HEY! Magazine Frome and West Wilts

FREE • FROME AND WEST WILTS EDITION • ISSUE 24 • FEBRUARY 2015

INSIDE Suzie’s Diary

Mother’s Day Crafts Understanding Pre-school WOW Photos HEYMAG.CO.UK

HEYMAG.CO.UK | 3

WELCOME Director Tina Veater 07834 542955 | tina@ignyte-uk.co.uk Editorial Team Tina Veater info@ignyte-uk.co.uk Advertising Team Zoe Jenkins Theresa Saadeh 01761 410141 | info@ignyte-uk.co.uk Graphic Designer Pamela Evans Published by Ignyte Limited Printed by Flying Colours Ltd, Weare, Somerset Business Address: Ignyte Ltd, Second Floor, 2 High Street, Midsomer Norton, Radstock, BA3 2LE 01761 410141 info@ignyte-uk.co.uk 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.

Distribution: We deliver to 9500 families through primary schools and other outlets in Frome and West Wiltshire and surrounding villages.

The next edition is in March & is filling fast.

Welcome to the first HEY! Magazine of 2015 and we hope you enjoy our bright new look. As I write this column we are being promised some snow by the weather reporters as the temperatures outside are dropping below freezing and winters is definitely here. I certainly hope that we get a fair dusting of the white stuff as it is always great fun to go tobogganing with the children and to hear the sounds of laughter in the fields.

In our new look magazine we have introduced some new features, one which I know you will enjoy is Suzie’s Diary.

Suzie is a real life mum of 3 children and you can follow the up’s and down’s of family life with Suzie in each edition. Share in her experiences of teenage children, pre school education and primary struggles, all while balancing a job and a husband.

The children can enjoy making some beautiful homemade gifts for mummy or nanny for Mother’s Day with our craft ideas on pages 12 and 13. Visit our website for full instructions on how to make these amazing gifts.

Ensure that you enter our competitions from page 14 on our website or through our smart phone app. There are lots of prizes to be won and it is so simple to enter, don’t miss out!

Enjoy the first break of 2015 and some quality family time together.

Why not take a long stroll in the woods while the children get muddy and the dog runs in the river…always great fun for all.

Tina Hey Magazine

@hey_tweeter

www.heymag.co.uk

4 | HEYMAG.CO.UK

Spoil YOUR SPECIAL SOMEONE with Beauty or Complementary Therapy vouchers giving the most precious gift of ‘Time out’ - just for them

West Somerset Railway Between Bishops Lydeard (near Taunton) & Minehead

Download our Heritage Hunter App before you visit!

Positive Living Therapy Centre 22 High Street, Midsomer Norton 01761 411043

www.positiveliving.co.uk

MAKE IT A REAL MOTHERS DAY We are more than just flowers 94 Forest Road Frome 01373 467726 10 High Street Warminster 01985 216570 www.thelittleflowerco.co.uk

SHOP ON LINE

Mother’s Day 2015

Join us for a Chocoholic Afternoon tea Special!

Treat your mum to a day out at the seaside followed by chocolate indulgence with our Afternoon Tea. Depart from Minehead at 16.25 For booking and further details of this and other great days out see

www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk or call 01643 704996

HEYMAG.CO.UK | 5

A (FLOWER) POTTED HISTORY OF MOTHER’S DAY B

efore we go any further let’s get one thing straight. The mid Sunday in Lent is not strictly ‘Mother’s Day’ but, in fact, ‘Mothering Sunday’. The former happens in America and the latter label is supposed to apply in Britain. Both, of course, celebrate that most important figure in most people’s life – Mum (irrespective of which side of the Atlantic she lives).

To continue untangling these two celebrations…In America, Mother’s Day is the second Sunday in May, as proclaimed by none other than President Woodrow Wilson in 1914. It is marked on that day following a successful campaign by Anna Jarvis (18641948) to celebrate the tireless work of US mothers and pay tribute to her own mother (who had died on 9 May, 1905).

To delve even deeper, Anna’s campaign was actually the culmination of her mother’s previous mission to establish a ‘Mother’s Friendship Day’, the purpose of which was to reunite families divided by the American Civil War. The origins of the British date are more opaque. Some believe that Mothering Sunday may have originated from a 16th century practice of visiting the ‘mother

church’ – the main church in the region on Laetare Sunday, that’s the forth Sunday of Lent. Historically, this was also a time when domestic servants were given time off to visit their families.

Over time, the religious connotations of Mothering Sunday have waned and, true enough, the modern British tradition is pretty closely linked to its American cousin.

