HEY! Magazine Mid Somerset

FREE • MID SOMERSET EDITION • ISSUE 34 • FEBRUARY 2015

INSIDE Suzie’s Diary

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

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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.

Space and freedom to learn millfieldschool.com/everyfield

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Story Writer Mini Chef Runner

Sa

Experience Millfield Pre-Prep with a Personal Visit call Hannah Cox on 01458 837524

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 7500 families through primary schools and other outlets in the Wells, Shepton Mallet, Glastonbury and Street areas.

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

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Book Review HAUNTERS BY THOMAS TAYLOR FOR AGE 9 + Separated by generations, Eddie, Adam and David are linked by their ability to time-travel. Using their dreams, they can appear like ghosts, wherever and whenever they want. The first is the genius who discovers dreamwalking. The second is a Haunter, a dream-terrorist, determined to change history for his own ends.

The last is the novice dreamwalker who must battle to save his family, and himself, from oblivion.

LIFT THE FLAP GENERAL KNOWLEDGE BY ALEX FRITH, JAMES MACLAINE JANUARY 2015 FACTUAL BOOK OF THE MONTH. FOR AGE 5 + Children love collecting fascinating facts and this lift-the-flap book is packed full of them. From Living Things, Science and The World, to Entertainment, When did it Happen? and a Treasure Trove spread and much, much more. With wonderful illustrations and graphics together with small text boxes and bubbles to reveal the fascinating facts. There’s even a ‘True or False’ spread and a ‘Can you match’ quiz for all the family to play. All in all a fountain of fascinating facts which is why it’s a Book of the Month for us.

MY HEAD TEACHER IS A VAMPIRE RAT BY PAMELA BUTCHART FOR AGE 7+ The third zippy and zany tale by Pamela Butchart sees Izzy and her friends plunged into more primaryschool craziness. This time, they decide that their new head teacher is a vampire rat, based on him being slightly scary, having the blinds drawn in his office during the day and the fact he’s banned garlic bread at lunchtimes. Now they just have to come up with a plan to vanquish him...

Readers of all ages love these books but they really strike a chord with 7-9 year olds, who firmly believe that every hilarious thing that happens could happen to them too!

The Bishop’s Palace has a great range of activities to keep families busy this February Half Term, whatever the weather!

For the first family garden activity of the season, there will be a “Flower Power” Community Garden event on Monday 16th February 11am-3pm where you can head along to learn how to sow floral favourites like sweet peas to fill your garden with fragrance all summer. Learn about which flowers are growing in our gardens at the moment and go on an exploration of all things floral!

On Tuesday 17th February at 11:30am, the Palace will be marking Shrove Tuesday with the annual Pancake Race. Come along to see teams from the Bishop’s Office and the Palace Trust attempt to be the fastest pancake tossers in the City! Anyone brave enough is welcome to join in the fun, they’ll have all you need right there!

For the crafty-minded amongst you, the first of 2015’s hugely popular Family Activity Days will take place on Wednesday 18th February from 11am-3pm. The theme is “Flowers” and the team in the Stable Yard Activity Room will be ready with an array of flower-based crafts, including learning how to make seed bombs and how to print your own floral wallpaper. Afterwards, head off on a flower-related picture trail in the Palace & Gardens!

Residents of Wells and nearby should remember that a Palace Membership allows a family of 4 to visit the Palace & Gardens as many times per year as they want for only £50.

All activities are included with standard admission.

HEYMAG.CO.UK | 5

A (FLOWER) POTTED HISTORY OF MOTHER’S DAY DON’T FORGET MOTHER’S DAY MARCH 15TH

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 (1864-1948) 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.

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.

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

Download our Heritage Hunter App before you visit!

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 (1878-1938) was inspired by reading a newspaper report about Anna Jarvis’s campaign in America. She too wanted to establish/re-establish 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 Penswick-Smith nor Anna Jarvis ever became mothers themselves.

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

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Rainbow Pre-School Hindhayes School Leigh Road Street

make excellent progress in indoors their and “Staff“Children provide a highly enabling environment both learning development withinwell a safe, secure,their outdoors.

This and supports children extremely in extending Ofsted 20122014 and vibrant environment.” ideascalm and becoming engrossed in their learning.”

Ofsted “Staff are highly skilled... as a result children are happyin and “Children make exceptionally good progress settled and behaviour exemplary.”

