HEY! Magazine North East Somerset edition

FREE • NORTH EAST SOMERSET EDITION • ISSUE 44 • JULY 2015

INSIDE Days out this Summer Helping with childhood worries What’s On Early Years Education HEYMAG.CO.UK

Book a FREE Home Fire Safety Visit Keep your loved ones safe

Receive free advice from your local firefighters about reducing risk in your home and how you would escape in an emergency.

Smoke alarms will also be fitted for free if required.

To book a visit 0117 926 2061 Text ‘visit’ to 07507 319 694 www.avonfire.gov.uk @AvonFireRescue

AvonFireRescue

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 Media Ltd 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 7000 families through primary schools and other outlets in North East Somerset.

The next edition is in September & is filling fast.

At last the summer has arrived and I am sure you are all looking forward to your days in the sun and fun on the beach.

I am very aware that arranging to keep your young ones busy during the summer break is a challenge, especially if you are working too. This edition of the magazine supplies you with lots of great ideas and clubs to help you to achieve the objective of fun for the children and safe and secure childcare for you.

There is no better feeling than watching the children run and play in the grass or in open spaces as the sun shines. These memorable days do not need to be expensive and out days out section highlights how you can plan to make the entire day, much more enjoyable for all.

The summer is a great time for children to learn new skills, these can include swimming, fishing, gardening and social skills. Sharing the bucket and spade or even the swings in the park is a great start to working together and team work.

Don’t miss our competitions page, where you can win a host of fabulous prizes from tickets to products. Simply visit our website to enter.

September is a time for change for both children and families, with new starters in reception and also younger children joining nurseries and childcare. Check out our early years pages for some ideas of the provisions available in your area for the younger people in your household.

These changes can sometimes be tough for our small people, they worry about change and often struggle to see through these worries. Year six children will be thinking about the move to secondary school and this can be a huge worry for them too. Our editorial team have investigated some of these anxieties and offer some help and guidance in our ‘Young and worried’ page.

It would be great to hear from you if there are specific interests or topics that you would like the HEY! Team to write about. Please email me directly with your suggestions and thoughts at tina@ignyte-uk.co.uk.

Have a fabulous summer break with your family.

Tina Hey Magazine

@hey_tweeter

www.heymag.co.uk

4 | HEYMAG.CO.UK Summer is here and we have just the solution to entertain your wild child!

Visit us at Free Rangers between the 20th - 31st of July

Magical memories for children.

Explore, learn about wildlife and get inspired by the natural world.

Forest School Holiday Clubs (5 - 10yrs) 9am - 4pm, Monday-Thursday £30 p/d (£5 discount on extra days booked)

Fire cooking, dens, art, animal tracking, shelter building, tool and craft work, stream games, camouflage challenges, storytelling and more...

Forest Skills (10 - 15yrs) *New for 2015* 9am - 4pm, Fridays £35 p/d (£5 discount on extra days booked)

SUMMER HOLIDAY DATES THROUGHOUT JULY & AUGUST

For more information please visit www.freerangers.org.uk

More details at www.ecowild.org.uk or call 07812 155 659

Advertise for as little as £22.50 01761 410141 or email

info@ignyte-uk.co.uk

Free Rangers BA3 2BW

Your local cinema in Midsomer Norton

Saturday 25th July Family Showcase 2.30pm: Big Hero 6 (PG) Evening Showcase 7.30pm: The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (PG)

www.wellowtrekking.com

Accommodation & Riding Holidays Pony Trekking Riding Lessons Picnic and Play Area Refreshments Corporate Facilities Parties 01225 834376 Birthday RDA Centre

Saturday 22nd August

Family Showcase 2.30pm: The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water (U) Evening Showcase 7.30pm: Still Alice (12A)

Full size cinema screen, surround sound, comfy armchair seating, cafe, ice-cream & popcorn - the complete cinema experience!

Tickets: £5 adults, £3 children, £12 family (2 adults, 2 children)

www.midsomernortoncommunitytrust.co.uk | 01761 419133

Sport Fest 2015 08-08-2015 www.bathnes.gov.uk/sportfest

HEYMAG.CO.UK | 5

SUMMER ACTIVITIES THE BENEFITS OF BEING BUSY

T

here’s no doubt about it – the prospect of school breaking up for six-weeks in summer can for many parents and carers feel daunting. Whether you work full time, part time or are home based, you need a plan to get through this stretch. Keeping kids busy at a summer camp or with activity days could be just the solution, if you (and the kids) are to keep your sanity.

Here’s why.

NEW EXPERIENCES

Whether it’s a tennis school camp, craft orientated days at a local community centre or a mixed sporting menu at your local sports centre, enrolling your child for activities is sure to bring them into contact with new people, new ideas and, possibly, new activities.

