Family Matters Summer - South Bristol edition

SOUTH BRISTOL EDITION

ISSUE 51 • july/august 2019

school dinner entitlement

school news

www.familymatters-uk.co.uk

prizes to be won!

WELCOME So here we are, summer is here again and I’m sure you’re all looking forward to a well deserved rest.

For all the parents out there, summer can be a challenge, especially when you’re working and looking for things to do to keep the children amused, which is why we’ve filled this issue with some ideas to help keep them busy!

There’s nothing better than seeing the kids enjoying themselves, but you don’t have to break the bank to have a good time this summer, hopefully our ideas will inspire you to make some great memories without having to spend a penny!

When we next catch up, it’ll be September and the new school year will have started, so of course, we have a few hints and tips when it comes to booking places at nursery for your younger family members and a few other helpful bits of advice for the new term.

From all of us here at Family Matters, we hope you have a wonderful summer break and we’ll see you on the other side.

p4 Do you have a reluctant reader?

p9 when friends fall out

p27 are you entitled to child funding?

p20 summer holiday fun ideas Published by Ignyte Media Ltd - email: info@ignyte-uk.co.uk call: 01761 410141 While every care has been taken to ensure the data contained in the publication is accurate, neither the publisher nor its editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party for loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause.

Ignyte do not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication. All right reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system in any form without the prior permission of the publisher.

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While many of you and your children’s teachers will encourage reading and some of your kids might even be taking part in summer reading challenges, there are many children who simply don’t enjoy reading. For some it’s because they haven’t found the right book, for others it’s because they struggle to make sense of the words and for some, they just prefer to watch stories play out rather than read about them.

Not reading if you don’t want to is fine when it’s for fun, but when it’s to help benefit them at school, it can be a bit of a challenge. If you have a child that struggles with reading because of dyslexia or just generally being a bit reluctant to open a book, here are some tips to help them.

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Find something that appeals to their interests There are a lot of books out there and while you might want them to pick up something academic, sometimes, the key to getting your child to read is all about finding them the right subject matter. Why not take them to the library and have them browse through some of the books on offer and see if anything interests them.

Set aside some quiet time For kids that struggle with reading because they’re easily distracted or they need to concentrate, you can help them by making sure there is some time where the home is quiet. Turn off the TV and any music and maybe sit with them quietly and let them have a go at reading.

That way you’re on hand to help if they get stuck with any words and you can monitor the volume around them to help them concentrate.

Encourage them to talk about what they’re reading Sometimes it isn’t so much that they don’t want to read, it’s that they don’t really know how to arrange their thoughts when they are reading. Talk to your child about what they are reading, either at school or in their free time and discuss it with them. This can make them more eager to read other books that they can then also talk to you about.

Make it fun You might love reading and think it is your ideal recreational activity, but for those that want to play video games or be on a tablet or phone, you will need to think a bit outside the box. Why not read with them taking it in turns to do each character in different voices or get them to act out scenes with you? Some children learn better by doing rather than reading, so it can help them get to grips with new words and understand different scenarios doing it this way.

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It isn’t just about traditional books Why not have your child read out recipes or information to you from the paper or forms? It’s a sneaky way to get them reading and if they get stuck on a word, you’re on hand to help them.

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Encourage them to swap books with their friends Book clubs aren’t just for adults and can be a great way to make sure your kids get to see their friends during school holidays, why not offer to host them one afternoon so that they can talk about the books they’re reading and swap others they’ve enjoyed.

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Normalise reading For some, reading is just a school thing and not something they associate with doing in their free time.

If you have the space, set up a family bookshelf with a variety of books on it. If they see you taking an interest in this shelf and reading books from it, they’ll follow suit.

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Pick books with dyslexia friendly fonts With the raise in awareness of dyslexia and other conditions that can make reading difficult, publishers now produce a number of books with dyslexia friendly fonts and different coloured paper and printing which makes it easier for them to get to grips with it. See if your local library has access to these or if the school can recommend any.

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Audio books Yes, getting children to read words and understand them is the key, but audio books are a completely valid medium to help them widen their vocabulary and get into reading. For children with sight problems or difficulty with reading, listening to an audio book can be a great way to get them involved in reading and story telling. Plus, many libraries now offer an audio book service where you can hire and download digital audio books much the same way as you can traditional books.

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Are you on the hunt for a

nursery

?

It’s that time of year again when we all have to start thinking about the new academic term before we can enjoy the long summer ahead of us. For those of you with young children, you might be wondering what to do about booking a place at a nursery or pre school and this can be a daunting task. Every child is different and what is good for one, won’t be for another which is why, if you are considering a nursery or pre-school place, it is important to find one that suits your child and is convenient for you. Going to a nursery is one way of helping to take the pressure off when it comes to working parents or preparing your little ones for school, but if it’s really far out of your way or they’re having difficulty adjusting, it can just make life harder. Because of this, we recommend that you research and visit several nurseries and pre-schools in your area to find the best fit for you and your child.

While you’re doing that, here are a few things to consider:

Don’t forget, you know your child best and will know what the best environment is for them. Whatever option you choose, you know that you’ll be able to introduce your child to social and interaction skills, help grow their confidence and get them used to different surroundings, all of which will be helpful in the future.

Nursery or Pre-school isn’t compulsory, and it isn’t your only option either, like we said, it doesn’t suit everyone.

Some parents choose to keep their child at home, but this won’t work for everyone either, especially those that are working or have other commitments. Other options include a creche, playgroup or childminder. So don’t panic if you don’t find the right nursery fit right away.

Got any other advice for parents choosing a nursery for the first time? Get in touch with us on Facebook and Twitter @ukfamilymatters If you do find a nursery or pre-school that suits your needs, you’ll want to know what it is they’re doing.

Formal childcare providers will all follow the same format of Early Years Foundation Learning, but the way they implement these will vary. Some establishments focus on learning by play, others by socialising and some will be based entirely on learning skills, so it’s important to arrange visits and to talk to the staff to see if their methods are right for your child.