In 1913, Constance Penswick-Smith (18781938) was inspired by reading a newspaper report about Anna Jarvis’s campaign in America. She too wanted to establish/reestablish a day devoted to maternal praise in Britain. However, its wide scale revival only came about with the influence of US soldiers serving in Britain during the Second World War. By the 1950s, Mothering Sunday was a big deal; for mothers - and for card companies.

But you don’t need a big budget to spoil your mum, in fact you don’t need any money at all (as our handy tips list makes clear).

Interestingly, neither Constance PenswickSmith nor Anna Jarvis ever became mothers themselves.

DON’T FORGET MOTHER’S DAY MARCH 15TH TEN WAYS FOR KIDS TO SPOIL MUM ON MOTHERING SUNDAY 1. Write her a card – tell her what she means to you.

2. Make her a lovely lunch – why stop at breakfast in bed?

3. Do something together.

No distractions, no telly on in the background or the like; just share an activity like a walk or a jigsaw puzzle.

4. Offer her a back or foot massage.

This is one way to bring the spa experience home!

5. Plan a family photo shoot to remember the day in future years.

6. Draw or paint her a bunch of flowers. A picture lasts forever!

7. Find out more about her.

Ask about her favourite memories, her future hopes.

8. Invite one of her friends round to share that lovely lunch.

9. Run her a bath in the evening.

10. Give her a HUGE hug.

6 | HEYMAG.CO.UK

UNDERSTANDING PRESCHOOL

ESSENTIAL A friendly and relaxed learning environment, where children can develop to their full potential.

Leigh Park Community Centre, Leigh Park Way, Westbury, Wiltshire BA13 3FN

PLACES AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER 2015 Experienced & friendly staff OfSted Inspection September 2014 Graded “Good” Opening Times: Monday-Friday 9.00-15.00 www.step-up-preschool.co.uk

Shooting for the stars!

Two lovely, welcoming nurseries in Trowbridge.

We have spaces available for September 2015 contact us to arrange a visit to see our facilities and meet our friendly team.

Green Shoots Day Nursery Westfield Road,Trowbridge BA14 9JQ 01225 751744 greenshoots@bathymca.co.uk Little Shoots Day Nursery BroadCloth Lane, Trowbridge BA14 7HE 01225 754777 littleshoots@bathymca.co.uk Open Monday to Friday 8am – 6pm 50 weeks of the year (closed between Christmas and New Year)

www.bathymca.co.uk

Our two nurseries in Trowbridge Green Shoots and Little Shoots deliver a high standard of care and all activities are based on the new Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum and is enhanced by great staff and a high standard of resources and equipment.

• Every child is a unique child, who is constantly learning and can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured; • Children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships; • Children learn and develop well in enabling environments, in which their experiences respond to their individual needs and there is a strong partnership between practitioners and parents and/or carers; and • Children develop and learn in different ways and at different rates. The framework covers the education and care of all children in early years provision, including children with special educational needs and disabilities.

There are three distinct areas within the nursery each offering care for different age groups; all bright and airy and well lit.

We make full use of every inch of our outdoor space both nurseries. In our garden we grow fruit and vegetables, have extensive play equipment, and use the grass area for different activities depending on the time of year.

We take healthy eating seriously and all meals and snack times are designed to be sociable and special dietary needs can be accommodated.

Contact: Green Shoots 01225 751744. Little Shoots 01225 754777

HEYMAG.CO.UK | 7

AND EARLY YEARS EDUCATION;

REVISION! I

t’s been a long while since I last needed to think about pre-school education.

My eldest daughter is now in Year 6 – just months away from ‘big school’, and her primary years have gone by in a flash. My youngest, also a daughter, is just 3.

Yes, it’s a big gap and don’t I know it.

Things have changed. And this seems to be especially the case when it comes to pre-school education. I can’t remember my eldest having a curriculum as such to follow, but there’s definitely one now.

So as I get to grips with her nursery and its way of working, having agonised for months over which one would be best (for more on that theme check out my ‘Questions to consider when choosing a nursery’), I’m also trying to get my head round the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). In the process, I’m hoping that all the acronyms that litter her term reports will mean more.

After plenty of research and chats with nursery staff, I can safely say, this much I know…

Introduced in 2008, the EYFS framework sets out welfare and development goals for children five years and younger in Ofsted registered childcare. More than ‘just a curriculum’, the EYFS actually covers both the welfare and development of children, with the welfare aspect covering things like the suitability of facilities and equipment, as well as the qualifications and suitability of staff.

The development side covers six key areas. In short, these – and their usual abbreviations – are: • Personal, social and emotional development (PSED) • Communication, language and literacy (CL) • Problem solving, reasoning and literacy (PSRL) • Knowledge and understanding of the world (UW) • Physical development (PD) • Creative development (CD)

It follows my first piece of advice to anyone about to send a child to preschool would be to learn these acronyms, I guarantee that your child’s reports will make a whole lot more sense.