Or, if your child has a passion for a specific thing, the summer is the ideal opportunity to develop that interest.

HEALTH AND SOCIAL BENEFITS

Active days where your child gets out of the house have a number of clear health benefits, especially if they involve children engaging in sporting activities. Even if the focus of the day is more sedentary

and perhaps orientated towards crafts, your child will have the benefit of socialising with other kids, which will inevitably involve some racing around! If your child is unsure about attending a camp or activity day, perhaps see if a friend could attend too.

BEING ACTIVE IS FUN

Activity days and camps may have quite busy schedules but they are free from the pressures that kids might sometimes associate with school. There’s unlikely to be any homework and the focus will likely be play, albeit in a structured way, which, at the same time, involves learning or creating something!

COST-EFFICIENT AND SAFE

Many camps cost the same as more formal childcare options and sometimes cost even less. Call up the organisation in question and ask if a discount applies if booking in a certain number of days, or more than one child. Reputable activity centres and camps will be Ofsted registered meaning you can go to work, or grab a quiet moment at home, feeling reassured that your child is receiving high quality, and enjoyable care.

6 | HEYMAG.CO.UK

You could have been reading your advert instead of this!

Advertise for as little as £45.00 Call 01761 410141 or email info@ignyte-uk.co.uk Mogghill Nursery School St Benedict’s Primary School, Charlton Lane, Midsomer Norton • 35 years in outstanding childcare • Experienced & qualified staff • Brilliant Ofsted reports • Secure outdoor play area • Stimulating activities • Safe & happy environment for your children

Spaces available for September 2015

01761 232176/ 07909 461163 mogghill@aol.com • www.mogghill.com

Messytots @Paulton

Community playgroup for children aged 0-5 years.

Bring your little ones along for a chance to get messy with the team and try out our play equipment.

Everyone welcome! Snack provided.

Thursday mornings term time only, 10-11.30am.

Paulton Scouts, Guides & Community Hall, Plumptre Rd, Paulton.

Find us on Facebook or email paultonmessytots@gmail.com

Longvernal Nursery Ofsted outstanding early years education and childcare provision.

Open term time 9-3 for children over 2 years old.

Provisions for extra hours after school and holidays for children over 3 years old 2 and 3 year old Nursery Education Grant accepted.

Call for more info: 01761 418226

HEYMAG.CO.UK | 7

EARLY YEARS EDUCATION WHAT’S THE BEST CHOICE FOR YOUR CHILD?

E

very child is different: what proves a godsend for one may be a nightmare for another. At such a tender age, how do you know what will suit your child?

THE OPTIONS Pre-school isn’t compulsory and for good reason. Not all parents want their child to attend a pre-school and it will not suit every child. Your child’s early years may be spent entirely at home, alternatively, you may decide that time away from home suits you both. Possibilities include a child-minder, nursery, kindergarten, crèche, pre-school, play-group and toddler groups.

Formal childcare providers will follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), which sets standards for the learning, development and care of children from birth to 5 years old. All schools and Ofsted-registered early years providers must follow the EYFS, including childminders, preschools, nurseries and school reception classes.

THE COST Fees for nurseries vary hugely, they can range anywhere from £40 per day, to almost double that! The cost is often charged at an hourly rate and tends to include meals, but each nursery is different so it’s best to phone around and ask for their specific fee breakdowns before making any decisions.

Remember too that all 3 and 4-year-olds are entitled to 570 hours per year of free early education starting from the term after their third birthday- January, April or September.

This is usually offered as 15 hours per week during terms time (38 weeks of the year.)

However, to allow the entitlement to be used more flexibly, some childcare providers in some areas are able to stretch the 570 hours over more weeks of the year.

Some employers subsidise day nursery fees, so check to see if you can get help. Many parents can also get extra help with the costs of approved or registered childcare through tax credits. For more information contact HM Revenue & Customs at www.hmrc.gov. uk, or phone their helpline on 0845 300 3900.

POINTS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING EARLY YEARS CARE: • Social skills and interaction with others. For some children, a pre-school is the perfect place for this, while others may get plenty of opportunities for mixing and socialising with friends and at local parent/toddler groups and classes • Your child’s confidence with others.

You may feel your child is independent enough to cope with a structured early years setting, that they would benefit from time away from you with other children, or that they are getting all they need at home..

• Check out different settings playgroups, nurseries, pre-schools, parents and tots. Even if you are intent on keeping your child at home with you, by exploring your options you know you are making an informed decision • Consider different educational approaches. There are lots of different schools of thought about how best to educate young children with Steiner and Montessori pre-schools focussing on child-led learning through play. Forest schools have a strong outdoors focus • Factor in cost and practicalities such as timing and travel. If these pose a problem, speak to your health visitor or early years group, they may know ways to combat such difficulties • Don’t be put off by what others say, or by your own distant memories of childcare! See for yourself. Visit and look at the other children; can you envisage your child being happy there?