Ofsted 2014 2012 developing skills foristhe future.”Ofsted

Wetake takechildren childrenfrom from 3 months months to We toschool schoolage. age.

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Now with a Breakfast, After School Now with a Breakfast, After School and Holiday Club (School pick up and drop off). and Holiday Club (School pick up and drop off). t: 01458 446999 t: 01458 446999 e: info@jabberwockynursery.com e: info@jabberwockynursery.com w: www.jabberwockynursery.com w: www.jabberwockynursery.com Rogers Nursery Ltd., Unit 2, The Tanyard, Leigh Road, Street, Somerset BA16 0HD Rogers Nursery Ltd., Unit 2, The Tanyard, Leigh Road, Street, Somerset BA16 0HD

Advertise for as little as £22.50

Open 8.45am 2.45pm daily Morning, afternoon or full day sessions available Funding available for 2, 3 and 4 year olds

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Spaces available for 2015

info@ignyte-uk.co.uk

Call us on 01458 898289

call 01458 445987 Tanney Ground Middle Brooks, Street Baby room

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Holiday club, breakfast club and afterschool club, local schools drop and collections Flexible hours to the 1/4 hour Funding available for 3 to 4 year olds Wide open space for outdoor activities

Established for over 10 years Separate rooms for Babies and Pre-school children Forest area & large grassed garden with slide, climbing frame and bikes Gardening area growing fruit & veg which we eat at break and lunch times All of our children enjoy good home cooked food, with a varied menu to cater for all

Please call us on 01458 446460 www.homefromhomenursery.org.uk 70 Vestry Rd, Street, Somerset

HEYMAG.CO.UK | 7

UNDERSTANDING PRESCHOOL AND EARLY YEARS EDUCATION;

ESSENTIAL 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?

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TURNING COTTON WOOL KIDS GREEN T

he unrelenting rise of cottton-wool kids - those coddled indoors by their parents - is resulting in a long-term and dramatic decline in children’s relationship with nature, according to a new report.

The paper by the National Trust charts academic research and a string of surveys highlighting how a generation of children is losing touch with the natural world, and it warns that urgent action is needed to bridge this growing gap before it’s too late.

In his Natural Childhood report for the Trust, naturalist, author and TV producer Stephen Moss outlines a clear need to tackle the rise of Nature Deficit Disorder, a term coined by the US-based writer Richard Louv, to describe a growing dislocation between children and nature.

Stephen says: “We have all seen the headlines about the decline in children’s play in the outdoors. We all know the benefits being outdoors can bring, and as parents we want our children to spend more time outdoors than they do.

“But despite this overwhelming evidence and the different initiatives and schemes run by organisations across the UK, our kids are spending less and less time in the outdoors.

“The time to act is now, whilst we still have a generation of parents and grandparents who grew up outdoors and can pass on their experience and whilst there remains a determination to do something positive in this area.

“Organisations that have an interest in this area, whether working in our towns and cities or in the countryside, have to connect what they are doing and commit to a long-term approach that really makes a difference.”

A two-month inquiry, facilitated by the National Trust, is currently taking evidence from leading experts and the public to look at how we can reconnect this and future generations of children with the natural world.

The charity is working alongside Arla natural foods, the NHS Sustainable Development Unit and film-makers Green Lions to organise a summit this summer to bring together a range of experts to develop a roadmap for reconnecting children and nature.

www.firstsplash.co.uk info@firstsplash.co.uk 07845 693 273

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During the last decade, conservation groups, academics, social and health professionals and the media have charted the rise of socalled cotton-wool kids. The statistics reveal the change in just 30 years: Fewer than 10% of kids play in wild places, down from 50% The roaming radius for kids has declined by 90% Three times as many children are taken to hospital each year after falling out of bed, as from falling out of trees A 2008 study showed that half of all kids had been stopped from climbing trees and 20% had been banned from playing conkers or tag.Authority figures and layers of bureaucracy have combined with a climate of ‘don’t do that’ to create an environment where fewer and fewer children play in outdoors. This has led to a situation where kids having fun in the outdoors are painted as showing signs of anti social behaviour.

But the research shows capturing children before they enter the teenage years is crucial as if you get kids hooked before they reach 12, you’ll create a lifelong passion for the environment.

Stephen continues: “The good news is that almost everyone - parents, grandparents, teachers, health professionals, conservationists, social commentators and politicians from all across the political spectrum - agree that something needs to be done to reverse the trend towards housebound kids.