It’s also worth knowing that an EYFS check is carried out at age two. This bit of the foundation stage was introduced in 2012.

It applies only to children in England who attend pre-school, Ofsted registered settings, such as nurseries or childminders; the aim of the check is to ensure that any child who may need additional support is identified so that when the time comes for them to start school, they will be ready.

For those new to the EYFS it will also soon become apparent that a Key Person is very central to your child’s preschool education.

A key person is the individual selected to build up a strong relationship with your little one so that your child always has someone there who they can go to if they are feeling upset, happy or just want a cuddle.

The role of the key person is considered to be so important that it is looked at as part of the Ofsted inspections. And that makes sense to me – children need a constant, dependable adult they can trust. To be on the safe side though, every child will have a second person allocated to them at nursery as a sort of deputy to the key person in case they’re not available.

Generally, the aim of the EYFS is to make sure that all children get a good start both socially and academically.

Preschool education now certainly seems a lot more involved than when I went to nursery way back in the 1970s. Mind you, all I can really remember is making a mouse with cotton wool and a pipe cleaner tail. It’s a memory I treasure.

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A NURSERY • Do the children look well-stimulated?

Are they sitting down at activities, engaged by the staff?

• How is the day structured? What sort of activities are built into the timetable?

• Does the building look well-kept, safe and secure?

• How many of the staff are qualified?

• Does it have good quality outdoor play areas? If so, how often do children get access?

• Does indoor and outdoor equipment appear of good quality?

• Is food cooked on the premises?

• What are the menus like? Do they include a good combination of fresh (rather than tinned) fruit and vegetables? And how about the snacks?

• Do you have confidence the nursery manager possesses strong leadership skills, is well involved and has a ‘hands on’ approach?

8 | HEYMAG.CO.UK the egg & West Yorkshire Playhouse in association with MAC, Belfast & Theatr Iolo presents

LITTLE SURE SHOT A WILD WEST ESCAPADE FOR ALL THE FAMILY Thurs 26 March - Sat 4 April (Not Fri 27 or Mon 30 Mar)

Age 7+

Box Office: 01225 823409

www.theatreroyal.org.uk/the-egg

TROWBRIDGE CIVIC CENTRE

MEET FRIENDS THE SUNDAY CLUB 08 February 08 March

GIVE BLOOD 11 February 04 March

Call: 01225 765072

LIVE EVENTS 27 February - Showaddywaddy 21 March - Sci-Fi Southwest 2015 22 March - Sci-Fi Southwest 2015 18 April - Cow Parsley’s Bac to Tac 25 April - Magna Carta Conference 29 April - A Night of Dirty Dancing 14 May - Jethro 29 May - Dominic Kirwan & Mary Duff

COFFEE & CHAT

TROWBRIDgE FIBRO gROUP Every 2nd and 3rd Monday For more information visit:

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KEEP FIT ZUMBA Every Monday and Wednesday evening

LEARN TO DANCE MODERN JIVE 02 February 09 February 16 February 23 February 02 March 09 March

Suzie’s diary Dear Diary!

Finally, I’ve made it. I’m sitting down, pen in hand (well, keyboard at finger tips) ready to record 2015 as my life zigzags from high to low – and back again. Or perhaps I should say ‘we’ because ‘I am’ really means five people.

First up are the kids. There’s Scarlett, she’s my eldest and, boy, don’t I know it. Aged 11, Scarlett’s just started at secondary school (I’m not allowed to call it ‘big school’ anymore), and she is now an authority on, well, everything.

She’s currently contemplating becoming vegetarian.

My second born is Archie. He’s in Year 3 at school and just tears round without a care in the world. He’d sooner toss his homework over his shoulder than sit down and study.

Archie is in constant state of motion, unless he’s fast asleep – at which point he looks like the stuff of angels (the effect is lost as soon as he wakes up).

My youngest, Poppy is three. She’s the one who likes to snuggle. I call her my koala bear because she simply can’t get enough hugs from us all - and she doesn’t like to let go. Dropping her off at pre-school can be a real ordeal though; her super-sweet, podgy hands quiver as she cries.

That’s the image that always sticks in my mind. It makes me feel awful.

But I have to try and bring home the bacon too – and I’ve tried all sorts of jobs to try and make things work so that I can be there for this pick-up and that club drop-off.

None of the jobs worked. My husband Andy works long hours as a fit-out contractor so the job of ferrying the kids about almost always falls to me. Not to mention sorting meals, doing laundry and keeping tabs on homework – and the rest of it.