Fees for all of these options vary depending on what you choose, so your best bet is to phone around and make comparisons. Some nurseries and pre-schools include food in their rates too, so this is something else to consider. Don’t forget though that there are a number of schemes allowing so many hours of free child care depending on your child’s age and that some employers subsidise creche or childminding fees. Be sure to speak to your nurseries about this or contact HMRC for more details about what you are entitled to.

We have nursery places available across Bristol high quality childcare from 3 months TO pre-school

The most important thing is to see for yourself and weigh up each option, visit nearby establishments and vet childminders carefully to see if your child would be happy there.

Offering a friendly, comfortable and safe environment Qualified and well trained staff Staff are sensitive and responsive to each child’s individual needs Extensive indoor and outdoor facilities www.mamabears.co.uk 0117 9582030

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FAMILY EVENTS SUMMER 2019 All events subject to change or cancellation without prior notice

21 AUGUST Enjoy Elizabeth Gaskell’s classic tale of 19th century family life including the coming of the railways to this sleepy community

1861

OPEN AIR THEATRE - ‘CRANFORD’

AUGUST

20 & 21 JULY

Board the time-travelling train to see your favourite characters at our first Sci-Fi weekend

2034

JULY

SCI-FI FUN

LEBRATE THE JOIN US TO CE ERSARY OF 150TH ANNIV OF THE LINE G THE OPENIN

Tel: 0117 932 5538 www.avonvalleyrailway.org

24 – 26 AUGUST Grandparents travel for half price when accompanied by at least one paying child. Bring them along for a fun day out!

2035

AUGUST & SUNDAY 4 SATURDAY 3

august

GRA NDP ARE NTS WEE KEN D

Bitton Railway Station, Bath Road, Bristol BS30 6HD

MEGA MEGA DISCFOUN. UNTS.

JUST £40

SUMMER WITH EXTRA EVERYTHING

DIVE INTO UNLIMITED SWIMMING AND A WORLD OF DISCOUNTS WITH THE BETTER KIDS SUMMER BUNDLE IN BATH AND NORTH EAST SOMERSET. BETTER.ORG.UK/SUMMER Terms and conditions apply; visit better.org.uk/offerterms for details. Better is a registered trademark and trading name of GLL (Greenwich Leisure Limited), a charitable social enterprise and registered society under the Co-operative & Community Benefit & Societies Act 2014 registration no. 27793R. Registered office: Middlegate House, The Royal Arsenal, London, SE18 6SX. Inland Revenue Charity no. XR43398

8 | ukfamilymatters | @UkFamilyMatters | familymatters-uk.co.uk 135807H Summer_Families_Banes_157x115mm_Final.indd 1

27/06/2019 11:39

lp when friends fall o e h o t ut How So first you get over the hurdle of your child going off to school, then you have to deal with the competitive nature of the other parents and so and so gets more pocket money than me and then you have the never ending drama that is your child’s friendships.

When your children enter primary school, your big fear is that they won’t like it, they won’t make friends, they won’t fit in, so finding out they have a group of friends is a big relief, until of course, the first childhood falling out happens.

Sadly, friendship drama affects us all, whether we’re four and it’s all about Timmy saying he was your best friend but then giving Oliver the toy tractor before you or when you’re eight and Sophie ignored you and went to play with Claire instead. These dramas start young and continue throughout your life, sad, but true. While many of you may still consider the friends you made in childhood to be your bffs, there are just as many of us who can barely remember what a big deal those friendships and the subsequent fallings out were. For the kids though, this is what is happening to them right now and the first few times they experience it, it’s going to be hard to navigate.

Obviously parents are going to be concerned about how their child is coping with these things, so here are a few ways you can help.

If your child comes home and says they have fallen out with the person they were best friends with the day before, don’t pass it off as nothing. This is a BIG DEAL to them, so be sure to listen, ask questions about the issue and empathise with them.

We don’t want any “OMG she’s the worst!” but we do want “oh no, sorry to hear that, how did you feel when that happened?”.

Not only does this help them get their emotions out and help them think about the situation, but it will show that they can come to you with problems in the future.

You can ask how you can help, especially if it sounds to you like this is a bullying issue rather than a falling out, but don’t just jump in and try to fix the problem yourself. If you are concerned that it is a bullying problem, keep your eye on the situation and speak to the class teacher, but jumping in and talking to the other child or their parents, could make things worse if it is just a falling out.

Keep the conversation with your child open and talk about their friendships and check in on them for any updates. Chances are they’ll be best buds again in a few days, but just in case it is something that is ongoing and becoming a problem, make sure you’re in the loop. Trying to keep up with who likes who and why and what so and so did to who is harder than dipping in and out of a soap opera, but it is important that your child knows they can count on you to help them navigate and feel confident in their friendships.

Do you have any other tips for helping your child through a friendship break down?

You can get in touch on Facebook and Twitter, @ukfamilymatters ukfamilymatters |

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"THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS ARE COMING!"

While that sentence might bring cheers and beaming faces of joy for some, for me and many other working parents, it can often bring about mixed feelings. Happiness because no school means a little lie in for everyone and the warmer weather makes everything a little more jolly, but also guilt at having to continue to go to work while the kids are at home. Obviously in an ideal world, I’d love to spend my summers with them but that isn’t always possible with work commitments. My usual option is to rope in family members to watch the children, which inevitably leads to them spending all day staring at a screen, this obviously is also not ideal.

After taking the plunge and booking my brood into several locally run summer clubs, I’ve found the perfect solution. Yes, some of these incur a cost, but there are often discounts if you have multiple children and it usually works out cheaper than paying for other methods of childcare, especially when combined with the children spending time with family and friends. For me, I much prefer the idea of my children being active all day rather than hunched over a games console or trying to hack into my iPad while one of my parents dozes in the corner, it not only keeps them occupied, but it gives me peace of mind too.

Activity days during the summer are a great way to help keep the kids fit and active, they’re generally out and about rather

ukfamilymatters |

than cooped up indoors, so I know they’re getting a good dose of vitamin D and some fresh air at the same time. A lot of the day is also spent letting them learn new skills, such as tennis which was a big hit with my oldest last summer.

