is ‘cold’, ‘warm’, ‘hot’ or ‘boiling’ according to how close he is to finding it.

Blind Man’s Buff: one child is blindfolded and turned around three times whilst the others scatter around the room. The child then goes searching for the other children –

Chocolate Game: a personal favourite of mine! You

Finally, we’re seeing less and less of the traditional party games, but I say bring them back! Not only are they free but children learn valuable skills from playing them. They’ve been passed down generations and predominated every childhood party I ever went to, yet hardly any of them are played anymore. DIY parties take a little organisation but games such as Pass the Parcel never fail to please.

However much you spend on your child’s birthday party, they seem to enjoy it most the simpler it is, which is good news for us DIY-ers. Somebody else doing all the hard work just isn’t the same as Mummy staying up late to bake and Daddy going red in the face blowing up balloons. A stranger hosting their party won’t give them the same memories that Daddy dressed up as a clown and Mummy dropping the jelly will.

And, you never know, if you do it all yourselves, you may have enough left over to go away for a weekend to recover…

Top Tips: • Make your own party invitations to save money and add a personal touch.

• Buy generic tableware so it can be used for multiple parties.

• A piñata is always a crowd-pleaser and a good way to use up some of that pent-up energy.

• Take home what they’ve made instead of a party bag.

• If your child insists on inviting the whole class, share the cost by having a joint party.

• Doing your own face-painting isn’t as difficult as it looks and a set of paints can be bought for far less than hiring someone else to do it.

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George

Alex and william Age: 10 and 7 What does Mummy do for a job? Looking after 4 children What does Daddy do for a job? Army!!!

What is something Daddy always says to you?

Tidy your room What makes Mummy happy? Us smiling and being good How does Daddy make you laugh? He tickles me and jokes What does Mummy do when you’re not here?

House work and party with friends ( I wish) What is Daddy really good at? Doing his job and video games What is Daddy’s favourite food? Kfc What is Mummy’s favourite colour? Pink

Age: 4 What does Mumm y do for a job?

Works at the build ing with the flags (Army Reserve Ce What does Dadd ntre) y do for a job?

Counts pennies fo r the RAF (his prev ious posting) What is something Daddy always sa ys to you?

Put your pants on What makes Mu mmy happy? Cudd les How does Daddy make you laugh?

Tickling me What does Mumm y do when you’re not here?

Watch telly and ma ke cake (currently on maternity leave What is Daddy ) really good at?

Running What is Daddy’s favourite food?

Eggy bread What is Mummy’s favourite colour? Pink

n u F r o f t Jus Ted and Florence

Age: 6 What does Mummy do for a job?

Police (Mummy works in health & social care) What does Daddy do for a job? Army What is something Daddy always says to you?

I love you What makes Mummy happy? Me being good How does Daddy make you laugh?

When he says I love you like jelly tots What does Mummy do when you’re not here?

Think about me What is Daddy really good at? Trumping What is Daddy’s favourite food? Kebab What is Mummy’s favourite colour? Pink

Tomas

Age: 7 and 5 What does Mummy do for a job? Look after us, cook What does Daddy do for a job?

RAF What is something Daddy always says to you?

No! You’re my little princess What makes Mummy happy?

School reports, us all being good How does Daddy make you laugh?

Tickle me, tell funny jokes What does Mummy do when you’re not here? baby brothers I don’t know because I’m not here!, look after our ing. s,read What is Daddy really good at? Making trifle cake late Choco What is Daddy’s favourite food?

What is Mummy’s favourite colour? Purple

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Harry

Lucas Age: 6 What does Mummy do for a job?

Do the housework and tidy up toys, paying What does Daddy do for a job?

Cookies, barbeques and desigining bathrooms What is something Daddy always says to you?

I love you What makes Mummy happy? Cuddles and kisses How does Daddy make you laugh?

Playing with me games What does Mummy do when you’re not here?

Working What is Daddy really good at? Counting What is Daddy’s favourite food?

Burgers with no cheese What is Mummy’s favourite colour? Blue

Age: 5 What does Mummy do for a job?

Look after me and Wil liam What does Daddy do for a job? He works on a submarine What is something Daddy always says to you? Man up!!

What makes Mumm y happy? For me and William to be good How does Daddy ma ke you laugh? He dan ces What does Mummy do when you’re not here? Clean up What is Daddy really good at? Fighting pir ates What is Daddy’s fav ourite food? Mussels What is Mummy’s fav ourite colour? Blue

Nia

Age: 6 What does ra Mummy do fo job? Student What does a Daddy do for job?

Fixes aircraft you? ways says to hing Daddy al doing re u’ What is somet yo th what just get on wi Don’t dawdle, y?

Mummy happ sloths What makes away, QVC and is y dd ings da en saying funny th Me behaving wh By e you laugh? ak m y x dd la Da Re re?

How does n you’re not he ummy do whe aft cr air What does M ing Fix ? at y really good What is Dadd food? Pizza ite ur vo fa y’s What is Dadd colour? Red my’s favourite What is Mum

Natasha

Age: 6 What does Mummy do for a job? Chores What does Daddy do for a job? Dangerous things What is something Daddy always says to you?

You are my princess What makes Mummy happy? Cuddles he does my hair How does Daddy make you laugh? The way Chores here? not What does Mummy do when you’re n garde the in g Cuttin at?

What is Daddy really good fast break h Englis Full food? ite favour ’s What is Daddy gold What is Mummy’s favourite colour? Silver or

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Have A

Haunting Hallowe’en S

pooktacular tales and scary trails await brave families this Hallowe’en at National Trust places across the country. Hold a scary spider at Sheringham Park in Norfolk or carve a ghoulish pumpkin at Calke Abbey in Derbyshire.

With a variety of activities on offer including scarefest ghost tours and broomstick making for little ones, be prepared for a terror-ific time.

North

Wordsworth House & Garden, Lake District Spooky stories for half-term 26 & 28 October, 11.30am & 2.30pm Take a seat by the kitchen fire if you dare, as the maid-of-all-work shares some of the ghostly Hallowe’en tales William Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy might have enjoyed. Afterwards brave a walk about this Georgian town house and learn the horrible truths about 18th-century life, meet ghostly family members and hear their stories.

Suitable for ages 7+.

Price: Free event, normal admission applies For more information please call 01900 824805 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wordsworth-house

Every spooktacular day out with the National Trust helps the conservation charity to care for special places now and for Hallowe’ens to come.

Here are some great days out this Hallowe’en:

Seaton Delaval Hall, Northumberland Halloween half-term fun 24 - 30 October, 11am - 5pm Join in the ghoulish fun at Seaton Delaval Hall this Hallowe’en half-term, where there’ll be a spooky trail around the hall, gardens and woodland.

Dare you explore in the deep dark basement? Put your scariest costume on and join in for a whole day of Hallowe’en family fun on Sunday 30 October. Take your pumpkin along for competitions, join a pumpkin parade and enjoy spooky storytelling in the woodland from the Delaval ghoul.

Price: Free event, normal admission applies.

For more information, please call 0191 2379100 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/seaton-delaval-hall

Nunnington Hall, Yorkshire Haunted Happenings 25 - 30 October, 11am - 4.30pm Are you brave enough to follow the haunted trail and discover what really happened one night at Nunnington Hall? Or maybe swoop by and join one of the ghoulish ghost tours on Saturday and Sunday to hear the haunted tales

of Nunnington’s past? On Sunday, little monsters can also take part in the Hex Factor parade with other witches and wizards. Don your scariest costume to win the crown.

Price: Free event (normal admission charges apply) For more information, please call 01439 748283 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/nunnington-hall

Speke Hall, Merseyside Spooky Speke School 26 - 30 October, 11am - 3.30pm Young witches and wizards can enjoy a spectacular half-term at Spooky Speke School, where they can solve the terrifying trail and brave the ghoulish activities.

The Haunted Hall 28 - 19 October, 6.30pm - 9pm Spend the evening walking through Liverpool’s most haunted house. This thrilling interactive experience will relive the terror of Victorian Gothic horror.