So this year, I’m going it alone. I’m setting up my own business – making cakes for cafes and caterers. Well, that’s the plan anyway. Haven’t actually got round to sorting my website out yet…

And we’re already heading into springtime 2015! This means I’m already months behind with my New Year’s resolution to keep a diary ALL year. Plus, I’ve not kept up the running I was going to do to ‘get fit at forty’.

This entry is - at least - a start.

Better late than never, right?

Suzie xx

February 12 - 14

What’s On

Arabian Night at The Egg King Shahrayer has decreed whenever he marries the following morning his new wife must die. On her wedding night, Shahrazad‘s only hope is to enchant the King with her tales of magic and adventure. Bewitched by dazzling characters like Ali Baba, Es-Sindibad the Sailor, giants, beasts, menacing ghouls, scheming thieves and birds that can talk, the King defers the execution for a thousand and one nights. Will he spare Shahrazad’s life forever?

Thursday: 7pm, Friday: 7pm, Saturday: 10am, 2pm, 7pm.

Tickets: £7.50 / £6.50 Children & Students. www.theatreroyal.org.uk

February 14 Bathwick Tyres Kingwell Hurdle Day Wincanton Racecourse. Join us while hopes for The Festival at Cheltenham take to the stage for as little as £16. Read more at www.wincanton.thejockeyclub.co.uk/events-tickets/whats-on

February 14 - 15 Fairytale SOS II at @Bristol Science will once again come to the rescue of some wellknown fairytale characters in distress! There’ll be plenty of audience participation as we lend a hand to a whole new cast of godmothers, dragons and heroes in this hair-raising and nailbiting show. www.at-bristol.org.uk.

February 17 - 21 The Cat in The Hat at The Egg From the moment his tall, red and white striped hat appears around the door, Sally and her brother know that The Cat in the Hat is the funniest, most mischevious cat ever. But what will mum find when she gets home? Based on the much loved book by Dr Seuss, The Cat in the Hat is a lively and engaging experience.

Tuesday - Thursday 11am & 1pm Friday & Saturday: 11am, 1pm & 3pm Tickets: £7.50 / £6.50 Children & Students www.theatreroyal.org.uk

February 18 Story Telling on the SS Great Britain Bristol 12pm, 1pm & 2pm Join resident storyteller Sarah Mooney to hear tall tales of life on board for the ss Great Britain’s crew. Expect mayhem, mischief, practical joking, fun and games. Sessions last approximately 20 minutes and are included in the price of admission. No booking is required but capacity is limited to 100 people per session.

February 20

Sing a Long showtime Sing a long with all your favourite princesses including Elsa and Anna. Come dressed as your favourite princess too. Tickets only £5.00 Midsomer Norton Town Hall, Midsomer Norton. To book contact info@scarlettprincessparties.co.uk to book or call 07921856767.

February 27 Showaddywaddy at the Civic Centre Their live show is dynamic and uplifting featuring all of their biggest hits. So come and join the ‘Dancing Party’, ‘You’ve Got What It Takes’! Tickets £18.50. Doors open 7.30pm. Disco will follow after the main act. Book online www.trowbridgecivic.co.uk.

February 28 Vintage and Retro Fair Vintage Somerset’s Vintage and Retro Fair offering the best vintage and retro clothes and goodies in the locale. Vintage pop up tea room too. 10am to 3pm. Entry £1. Under 16s free.

Seagar Hall, Union Street, Wells, Somerset BA5 2PU, 07949 784117

February 28 Boxtrolls, The Palladium Midsomer Norton Town Hall, 2.30pm.

March 5 Free racing courtesy of Bathwick Tyres Wincanton Racecourse. A fantastic day out which is absolutely FREE! www.wincanton.thejockeyclub.co.uk/events-tickets/whats-on

March 7 Pro Wrestling Join Pro Evolution Wrestling on their annual return to the Trowbridge Civic Centre for a night of hard-hitting, high-flying wrestling entertainment. Doors open: 6.45pm (show: 7pm).

Advanced tickets: Gold (ringside): £12.50, General Admission: £10, Family of Four: £35. Book online www.trowbridgecivic.co.uk

March 21 Pro Wrestling Join Pro Evolution Wrestling for a night of hard-hitting, highflying wrestling entertainment. Doors open: 6.45pm (show: 7pm).

Advanced tickets: Gold (ringside): £12.50, General Admission: £10, Family of Four: £35. Merchants Academy, Withywood www.merchantsacademy.org

Half Term!

14 - 22 February February 13

February 14 - 22

Pyjama party time at Splodges 4-6pm. Join them in your PJ’s for softplay fun and a party tea.

Don’t forget to take your teddy. £6.50 per child.