“Now we need to work together to achieve simple, effective ways to get them outdoors.

“I truly believe that just as children need a good diet, education and healthcare, so they need to connect with the natural world.

Now we have a real chance to turn Britain’s cotton-wool kids into free-range children.”

To have your say on Stephen Moss’s report, visit the National Trust website: nationaltrust.org.uk/naturalchildhood

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.

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

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What does Cupid carry?

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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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TELLY ADDICT NIGHTMARES M

illions of youngsters are suffering from nightmares - because of children’s TV, according to a recent survey.

Over 70 per cent of parents of children under the age of seven said their offspring had regular nightmares because of programmes like Ben 10 and the Power Rangers. Parents are blaming broadcasters for being too lenient about what is shown on children’s television - claiming many of the programmes are overly violent and aggressive.

Two thirds of parents admit they have a hard time deciding which programmes are suitable for their children and admit their children often watch television with their hands over their eyes. But parents are agreed so-called family entertainment shows such as Doctor Who, Primeval and Robin Hood should be shown AFTER the watershed.

A spokeswoman for www.TheBabyWebsite. com which conducted the poll of 3,000 parents with children under the age of seven said: “All children suffer from nightmares at some point during childhood, but there is no doubt that viewing unnecessary violence and hostility on television contributes to this.

“There is a great uncertainty about what to allow children to watch - on the one hand you want them to be accepted by their peers and be able to join in conversations, but on the other you want to protect them from growing up too fast and suffering with nightmares.”

Parents are steering their young children away from Power Rangers - labeling it too violent with fast paced action, which hypes up the children.

UNSUITABLE TV SHOWS FOR CHILDREN UNDER 7 YEARS OLD

Ben 10 received criticism for inducing nightmares, being unpleasant and aggressive.

Doctor Who is disliked by many because it is too dark and sinister for under seven-yearolds, whilst Primeval is considered far too scary and frightening.

Primeval Terrifying futurist creatures chasing humans deemed too scary and frightening for kids Doctor Who The time-travelling doctor’s battles with aliens, daleks and cyber-men causes nightmares; too dark and sinister Power Rangers The colourful costumed heroes jump from one violent action packed fight to another; too fast paced and brutal for children Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles The sword wielding turtles battle against petty criminals and alien enemies, but are considered rude, cheeky and unpleasant by parents Ben 10 Ben can transform into alien life forms to fight evil, but is also open to mischievous behaviour. Generally unpleasant viewing, aggressive and causes nightmares.

Britannia High The dance school encourages children to grow up too quickly and prompts too many questions.

Robin Hood The adventures of Robin Hood are deemed brutal, aggressive and encourage dishonesty.

Horrid Henry The horrible boy, who taunts his parents and friends with nasty tricks, encourages bad behaviour, cheeky attitude and answering back.

More than half of those polled agreed that as well as inducing nightmares, much of children’s television encourages bad behaviour.

Three quarters of parents would welcome more guidance from television broadcasters, and age certificates being shown before a programme is aired.

Kathryn Crawford continued: “We’ve come a long way with children’s television viewing - long gone are the days of gentler programmes such as Bagpuss, Jackanory and Muffin the Mule.

“Today, children’s television content on commercial free-to-air television is now regulated by the Children’s Television Standards (the CTS) and the Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice (the Code). “ But the polls reveal parents don’t have time to monitor what their children are watching minute by minute, and 70 per cent readily admit they leave their children watching television whilst they make the dinner or get things ready in another room.

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HEYMAG.CO.UK | 19

News and Reviews LATEST SCHOOL NEWS

EVENTS

DIARY DATES

LITTLE PIPS IN BALTONSBOROUGH Little Pips had a very exciting start to the Spring Term. On Friday, 9th January they had a ‘Super Hero Friday’ to launch the new learning values project. The children dressed up as their hero, and had to be able to say what characteristic about their hero they most admire. Each class is then developing a learning hero to represent their particular learning value. The four values are: reflectiveness, reciprocity, resourcefulness and resilience. Across the curriculum, teachers and pupils will refer to the dispositions and capacities that are being practiced and that could be useful for the task. Sometimes there will be specific activities relating to a capacity, other times it will be a simple reference. Each classroom will have their own specific way of doing this, for instance in Little Pips and Lambrook puppets may be used, whilst in Russet and Pearmain images and language can be combined.