Suitable for older children (age 12+)

Price: Spooky Speke school - free event (normal admission fee applies), The Haunted Hall - £15.

Booking essential on 0151 728 5850 For more information, please call 0151 427 7231 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/speke-hall-garden-and-estate

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Midlands

Calke Abbey, Derbyshire Pumpkin Party 27 October, 11am - 4pm Join in the spooky fun at Calke Abbey’s Pumpkin Party, always a firm family favourite. There will be plenty of pumpkins on sale ready for carving spooktacular faces into, or you are welcome to take along your own. You can pop the pumpkin on the display or take it home to scare your neighbours.

Afterwards explore the wetlands and woodlands of Calke Abbey estate. Why not try out number 30 on the ‘50 things to do before you’re 11 ?’ list and hold a scary beast?

Price: Free event (normal admission charges apply) For more information, please call 01332 863822 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/calke-abbey

Attingham Park, Shropshire The Murderous Mansion: Spooky Encounters 28 - 30 October, 10am - 3.30pm The Master is expecting you. Dress up in your best Hallowe’en glad rags and finery for a spooky encounter. Keep your eyes peeled (or tightly closed) as you look out for ghostly surprises and listen carefully for eerie howls and wails. Who knows what may be lurking in the basement and cellar...

Suitable for ages 4 – 11 years old.

Child £4 (incl. two adults, extra adults £1 each) Booking essential.

For more information, please call 01743 708123 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/attingham-park

Croft Castle, Herefordshire Hallowe’en Spooktacular 22 - 23 October, 10am - 5pm Dust off your broomstick for a weekend of ghosts and ghouls at Croft Castle.

There’ll be ghost stories, face painting, spooky trails, pumpkin carving,

broomstick races and so much more.

Don’t forget to wear your spookiest outfits.

Price: £5 for activities (normal admission applies) For more information please call: 01568 780246 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/croft-castle-and-parkland

Wales

Penrhyn Castle, Gwynedd A Victorian Hallowe’en Experience 25 - 31 October, 11am - 4pm The Victorians loved a spot of mischief at Hallowe’en, and it’s just the same at Penrhyn today. The Victorian kitchens are perfect for fun family crafts as the ghouls and ghosts come out to play.

Wander around the castle hunting for apples or see the mad experiments that are being conducted inside the Castle this Hallowe’en.

Price: Free event (normal admission applies) For more information, please call 01248 353 084 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/penrhyn-castle

Powis Castle, Powys Halloween pumpkin trail 26 - 30 October, 11am - 4pm Head to Powis Castle this Hallowe’en to solve the mystery of the spooky trail. There will be carved pumpkins

all around the garden leading you to important clues. Will you be the first to solve the puzzle? Warm up afterwards with a tasty treat and a hot drink in the café.

Price: Free event (normal admission charges apply) For more information, please call 01938 551944 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/powis-castle-and-garden

South West

Corfe Castle, Dorset Hallowe’en at Corfe Castle 22 - 30 October, 10am - 4pm Head down to Corfe Castle this Hallowe’en and say boo to the pumpkins awaiting your arrival. Every day at 11am and 1pm Granny Cousins, a professional spooky storyteller, will be telling scary stories around the castle grounds. Take to the horrid spooky trail if you dare and afterwards witness the mighty medieval trebuchet in action, launching at 11.30am and 2pm.

Price: Free event (normal admission charges apply) For more information, please 01929 481294 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/corfe-castle

Dunster Castle, Somerset After Dark night walk 24 & 25 October, 6pm - 8pm Whether you’re five or 50 you can scare yourself silly on this self-led ghostly gardens walk. Who knows what could be lurking around the next corner...? And if it all gets just a bit too scary why not stop off at the tea room halfway around the trail to warm up away from the monsters. Every mug of hot chocolate you buy helps the National Trust care for places like Dunster Castle for spooky years to come.

Don’t forget to bring your torch.

Prices: Adult £4, Child £2 (free for National Trust members).

For more information, please call 016438 21314 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dunster-castle

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Cotehele, Cornwall Family Fright Night at Cotehele House 29 October, 5.30pm - 7.30pm Wander around atmospheric Cotehele House by torchlight on Hallowe’en night for an eerie evening of fun. Explore the gothic mansion in the dark and experience the spooky side of this Tudor house. Bring your own torch and prepare to be scared silly.

(This event is appropriate for children and families) Price: Free event (normal admission fee applies) For more information, please call 01579 351346, press 0 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cotehele/

South East and London

Uppark, West Sussex Monsters and Martians: Hallowe’en trail 22- 30 October, 10am - 4pm Explore the grounds of Uppark this half-term on the trail of the monsters created by famous sci-fi writer H. G. Wells. This family trail will get everyone putting their heads together to solve the clues. Relax afterwards with a warming hot chocolate and a slice of cake in the Orangery Café, where every penny you spend helps to care for National Trust places for future generations.

Price: Free event, suggested donation £1 For more information please call: 01730 825415 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/uppark-house-and-garden

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Ham House, Surrey Hallowe’en half term fun 22 - 30 October, 10am - 5pm There are some spooky things happening at Ham House this Hallowe’en. Dress up in your scariest costume and explore the ghostly garden trail to scare yourself silly.

There’ll be spooky prizes and Hallowe’en-themed arts and crafts activities. Afterwards run wild around the estate, explore the gardens, and see if you can find the ‘wilderness’.

Price: Ghostly garden trail £2 (normal admission charges apply) For more information please call: 0208 9401950 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ham-house-and-garden

Stowe, Buckinghamshire Half-term: Hallowe’en trail 22 - 30 October, 10am - 4.30pm 31 October, 10am - 2.30pm Way back in Easter, brave knights and princesses went on a quest to Stowe’s Sleeping Wood to awaken Sleeping Beauty from her slumber.

Six months later, she’s still sleeping, but this time there’s a darker side to her story unravelling on a creepy trail.

Will your children brave the terrors to overcome the wicked Mother-in-law to rescue Beauty and her children? Along the way you’ll encounter spooky sights and sounds whilst you find the clues to claim your prize at the end.

Price: £1.50 per person (normal admission charges apply) For more information please call: 01280 817156 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stowe

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Wicken Fen, Cambridgeshire Fenland Spooktacular, 28 October, 10.30 - 12.30am or 2 - 4pm Head to Wicken Fen for the Fenland Spooktacular this Hallowe’en. There’ll be spooky games to play, mysterious trails to follow and ghostly crafts to try your hand at.

Suitable for children aged 3-10 years.

Price: £5.25 per child, Advanced booking essential For more information, please call 01353 720274 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wicken-fen-nature-reserve

Sheringham Park, Norfolk Spider Hunters 24 October, 10.30am - 12.30pm Arachnophobes beware. This Hallowe’en some eight-legged friends will be heading to Sheringham and you’re invited to join them. Explore the ‘truth is stranger than fiction’ world of British spiders in a family workshop.

You’ll even be able to hold a scary beast. Afterwards why not head out into the parkland cared for by the National Trust and look for some spiders in their natural habitat?

Price: Child £4.75, Accompanying Adult £2.75 (normal admission charges apply) For more information, please call 01263 820550 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sheringham-park

Northern Ireland

Rowallane Garden, County Down Ghosts and Gourds Spooktacular 22 & 23 October, 11am - 5pm Prepare to be spooked. The garden will come alive this Hallowe’en with

a terrifying ghost trail, spooky stories and sinister characters, while your little ones are transformed with fearsome face painting. To top off the day, behead, scoop out and carve your very own pumpkin to take home and ward away the evil spirits.