Call 01373 865174 or email splodgesplay@gmail.com

Half Term Train Rides Why not bring along the family and enjoy a trip on our Heritage Diesel Railcar. Avon Valley Railway, Bitton

February 14 - 20 Zombie Fest 2015 at WireWorld Games, treats, competition and prizes. Free smoo for anyone dressed in costume. 1pm – 7pm £10 a ticket.

Booking is essential. Wireworld, Radstock.

February 14 - 22

February 14 - 22 Nest Box Painting Whitehall Garden Centre, Lacock.

Come and make a home for birds in your garden by painting a beautiful nest box with us. All equipment supplied.

11am to 4pm daily. £3.99 for Little Acorn Club Members £5.99 for Non Little Acorn Club Members.

Book your space online at www.whitehallgardencentre.co.uk

Folklore February at Prior Park Come and join us for a day of activities to celebrate traditional English customs. We will be running craft activities including Greenman workshops, tree dressing and a fairy and elf trail on Sat 14 Feb. The trail will continue till Sun 22 Feb, have a go and discover many folklore facts.

More Information: Visitor Reception Team, 01225 833422, priorpark@nationaltrust.org.uk

February 17

February 14 - 22

Family activities at Bishops Palace Get crafty in the Stable Yard Activity Room making Snowdrop fingerprint cards, Paper Plate Flowers, Seed Bombs and designing your own wallpaper! You can also follow our exciting picture trail to learn more about the Palace and Gardens!

11am-3pm. Included with standard admission ticket.

Under 5’s FREE.

Family explorer trail at Dunster Castle Explore the grounds and discover some fascinating facts about Dunster Castle as you complete this trail. Don’t forget to claim your prize at the end. £2 per trail including prize.

Normal admission charges apply.

Pancake Races 11:30am at Bishops Palace, Wells

February 18

Mothering Sunday Sunday 15 March Saturday 14 March Mother’s Day at Noahs Ark Zoo Farm Treat your Mum to a day out at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm for only £5 admission rate when you download a voucher from the website. Take part in the “Wild Mums” quiz and learn about the special zoo mums. www.noahsarkzoofarm.co.uk

Sunday 15 March Mother’s Day Train Special Celebrate Mother’s Day with the West Somerset Railway by joining us for a Chocoholic Afternoon Tea Special. Travel on any morning service from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead and return from Minehead on the 15:35 Afternoon Tea Special.

Sunday 15 March Mother’s Day Lunch Enjoy a first class three course meal on our Steam ‘n’ Cuisine Dining Train. Avon Valley Railway, Bitton.

Sunday 15 March Mother’s Day Gert Posh Tea 4pm This Mother’s Day, treat mum to something truly special!

Gert Posh Teas are a truly scrumptious and a lovely event for all the family! Served on a tiered platter, they’re proper posh!

To book, please call Farrington’s on 01761 452266 and speak to the Café.

Sunday 15 March Mother’s Day Lunch The George Hotel, Frome. Treat your Mum to a delicious meal.

Bookings now being taken 01373 462584.

Craft Corner

Visit our website at www.heymag.co.uk for full instructions on how to make these crafts

Celery Flowers

Bouquet

Photo Cube

Can Flower Pots

Handmade Soap

Apron

Stepping Stone

String Heart

Photo Coasters

Bath Bombs

HEY! competitions WIN A FAMILY TICKET TO HAYNES MOTOR MUSEUM

WIN A SEAQUARIUM WESTON FRIENDS & FAMILY TICKET

3 to be won!

Family ticket is 2 adults and 3 children.

Valid for up to 6 people worth £38.00

Haynes International Motor Museum offers fantastic family fun whatever the weather. It is the UK’s largest exhibition of great cars from around the world.

For the children there is racing cars, Volkswagen campers, ice-cream vans, diggers, and even a fullsize double decker bus and a new motor themed family entertainment zone within the grounds of the museum. Complete your visit in the café, serving a variety of freshly made snacks and drinks all day.

Find out more at www.haynesmotormuseum.com

SeaQuarium Weston is situated on its own unique pier on Weston-super-Mare seafront.

The aquarium features Freshwater, Tropical and Marine species in 30 exhibits across 10 themed zones including the Tropical Reef Zone with Puffer Fish, Rainforest Zone with Piranha and Underwater Ocean Tunnel with sharks. The “Hands On” team are available throughout the day to bring you closer to many of our creatures and to share their unique experiences of caring for the animals at SeaQuarium!

What is the name of the Bristol Bus at Haynes Motor Museum that has a cinema inside?

Seaquaruim also have another site in North Wales, what is the name of the town it is in?

WIN A FREE GAMEWAGON PARTY FOR 12 CHILDREN 4 parties to give away Mon to Thurs, worth £225.00 Gamewagon is one of the coolest concepts in kids parties for boys and girls celebrating their birthdays. Gamewagon creates a unique social experience that is proving to be a great hit with kids and parents alike. We come to a venue of your choice (usually your home) and host a unique and memorable experience in our custom built video game wagon.