8 | HEYMAG.CO.UK

YOUNG & WORRIED

HELPING CHILDREN COPE WITH ANXIETY C

hildren may not have bills or a mortgage to pay, but youngsters can feel just as anxious as adults. The prospect of change is a well-known trigger for the onset of anxiety, yet change is inevitable and particularly so for children.

With September and a new school year just around the corner, all children have to face change. Knowing how to help children handle their worries can help avoid bigger psychological problems further down the line.

WHAT IS ANXIETY OR WORRY? Anxiety is actually one of the most common mental health problems. According to the NHS, nearly 300,000 young people in Britain have an anxiety disorder – and many more suffer in silence.

No one knows exactly why some people are more anxious than others, but it is thought that some people are genetically more prone to worry, while others clearly experience anxieties following a major trauma or upheaval in their life. Symptoms are hugely varied and range from lack of appetite and insomnia to overeating and a lack of energy. It really depends on the individual.

Doctors classify anxiety into four general types: fears and phobias; general anxiety; separation anxiety; and social anxiety (a form of extreme shyness). Often these different types of anxiety are linked in children, for example, a child suffering from social anxiety might also fear separation from their main carer. The good news is that anxiety is the most treatable of mental health problems and early action can help prevent future stress.

“it is thought that some people are genetically more prone to worry” TACKLE SPECIFIC WORRIES EARLY In some instances you may be able to anticipate what could potentially stress your child. Things like the start of a new school year, a new school teacher or a sporting event are clear candidates for sparking worry if your child is inclined in this way. So prepare them in advance and explain what is going to happen and why.

Give plenty of acknowledge to your child that you understand they may feel uncertain – and reassure them that you are available for comfort and support. Talk to your child to try and understand the issue that worries them most, you might find that although, for example, your child seems worried about a new school year, the actual problem is that they have lost a book a friend lent them.

There could be a practical solution to the cause of their worry.

DEALING WITH GENERAL ANXIETY If your child is showing signs of anxiety, it is important that you can show them that you care and want to understand the reason why. You may need to think about whether there is something going on in the family that could be causing worry, or possibly something happening at school or with friends. It could also be possible that they are picking up on your worries.

All families have times when they have to deal with a lot of stress and worry. At times like these, you or your child might need extra help and support from friends, family members or others.

COPING WITH TRAUMA A trauma could be anything from involvement in a car accident to a response to a family bereavement or parental divorce. In the case of an obvious trauma like a serious accident, your child will most likely be offered professional counselling, but in the case of separation or bereavement, you may need to talk to your GP to request help.

Be aware too, that there are some good quality books available that aim to help children better understand what has happened to them, be it a bereavement or a serious illness. Children over the age of five can often find it helpful to talk about their worries to an understanding adult, which could be someone outside the immediate family.

EXTREME AND LONGSTANDING ANXIETY If your child is so anxious that they can’t cope with ordinary dayto-day life, more specialist help could well be needed. Your GP will be able to advise you, and may suggest referral to your local Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS).

Suzie’s diary Dear Diary!

Staring at my calendar earlier today, I felt a surge of panic course through my entire body.

It is just a few weeks before school breaks for the summer holiday. I desperately need a plan!

I’ve been thinking on and off about how I’ll manage my business over the summer break and whether I should even consider trying to work around the kids, or should I try and palm them off to friends and relatives?

The trouble is that even with the baking biz doing fairly well, it’s not worth paying childcare for three kids. Yes, I get some help with Poppy’s nursery fees. Many thanks to the public purse for that, but, er, more help needed!

For the last school holiday I decided to do all my baking and paper work in the evenings.

Not a good move.

By the time the kids are all in bed, settled and I’ve sorted out the trail of destruction they leave in their wake (even after tidying), it’s gone 9pm. Working to gone midnight took me to the edge…. It’s a dark place.

I’m going to have to get Scarlett to help keep the little ones entertained while I just get on with things during the day.

My parents and the in-laws may be around but it has to be said that the novelty of having grandkids wore off quite some time ago… And this once plentiful supply of babysitters is getting stretched with both my brother and Andy’s sister now having young children too. There are only so many days that baby boomers want to devote to nurturing the future. They’ve got a pension to spend now, and a free bus pass to make use of!

So it’s with apprehension that I see the calendar pulling me into chaos of mixing business with kids.

The silver lining is that we’ll spend half of August away.

A cottage in Shropshire (one week) and camping at the Gower (another week).

Plenty of opportunity to relax then!