There were a good mix of things to do, so every child was catered for whether they are sporty, arty or want to have a go at everything. Plus, they get the chance to socialise and make new friends. I know that for some kids living in more rural communities, it can be hard for them to keep in touch with their friends during the holidays, so having the opportunity to spend time with other children is a bonus!

For me, the biggest draw (other than seeing how happy my kids are after they get home from one of these days) is that they are having fun in a completely safe environment. My parents are obviously not that bad at raising children seeing as I’m fine and can’t remember anything too traumatic from my time under their care, but you know what kids are like, you can’t take your eyes off them for a moment, especially not when they’re bored and at home and pushing the limits of what they’re allowed to do because gran and grandad are push overs. When they’re at camp or at one of these days, I know they are being watched by fully qualified people with DBS checks in an environment that is often tailored exactly for the activity they’re doing that day. And of course, it isn’t my house they’re making a mess in. @UkFamilyMatters | familymatters-uk.co.uk | 11

SOFT PLAY HAS ARRIVED

BETTER, KEYNSHAM LEISURE CENTRE If you have children aged between 0 and 12, treat them to an indoor adventure all year round!

Your children will love exploring, climbing, sliding, jumping, spinning, ball pooling and much more in our brand new soft play area.

We are open seven days a week so are always on hand to offer the perfect place for your little explorers to let off some steam in a fun and safe environment.

For more information visit better.org.uk/keynsham Better is a registered trademark and trading name of GLL (Greenwich Leisure Limited), a charitable social enterprise and registered society under the Co-operative & Community Benefit & Societies Act 2014 registration no. 27793R. Registered office: Middlegate House, The Royal Arsenal, London, SE18 6SX. Inland Revenue Charity no. XR43398

- D AT E F O R Y O U R D I A R Y -

Did you know there is a national day for play in the UK? Well there is, Playday is celebrated annually on the first Wednesday in August, this year, it’s taking place on 7th August and has a theme of Play Builds Children. As well as being a day focused on play, Playday is also an opportunity to campaign on issues affecting children’s play.

We all know that play is fun, but did you know it is also beneficial for children? According to Playday, playing builds friendships, resilience, health and well-being and communities, allowing children to learn more about the world around them and make connections to the people in those communities.

You’re welcome to put on your own events if you choose, or head to one of the organised events, you can find out more about how to do this at

www.playday.org.uk

This year’s theme aims to highlight the way in which play benefits children and young people and there are a number of community events being held across the UK to help celebrate this fact. Events range from street parties, festivals, adventures and events at community venues from small scale ones to huge ones!

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Brand New For 2019

Whitehall’s Maize Maze Sat 13th July - Sun 1st Sept 10:00am - 5:00pm

At Whitehall Garden Centre, Lacock, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 2LZ Book Online At: www.whitehallgardencentre.co.uk

Enter now at www.familymatters-uk.co.uk

Win Prizes

Win a family ticket to Wookey Hole There’s always fun and adventure to be had at Wookey Hole Caves and Attractions... Hidden away beneath the Mendip Hills is a spectacular underground network of breath-taking caverns! Wookey Hole is the UK’s largest show caves system, home to the infamous Witch of Wookey Hole and the new Chamber 20 with rare rock formations. With these world famous caves PLUS over 20 magnificent attractions, Wookey Hole is a great day out for all the family. Prize is for 2 adults and 2 children.

Win a family ticket to Crealy Theme Park Resort Set in 100 acres of glorious Devon countryside, with over 60 rides and attractions and over 75,000 sq ft of indoor fun, there is something for the whole family to enjoy whatever the weather.

Win a Family Ticket to Bath Racecourse’s Dino Family Raceday on Sunday 15 September!

Alongside seven exciting races, kids can meet T-Rex, Raptors and baby dinosaurs as Europe’s largest and most realistic animatronic dinosaurs make appearances throughout the day at Bath Racecourse. Kids can try their hand at ‘Ranger Training’ in the interactive workshops and have a go at making their own dinosaur masks in the craft area. There will be tons of unique dinosaur photo opportunities and even a giant egg to climb into plus face painting throughout the day.

For tickets and more information visit www.bath-racecourse.co.uk

Win a family ticket to Frome Agricultural and Cheese Show

Frome's Big Cheesey Day Out! Come & enjoy this action packed country show with plenty for all the family to see, eat, drink & do plus lots and lots of CHEESE! There's something for everyone at this superb annual event. Whether coming with family, friends or to compete you're in for a treat - and a whole lot of cheese! West Woodlands Showground - BA11 5ES (4 miles from the centre of Frome).

Family ticket gives access to the show for 2 adults and 3 children aged 5-15 years old. Under 5’s go free. Ticket is for Saturday 14th September 2019. Full info and Ts and Cs on their website.

TO BE IN WITH A CHANCE OF WINNING THESE FANTASTIC PRIZES, simply visit www.familymatters-uk.co.uk, click on the Competitions button and complete the form. It couldn’t be easier! Closing date for entries: 15th August 2019

Wolvershill Road, Banwell, Weston-super-Mare

what’s on throughout the holidays

1st July - 8th September Whitehall Beach Build your very own Sand Castle or laze by the sand on our deck chairs. Book online at www.whitehallgardencentre.co.uk Whitehall Garden Centre, Lacock.

1st July - 8th September Lauren Child: The Art of Illustration - Children go Free Go in search of Charlie and Lola and their friends, and discover trinkets and animals from Lauren Child’s stories in unusual and surprising places! www.holburne.org, Holburne Museum, Bath 13th July - 1st September Whitehall Maize Maze Covering over 8 acres made from maize which can grow over 7ft tall. Open daily from 10:00am until 5:00pm. Book online at www.whitehallgardencentre.co.uk Whitehall Garden Centre, Lacock.

15th July - 8th September Are we there yet?

It’s time to pack a picnic and join us for a nostalgic journey of summer holiday makers past! A nostalgic journey following the route holidaymakers have taken along the A303 heading west to the sun for seaside holidays. Haynes Motor Museum, Somerset. www.haynesmotormuseum.com 20th July - 1st September Stone Age Summer Join us for a super summer of fun, we've got lots of exciting hands-on activities and demonstrations planned to help make the holidays extra exciting and educational!