For more information please visit w ww.gamewagon.co.uk or call us on 0845 319 4263

Which game is the character from on the home page of the Gamewagon website?

WIN A TICKET FOR 4 GUESTS TO CREALY, DEVON! This years Devon’s Crealy Great Adventure Park boasts 75,000 sq ft of indoor, undercover play! Open for great winter adventures including the all new indoor heated play area Atlantis, the Adventure Zone and Animal Kingdom. Over 40 rides and attractions are open for fun and advertures galore, So what will be first? Race to the top of the Vortex or step back in time to meet the dinosaurs?

What does Cupid carry?

WINNERS Ava Alder-Ashman Keynsham Leah Selway Chilcompton Leila Pavey Baltonsborough Rebekah Bolton Keynsham Jack Fievez Trowbridge Sofia Veleska Westbury Joshua Blackmore Frome Dilon Endicott Frome Rebecca Harrington Norton St Philip Isaac Hillier Longwell Green Renee WeberHanham Chloe Mae Allen Writhlington Harvey Lamkin Chilcompton Thomas Evans Street Daniel Stevenson Shepton Mallet

HOW TO ENTER To be in with a chance of winning these fantastic prizes, simply visit www.heymag.co.uk and click on the Competitions button, complete the form and enter your answers.

It couldn’t be easier!

Closing date for entries: 20th February 2015

WHEN CAN I LEAVE MY CHILD HOME ALONE? L

eaving a child home alone for the first time can feel like a huge step. The very idea raises a multitude of questions…

Are they old enough? Are they mature enough to handle the responsibility? Are you ready to trust them? Could they handle the myriad of ‘might happens’ should something go awry, be it spilling a milk carton or something more serious like a fall.

When it comes to the question of a suitable age at which to entrust a child to themselves the picture quickly gets confusing. In many schools, Year 5 and 6 pupils are allowed to walk to and from home alone. This seems to suggest that schools, (and they surely ought to be good judges of child maturity), think kids can handle themselves around strangers - and cars - aged around nine.

So does that mean it’s also ok to leave a nine-year-old at home alone for a few hours? Home is surely a safer environment than the Big Outdoors? And, presumably, this maturity doesn’t just happen suddenly at nine. There must be a lead up. So can you leave an eight-year-old at home, while you pop to the shops?

The law is less cut and dried than you might think. In fact, there is no set legal minimum age at which you can leave a child on their own. However, it is an offence to leave a child alone if it places them at risk. The onus is on you the parent or carer to judge how mature your child is before you decide to leave them alone.

“So can you leave an eightyear-old at home, while you pop to the shops?”

This does not mean that the law is toothless. Parents or carers can be prosecuted if they leave a child unsupervised ‘in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to health’.

And this is open to interpretation. In recent years, a mother, who left her son of 14 looking after his three-year-old brother while she popped to the shops for half an hour, got a police caution for cruelty. In another case, social services threatened to intervene with the parents of an eight-year-old and five-year-old who allowed their children to cycle a mile to school unaccompanied.

These sort of scenarios cannot possibly be isolated, or even rare, incidents, yet charges against parents made in connection to leaving children home are actually pretty thin on the ground.

Helpfully, the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) is less vague than the letter of the law about its viewpoint on the subject, but even so there is still plenty of scope for interpretation.

The charity suggests: • children under 12 are rarely mature enough to be left alone for a long period of time • children under 16 shouldn’t be left alone overnight • babies, toddlers and very young children should never be left alone Interestingly, a YouGov poll of parents commissioned by The Times in 2014 found that two thirds wanted the government to set a minimum age limit that is legally binding. And the consensus was that age 12 was about right.

But could a law like this work in practice?

The trouble is that defining that state of ‘being left alone’ could be tricky. For example, is a child who is allowed out to play in the street with friends at age five being ‘left alone’? And what of the child playing in a large garden (or a large house for that matter), out of the sight of a parent or carer? Is being left alone, one and the same as being out of view?

It seems unlikely that the law concerning this aspect of child safety will be changed any time soon, if ever. So parents and carers will have to continue making the decision as to whether or not a child is mature enough to be left alone. And views will continue to vary.

It’s your call.

KNOW YOUR ONLINE RIGHTS W

ith no queues, no crowds and no closing time, its easy to see whey so many of us choose to shop online, but while most of us know the high street procedure for faulty goods, refunds and other customer issues, knowing where you legally stand online can be confusing at best.

If you have ever felt that twinge of anxiety as you hit the OK tab to complete your online transaction, then this guide is for you. Consumer watchdog Which? has come up with the following guide to help you navigate and negotiate your way round the legal parameters of the internet high street.