Suzie xx

10 | HEYMAG.CO.UK

HEY! competitions WIN A FAMILY TICKET TO CHOLDERTON CHARLIE’S FARM Cholderton Charlie’s Farm Park is located on the Wiltshire and Hampshire border, near the historic Stonehenge. We offer a great value, fun-filled family day out for all ages and interests: from our indoor three-storey playbarn, outdoor play areas, café and gift shop; as well as feeding, cuddling and petting baby animals and our daily tractor rides. During peak times, we offer a large variety of hands-on farm activities, from walking a goat to cuddling a fluffy baby chick! Tractor rides around the farm are also a big hit, as well as our twice daily Pig Races!

What is the name of the Café and Bar at the farm?

WIN A FAMILY TICKET TO THE FROME CHEESE SHOW

WIN A FAMILY TICKET TO NOAHS ARK ZOO FARM

There is so much to do at The Frome Cheese Show, you will have a non stop day of entertainment. The Show held on the 12th Sept has a friendly, family atmosphere and is a fun day out with much to see, do and learn.

With over 350 trade stands, village green entertainment, countryside pursuits area and main ring, kitchen theatre with celebrity chef Paul Rankin, livestock village, funfair, craft and shopping hall and much much more.

You can see more about the show at www.fromecheeseshow.co.uk

Spend a day with the Big Zoo Animals at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm home to Rhinos, Tigers, Lions and Giraffes and now Elephants.

Enjoy 12 exciting adventure play areas, an indoor Animal Village and covered Animal Show Pens. The Zoo Farm offer over 25,000 square feet of heated areas and hotspots around the 100 acre park to make your visit enjoyable whatever the weather. Noah’s Ark offers incredible up-close experiences with amazing animals, including seeing the lions and tigers being fed during the ‘Big Cat Talk’ and watching Birds of Prey fly in the daily display. Enjoy a jumbo experience with ‘Elephant Eden’ - Europe’s largest elephant habitat. For a fantastic family day out, walk beside natures giants at Noah’s Ark this season!

What is the name of Honda’s official and the UK’s number one motorcycle display team that will be at The Frome Cheese Show this year?

What event is happen on the 12th Sept at Noahs Ark Zoo Farm?

WIN 30 PACKS OF MARDLES STICKERS FOR YOUR CLASS

WIN A JUNIOR GAME CREATOR WORKSHOP WORTH OVER £300

Mardles are the stickers that come to life! Stick your Mardles onto any flat surface, download the free ‘AliveLab’ app on a smart phone or tablet and watch them come to life. Mardles have realistic movement and sound and are fun for kids of all ages. We’ve teamed up with the U.K team behind Mardles to offer an amazing prize. 1 lucky Hey reader will get to spoil their entire class at school!

Junior Game Creators is more than just about code. Each workshop is a fun group learning experience. Everyone works towards a common goal, in teams, on challenges that will stretch their creativity, team work and communication skills. Workshops are limited to 8 junior coders and staffed by qualified,DBS checked facilitators.

We come to you in our mobile classrooms and provide all the technology. All we need is somewhere to park and access to power.

Where were Mardles created?

A) U.K B) U.S.A C) China

Which application does Junior Game Creators use to teach programming?

WINNERS Charlie Bamford Midsomer Norton Grace Hockey Oakhill Bradley Hockey Writhlington Jacob Buckland Kingswood Joe Fussell Midsomer Norton Holly Hobbs Trowbridge Matt Hart - Keynsham Jessie Woodford Peasedown St John Emily Brookbank Doulting Ben Jackson - Bowlish Oliver Perry - Frome Summer Wilks Kingswood Joe Porter - Frome Daisy Pruden Wells

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: August 12th 2015

HEYMAG.CO.UK | 11

1. PLAN YOUR DAY… ALLOWING BAGS OF TIME The greatest thing you can take – whether sightseeing or getting from A to B – is extra time. Young children love to explore and don’t care for the time pressures of travel, so you’re more likely to all retain your cool if you factor the faffing, toilet stops and, dare we say it, tantrums into your timeframe.

2. BOOK/RESEARCH AHEAD If you’re going to a special event, place or restaurant, it pays to book ahead, or check opening hours if this is more relevant. If you arrive at your destination to find you can’t get a seat, need to wait an hour for lunch, the museum is closed on Mondays, or whatever, then tempers will soon flare. And there’s nothing more demoralising than having to hit the road again with tired, hungry children melting down in the backseat. So, where you can, do your homework before you leave home…

3. BAG OF ESSENTIALS For going anywhere, even on a very short trip, keep a small bag containing all your essential ‘bits’ - a couple of wipes, tissues, some kitchen towel, sun cream, anti-septic cream, plasters and any prescription medicines/inhalers etc.