Price: Free event, with additional costs for pumpkins and ghost trail (normal admission charges apply) For more information, please call 028 9751 0131 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/rowallane-garden/

The Argory, County Armagh Half-term Hallowe’en Fest 22 - 30 October, 12pm - 4pm Look no further for things to do this October half-term. At The Argory you can carve out a pumpkin, explore the Hallowe’en trail, try some ghoulish treats in the café and watch scary movies, if you dare…

Price: Child £2.50, Adult £5.50 (normal admission charges apply) For more information, please call 02887 784753 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/the-argory

Florence Court, County Fermanagh Hallowe’en Fest and Craft Fair 30 October, 12pm - 4pm Head to Florence Court for an afternoon of family fun and crafty activities. Take a spooky tour of the house if you dare, you never know who you’ll meet around the next corner. Afterwards enjoy some home-made treats at the Stables TeaRoom, where every penny you spend helps to care for Florence Court for Hallowe’ens to come.

Price: Free event (normal admission charges apply) For more information, please call 02866348249 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/florence-court

East of England

Dunstable Downs, Bedfordshire Broomstick making 29 October, 11am - 3pm Get ready for Hallowe’en by making your very own broomstick at Dunstable Downs. Get your broomstick license and head out for a race across the beautiful hills cared for by the National Trust.

Price: £7.50 per broomstick (normal admission charges apply) For more information please call 01582 500920 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dunstable-downs-andwhipsnade-estate

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G The

irl

Behind the

CAMERA

Meet our new

columnist Jules Furness. Jules, 34, is a blogger, vlogger, content creator and mum to two-year-old Josh. She is married to Steve, a Staff Sergeant in the Army.

As well as being a busy working mum who knows all too well how military life can impact on families, Jules and Steve are about to embark on IVF treatment.

To introduce herself to readers she spoke to us about her preparations for IVF, coping alone during deployment and joining the YouTube revolution.

Jules is currently very, very busy. Not only is she juggling work as a part-time content creator for YouTube’s Channel Mums, but she is also ‘single-parenting’ while her husband Steve is on a posting. Amid the whirl she managed to find time to speak to Just For Families too.

We were aching to find out how she manages this juggling act and Jules admits it helps having her own mum very close by! “Last year we were posted in Wiltshire,” she explains, “which was harder as I was away from family. Steve’s big sister was nearby, which was fantastic, but there’s nothing like being near my mum now!

“Everyone needs their mum sometimes, even at 34!”

Living near Ipswich, Suffolk, has meant Jules is also closer to some of her old college friends, with whom she has always kept in touch. Being able to pick up where she left off with these old pals

has certainly helped with the emotional side effects of having a husband in the armed forces.

Ironically, it was her husband’s long absences on army postings which led her into blogging and vlogging in the first place. And, even now, if she’s feeling the emotional strains of being without Steve, she will talk to the camera or blog.

“I figure, if I feel that way others will too and at least they will know they aren’t alone.”

Perhaps this is why Jules’ blog, The Girl Behind the Camera, has become such

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a hit. As we were writing this article, Jules had just been nominated for a Mumsnet Vloggers award – a testament to her hard work as well as her honest, warm and engaging presenting style.

The blog is lively and inviting, covering topics such as healthy eating, fashion, exercise and family days out. It also features diary-style features and ‘Day in the Life’ vlogs which provide an insight into family life.

What makes The Girl Behind the Camera unique from many other blogs is that Jules isn’t afraid to speak about the challenges of parenting and to tackle emotional issues such as IVF, adoption and loneliness.

Jules is very easy to relate to and, if you are in a military family, you will no doubt find her experiences particularly easy to identify with.

So, what’s a typical day in the life of the Furness Family like? Jules tells us that when Steve’s not on exercise he would be at work during the day so she and Josh like to find an activity outside the house to ‘break things up’. Swimming, seeing friends or going to the park are popular with the pair.

“In the afternoon,” she said, “he will sometimes nap, which means I would whizz around to do any cleaning for that day then settle down to work in the spare room which we’ve turned into an office.”

Jules does any filming required for work when Josh is at nursery, and she does the editing ‘at every opportunity’.

“Before you know it, it’s dinner time, Steve’s home and we all do bath and bedtime together,” she said. “In the evening I often end up still working.

It’s the payoff to being a stay-at-homemum too, though we try to have what we call a ‘tech-free night’ each week for a mini date night in.

“Often this ends up being some kind of DIY that’s needed doing, though. Or Netflix!”

With life so hectic when Steve’s at home, how does Jules manage when he’s away? At the time of our interview Steve was on deployment and so the coping mechanisms were being well and truly put to the test.

“We used to share the household chores but, of course, now it’s down to me, which does eat into my quality time with Josh or work. I’ve had to take on less projects so I don’t burn myself out.”

Jules said she also relies more on meeting up with her friends and her mum to break up the day. This is essential, she said, in order to get much-needed adult conversation.

“I also end up snacking more in the evenings,” Jules admits.

Luckily, during Steve’s current exercise, the family have been able to keep in touch via Skype and Facebook messenger.

But while Jules is grateful for how close technology can keep them, it does have its downsides.

“Josh is finding it very hard not having Daddy at home,” she said. “Sometimes it does him good to see him on Skype a lot, sometimes it makes things worse.”

Communication is also ad hoc, so if Jules needs to discuss something immediately, like a bill or if she requires a password, she has to wait. “We tend to try not to stress about it and make the best of things,” she adds.

Of course the vlogs and blogs also provide the perfect way for Steve to keep abreast of family news and developments while he is away.

Indeed, when Jules first began vlogging (in her former guise as The Giggles Family) the main aim was to capture important milestones for Steve while he was on exercise.

“I started making videos because Steve was away a fair bit and I didn’t want him to miss out on Joshy’s little moments.”

However, about six months after Jules began vlogging one of her videos was nominated for a Mumsnet award, and then she began working for Channel Mum – a parenting site on YouTube.

“I didn’t expect either of those things to happen from my little videos!” she said. Things have certainly changed since those early days. Jules said she was incredibly shy when she first began vlogging and could hardly look at the camera.

Now, as a seasoned professional she confidently mixes various topics with an IVF diary. Jules said: “I try to make the videos helpful either by being honest about something or passing on a tip I wish I’d known. Family life can be hard so the more we all share it honestly, the more it is manageable for everyone.”

Anyone following the IVF Diaries will know that, in Steve’s absence, Jules has been organising much of the treatment alone.

It’s something the family have been planning for about a year, and they were due to undergo the procedure in October 2016 in Prague.

“It’s so much more affordable abroad,” explained Jules, “though a little scarier as we haven’t done it there before.”

Jules said the couple have been incredibly fortunate that Steve’s work has been so supportive. “Having them there for us has made it less stressful,” she said.

However, the emotional strain of preparing for such an important event while Steve is away has taken its toll.

“We are going through a process that should be about making a child together but he is hours away,” Jules said. “When I have been finding accommodation and flights, I’ve had to wait days or weeks for an answer from him before booking and the little moments like receiving the treatment plan would have been much more reassuring to do together.”

But, again, this is where Jules work has been of huge support. She said that the community around her YouTube channel has been fantastic at wishing the family well and listening.

“When Steve and I can’t chat because of the time or shift difference, he can see what we have been up to on my channel.”

As well as organising accommodation and flights, Jules has also had to prepare herself, physically, for the treatment. She has been ‘eating clean’ as much as possible, and been attempting to ‘de-stress’ by doing yoga and meditation – although she admits it can be hard to fit it in! She is also reducing the amount of chemicals in the products they use.

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Jules admits she ‘barely’ finds time to fit the vlogging into her life at the moment and can often be working late into the night to make the most of the peace during Josh’s bedtime.

And… just for fun:

highlight for her. She describes the channel’s founder, Siobhan Freegard, as a “pretty inspiring woman”, but said the team have also become friends.

“It’s lovely having friends who do the “I have to be very same as you as it’s still rare to organised,” she said, meet someone on the street who Ketchup or Brown Sauce? Neither. Sweet chilli sauce ;) “especially if I am vlogs,” she said.

Beach holiday or sightseeing trip? I like to be active so beach working with a brand but on a banana boat or doughnut! on a video. If that Another highlight was seeing Cbeebies or Milkshake? We are all about Bing Bunny or Paw Patrol means coffee at herself on a billboard in in this house! midnight to keep Liverpool Street Station, me going, so be it! something she never Cats or dogs? Cats because I’ll be honest, I couldn’t be bothered to walk a imaged would happen to dog every day!