Cheddar Gorge and Caves, Cheddar. www.cheddargorge.co.uk 20th July - 1st September Paint a Summer decoration Choose from a variety of wooden shapes and decorate it as you please! Barrington Court, Somerset. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/barrington-court

20th July - 1st September Fairyland & Pirate Cove This Summer come and explore this magical world. Open daily from 10:00am - 4:30pm. £3.99 per person. Book online at www.whitehallgardencentre.co.uk Whitehall Garden Centre, Lacock.

From 22nd July Tottington Hall comes to Montacute House Montacute House was the inspiration for Tottington Hall - the setting for Wallace and Gromit's adventures in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit. Check website for other dates throughout July, Aug and Sept. Montacute House,Somerset. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/montacute-house 22nd July - 30th August Summer holiday crafts at Lacock These Monday - Friday summer holiday activities in our colourful Botanic Garden lets little explorers make the most of every second of sunshine. Lacock Abbey, Lacock. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lacock-abbey-fox-talbot-museumand-village 24th July - 1st September Nostalgic Outdoor Summer Sports Make the most of the warmer weather, with a variety of familyfriendly sport activities taking place on Barrington’s south lawn and across the estate. Good fun that will put you through your paces! Barrington Court, Somerset. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/barrington-court From the 30th July Terrific Tuesdays at Hestercombe There will be a different theme each week so your little ones can try something new each Tuesday. From meeting creepy crawlies to having a go at archery, Hestercombe, Somerset. www.hestercombe.com/terrific-tuesdays

what’s on

20th - 21st July Civil War Weekend Join the Taunton Garrison at their Living History Camp. Rolling skirmishes and weapons demonstrations throughout the day!

Dunster Castle, Somerset www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dunster-castle 20th July Sci - Fi Fun Come along boys & girls, young & old and join us for a super hero day of steaming with Darth Vader, K9 and other worldly life forms for a fantastic family day. Avon Valley Railway, Bitton. www.avonvalleyrailway.org

1st August Bugs and Butterflies - Family Fun Art and craft activities inspired by creatures found in our orchard. Try your hand at badge making, flapping butterflies, finger puppet bees and mini beast hunting. Somerset Rural Life Museum, Glastonbury. www.swheritage.org.uk 2nd August Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves Outdoor Theatre Bring along a rug and a picnic and settle in for an evening of theatre beneath the stars. Gates open at 6pm for picnics, the performance starts at 7pm. Lacock Abbey, Lacock. www. nationaltrust.org.uk/lacock-abbey-fox-talbot-museum-and-village

24th July Make a twig loom Make twigs into a loom, add wool and you’re weaving!

Glastonbury Abbey, Somerset. www.glastonburyabbey.com

2nd - 4th August Family Festival 2019 A relaxing weekend of Performance, Music and Workshops set in the beautiful grounds of Paddington Farm, Glastonbury. £5 From the 25th July Victorian Explorers with Exmoor Zoo per person, per day. Under 5s free. Tickets available online via Get up close to a variety of animals, big bugs and creepy crawlies http://buytickets.at/childrensworld or on the door. and learn all about the Victorian age of exploration. Dunster Castle, Somerset www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dunster-castle 3rd - 4th August Farringtons Mud Run A playground of obstacles including cargo nets, a spider’s web, 26th July Roll a Beeswax Candle tunnels, mud pits, hay bales to climb, tire runs and much more!

Try your hand at making a beeswax candle like the monks Farrington Farm, Farrington Gurney. www.farringtons.co.uk would have used. Glastonbury Abbey, Somerset. www.glastonburyabbey.com 3rd August Night at the American Museum What goes on at the American Museum when the lights are 26th July Meet Peter Rabbit at West Somerset Railway turned off? With games, activities, and the opportunity to Peter Rabbit will be making personal appearances at intervals experience the Museum at night, you never know who you might between 10am and 4pm. Entertainment on the day will include: meet! Suitable for ages 6+. American Museum & Gardens, Bath. steam train ride, vintage bus ride trips, face painting and much Book online at www.americanmuseum.org more. West Somerset Railway, Minehead. www.west-somersetrailway.co.uk 4th August Midsummer Mayhem - Family Fun Day This year, there will be an Alice in Wonderland theme, with a 1st August Children's Festival of Play Wonderland-themed bouncy castle, plenty of inflatable fun, Bouncy Castle, Outdoor Games, Face Painting and much more. crazy croquet (featuring flamingo-handled mallets), face Raising funds for East Harptree Nursery and Forest School. East painting and lots of games and crafts. 10am-4pm, with last Harptree Playing Fields 10am - 3pm. Bring a picnic. entry at 3:30pm. The Bishops Palace, Wells. www.bishopspalace.org.uk 1st - 28th August Summer Craft Workshop Now's the chance to get creative and build something for our 4th August Folksy Theatre presents ‘Mr Magnolia’ friends in the wild and try out designs such as bird feeders and bee Based on the book by Quentin Blake. Join Mr Magnolia on his houses. Stourhead, Wilts. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stourhead wacky adventures, filled with music, puppetry and wonderful characters, this family show is one not to be missed. www.hestercombe.com, Hestercombe, Somerset.

For further information about each event

7th - 28th August Summer Camp Fun We are offering a small taste of camp fun with indoor and outdoor activities for a variety of age ranges, running every Wednesday. Book online at www.americanmuseum.org American Museum & Gardens, Bath.

7th August Illumination - paint using a quill brush and ink family activity Make a brush from a quill and have a go at illuminating the initial letter of your name using coloured ink. Glastonbury Abbey, Somerset. www.glastonburyabbey.com 8th -10th August Blitz Following the sensational production of Seussical last summer we are delighted to be performing Blitz! a musical by Lionel Bart set during the air raids of the Second World War in London.

Frome Memorial Theatre, Frome.

8th August Character Breakfast Come and have breakfast with your favourite superhero or princess! Join us from 8.30 -9.30am for breakfast and a meet and greet plus photo opportunity. Feel free to come dressed up too! Farrington Farm, Farrington Gurney. www.farringtons.co.uk 9th – 17th August Music for Miniatures Join us for a musical journey to the zoo with a lively morning of amazing live classical music for you and your little one.