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TEN TIPS FOR THE PERFECT FAMILY DAY TRIP

IT’S SUMMER! School is out and already the kids are bored. Perhaps your ‘big’ holiday is already done and dusted, or is some way off. Either way, it’s time to think about a family day trip. And whether your trip is to a local beauty spot for a picnic or somewhere further afield, be sure to prepare thoroughly for the perfect day out.

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Saturday 12th September 2015 Show opens 8.30am – 6pm

West Woodlands Showground, Near Frome BA11 5ES

F R EE B UfrSomES e From

A great day out for all the family which offers more than just cheese!

So much to see and do. All day attractions such as Celebrity Chef, Freestyle Motor Bike Stunt Show, Shopping Avenues and Countryside Area.

Adult: Advance £11, On the day £14 Senior Citizen: Advance £9, On the day £12 Family Ticket: (2 Adults & 3 Children) Advance £24, On the day £32 Child 5 - 16yrs: Advance £3, On the day £5 Child Under 5’s FREE

Ticket Hotline, Cheese & Grain 01373 455420 www.fromecheeseshow.co.uk

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12 | HEYMAG.CO.UK

CHARITY OPEN DAY Sat 18th July 10am-4pm

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horse rescue

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centre

Registered Charity: 1121920

Find out about Discovery Courses for young people

Keynes Farm, Staunton Lane, Whitchurch BS14 0QL T. 01275 832425 E. info@horseworld.org.uk www.horseworld.org.uk

ULTIMATE INDOOR KARTING EXPERIENCE Have a day out at the South West’s number one indoor karting centre Amazing driving experience Unique multi-tiered track All abilities and ages Variety of different events including “Arrive and Drive” and Children’s Karting

Wolvershill Road, Banwell, Weston-super-Mare

OPENING HOURS Mon - Fri 13:00 until late Saturday 10:00 until late Sunday 10:00 until late

10 mins off the M5, 5 mins from WestonSuper-Mare town centre.

Ample free parking.

HEYMAG.CO.UK | 13

4. INVOLVE THE KIDS When you’re planning your trip, encourage your children to find out about where you’re going. Let everyone choose one activity, if that is viable, so it’s truly a family trip that involves everyone.

5. DOCUMENT YOUR TRIP Hang on to bits and pieces from the day as keepsakes: tickets, brochures, a couple of postcards, etc. Your children can then make create a way to remember their day when they get home – and share their experience at Show & Tell at school or nursery.

6. LET THE KIDS TAKE SOME PHOTOS If you have a suitable device or camera, or the kids have their own device, encourage them to take some pictures. It’s another way to get the kids more fully involved with the day, and allows them to record the trip from their perspective, which will be very different from yours!

7. GET ALL YOUR DUCKS (AND DUCKLINGS) IN A ROW If you’re going on holiday with another family, make sure you discuss the basics before you go - for example what everyone wants to do, whether you’ll all stick together each day or whether you’ll spend time doing things apart, what you’ll do for meals…

8. CONSIDER NEEDS OF TODDLERS AND VERY YOUNG CHILDREN For young children, even if they are generally good walkers, it’s often a good idea to still take a buggy. It’s always useful for carrying your bags and is good if they need a rest or get tired in a restaurant.

Summer Holiday Family Activities at The Bishop’s Palace!

This Summer Holiday, The Bishop’s Palace will be holding a huge range of different events designed to keep children and families entertained throughout the holidays.

Every Wednesday the Palace will host Family Activity Days which are held in the Stable Yard Activity Room. These themed events are based on a different subject each week and will encourage little ones to explore the natural environment and they’ll even be able to take their craft projects home with them.

The weekly themes include: Wells & Water, Dastardly Dragons, Palace Games, Medieval Life, Colour & Life and Animals at Wells and the activities are included with a standard admission ticket – children under 5 are free.

Each week there will also be a different trail to take budding explorers through the Gardens and Palace to discover more about the weekly theme!

The Community Garden will be holding activity days where little ones can get down in the dirt and closer to nature, with themes from Wildlife to Herbs, and Colours in the Garden. 24th July, 14th, 21st August.

On 22nd August there will be a ‘Stop Motion Animation’ Family Workshop with the chance to help create a stunning animated film inspired by the gardens and wildlife here at The Bishop’s Palace – the film will them be available to watch and download online after the workshop.

Finally on 8th August there is a Story Telling Day with accomplished storysmith Michael Loader who will entrance and delight children with his tall tales.

The Bishop’s Table café also has a great selection of Children’s Menus at £4 if you want to stay on for lunch and make a day of it!

NTI / David Levenson / Arnhel de Serra / John Millar. Reg Charity No. 205846.

adventures

Discovery den at Lacock Abbey

20 July to 28 August, Mon-Fri, 11am-1pm & 2-4pm The discovery den is back; drop in for daily workshops and activities.

You could plant a seed, make wild art or fly a kite.