“It’s much easier her.

Designer heels or comfy trainers? Comfort all the way unless its date night, when Steve is then I’ll happily put up with the pain until I end up walking home in bare feet. home as we But the best bit about her Skype or Facetime? Facetime share the load, it’s job is being able to look Game of Thrones or Downton Abbey? Downton, though Steve makes me mainly when he is back on family moments, watch Game of Thrones. I missed the first two series so just can’t get into away I find it tricky especially the ones where it and he won’t explain it to me! to fit everything in Josh is involved. “There is Sweet or savoury? Savoury. I can’t have crisps in the house because but I am sure we all something about a video do.” that can take you back to that I can’t control myself over them. moment more than a photo.”

Staying in or going out? Going out but as a family.

Jules admits she is lucky, Blogging or Vlogging? Vlogging though sometimes if however, that her job allows If you can’t wait to hear more from things are too emotional I write them on my her to stay at home with Josh, Jules in the next issue of Just For blog first. especially as her previous job Families, you can catch up with her in social care involved working in an on her channel by searching for Jules office.

Furness in YouTube or by going to www. youtube.com/gigglesfamily.

And the flexibility around family life has not been the only bonus of being a You can also follow her on Instagram: professional vlogger. Jules said working @ItsJulesFurness or Facebook: Jules with Channel Mums has been a huge Furness Family.

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H

Raising a

ero

We spoke to the mum of a former RAF aircraftsman about what it’s like when your child signs up and goes to war.

W

hen a 19-year-old Jim* decided to join the RAF, his family and friends were impressed. Not only would he be realising his dream of working with aircraft, he would be serving his country. Everybody was very excited for him and very proud.

Everyone, that is, apart from his mum.

For, Ann*, who is a mother of three, admits that the day her youngest child left home to join the air force was the worst day of her life.

“He wasn’t just leaving to go to university or another town, he was actually going away for a set number of years with the awful added prospect of possibly going to war.

“We are not a military family, although his father spent 12 years in the RAF, so it was all a bit alien to the rest of us. I would much rather he had been able to do an apprenticeship in Civvy Street.”

Although Ann was not happy about her son’s plans to sign up, she wasn’t entirely surprised at his decision.

Jim had always been obsessed with aircraft, particularly Second World War planes. What’s more, his dad was an aircraft engineer who had served in the air force. So he was keen to follow in the paternal footsteps.

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Jim struggled to find apprenticeships in the airline industry which would allow him to pursue his ambition of being an engineer. So he turned to the RAF, with its worldwide reputation as a solid training ground in this industry. He hoped this would be the way to secure vital skills and qualifications.

Like most people joining up to the armed forces, Jim was also passionate about serving his country.

Joining an organisation as prestigious as the Royal Air Force was almost inevitable.

Ann said: “Most people were impressed with him for joining up and doing something really worthwhile.

My brother, in particular, was very pleased for him and was very proud of him.

I think a lot of people were proud of him.

“But I had my reservations.”

It was an incredibly emotional day when Jim left home to embark on his adventure in the armed forces. For him there was a mixture of excitement and nerves at starting a new and unknown chapter in his life.

After his initial basic training Jim’s family were invited to see him in his Passing Out Parade. Although this was an incredibly proud moment for Ann and the rest of Jim’s family, there was one thing which troubled her.

“It was a high point to see him at his passing out parade, but hearing the commanding officer in his speech talk about the ‘theatre of war’ unnerved me.

“It was the first time I had heard this term used and I remember thinking: ‘the theatre? Isn’t that where one goes to enjoy oneself’. It was a bit of a misnomer.

“It suddenly brought the horrible reality home to me.

The reality that he would more than likely be going to war.”

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Jim spent 18 months learning his trade before being posted at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire, where he worked with helicopters. He loved RAF life. Not only was he working in an industry for which he was passionate but he had made some great friends and had started enjoying the lifestyle and the camaraderie.

months of his deployment.

“It was like being in a big black hole of dread,” she said. “And for him, personally, I think he was probably terrified. He was not a fighting war-like boy – after all, he had joined the forces to train as an engineer not to fight in wars.”

But one day in May 2006, Ann got the news she had been fearing since her son signed up. He was to be posted to Iraq.

There was nothing Ann felt she could do other than wait and pray. “I prayed every day,” she said. “I went to church most days to light two candles – one for the service people who had died in the conflict and their families and another for my son, praying for God to keep him safe. That is what got me through.”

“I was horrified,” Ann said.

“It was May 1st we heard the news. I had always been superstitious and had always said ‘white rabbits, white rabbits’ first thing at the beginning of each month for good luck. I had said the mantra on that day, just before receiving the call from my son saying he was going to be deployed. Needless to say, I have never repeated the mantra since!”

Christmas was another difficult time for Ann and the rest of Jim’s family.

Traditionally a time when everyone got together, the family dinner table seemed very empty without Jim there to join the revelry. Everyone made a toast to him, but his absence weighed a lot more heavily than if he’d been away on a holiday or spending time with his girlfriend’s family.

Ann spent the weeks leading up to the posting dreading the moment he would leave.

On the day he departed for Iraq she describes her life standing still for the next four

Although Ann received weekly phone calls from Jim, she would panic if – for some reason – she didn’t hear from him at the usual time. She would spend every

Ann began to come to terms with his career choice. He would return home regularly for visits and he was enjoying life.

waking moment wondering what was happening to him, how he was feeling, how he was coping. During his time he had to take part in two repatriations, which seriously upset him. Knowing her son was not coping well emotionally increased Ann’s anxiety.

“I can honestly say that the only good thing about my son being posted was the day he came home,” Ann said. “There was nothing good or positive about having a son in a war zone, on the front line, never knowing if there is going to be a knock on the door – day or night. You are just living in dread the whole time.”

So, what kept Ann going through those difficult months? A week’s R&R in the middle of the posting gave everyone in the family, including Jim, something to look forward to and some much-needed respite.

And, despite being in the days before Facetime and Skype had become mainstream, communication through letters and phone calls provided brief peace of mind. Ann counted her blessings that she could at least retain a bit of regular contact with her son.

“You just have to keep going,” said Ann. “I couldn’t

17/10/2016 10:20

“When Jim returned home he was safe but had been deeply affected by his experiences of war” compare myself to wives and mothers who had husbands and sons going off during the First and Second World Wars, for years at a time with no information at all coming through.

an abundance of patience, you have to be incredibly strong for your child too as – whether they admit it or not – they will be feeling huge amounts of fear about their deployment.

“At least letters and phone calls were regular at the time of his deployment, so you could keep in touch that way.”

“Being there to listen to them is also very important, as is making sure they know they are loved. And keeping an element of normality in their lives – if possible – is also helpful,” she said. Jim used to love getting letters about funny things that had happened to his friends and family and everyone kept his spirits up with running family jokes in their ‘blueys’.

When Jim returned home he was safe but had been deeply affected by his experiences of war. Ann described him as being ‘broken’ and he showed signs of post-traumatic stress disorder for several years afterwards.

Although it was incredibly difficult to see her son in this state, she admits that at least she was able to do something actively to help him. While he was on his posting she could literally do nothing but sit and wait.

But now, she and her family, were able to provide him with love and support.

Ann said that having a child in the armed forces really tests parenting skills to the limit, especially during postings. You need

Ann said, despite not wanting Jim to join the RAF at all she was aware it was his decision and his dream to follow, so it was important to support him no matter what.

Ultimately, though, she admits that the most important trait required of a ‘military mum’ is bravery. “Be brave,” she said, “be very, very brave. And you will help your son and daughter to be brave too.”

*names changed

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MediaSafety Social

As families in the armed forces we are used to our loved ones being in dangerous situations on exercises and deployments to hostile territories.

What we don’t expect is for them to face threat on their own doorstep.