CHANGING YOUR MIND

Once an order is placed online, there is a cooling-off period starting the minute you place the order and ending seven working days from the day after receiving the goods, during which time you are legally free to cancel. If you are buying a service, the seven working days starts the day after you place the order and if you agree that a service will start straight away you give up your right to cancel. Items which can’t be returned include: CDs, DVDs or software if the seal on the wrapping is broken; perishable items; and tailor-made or personable goods.

ONLINE PROTECTION

The retailer must give both a geographical and an email contact address. If you receive an email confirming your order, you have

a legally binding contract, but if it’s just an acknowledgment, then you don’t.

your rights are before surfing the net for bargains.”

FAULTY GOODS

According to McCarthy, shopping from home can be extremely problematic if you are not familiar with internet etiquette.

“Online shopping isn’t always a case of ‘what you see is what you get’. It can be difficult when all you have to go on is a photo. As well as your statutory rights, it’s worth checking returns policies, as these do vary.

For example, online electronics supplier Dabs gives 10 days to return unwanted goods, whereas Amazon is much more generous, with 30 days,” he says.

Faulty goods - whether purchased online or on the high street, the seller is still responsible for the condition of the goods on delivery and its also worth noting that the seller must also bear the cost of returning them if they are problematic.

SPECIAL OFFERS

Always check the terms and conditions, as some companies only accept the order when the goods are removed from the shelves and this may be after the offer expires. If you are charged full price, you don’t have to pay - you can simply send the goods back with the delivery driver.

AUCTION SITES

When buying goods privately there is little legal protection. The law on auction sites is unclear, but there is an argument that if you buy the goods from a trader it’s not a true auction, so you have protection under the Sale of Goods Act. To date, the law has not been tested enough for any hard and fast rules to have been set.

Senior lawyer at Which? Legal Service, Peter McCarthy, says: “It’s a great time to buy online, especially with the new ruling on protection for credit card purchases abroad.

But it’s also important to know exactly what

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HEYMAG.CO.UK | 17

BEING SAFE ON THE ROADS W

ith more cars on the road then ever before, children need to take extra precautions to ensure they are seen, going to and from school. We advise parents to talk to their children about the importance of the Green Cross Code.

With traffic accidents responsible for almost half of all accidental deaths in childhood, the famous Green Cross Code is more important than ever.

So here’s a refresher of the updated Green Cross Code: STOP: Find the safest place to cross then stop. Stand on the pavement near the kerb or the edge if there is no kerb.

LOOK: Give yourself lots of time to have a good look all around.

Make sure you can see if anything is coming and drivers can see you.

LISTEN: Listen carefully because you can sometimes hear traffic before you can see it. Never cross the road whilst chatting to people, listening to your iPod or talking on your mobile phone. When it is safe to cross, walk straight across the road. Do not walk diagonally. Keep looking and listening for traffic while you cross.

There has been a great deal of debate about when children are old enough to be out and about on their own and road safety is central to this.

There is no definitive answer as each child and environment is different but here’s a general guide: Children aged 3-5: Under fives need lots of hand-holding and supervision. Set a good example when you cross the road as children will copy you.

Children aged 5-7: You can start to teach children the Green Cross Code, but they are still too little to remember everything.

It’s good to start building good habits when you’re out and about.

Children aged 7-11: Older children can start to learn why the rules are important. They are easily distracted and may run out quickly. While they may still struggle to judge speed and distances, they are ready to learn the Green Cross Code.

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HEYMAG.CO.UK | 19

News and Reviews LATEST SCHOOL NEWS

EVENTS

DIARY DATES

YOUR SUCCESSES

OAKFIELD ACADEMY – COUNTY CHAMPIONS! Year 7 Girls from Oakfield Academy competed in the Somerset Sports hall Athletics finals on the 16th December at Millfield school, Street.

Pupils had won the previous qualifying competition held at Crispin School and were excited to test themselves against the best in the County.

Teams competed against pupils in the same school year in such Field events as Shot put, Speed Bounce, High Jump, Triple Jump and track events including 8 lap Paarlauf, Relay, 2 and 4 lap Sprints and an obstacle relay to name but a few. Pupils took part individually and in team events throughout the afternoon and it was Oakfield who emerged victorious, amassing the highest total points from all of the year 7 teams which entered, making them the Year 7 Girls County champions. Oakfield were awarded their individual medals and it was down to team captain Kate O’Connor to collect the Team trophy to round off an exhilarating day for Oakfield.

PRIZES FOR PAINTED PIGGY BANKS Lacey & Alana have been presented with book token prizes for their entries in the Christchurch School’s painted piggy bank competition. The competition was judged by Carol Whittard, School Governor and Julie Barney, the school’s Crossing Patrol, the winners were chosen from all the entries submitted by members of the pocket money savings club.