Wild Wednesdays at Avebury

Every Wednesday between 29 July to 26 August, 11am-4pm Join the Avebury rangers for fun in the farmyard. You could make a bird box, cook on a fire, sit in a tractor or make a bug hotel.

Forest Fridays at Stourhead

Every Friday in August, 11am-3pm You can build a den, create wild art, make a mud pie and become nature detectives. Plus sessions with bushcraft expert Greg Power and the Stourhead tree climbing team.

Normal admission applies. Please check property webpages as events may vary.

National Trust members and under 5s go free.

Visit nationaltrust.org.uk/southwest

HEYMAG.CO.UK | 15

9. TAKE SOME ACTIVITY STUFF Whether it’s to cover a long wait in a café for food, or you’re trapped in a delayed train, you never know when you might need to suddenly occupy the kids. So take paper pads and crayons. A must-have for any urban trip!

10. TAKE HEALTHY SNACKS AND WATER Similarly, you need to be prepared for any delays to normal mealtimes, so take plenty of healthy (ish) snacks like breadsticks, carrot stocks, grapes, raisins etc. Filling up on sweets and chocolate could mean kids are more likely to get travel sick, or get a sugar rush at an inopportune time.

Cheddar Crazy Golf Family Fun for all ages

Advertise for as little as £22.50 01761 410141 or email

18 hole course in attractive setting Open daily from 11am Only £3.50 per player 01934 741112 7 Queens Row The Cliffs, Cheddar

info@ignyte-uk.co.uk © National Trust Images. Registered Charity Number 205846.

info@cheddarcrazygolf.co.uk

Dunster Castle and Gardens

summer

This summer become a knight, learn Victiorian manners, defend the Castle, spot a bat and tick off some of your 50 Things to do before you're 11 ¾.

01643 821314 nationaltrust.org.uk/dunster-castle

16 | HEYMAG.CO.UK

Craft Corner

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

DIY flip flop

Eye puppets

Sunglasses photo frame

Sponge ball water bomb

Crab pots

Toilet roll butterfly

Paper fans

HEYMAG.CO.UK | 17

What’s On July 11

August 5 - 6

Midsomer Norton Fayre 12pm – 5pm. Gullocks Tyning, Midsomer Norton.

Woodland Days At Greyfield Wood 10am – 2pm age 5-12. Use tools and natural materials to create art & craftwork, swing in the trees on rope swings, test your target skills with the water pistol and create an obstacle course with your friends, www.ecowild.org.uk.

July 18

Charity Open Day at HorseWorld, 10am – 4pm.

See behind the scenes at a busy horse rescue centre and meet rescued horses. Refreshments available. Staunton Lane, Whitchurch.

July 18 - 19

Horrible Histories Live on Stage BARMY BRITAIN is back with a brand new show full of crazy new characters and rude new rulers from Britain’s barmy past!

Will King John be a martyr for the Magna Carta? Clap along with crazy King Charles! Will you see eye to eye with Admiral Nelson?

Vomit with the vile Victorians and escape the First World War! Trowbridge Civic Centre www.trowbridgeciviccentre.co.uk.

July 20 - 31

Forest School Holiday Clubs (5 - 10yrs) 9am - 4pm, Monday-Thursday. Discount on extra days booked *New for 2015* Forest Skills (10 - 15yrs) 9am - 4pm.

Fridays discount on extra days booked. For more information please visit our website: www.freerangers.org.uk.

July 21 - 22

Woodland Days At Greyfield Wood 10am – 2pm age 5-12. Discover the stream and create dams and bridges. Set up a camp area and try the matchless fire challenge.

Tools, art and crafts. www.ecowild.org.uk.

July 22

Family Activity: Wells and Water at Bishops Palace 11am-3pm Come along to our Stable Yard Activity Room to entertain all the family with wonderful crafts on a watery theme such as: Cork boats, Origami boats and Water-marble pictures.

July 30 - 31

Woodland Days At Greyfield Wood 11am – 3pm age 5-12. Experience the wonder of woodland worlds, create tiny fairy worlds, or big monster worlds. Make clay creatures and pictures using natural materials, www.ecowild.org.uk

August 5

Palace games at Bishops Palace 11am-3pm. At the Palace in this Family Activity Day and try your hand at making a kite, some juggling balls or some Heraldry swords and shields! When you’ve finished, get outside to follow our fantastic children’s trail based on a theme of ‘Games’.

August 6 - 9

Bristol Balloon Fiesta The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is now in its 37th year and is Europe’s largest ballooning event. It’s a spectacular, free, four days of fun for the whole family. Ashton court, Bristol.