So when, in July, an airman from RAF Marham in Norfolk was subjected to an attempted abduction it served as a terrifying reminder of the perils that can confront armed forces personnel even in the relative safety of their home town.

While the unnamed airman was, at the time of writing, on an extended period of leave as he recovered from his ordeal the reverberations of the ambush were being felt across the RAF and, indeed, the armed forces.

It is understood that following the incident RAF personnel were briefed to keep a low profile and to not make themselves vulnerable. They were advised to avoid going on foot or bicycle alone within the local area in any clothing which might identify them as being in the military.

But, what about the families of military personnel? How did the attack affect them?

Although shaken by the attack, the general response has been proactive. It would seem most military spouses and partners have been concerned more with how they can make their families safer.

And one area which has emerged as focus for this is social media. Advice, it would seem, centred around setting social media accounts to the highest security settings and ensuring posts and information on these pages revealed little or no affiliation with the armed forces.

Social media has always been a sticky area where security is concerned. Even outside of armed forces life it’s easy for potential fraudsters and thieves to gather information from accounts in order to carry out criminal activity.

The more open we are on social media, and the more accounts we are signed up to, the more information we are offering about ourselves to the world.

The MOD, of course, does not discourage military personnel from having social media accounts. However, it has strict guidelines for its use and encourages “safe and responsible” use of social networking sites.

Keeping details such as your address and telephone number under wraps are strongly advised. As is ensuring that family and friends are aware of the risks of sharing information about the armed forces on social media.

In Northern Ireland, the Army Families Federation has published advice on internet use as part of its attempts at increasing vigilance amongst service members and their families.

“There is no intelligence to suggest that there is a direct threat to dependants” it’s advice sheet said, “but by taking precautions and being vigilant we can reduce the risk of being involved in a terrorist incident, and can also contribute to the security of our spouses.”

It said much of the information terrorists use is in the public domain –

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newspapers, TV etc – but more specific information, it warns, can be obtained from the internet.

So what’s the advice for remaining safe? Crucially, as already mentioned, it’s prudent never to disclose contact details such as your home address and phone numbers either online or on your social media profiles.

Anyone who wants to be ultra-vigilant should avoid posting pictures or information showing theirs or their family member’s military connection.

As well as adjusting privacy settings to the higher levels, to ensure only friends who have your approval can see your social media accounts, ensure you check them regularly in case they default because of alterations by the provider.

Be thoughtful when you post something new on your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or other accounts.

Test yourself by asking “would I mind this appearing in the newspapers?”.

The MOD guidelines suggest military personnel ask themselves a similar

question, along with “would I leave this lying on a park bench?” and “what if a terrorist or criminal gets hold of this information?”

is destroyed and not thrown out with household rubbish. This includes envelopes with your name and address on them.

Think carefully about how you are representing yourself when you post on social media. Could a picture, for example, give away your address?

Using geotagging and location services on social media – for example, when you ‘check in’ somewhere – regularly could provide information on your routines. For this reason it’s good to consider the frequency with which you reveal your location online.

Report any suspicious behaviour immediately. And, if you live off camp, get to know your neighbours as if you are friendly, they will be more likely to look out for you.

Don’t forget to be careful when using open forums, blogs or commenting on newspaper articles. Unlike your social media pages, these can be viewed by anyone as there are usually no privacy settings, so ensure you don’t give away too many personal details.

It’s not just online that we can protect our families, in day-to-day life, offline there are many things we can do to ensure heightened vigilance.

Ensure all your personal information

Talk to your children about safety and security in a way they will understand, and which doesn’t alarm them unnecessarily. This is especially important if they are active on social media.

The final, most important thing to remember, is that while being vigilant and taking precautions is important, so is carrying on with life as normally as possible.

After the attempted abduction, the Marham Families Day went ahead as planned. A testament to the stoical nature of our military and their families and also a reminder that serious incidents are isolated and fear will not be allowed to win.

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PPatrol aw

Most people lead very busy lives and rarely think about home or personal security until an incident provokes them to do so. In the last five years the team at K9Protector have seen, not only an increase in customers investing in their families safety, but customers being proactive and investing to prevent rather than after the horse has bolted so to speak….

K9Protector has a team of experienced staff that are former home office, police and civilian trainers. In the last seven years they have supplied over 280 highly trained family pets into homes all over the UK and abroad. The dogs supplied by K9Protector integrate seamlessly into your family life and live with you as your family pet. However, as CEO Alaster Bly describes them, they are very much a “pet with a toolkit built in”. This tool kit is the ability to react when commanded, and sometimes when not, to fearlessly defend those in their charge. All family protection dogs go through a rigorous testing and training regime from breeding, selection, socialization to training. Those that complete the program are available to be purchased as family protection dogs.

I first started the business five years ago after seeing the development of personal protection dogs in America says CEO and head trainer Alaster Bly. At the time I was serving as a police constable and dog handler in Wiltshire Police. I am very proud of what we do here; we train family protection dogs to the highest standards. In the last five years we have seen the business grow and it has enabled us to expand the breeding program and have a dedicated training centre. Customers have three options they can choose from.

Through consultation you can purchase a fully trained family protection dog.

This will be a dog that has competition obedience on and off lead and a full personal protection training package.

Typically this dogs temperament will be open and sociable and very good with children.

You could purchase a juvenile from us that has been bred from fully trained parents and then raise this pup within your home, sending it back to us aged 15 months for our BMS course (Basic Minimum standard).

Perhaps you already own a German Shepherd and therefore have the option to send it to us on a BMS course.

Owning a family protection dog gives great peace of mind. You have a family member that loves you and will place itself in harm’s way if required.

Every fully trained dog comes with a comprehensive handover package where the new owners are trained for two days on how to handle their new family member and how to care for him or her.

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What a recent customer had to say about K9Protector……

“We had no reason to buy a protection dog; no real threat or horrible experience, we just thought it was a good idea. It wasn’t a good idea, it was the best decision and investment we have ever made. Arie is a best friend with teeth! Everyone loves him and we feel protected at all times.

Don’t look anywhere else, the K9Protector team really know their profession and won’t ever let you buy their dogs unless they are sure it’s the right match for you and youre the right match for one of their amazing dogs” - Mr R Lake You can visit www.k9protector.co.uk for more information on family protection dogs.

Arie has never shown any aggression to anyone, but is alert to any threat at all times. My 3 and 4 year olds adore him and he them. He is also a perfect house guest with impeccable manners.

He really is amazing and we feel 100% sure he would react on a single command. We are considering sending our children to Alaster and team to see if they can train them!

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S

ometimes I think to myself what a world without chillies and spice would be like, and a cold shiver goes through me. Much like The Sixth Sense, Stephen King novels and Will.I.Am rapping, the idea terrifies me. So many foods would simply be at best adequate, at worst bland and dull without a little kick, and the worlds best cuisines would be nothing. A Thai green curry would be like dishwater, chilli con carne would just be minced beef and tomatoes. Don’t take chillies away from me, I depend on them far too much! Just a quick look in my kitchen cupboards tells you all you need to know about my spice addiction, I’ve literally got more spices than I know what to do with. Space consuming it may be, but the smell that greets me every time I open my spice cupboard and the fact I’m never too far away from a spicy meal or two makes it totally worthwhile. It smells amazing too, if only this blog had smello-vision. Loving spice as I do, it was inevitable that a book titled The Spicy Food Lover’s Bible (by Dave DeWitt and Nancy Gerlach) would find its way into my life. I found it in the Notting Hill shop Books For Cooks, bought it and then realised it was only 10am and we still had a whole day of shopping in London to go. Fortunately, The Boyfriend has much better upper body strength than I do so he valiantly carried the book around all day to spare my poor, puny, non existent biceps. Isn’t he great? I love this book yet barely use it. Much as I like cooking, I want everything to be on one page and to only have to follow one recipe. This book often requires the cook to make up a spice rub or curry paste and then follow another recipe to include your homemade rub/paste. Admittedly, I can be quite lazy at times in the kitchen yet if you want authentic, boldly flavoured, spicy food you have to put the effort in and mix up something that would be exceptionally hard to find in your local

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Neglected Cookbook s Resident F

ood Blogge

r Hayley E

agle

Spice, Spice Baby Asda, and if you were to find it, would taste massively inferior compared to a homemade version. Good home cooked food isn’t always going to be easy.One of the best things about this book is how hugely varied and geographically spread the recipes are. Of course you’ve got the obvious recipes such as massamann curry (Thai), Kung pao chicken (Chinese), tandoori murg (Indian) and fish tacos (Mexican), but its also filled with unusual,

rare recipes from world cuisines you wouldn’t necessarily expect to see.