Bring your cuddly animals along too or dress up as an animal!

Locations include Bath, Midsomer Norton, Trowbridge and Frome. Tickets available online or on the door. www.musicforminiatures.co.uk 11th August Steam into Summer with Joyce Family Fun day with train rides, sand, water, ice creams, face painting and play. Experience the seaside at the station but also see the gardens, museum, buffet and shop. Steam train rides on the 10th too. Somerset and Dorset Railway, Midsomer Norton 14th August SummerZest Children’s Festival The festival will feature a range of activities; along with variety of trade stands, local crafts and range of exciting storytelling throughout the day. Taunton Racecourse, Somerset.

15th August Woolly Wonders - Family Fun Join us at the museum for a creative, fun-filled session of arts and crafts activities inspired by the Exmoor Horn sheep who live at the museum. Somerset Rural Life Museum, Glastonbury. www.swheritage.org.uk 17th August Insect Festival - Free entry Explore real wild bugs outside and learn about these incredible creatures through fun activities and demonstrations throughout

the museum. 10.30am - 4pm. www.bristolmuseums.org.uk Bristol Museum, Bristol.

17th - 18th August Outdoor Adventure Weekend You will find a selection of activities including archery, axe throwing and an 8-metre climbing wall. Whitehall Garden Centre, Lacock. Book online at www.whitehallgardencentre.co.uk 18th August Bubble Day A bubbleologist will be making an array of bubbles including giant bubbles, bubble clouds, smoke bubbles and lots more. Also balloon modelling, face painting, bubble wand making, bubble painting and lots more! Farrington Farm, Farrington Gurney.

18th August Trowbridge Soapbox Derby.

All ages welcome. Build a soapbox and race against the clock, can you be this year's winner? Castle St, Trowbridge.

23rd- 25th August Outdoor Film Festival Three films in three nights across the Bank Holiday weekend including Mamma Mia 2 and Bohemian Rhapsody. Glastonbury Abbey, Somerset. www.glastonburyabbey.com 24th - 26th August Bowlore Medieval Weekend The encampment will be in residence at the Palace with thrilling activities including longbow and crossbow shooting, weapons demonstrations, combat displays, sword lessons and have-a-go archery. The Bishops Palace, Wells. www. bishopspalace.org.uk 26th August American Garden Party See out the summer in fine style. Bring a picnic and join us for a day of music, food, fun and games. Music in the garden by Sticky Toffee Jazz. 11am - 4pm. American Museum & Gardens, Bath.

29th August Have a go Archery With expert guidance, bring the whole family together to learn a traditional skill in one of our have-a-go archery sessions.

Barrington Court, Somerset. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/barrington-court 7th September Carnival County Fayre This all includes 60+ stalls, live entertainment, fairground rides and car boot sale! If that doesn't sound inviting enough, we are also having our Dog Show on the same day. Trowbridge Park, Trowbridge.

14th September Frome Agricultural and Cheese Show A jam packed day of entertainment that the whole family will enjoy plus lots and lots of cheese! West Woodlands Showground - near Frome. www.fromecheeseshow.co.uk

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Ideas for your

summer holiday

“Summer’s here and the and the Vandellas said ves Ree rtha cing Ma at gre As the we don’t think that dan g in the street”. While warmer the at joy time is right for dancin for g cin dan y safe or sensible, in the street is particularl acceptable. of free time is perfectly nce nda abu and weather idays planned but have your summer hol Some of you may already ways to keep everyone and do to think of things others may be trying to ybe you’re a little short ma ’re on a tight budget or you s t’s hap Per d. ine erta ent we have going on. If tha life and everything else gs you can thin of s tion on time with work and ges sug ’re here with some top the case, don’t fret, we holiday. r me sum r you do during

Do some crafts

There are loads of arts and craft activities you can get involved with this summer. You could make bird feeders using pine cones and peanut butter and rolling them in birdseed. Or you could grab some items out of your recycling, such as cardboard and bottles and make rockets or houses. There are lots of house hold items you can use to create some art with the kids.

Baking, cooking and moulding!

You could use this opportunity to keep the kids learning by getting them to help you do some baking or cooking. You could have a go at making your own ice cream, baking cakes which they can then decorate or even have them help with making dinner. Let them choose what they want and then assemble the ingredients so they can learn more about what goes into their food. Easy choices include pasta dishes, pizzas or burgers.

It is also easy to make your own ice lollies using fruit juice and freezer moulds, plus the idea that they get to eat their creations at the end makes them more interested in seeing the task through!

m

Go to the museu

in the area that offer There are several museums ents. If you resid discounted or free entry to r a Discovery fo ply live in B&NES, you can ap try to a number ee en Card which will give you fr area, as well as the of council run museums in n find out more: u ca some in the wider region. Yo vices/tourism/ser https://www.bathnes.gov.uk d and-heritage/discovery-car

Spend some time together

When you have busy lives it can be difficult to find the time to just be together, this summer, why not see if you can free up some time to just hang out. You can play board games, cards, Pictionary or charades and enjoy some bonding time.

Do a spot of backyard camping

If you have a tent lying around or some sheets handy, why not set it up in your garden and do some camping?

You could even have an outdoor sleepover when it gets warmer! Even if you don’t have a garden yourself, perhaps grandparents, family members or friends do and you can turn it into a huge event.

Getting back to nature

Days out don’t have to cost a fortune to be me why not find a free day and explore som morable, e of the local open and green spaces for a few hours?

There are lots of great nature trails and woodland wal area that don’t have an entry fee and allo ks in the w visitors to bring picnics, dogs and spend as much time as they like there. Why not let the kids pack a picnic (wi supervision of course!) and then while th your you’re about get them to make notes of the var out and ious they see? They could even collect leaves, wildlife twigs or take a camera to take photos of what they see and make a collage when they get home.

ing, but when n n la p e m o s ht require ch? There This one mig , why not head to the bea , you could e h the sky is blu beaches within easy reac train a w are quite a fe ad trip, or if you fancied, stles, rock o a have a little r your day building sand c d trip and spen ecting shells. ll pooling or co e beach

Visit th

Do you have any other suggestions? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter, you can find us at @ukfamilymatters

made at Stourhead Whether it's tree climbing with the Great Big Tree Climbing Company or getting crafty creating treats for wildlife, there's loads of family fun on offer at Stourhead this summer.