August 8

SportsFest This family fun day will offer a range of fun and exciting activities for the whole family. Activities will take place on the playing fields, cycle circuit and 3G pitch. Attractions inc Tractor Ted ‘Live’ Farm experience, Skip2BFit, Face painting, Live music from Bath Spa Band, Sports taster sessions - rugby, cricket, street fencing, football, disc golf/ultimate Frisbee, Inflatable rugby pitch, Cook It workshops, Youth cycling activities with Sulis Scorpion and much more. Odd Down Sports Ground, Bath.

August 12

Zoolab Mini Beasts 2-3pm, tickets from Midsomer Norton Library.

August 12 - 13

Woodland Days At Greyfield Wood 11am – 3pm age 8+. Use a variety of hand tools - billhooks, drills, knives & saws. Try out fire skills with a Kelly kettle. £16 including Fire cooked lunch, www.ecowild.org.uk.

August 24 - 30

Top Secret – Nfest Nfest is looking for Secret agents to join them in team games, songs, gunge tank, puppets, crafts and much more. 4 – 11 year olds.

Somervale School 10am – 12pm. Nfesttopsecret.eventbrite.co.uk.

August 30

Coleford Village Day FREE Family Fun Day in the lovely village of Coleford near Frome. Come along and enjoy live music, displays in the main arena, cafe, children’s craft tent, flower and craft show, bar and food stalls, fun dog show and classic cars. Starts at midday.

Highbury Playing Fields, Highbury Street, Coleford.

18 | HEYMAG.CO.UK

News and Reviews LATEST SCHOOL NEWS

EVENTS

DIARY DATES

YOUR SUCCESSES

A TRIP TO ROMANIA A group of children, parents and teachers from years 5 and 6 at The Academy of Trinity in Radstock recently visited the Roma community to share their ‘making people feel good’ code.

The Academy of Trinity has strong links with Romania and the FAST charity and visits the beautiful country every 2 years.

The children and their families helped to make a real difference throughout the week by painting houses, delivering food parcels, clothes, toys, milk and nappies to the Roma communities. They shared a lot more than material items; they gave love, laughter, warmth, smiles and friendship.

Before their trip the children completed a sponsored triathlon and raised £2,000, which they were able to take with them to Romania. During their visit they were asked to decide amongst themselves, the best way to show their support with their sponsorship money. They

met a family with 6 small children that were in desperate need of a stable and warm home. The children unanimously decided that they would like the FAST charity to use their sponsorship money to build this home and offer a safe and secure environment for the family.

Each family had a truly memorable week that really made them realize how fortunate they all are.

   

    

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SINGING IN THE ABBEY Chew Stoke Church School were one of only 5 schools in the B&NES area, who opened the Bath International Music Festival by singing in the prestigious Bath Abbey.

Singing to a packed Abbey and in front of the Mayor of Bath, they sang an inspiring arrangement called “Wonderland” which was written especially for the event by musical director Zoe Palmer and which commemorated the 150th Anniversay of Alice In Wonderland.

To great applause from parents and teachers in the audience, the children not only sang but expertly performed actions in time to the music.

A most enjoyable concert was had by all.

Well done children!

Children from Chew Stoke Church School outside Bath Abbey.

A LETTER FROM BUCKINGHAM PALACE Ted Lambert and Rory Davis both in the Reception Year at Kilmersdon School, had learnt about the Queen recently and the National Anthem.

When they heard it was going to be the Queen’s birthday, the two boys went off and each made Her Majesty a birthday card. The time and effort they took in making the cards made the school Head teacher, Beth Hopkin, feel that they really should be posted to Buckingham Palace – which is exactly what they did.

A few weeks later a very posh envelope arrived at school with Rory and Ted’s name on and with the Buckingham Palace seal. The envelope was opened in front of their classmates who all sat in perfect anticipated silence!

The boys had received individual letters from the Queen’s lady-in-waiting explaining that the Queen wanted her to personally thank them for their “splendid card, which you have made for Her Majesty on the occasion of her eighty-ninth birthday”.

The letter went on to say “The Queen is most grateful for your good wishes and I am to thank you very much for your kind thought for Her Majesty”.

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HEATREE HOUSE REVIEW Heatree House is an activity centre and camp for schools and other groups. Set in Dartmoor, Devon, it has a range of activities, from kayaking and caving to high ropes and low adventure. Not only are there lots of physical things to do, Heatree can transform you into a new person.

This place has lots of good points. I enjoyed doing high ropes, because I surprised myself by doing things I didn’t expect I could do. It’s a great opportunity to face your fears, and be rewarded with a fun swing down to the ground. Also, the site held lots of places to explore and discover, including the expansive grounds and woodlands to go out in during free time. The food, as well, was delicious; balanced and healthy meals and satisfying portion sizes gave us energy for the activities ahead.