So there’s stuffed Maghreb chicken from Libya, groundnut stew from West Africa, cucumber salad with mustard dressing from Germany and spicy garlic mushrooms from Spain. You’ve got the world at your fingertips. There’s also a fantastic section at the back with suggested feast menus using recipes from the book. Want a Deep South styled Independence Day, Hindi wedding feast, Brazilian barbecue or Trinidad carnival feast? Then this is the book for you.

Not needing a feast myself I chose just the one dish and that was Louisiana Barbeque Shrimp. I made a creole spice mix which just involved me measuring out spices then grinding them up in my granite pestle and mortar for a couple of minutes until it became a fine powder. If you want to make your own spice mixes then you’ll need either a heavy duty pestle and mortar (I had a lightweight one from Tesco once and it couldn’t turn anything into mush so was totally useless. Go for granite) or a spice grinder.

I marinated the prawns in the spice then went about making the sauce. Despite the name of the recipe, the prawns are not cooked on a barbeque and the sauce

w w w. n e g l e c t e d c o o k b o o k s . wo r d p r e s s . c o m 17/10/2016 10:21

The Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Cookbook Diabetes affects and is affected by every aspect of normal life. Meals, snacks, exercise, sleep, weather, illness, moods…the challenges faced by parents and children living with diabetes can seem insurmountable. Managing the blood sugar rollercoaster can be hard work for a child who has school, sport, friends and just growing up to contend with. This book will inspire new ways to think about diabetes and people with diabetes, with the help of recipe guidance - whether it’s offering you a quicker way to check already planned meals, or simply giving guidance in an area that is less familiar.

As a working mother, Vickie De Beer’s life changed when her son Lucca, aged eight, • Better control of glucose was diagnosed with • More freedom to live a normal life Type 1 diabetes. Together with nutritionist • Improved concentration and Kate Megaw, they set about creating a cookbook and medical reference – a book performance at school that recommends a move to healthy, natural • Increased long term health food shared in a loving family environment.

It’s not about what’s ‘allowed’, it’s about what’s • Reduced risk of heart disease, healthy. strokes and high blood pressure itself isn’t barbeque so why it’s named as such I’m not sure. The sauce is made using beer (Budweiser seemed the right choice what with this being an American recipe) that’s reduced down with some more spices, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice etc. Once down, throw in some butter to bind the sauce and give it a rich, glossy look and stir in your cooked prawns. Easy! The book compels me to serve this with white rice and buttery bread, and who am I to ignore such carb heavy instructions? It was Friday after all. This tastes ridiculously good.

Not too spicy but with complex flavours from the spice mix (did I mention it was homemade? No? It was homemade) and coated in sticky, spicy sauce which was just fabulous for dunking bread in.

One of our favourite prawn dishes ever came from Bubba Gump and was Cajun prawns with garlic bread. Every now and then one of us will just say out of the blue ‘remember those Cajun prawns?’ and a satisfied yet mournful silence will descend upon us, regretful of the fact that the nearest Bubba Gump to us is in New York. We’re 60 miles north of London, England. I’ve tried on so many occasions to replicate the sauce from this dish but have never managed to quite get it right.

This recipe comes fairly close although is less spicy and more sticky than Bubba Gumps’ version. I would never have thought to use beer as the base for the sauce but it gives the sauce a sweetness once the alcohol has been cooked out.

Looking through this cookbook there are so many recipes that I want to cook, not just to give a neglected cookbook a much needed airing but because I’m curious as to what a groundnut stew would be like or Libyan chicken. Travel broadens the mind but as its unlikely I’ll be popping over to Libya anytime soon, I’ll have to travel vicariously through this fantastic cookbook.

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• Helps manage extreme activity There are over 100 delicious and easy low carb recipes for the whole family, divided • Strategies for every day life seasonally starting with a summer meal plan, moving onto winter from Monday-Sunday and ending with treats, sauces & drinks.

From Chicken Roast to easy Fishcakes, Cream Cheese Pancakes to Chocolate Slices and Smoothies, Vickie’s meals are simple to shop for, effortless to prepare and packed with all the essential nutrients growing bodies and minds need for optimal health – a happy solution for both busy parents and even busier kids!

Veggie Comfort Food In this new cookbook from the National Trust, nutritionist Josephine Ashby puts together over 100 tasty and healthy dishes that are fuss-free, economical, and quick to make. The book features hearty salads, small plates to share, delicious and filling main meals and colourful, mouth-watering desserts.

Whether you are vegetarian or just looking for some alternatives to meat in your diet, this book will get you cooking! Get inspired with recipe suggestions including mushroom and tofu Chinese pancakes or sweet potato bubble and squeak; comforting bowls of lentil and coconut soup or sweetcorn chowder; hearty mains like the courgette, fennel, potato and • Over 100 recipes perfect for a feta gratin, Red dragon pie, polenta pizza vegetarian, vegan or part-time or a creamy cannellini bean ‘dhal’. And treat yourself to delicious cakes and desserts such vegetarian diet as chocolate and cashew pudding or zingy fruit • Packed with colour and flavour, lollies. the recipes range from filling

The recipes have options for vegan or glutenfree versions, so you can adapt to suit. Vegan • The ideal way to pack more recipes such as celeriac and pumpkin seed salad with almond mayonnaise and blueberry nutrition and tasty food into tart with nut crust are full of flavour. The meals your diet are packed with filling nuts and grains, as well as superfoods such as blueberries and goji berries. Whether you are vegetarian of just looking to find some healthy comforting recipes to try, this book is ideal for all kinds of cooks. salads to warming soups

Pavilion Books have a copy of both these fab books to giveaway to two lucky readers!

For your chance to get your hands on a copy of these great recipe books simply send us your name and address either via email to competitions@forcespublishing.co.uk or in the post to:

Win

Forces & Corporate Publishing Ltd, Hamblin House, Hamblin Court, Rushden, Northants NN10 0RU Closing date 21/11/16

17/10/2016 10:21

Christmas on the Home Front There is no such thing as a ‘normal Christmas’ when you belong to a forces family. Even if you are lucky enough to have avoided a deployment over the festive season there is still the matter of unsociable shifts, looming exercises and distant relatives to consider. Here’s a look at some common Christmas scenarios and how other military families have tackled them.

The Logistics Being in the forces inevitably means being posted a long way from friends and family. So, doing the rounds at Christmas and ensuring every grandparent, auntie, uncle and godparent sees the kids becomes so logistically challenging it looks like a round on the Krypton Factor. And that’s before a spanner is thrown in the works courtesy of last minute exercise or shift change.

Factor in any family squabbles (Great Auntie Doreen is not speaking to your Mum so you have to ensure you see them separately even though they live in the same cul-de-sac) and you are tempted to cancel Christmas entirely.

And then there’s the children to consider. Who really wants to pack the car full of presents, take them out of the car and then re-pack the car with the same unwrapped presents a few days later? The need and desire to wake up in your own home on Christmas morning becomes essential, throwing yet another obstacle into the plans.

Jules Furness, of the Girl Behind the Camera blog, told us she and her husband used to take it in turns to visit each other’s families each Christmas.

However, when their son Josh arrived he was so excited they now like to spend Christmas Eve and morning at home to do their own family traditions, before heading off to see relatives afterwards.

“We’ve always lived hours away from at least one of our families so we like to pack up for a few days with them, too,” Jules said.