These are the places that make us. nationaltrust.org.uk/stourhead

Š National Trust 2019 . Registered charity, No. 205846. Š National Trust Images \Nick Daly.

Your family memories

Is my child entitled to

free school meals?

Yes, we know, school might be about to wind down for the summer, but you will need to start thinking about getting prepared for the new term in no time at all.

For some parents, whether their child is entitled to free school meals is a big question, so here is everything you need to know.

Firstly, what is it?

Free School Meals are available for the children of people who have an income-based benefit. Depending on your circumstances, you can also qualify if you get working tax credits, but this depends on the income your credits have been worked out on and where you live in the UK, so be sure to check with your local authority if you think you might be eligible.

So, who can apply?

You can apply for free school meals of you receive any income-based benefit, such as Universal Credit, State Pension Credit, Income-related Jobseeker’s or Employment Support Allowance, Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit. In some areas, Universal Credit has been rolled out and other forms of benefit won’t be in existence. You can check by logging into

your account or by speaking to a call handler. Alternatively, your school or local authority will be able to talk you through what you are entitled to.

How do I claim?

So, you’ve established that you’re eligible, now what? Well, firstly, free school meals are administered by local authorities, so you will need to contact them to begin your claim.

Some parents may qualify for Healthy Start – this is a scheme run by the Department of Health and claims will need to be made through them. This will entitle you to coupons you can use in exchange for vitamins, milk, fruit, vegetables and formula milk. It is available to people on certain benefits who are at least ten weeks pregnant or have a child under four.

Younger mums, aged 18 and under, will automatically qualify for this, but do check with the Department of Health to check whether you can claim.

Any questions about benefits, please speak to your local authority, Citizen’s Advice or go online to www.entitledto.co.uk where you can calculate which benefits you could be entitled to.

AnimAting

6 July – 3 Nov 2019

UNDER

16s FREE!

Behind the scenes with the makers of wallace & Gromit Exhibition tickets available from M Shed and bristolmuseums.org.uk Exhibition sponsor

Be Back to Scho ol Ready

We know that school is only just winding down , but before we know it, again, don’t forget to sta the new term will roll aro rt prepping your child to und get them back into the before the holidays are swing of the school day out.

Do it gradually

It’s much less stressful to get ready for the new academic year if you do waking up in a cold sw it gradually instead of eat in the first week of September with the rea have to be at school in lisation that the children three days and you don ’t have any stationary, the house. It’s a lot les lunch boxes or uniforms s stressful for the kids in as well if you start gra school routine again. dually getting them use d to the

Set the alarm cl o

ck!

If the kids have gotten used to sleeping in, ma ke sure to start getting day so they can get bac them up a little earlier k into the morning rou every tine, if you can get the certain time and going m used to having lunch to bed at a certain time at a too , it will make their transi much easier. tion back into school No Fashion Faux-P

as One good thing about sta rting your shop for the new school year during have the kids with you the holidays, is that you , no more realising on ’ll the morning of their firs now several inches too t day that their trousers short or that their school are shoes no longer fit the ir growing feet.

Keep little minds ac

tive Be sure to encourage the m to work on projects throughout the summe overwhelmed with the r so they don’t get idea of home work wh en school starts again.

Some schools will sen d the kids home with a reading list to be comple getting them involved ted over the holidays bu in the Summer Reading t Challenge or learning som you when you get hom ething else to present e from work will get the to m use d to the idea of doing hom keep their productive mi ndset. ework again and will

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Are you entitled to child funding

If you are thinking of sending your child to a nursery or pre-school, you might be concerned about the fees.

It is important to know that all children aged 3 and 4 are entitled to fifteen hours free childcare a week, in some circumstances, children are entitled to 30 hours, check with HMRC about your eligibility and how to apply. Your local council will also be able to offer advice and support with this.

Here are a few different childcare funding options, take a look below to see what your options are.

Tax Free Childcare This is available for children aged 0-11 or 0-16 if your child has a disability.

This is a benefit for working families, including the self-employed.

Families are encouraged to open an online account to pay for registered childcare and the government will add an extra £2 for every £8 you put in, you can receive up to £2,000 per child per year and more if you have a disabled child.

15 Hours of Free Childcare If you are a family receiving some form of support with children aged two, you could be entitled to fifteen hours of free childcare or early education for 38 weeks. You will need to speak to HMRC to verify if you are eligible for this option. Alternatively, all families in England receive 15 hours of free childcare for children aged 3 and 4.

30 Hours of Free Childcare Some working families are entitled to 30 hours a week, rather than 15.

This is for 3-4 year old children. Speak to HMRC or your local council to find out more and how you can apply.

Universal Credit If you’re working and have children under 17 and claiming Universal Credit, you can claim back up to 85% of your eligible childcare costs.

Log into your Universal Credit account or speak to a call handler to find out more.

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LATEST SCHOOL NEWS

EVENTS

DIARY DATES

YOUR SUCCESSES

News and Reviews CONTINUED IMPROVEMENTS AT HANHAM SCHOOL

BISHOP SUTTON PRESCHOOL TURNS 50!

Ofsted have found that since rating Hanham Woods Academy Inadequate that the school are taking effective action towards the removal of special measures.

The school, which is part of the Cabot Learning Federation, got the worst possible rating in all key areas in its inspection in October 2017. Since then, Ofsted have visited a further two times and in their new report have highlighted that the predicted intake for September is healthy and that parents are increasingly choosing to send their children to the school.

During this recent inspection, four areas of the school were scrutinised, including the progress of the most able students, the progress of disadvantaged students, school leaders’ efforts to improve attendance and the standard of literacy. They found that everyone at the school had been working hard to raise expectations and that there have been significant improvements.