Since October, Christchurch School have been working with the Mendip Community Credit Union to run the savings club, encouraging children to save their money for special events or to buy things like lego, a bike or a barbie doll. Just before Christmas all of the children who had joined were given a pack with paints and a piggy bank for them to decorate over the holidays. This was made possible by a grant from the credit union’s bank, the Unity Trust. The book token competition prizes were given by the MCCU. Anyone who would like to find out more about the Credit Union can come along to meet friendly volunteers at the Library in Frome every Saturday morning 10-12 noon and at the Key Centre every Thursday morning 9-11.30am.

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THE SAXONS HAVE LANDED AT THE AVENUE Pupils from the Avenue Primary School and Children’s Centre recently enjoyed a fantastic Anglo-Saxon themed re-enactment day as part of their “Invaders” topic.

Pupils and teachers dressed up as Saxons and Vikings and throughout the day took part in activities such as archery, doing tapestries, making and painting colourful shields, making soup and cooking a feast around the camp fire.

The pupils had great fun and according to many, the best bit was sitting around the camp fire in the school’s woodland area, telling Saxon stories.

Mr Porter, Headteacher at the Avenue Primary School said, “We are trying to bring the curriculum to life for our children – and this was a great example of just that.

Everyone had a really exciting, fun filled day and many of the children commented on just how much they had learnt about the Anglo-Saxons and how sad they were that the topic had come to an end”.

MATHS MEETS ART AT BITHAM BROOK! Bitham Brook Primary School was transformed into an art gallery for the day just before Christmas, when every child in the school had the chance to display a framed piece of their own artwork which they had created for parents to come and view.

The pictures had all been produced during a recent Maths Week at the school and were inspired by the mathematical aspects of Art, such as patterns, symmetry, geometry, silhouettes, perspective and shape.

We would like to thank Tanya and David Wright from Images Art, who framed the pictures and set up the gallery for us. The exhibition was a huge success and the children really enjoyed showing their works of art to their proud parents!

22 | HEYMAG.CO.UK

BIG LOTTERY GRANT FOR AVENUE

The Avenue Primary School and Children’s Centre are delighted that following a grant from the Big Lottery Fund, they have been able to make improvements to their playground forest trail and outdoor seating area.

The project was to fit soft tred flooring under the forest trail, providing an impact absorbing surface making it safer for outdoor play in all weather conditions. This is a wet pour surface, made from recycled tyres, so it is also “green” and good for the environment. In addition, the wooden butterfly benches have the

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same soft tred flooring, to create a safe and calm seating area for younger pupils, away from the hustle and bustle of the main playground.

All weather play facilities mean children can develop their outdoor play skills throughout the year. Children become frustrated when they can’t let off steam because playtime is cut short because of bad weather; the new forest trail means that the surface can be accessed in wet weather conditions, so there is no need to ask the children not to play on the forest trail after it has been raining.

Mr Stuart Porter, Headtacher, said, “It is thanks to this generous funding that we can greatly improve the outdoor play environment for all our pupils. The children have all thoroughly enjoyed “bouncing” on the springy soft surface, in addition to playing on the forest trail!”

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WOW

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WHAT AN ACHIEVEMENT Benjamin Court aged 7 has been awarded Star of the day and best shot at golf.

Well done.

Freya Horne aged 6 has achieved her stage 3 in swimming, her level 4in trampoline and a summer reading challenge.

Erin RossOsbourne has achieved her 15 metre swimming award.

Fantastic job.

Owen White aged 10 has sold poppies with his mum for 5 years and he loves the feeling this gives him.

Congratulations.

Sara Choudhury aged 6 has been awarded a yellow stripe in Karate.

Fantastic job.

Thomas Court has achieved the fuzzy in reception for good listening and sound work.

Well done.

Ethan Webb aged 5 has achieved his grade 3 in swimming.

Congratulations.

Callum Webb aged 5 has achieved his grade 5 in swimming.

Fantastic job.

Jonah Fox aged 7 was awarded a trophy for playing football.

Well deserved.

Ruby Sage aged 6 has achieved her grade 1 in swimming.

Congratulations.

Florence Rose aged 5 has been awarded a special award for bringing a beautiful smile to school each day.

Well done.

Lewis Rose aged 8 has achieved his orienteering and local knowledge badges at Cubs.

Congratulations.

Harriet Stokes aged 4 has achieved her level 2 in swimming.

Well deserved.

Rebecca James aged 9 has achieved her grade 3 and 4 in swimming.

Congratulations.

Erin Sage aged 9 has achieved her grade 3 and 4 in swimming.

Well deserved.

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