Forward planning is also key, it would seem. Other military families advise you start thinking about Christmas plans as early in the year as possible to make sure you can get a date in everyone’s diary at a time that’s convenient for you.

The Confinement Of course, for every family who has to spend the festive fortnight doing the rounds, there will be a family who – due to being posted abroad or too far from family – is unable to see relatives.

Being confined to one place can be good – closing the door on the world to a cosy family Christmas has its advantages. But being away from close ones at this time of year can be lonely and limiting too.

If you are keen to plunge into the social whirl at Christmas, there are always events taking place on the base. Or you could even arrange to join with other families.

Eugenie Tomlin, who has recently moved to Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire, usually visits family at Christmas. However, because of her husband’s current job the couple and their two children were making very different plans this year.

Eugenie said: “We will spend Christmas with the battalion and try to scoop up the young officers in the mess who are on duty over Christmas and therefore can’t go home.

“I am not sure they necessarily appreciate my attempt at Christmas lunch but it’s better for them than spending Christmas alone,” she added.

Not only will the Tomlin family be away from their relatives this December, they will also be preparing for another event.

“Christmas will be tough this year,” said Eugenie, “because my husband is deploying for five months soon after Christmas in the New Year.

“And the period before they deploy is always slightly fraught and frantic with emotions running high. Throw Christmas into the mix and it may be a little emotional!”

Eugenie admits she is lucky she has lots of support from her friends in the Military Wives Choir, who help her at difficult times such as this.

In fact, the choir have been busy in studio recording an album called Home For Christmas which was due to be released for the festive season.

The Deployment We all fear deployment. But when deployment falls over Christmas it’s like a double whammy for our emotions.

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Blogger, ‘Olive Oyl’ of the Olive Oyl Naval Wife blog is preparing for a Christmas without her husband, who will have been deployed for over three months when the festive period falls.

It’s not the first time the mum-of-one and her son have been forced to endure a Christmas deployment and she admits there is no easy solution to the loneliness and upset that can arise.

She readily admits in her blog that Christmas songs, festive adverts and seeing happy couples holding hands can inspire certain un-festive Scrooge-like qualities in even the most even-tempered military spouses.

“

“

We all fear deployment. But when deployment falls over Christmas it’s like a double whammy for our emotions.

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“

Olive’s message to all families out there bracing themselves for a Christmas deployment is that the day will probably end up not being as bad as you think. And, once the day is done you will feel a weird sense of pride and accomplishment.

“

“After you’ve eaten,” she said in her blog, “you’ve got the silly cracker hat on and have had your fortune told with a magic fish, you pause for a moment.”

“This is ok. Dare you think it – you’re actually enjoying yourself. Is this allowed? Is this alright? I thought I was supposed to be miserable?”

Olive’s message to all families out there bracing themselves for a Christmas deployment is that the day will probably end up not being as bad as you think. And, once the day is done you will feel a weird sense of pride and accomplishment.

She describes it as: “A strength and calmness and an appreciation for family and loved ones both near and far that you wouldn’t have had if it wasn’t for the navy.”

And then there are the families who receive the ultimate present at Christmas – a surprise homecoming.

A few years ago Eugenie was facing a difficult time when her husband was deployed in Iraq. She had given birth to her eldest child just two weeks after he left for the mission, which was to take place in the six months leading up to Christmas.

Putting decorations up becomes a chore. “You get the Christmas decorations down,” she said, “either by yourself or with a relative. You spend a week staring at the box with a look of loathing before deciding a) ‘sod Christmas, hate happiness or b) ‘I will put them up and then make a scarf out of tinsel and cry’.”

“You ignore it,” she said, “and pull your biggest ear-to-ear smile.” Everything is going to be fabulous. Just freakin’ fantastic. So you smile and nod when they do the Dreaded Head Tilt and the inevitable ‘heard from Popeye yet, where is he at the moment?’ You suffer the sympathy and jokes stoically. Just pass the Bucks Fizz please.

And Olive also admits to feeling niggles of doubt, when she is invited out for Christmas lunch, that she’s only been asked along through pity.

However, she also reckons that the thought of Christmas alone, and the build-up to the Big Day itself are a lot worse than the actual reality.

“I recall the newspaper headline being ‘Home in time for Christmas’,” said Eugenie. “And that was a real treat, especially as I’d just had my firstborn.

“And so, we were a family for the first time under the Christmas tree.”

If you would like to read more from Olive Oyl, Naval Wife, you can visit her blog at www.oliveoylnavywife.com

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JustFamilies for

Interview With....

Name: Jenna Did you have a nickname in the Forces?

My nickname in the army was Gizmo because my hair was soft and cute!! Dont ask, I know, very silly!

Where were you based?

My last posting was Colchester What was your rank / role?

My rank when leaving the army was Senior Tom/Private.

Why did you leave the Forces?

I left due to being advised by a civilian consultant to leave because of my back.

Did the Forces offer you support in the transition into civvy street?

I got a resettlement course to help prepare me for civvy street, but I left before my whole year was up.

How did you find out about the Unsung Hero courses?

I read about Supporting The Unsung Hero course in the AFF magazine last year in June and also my husband saw it the same day whilst he was at work and told me I should go on it.

Can you tell us a little about it, for people who are thinking of going?

The Supporting The Unsung Hero course is just fabulous. It gave me my confidence back and taught me new skills and knowledge on how to run my own business. The mentors that run the course are amazing people and really know what they are talking about.

Even after the course is finished in the classroom, you get 1-1 mentoring and support and we all still support each other when needed.

What gave you your business idea?

I got my business idea from looking at our son’s old baby clothes and I just thought “I wonder if I could make a bag out of some of these clothes?” So out came the needle and thread. My son’s old school still have my prototype.

‘‘

The Supporting the Unsung Hero course is just fabulous.

It gave me my confidence back and taught me new skills and knowledge on how to run my own business

’’

How has your life changed?

My life has changed so much from doing the course. When I started I was at an all time low; I was waiting to be accepted for a war pension, I had a minor op for my back which left me worse and I finally got a diagonsis after 11yrs of back pain and two mis-diagonsises. I have Osteoarthritisis in my lower spine and severe wear and tear to my tendons on both hips. I had to give up my full time job, so I was really low, but the course changed me. If it wasn’t for the course and the support of my husband I don’t know where I would be today.

How is business going?

Business is going great since moving to Colchester and it was the 1st birthday of my business on the 14th August 2016.

What advice would you give to others leaving the Forces?

My advice to others leaving the Army would be to make sure you finish doing your one year notice and to take things seriously. It’s hard to settle back into civvy street as everyone thinks differently.

Get as many qualifications as you can to prepare for your next dream job and get as many job interviews lined up as you can so that you have a choice of career and don’t just settle for the next paycheck.

www.bagsofmemories.co.uk www.jennasbagsofmemories.etsy.com @ www.bagsofmemories.co.uk bagsofmemories@icloud.com

Tel: 07758891214 Just For Families 41

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! n o i t i t e p m o C Baker Ross have teamed up with Just for Families to give two readers the chance to each win a whopping prize worth £50 from their Christmas range!

You could win...

• Christmas Cracker Kits • Christmas Character Cracker Kits • Christmas Colour-in Bunting • Christmas Colour-in Pom Pom Decorations • Christmas Character Colour-in Masks

For your chance to win all you have to do is answer the question below...

Q: Which one of Santa’s reindeer has a bright red nose?

To enter simply send us your answer, name and address either via email to competitions@forcespublishing.co.uk or in the post to: Forces & Corporate Publishing Ltd, Hamblin House, Hamblin Court, Rushden, Northants NN10 0RU Closing date 21/11/16

• Reindeer Handprint Crown Kits • Christmas Tree Kits • Santa Christmas Wish List Kits • Wooden Advent Tree • Chalk Baubles • Sequin Baubles • Snowman Bean Pal Sewing Kits • Santa’s Arctic Express Train Kit • Santa’s Workshop Kit

www.bakerross.co.uk

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COME ARMED WITH YOUR CHRISTMAS LIST AND EXPECT TO GO HOME TRIUMPHANT!