The only downside of being at Heatree was the midges. I am aware that this wasn’t necessarily Heatree’s fault, but it certainly irritated me, as when we were walking in the woods, they bit and buzzed and generally annoyed us.

There was, however, one thing that stood out for me about Heatree. The instructors motivated and encouraged us to do our best and conquer our fears, but still understood if we really didn’t want to do something. They made us see that we could do something, even if we didn’t believe in ourselves. Those were the times when they believed in us, told us so, and thus made us do much better than we expected.

Heatree was the best experience of my life: 5 out of 5!

By Ruby Browning St John’s Primary School, Midsomer Norton

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YOUNG CRIME WRITERS’ COMPETITION – WINNER ANNOUNCED The winner of this year’s Bath & North East Somerset Council Libraries Young Crime Writers’ Competition is Flora Jenner, aged 15, from Batheaston with a suspense-filled story called ‘Chase’.

In second place was Tia Wetten, aged 14, also from Batheaston, with ‘Black Rose’ and in third, Sophie Anderson, aged six, from Newbridge, with her story ‘The Queen’s Jewels’.

Five other stories, written by Ruby Browning, 10, from Timsbury; Rebekah Bolton, 10, from Keynsham; Harry Brain, 10, from High Littleton; Jack Gould, 10, from Hallatrow, and Tom Barton, 12, from Newbridge, were Highly Commended.

All the winners attended an awards’ ceremony at Bath Central Library on Wednesday April 29. First prize was a Kindle, funded by Bath Spa University, and a trophy, funded by the Bath Chronicle.

Second and third prizes of book tokens and books were provided by Mr B’s Emporium of Reading Delights.

WRITING A SONG A song writing project for Gifted and Talented Year 5 pupils has been taking place at Peasedown St John Primary School. Teachers Tom Hall from Norton Hill Secondary School and Myra Barretto from PSJ thought it would be great to make a link between the two schools that both value the arts and creativity.

The plan was to create ‘An exciting opportunity to discover the key features of music technology using Apple Mac software. The aim was that pupils produce a pop song that uses the key features of Music technology. This included the use of software instruments, samples, audio recording and mixing.’

A typical session would include looking at Garageband as a tool for manipulating sounds. It was important from the start to recognise that although Garageband has a wealth of sounds, it was important to create an individual sound; using it as a tool and not just a library of loops.

Having laid down an eight bar idea, students were then asked to come back with some lyrics and melodic phrases.

Slowly their songs emerged; each one with their own identity and sound.

These ranged from those with a ‘country and western’ feel to ‘hard rock’. Pupils worked together to support learning and appraise each other’s work.

Peasedown Primary School and Norton Hill are hoping they will form closer links in the coming years. Finished songs will be posted on the School website as soon as they are completed. With opportunities like these, future song writing stars are forged!

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WHAT AN ACHIEVEMENT Sam Deacon-Low aged 7 recently took part in a football tournament for Purnells Football Club, well done Sam.

Harry Branchflower aged 8 has taken part in a football tournament for Purnells Football Club, well done Harry.

Elsie Iris Cullen has achieved her stage 2 in swimming, well done Elsie.

Charlotte Perrott aged 8 has achieved her level 3 in gymnastics, her level 1 award in dance, her ‘wise as an owl’ and hostess Brownie badges and also achieved the Brownie birthday winning award.

Lochlan Taylor aged 6 has achieved his 50M swimming award as well as taking part in the swimathon for Marie Curie Cancer Care at Paulton Pool, well done Lochlan.

Edward Gould aged 6 plays football for Chew Valley Football Club and has been awarded his trophies for training and playing as part of the team, well done Edward.

Harriette Roughan aged 7 has achieved her grade 4 in gymnastics, well done Harriette.

Emily Perrott aged 6 has achieved her grade 4 in gymnastics as well as her passing her ballet exam and achieving her roundabout get healthy award at Rainbows, well done.

Matthew Shorrock aged 10 has completed the ‘Color Vibe 5k’ run on Sunday 17th May in Bristol in support of his Mum. He ran the whole way in 35 minutes!

He raised an awesome £400 for breast cancer campaign.

Josh Uhrmacher aged 7 has been awarded the trophy for most improved player of the U7’s at Midsomer Norton Rugby Club, well done Josh.

Lewis Towler aged 6 has achieved his gold certificate in mathletics, well done Lewis.

Sam Hawkins aged 11 has gained his level 2 British Gymnastics award, well done Sam.

Jake Stuckey and Matthew Cappi aged 11 have achieved their black belt award at Tae Kwon Do with Jamie woodland, well done to you both.

Molly Bowyer aged 6 has achieved her British Gymnastics trampoline proficiency awards Stages 2 and 3, well done Molly.

Oliver Bird aged 5 has achieved stage 1 at swimming, well done Oliver.

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