Going forward, the school have said that literacy will continue to be its main focus for improvement.

Bishop Sutton’s preschool is now 50 years old! They held a celebration at Bishop Sutton Village Hall where the incredible Treasury Band played live music from the last five decades, a hog roast and an exclusive cocktail that was designed especially for the event were served!

GOODBYE MISS KNOWLES, HELLO MRS PEMBLE! At the end of the school year, staff and pupils at Bishop Sutton Primary School will be saying goodbye to Miss Knowles, who is leaving the school after nine years. Everyone at the school would like to thank her for all her hard work and support over the years and send their very best wishes.

They will also be welcoming a new member of staff to the school, Mrs Pemble, who will be joining Duckling Class as a teaching assistant.

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CAN YOU DONATE ANYTHING FOR THE NEST/ NURTURE ROOM Pauline Adams, SENCO at Bishop Sutton School is searching for donations for the school’s SEN room. She said: “As a school, we are committed to supporting children’s emotional well-being and mental health, as well as their progress in learning. An ongoing part of this is the transformation of one of our smaller rooms, The Nest, into a nurture room. The idea is that this will be a calmer space which has a more comfortable, relaxing and nurturing feel, ideal for 1-1/group work or when children may feel particularly overwhelmed.”

The school would like to thank the parents that have already donated items, but if you have any items that are in natural colours or materials and with child friendly themes, such as soft furnishings (cushions, fleece blankets, rugs, beanbags, play tents), storage boxes, soft toys, hard toys or sensory items, they would be gratefully received.

Please bring donated items into the school’s office marked clearly ‘nest/nurture room’. Items which may not be appropriate for the nurture room will be passed onto other classrooms, so nothing will be wasted!

@UkFamilyMatters | familymatters-uk.co.uk | 29

WHITCHURCH ARE SPRING CHICKENS!

CONGRATULATIONS TO CAOLÁN AND CHARLIE! Everyone at Whitchurch School would like to say a huge Well Done to Caolán in Year 3 and Charlie in Year 5 for taking part in the mini 6-nations Rugby Tournament which was held in Milan recently.

Both of their teams played amazingly and got through to the finals!

Coalán’s U-8’s tram finished 4th out of 12 and Charlie’s u-10’s team finished 4th out of fifteen.

Charity Open Day Saturday 24th August 2019

At Whitchurch Primary School, reception have been learning about life cycles and life on a farm. They have had an incubator in their classroom in which they have been looking after ten eggs which hatched recently! Now the chicks have all hatched, they are going off to their forever homes! The children loved the experience of having these animals in the classroom!

Vi Pa si y tA O ll nce Ye ar !

15th June4th Sept presents

Free Entry!

Free Parking!

A fun family day out Meet the horses Tractor tours Training demonstrations Food and drink stands Tack sale

For more open day dates please visit our website: www.horseworld.org.uk

Choose your team this summer!

No dogs please as the scare the horses.

Keynes Farm, Staunton Lane, Whitchurch, Bristol, BS14 0QL

Reg. charity no. 1121920

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Book online & save! sealifeweymouth.com

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LONGWELL GREEN WINS HEALTHY SCHOOLS BRONZE AWARD Everyone at Longwell Green are delighted to announce that they have achieved a Health in Schools Bronze Award.

As part of the healthy schools project, the children at the school have learned about the Eat-well Plate, which is a simple way of managing diet so a good range of food is eaten.

The Eat-well Plate is being promoted by Public Health England and details have been shared with parents. To help encourage the Eat-well Plate, Longwell Green have been building on the introduction of a salad cart during school lunch times.

A big thanks goes to Mrs George who was instrumental in the school achieving this award.

NEW DEPUTY HEAD AT LONGWELL GREEN Longwell Green Primary have said a fond farewell to Mr Brown, who has been appointed as the new headteacher for Hilperton Primary School. All the staff and pupils thank him for all that he has done for the school and the pupils and families.

Sarah Darling will be joining the school in September to take on the role of deputy head. The interviewing panel were unanimous in their decision to appoint her and they are sure she will be a great fit for the school.

Sarah has been a teacher for sixteen years and part of Senior Leadership for the past eight, in that time having held many positions, including acting Deputy Head, leader of two different phases, led Maths, Science, IT, Data Lead across school, Pupil Premium Lead and more.

She has taught from Y1-6 and is an outstanding teacher. She has an excellent manner, she showed herself to be caring, humble, highly skilled, knowledgeable, focused, driven, emphatic, caring, and very much pupil focused.

PENSFORD ARE BAT SAVIOURS! Macie, leader of the lunchtime Bug Club at Pensford School, was sharp eyed recently when she spotted a bat near the path that was unwell out in the daytime. She told Mrs Bevan who tracked down a local bat conservation group, who came along to rescue the bat which was hiding between a paving stone and a wall. It couldn’t be coaxed out, so the team left a box with some water for it to find its way into overnight.

The following morning, Mr Barton and Mrs James, along with some further volunteers lifted the paving stone and the bat was rescued.

The bat, a young male soprano bat was cared for over the next few days and will be released near the school grounds.

Well done Macie for getting the bat rescue underway!

Steam into Summer with Joyce Family Fun Day - 11th Aug 'Experience the seaside at the station' Train rides, sand & water, ice creams, face painting and play.

Also see the gardens, museum, buffet and shop.

Steam train rides on the 10th too.

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CREST SCIENCE FUN A group of Year 5 students at Saltford Primary took part in an eight week science course working towards CREST SuperStar Award by taking part in eight science investigations about the world of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.

One of the students, Freya, said: “I am really enjoying science club because we always get to do amazing experiments. My favourite was the water bottle rocket experiment where we had to launch our own designs. Even though my team came last, we still really enjoyed it.”

Matthew said: “I really enjoyed exploding balloons and testing different liquids in a bunson burner.”

The school would like to thank Miss Bassett at Wellsway for running the club and to Miss Rudd for organising from Saltford.

STANTON DREW TAKE ON BOWLS Year 4 and Year 5 pupils at Stanton Drew took part in a Bowls Tournament and what fun they had!