T

he run up to Christmas Day involves a lot of planning and the hardest and often most time consuming part is buying the presents, so get it all done in one day at the Festive Gift Fair and make it FUN! Christmas starts here with plenty of choice, unique gifts, and a fun and easy shopping day out. For our 21st year we have a whole NEW line-up of fantastic LIVE music to entertain you through the day.

YOU WOULD BE

S R E K C CRA TO

MISS IT!

So easy to visit, all in one hall, all on one level and there’s even a courtesy shuttle service to and from Birmingham International station. When your bags are full, you can drop them off at the Present Creche and continue to shop, stop for a bite to eat and enjoy all the great entertainment.

350 stalls overflowing with fabulous decorations for the home and present ideas for all – from babies to teenagers, parents to grandparents, for Him, for Her and even the pets!

Join in the fun for our 21st year at the fabulous FESTIVE GIFT FAIR! The biggest and best Christmas shopping Fair returns to the NEC for four days from 10-13 November.

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There’s something for everyone at the FESTIVE GIFT FAIR and to get your inspiration flowing, we’ve highlighted just a few of our favourite NEW gift ideas…

EAT, DRINK, BE MERRY & SAMPLE BEFORE YOU BUY A set of nine specially tuned champagne glasses with glass wands for playing musical magic together after Christmas dinner! The ultimate dinner party game - AMUZIKA. A personalised celebration brownie to serve 15-20 people or individual gorgeously gooey brownies in over 30 flavours - THE BROWNIE BAR. Mountainous giant meringues to serve for a real show-off dessert or gift boxed meringues as a present will leave your family and friends in awe! - FLOWER AND WHITE. Don’t know what to do with leftover turkey or parsnips? Then jazz it up with versatile curry base sauces PUNJABAN AUTHENTIC CURRY BASE SAUCES or, make your own from scratch using freshly ground spices - THE SPICE KITCHEN. Handcrafted, good proper fudge, great to share after dinner or give as a present in a ‘create your own gift box’.

Over 25 flavours … from Rhubarb & Custard, Cherry Bakewell, Heather Honey and even Irn Brun! - OCHIL FUDGE PANTRY. Make your own CIDER… Simply add the supplied yeast and leave for 48 hours - VICTORS DRINKS.

FOR THE MEN IN YOUR LIFE WOW what a season it’s been! The spirit of Football is captured by photographer, DAVID SHIELDS. Unique photographic montages of football stadiums, from Arsenal to Birmingham City and many more.

A REAL flight simulator experience vouchers available for Boeing 737 & 747 – FLIGHT SIMULATORS MIDLANDS. If anything will get him to do the washing up, these smirkingly Rude Britannia Tea Towels might do the trick – featuring photos of road signs like Happy Bottom, Titty Ho, Busty View, Juggs Lane - LESSER SPOTTED BRITAIN.

Highly original Map cufflinks made from vintage maps and albums. Chose the location that is ‘special’ to you, for example, where you first met! - MIA MIA JEWELS. ‘My Dad is a Superhero!’ – a framed print designed in a comic book style for your superhero Father - JMS CREATIVE.

FOR THE LADIES IN YOUR LIFE

Stylish and colourful faux fur capes, gilets and jackets – SUPERFURS. An eclectic mix of beautiful jewellery, objets d’art and decorative interior items – ANTIQUE & CHIC. Handmade, luxurious natural skincare and home fragrance. Choose a scent to match her mood… from lavender to patchouli, and geranium to eucalyptus – VALENTTE. Beautiful homemade 100% cashmere & cashmere blend shawls and scarves – NEPAL CASHMERE.

most relaxing present you could wish to give – DONNERBERG. ‘The Innkeepers Tipple’, an aromatic blueberry whisky liqueur – CELTIC SPIRIT CO. Beautifully scented handmade soy candles fragranced with essential oils with rose petals, lavender and jasmine - BEAUTY SCENTS.

TRENDY TEENS There’s only One Direction – as the biggest boy band in the world, they can adorn your teenagers bed with a fleece blanket throw - LINEN IDEAS. Get ready to be blown away by the amazing sound of the I-Bomb Cobble – a speaker that fits into the palm of your hand and works 10 metres from your Bluetooth device – PIZZAZZ RETAIL. Be top dog at your next fancy dress party with the amazingly realistic Mr Pug mask! - GENIE GADGETS.

Treat her to a classy fashion watch by leading designers, Emporio Armani and Marc Jacobs – A2Z TIMEBRAND.

Want to be different? One-of-a-kind handmade watches – BUCKLE AND COG – with changeable fabric straps and colourful faces.

GRANDPARENTS

FOR THE LITTLE ONES

Have the image of a treasured pet captured behind glass and set into a silver pendant on chain - MARTASHA HANDMADE JEWELLERY.

Magic and sparkle for Fairies of all ages. FAIRY GOODIES sell fairy wings, tutus, fairy dust, fairy gardens…

A handmade wooden plaque ‘I Love you to the moon and back’ – will guarantee a smile – MAGICMIMI. Back and neck pain is a thing of the past with a Shiatsu neck massager, the

Felt dream-catchers and mobiles, little ones will be mesmerised to sleep! – YAK SHAK. A fun alternative twist to the traditional advent calendar, buy a ‘Countdown To Christmas’ activity calendar which

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has things to make and do to keep your kids busy as they wait for Santa – ILLUSTRIES. GIFTS IN A TIN have an ingenious range of miniature gifts and puzzles that pack into a tiny tin, from mini train sets to farmyards.

Teach your children to tell the time and count with a unique wooden learning clock – BIRCHWOOD CRAFTS. Have fun creating their very own name plaque using this clever mosaic alphabet kit – TERESA MILLS MOSAICS. For more information on Exhibitors and Visiting the Fair, visit www.festivegiftfair. co.uk. Click on the button online to watch a short video from last year’s show.

WIN TICKETS! Just for Families have teamed up with The Festive Gift Fair and have an amazing 40 pairs of tickets to giveaway!

All you have to do is answer this simple question…

What is the ‘The Innkeepers Tipple’? (CLUE:The answer is somewhere in the article!)

To be in with a chance of winning, send your answer, along with your name, address and phone number to competitions@forcespublishing.co.uk or write to Forces & Corporate Publishing Ltd, Hamblin House, Hamblin Court, Rushden, Northamptonshire NN10 0RU. Closing date: 21st Nov 2016

Competition!

Just for Families and Classic Football Shirts have come together to offer all football fans around the world a fantastic opportunity to win a £50 voucher from Classic Football Shirts.

Classic Football Shirts stock a huge range of original football kits from all over the world with leading brands such as Adidas, Nike, Puma, Asics, Kappa, Lotto and Joma to name just a few.

Whether it be new products with the tags still on, rare player issue items or pre-owned classic shirts from the past, the site has something for any football fan. With kits dating back to the 1970’s right through to this season’s collections, you’ll find it hard not to reminisce about the fond memories from yesteryear.

This competition is open to entrants from all over the world, so whether you live in London or Lisbon, you still have a great chance to win this fantastic prize. It couldn’t be easier to enter, all you have to do is answer the following question...

Simply tell us in what year England last won the World Cup?

ENTER HERE It’s that simple. The competition closes at midnight on the 28th November 2016 and the winner will be announced soon after. The winner will receive an email from Classic Football Shirts to organise the prize. As a thank you for entering, all participants will also receive an exclusive discount to use at Classic Football Shirts.

To enter simply send us your answer, name and address either via email to competitions@ forcespublishing.co.uk or in the post to: Forces & Corporate Publishing Ltd, Hamblin House, Hamblin Court, Rushden, Northants NN10 0RU

GOOD LUCK!

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JustFamilies for

Incorporating The UK Forces Education Guide

Win Tickets to the Festive Gift Fair Girl Behind Th

e Camera

Have a Haunting Hallowe with The National Trus’en t

Issue 3