Josh, Poppy, Lexi and Ieuan had the opportunity to try lawn bowls at Chew Stoke Bowling Club. They came back full of their experience and had a thoroughly lovely time. The weather was kind and gave them a little window in which to play and enjoy a few ends. Thanks to all the parents for taking them along to the club.

WHITCHURCH WINS NATIONWIDE! Mrs Hay and the Fire Arrows team from Year 5 at Whitchurch Primary School travelled to Warwick recently to take part in the National F1 Final. Everyone is so proud of the children, they competed with 37 other schools in the UK and came first!

Amazing effort from everyone involved.

Since the finals, the team have improved their knowledge and understanding of the design and engineering process involve and this was evident in their work, they also won fastest car with speeds nearing 70mph!

Huge congratulations to Lyla, Libby, Evie, Giorgia and Lily in Year 5, Mrs Hay, Mrs Fox, Miss Leddy, Mrs Rich and Year 6.

LEARNING LIKE AN EGYPTIAN AT CASTLE PRIMARY Castle Primary had fun at their WOW Day focussing on the world of Ancient Egypt. The children cracked codes using hieroglyphics, designed individual sarcophagi, created a whole class large sarcophagus, built 3D pyramids, practised the art of mummification and the wrapping of bandages on pharaohs, made Egyptian collar necklaces and even participated in an Egyptian inspired dance! It was a really busy day as you can imagine!

BOOK NOW FOR JUNIOR AND SENIOR CLASSES IN GYMNASTICS AND TRAMPOLINING OOL! BACK TO SCH STICK ON IRON ON SEW ON

You name it we label it!

Holiday Fun Sessions 30th July – 30th August Tuesdays and Thursdays £14 per child - no need to book, just come along!

(Bring a packed lunch)

Call us on: 01635 298326

Gym birthday parties with giant inflatable, snow machine and disco lighting available on Saturday afternoons (book early to avoid disappointment)

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phone 0117 947 6449 email admin@KINGSWOODGYMNASTICS.CO.UK new website WWW.KINGSWOODGYMNASTICS.CO.UK

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COUNCIL CHAIR JOINS CHILDREN AND FAMILIES FOR NATIONAL CELEBRATION OF READING books, reading and singing rhymes and I believe Rhymetime has contributed to this. Today has been extra special as we’ve really enjoyed meeting Bookstart Bear.”

BookTrust is the UK’s largest children’s reading charity and is dedicated to getting more children reading. It supports children and families to experience the joy of reading and the benefits it brings.

Throughout the year South Gloucestershire Libraries hold weekly dropin activities for babies, toddlers, and pre-schoolers – it’s free to come along and new families are always very welcome.

Visit www.southglos.gov.uk/childrenslibrary or drop in to your local library to find out more.

For the latest on all library activities for children like South Gloucestershire Council on Facebook www.facebook.com/sgloslibraries and follow them on Twitter @southgloslibs

Children and families were joined by the Chair of South Gloucestershire Council, Cllr Brian Allinson on 7 June as part of a national series of events to celebrate the magic of reading.

Children were invited to wear pyjamas and take their favourite cuddly toy for ‘Pyjamarama’; a campaign which encourages families to enjoy bedtime reading together every night.

The Bookstart Bear provided entertainment and joined children and their families for songs and rhymes.

Cllr Allinson said: “Libraries are great places for children and families and it was a pleasure to see so many here today, sharing stories and enjoying rhymes together.

“There is a welcoming and friendly environment at our libraries for children and reading can help to support a good education. I hope this event has inspired more children to read and develop a passion that they’ll take with them into adulthood.”

Pyjamarama events were hosted across a number of South Gloucestershire Libraries between 3-9 June with children being presented with a free book on behalf of BookTrust.

A parent commented: “We have been coming to Rhymetime for years and find it to be a brilliant activity. My eldest son loves

ukfamilymatters |

WHITCHURCH, EVACUATED! Children in Year 6 at Whitchurch School took part in an authentic World War 2 evacuation day during their trip to Avon Valley Railway in Bitton. They thoroughly enjoyed the day and their costumes were fantastic! Everyone at the school would like to thank the parents for all the effort they put into making the costumes look as authentic as possible.

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WOW

UPLOAD YOUR WOW! PHOTOS AND DETAILS TO OUR ONLINE WOW! FORM VISIT WWW.FAMILYMATTERS-UK.CO.UK

WHAT AN ACHIEVEMENT Name: Luke Age: 9 Achievement: 7th kup in taekwondo from DES school of taekwondo.

Name: Ryley Age: 9 Achievement: All about me and Safety Badge.

Name: Dominic Age: 10 Achievement: All about me and Safety Badge.

Name: Tiah Age: 8 Achievement: Tiah won the Spring 2019 "Julie Ann Cup" for outstanding achievement. She always works hard and is eager to learn.

Name: Felicity Age: 4 Achievement: Stanley Level 4 swimming award.

Name: Beth Age: 8 Achievement: 50 metre swimming badge.

Name: Darci Age: 5 Achievement: Darci is now an enrolled member of Rainbows. She remembered her promise word perfect.

Name: Megan Age: 8 Achievement: 7th Kyu yellow belt in karate.

Name: Amirah Age: 9 Achievement: Amirah completed three 5km races and one 2.5km race at Runfestrun.

Name: Chloe Age: 6 Achievement: Chloe has achieved her level 4 in Beam Apparatus Proficiency for gymnastics.

Name: Daisy Age: 6 Achievement: Daisy has achieved a distinction in her tap preparatory Grade with Sue Hill school of dancing.

Name: Dylan, Achievement: Dylan swam four races at his swimming squad gala and received a Gold in each race swimming against his age group.

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in WOW ?

www.familymatters-uk.co.uk to find out how! ukfamilymatters |

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Stone Age Summer 20th July to 1st September Experience the Stone Age for yourself. Meet a hunter-gatherer to learn how your ancestors lived thousands of years ago. Get into the cave man spirit with prehistoric dress-up, create thumb clay pots and make brass rubbings of creatures such as the woolly mammoth.

Included with your Day Ticket Book online and save up to 15%