YOUR SUCCESSES

FILM CREW AT COXLEY The children in Reception and Key Stage 1 at Coxley School made a movie of The Nativity, with Key Stage 2 children as part of the film crew.

The movie was screened at a ‘red carpet’ event and awards presented to the children. In addition to this fantastic event, the film was also shown on the big screen at Wells Film Centre for the children to watch, and then as a public screening before Nativity 3 on Christmas Eve! Special thanks to Wells Film Centre and Marianne King for making this possible and, of course, well done to all of the children who took part!

NEW HEAD TEACHER Naomi Philip was delighted to be appointed Head teacher of St Cuthbert’s Church of England Infant School last September. She has established a really happy, kind and caring school that insists on putting children at the heart of all they do.

The schools philosophy for ensuring rapid progress in learning is simple common sense: Children must feel safe to learn, they have to be confident to try, resilient in overcoming difficulties, and they have to be happy in their social environment.

The staff help them develop these feelings and attributes by planning to teach the whole child. Children want to be rewarded for what is important such as being kind and achieving by trying, therefore recognition is built in and shared regularly with parents. This philosophy is echoed in their ethos, in the behaviour for learning strategies and in Collective Worship.

Already this year the school have had so many exciting things happen for all the children, from Bristol Zoo bringing in lots of animals for them to hold and learn about, to live sheep and donkeys joining the ‘real’ Mary and Joseph, to Spiderman visiting and also Santa himself!

This term St Cuthbert’s are welcoming new pets to join their African snail ‘Brien’, guinea pigs, fish and also hatching their own chickens! The local farmer, friend Rob, has also promised to bring some lambs for the children to help feed. The school are hoping to visit the local building development as part of science, visit sea life and enjoy meeting a real author.

Naomi said, “That’s just a snapshot of our school year and I hope it gives you a feel for the energy and excitement we all have every day for exciting and inspiring the ‘hope of our Future.’”

WORLD WAR ONE ARTWORK A whole school focus for the Autumn Term at Coxley was World War One. The children in Key Stage 2 created some incredible artwork based on the topic.

A huge piece of landscape art which was named ‘The Somerset Poppy’ was created using 11281 silk petals, one to represent each soldier from Somerset or who was serving in a Somerset regiment, who died during WW1.

Inspired by ‘Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red’ at The Tower of London, the children created replica ceramic poppies, using some of the same techniques as Paul Cumings and his team of artists. These were fired at Stoberry Park School and spray painted to create the finished result.

20 | HEYMAG.CO.UK

SUGAR

THE WORLDS SWEETEST KILLER W

hen was your last glucose hit? An hour ago? Yesterday evening? Are you gorging on chocolate right now, or just about to?

Britain has had a long love affair with sugar, and as such perhaps it’s no surprise that our English-speaking cousins across the Atlantic still find our dental hygiene somewhat alarming. We love sugar, whether crammed into cakes or spoon-fed via the accompanying cups of tea, but how often do you stop to consider what it’s really doing to you, other than paving the way for yet more fillings?

“Britons now consume an average of 238 teaspoons of sugar every week.”

According to a spate of recent studies, it’s high time we all began taking this problem very seriously indeed. As per a recent article in the Daily Telegraph, Britons now consume an average of 238 teaspoons of sugar every week, and this could be having a seriously detrimental effect on our health. Worse still, not only are we choosing to ignore the dangers, it’s becoming a problem of full-blown addiction.

In fact, French scientists in Bordeaux claim that, in lab tests, rats actually opted for sugar over cocaine even when addicted to the latter. Apart from being appalled at the idea of rodents having coke habits, this is potentially worrying in terms of ramifications for our highly sweetened modern diets. If sugar really is so habit-forming, and we’re pouring it down our necks at such an alarming rate, then unless social norms change, a huge number of us are running in a sugar-high straight towards A&E, whether that’s through diabetes or heart disease, to name but two of the conditions that can result from too much sugar.

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Of course there are hugely different types of sugar available, and the impact of each on our bodies does differ. For instance, added sugar in fizzy drinks can be eleven times more potent when it comes to causing diabetes than other forms of calories.

In contrast, stirring some molasses in with your flapjack mixture is going to be far less harmful to your health. Nevertheless, no doctor would recommend a high intake of any sugar or substitute, simply because our bodies aren’t really designed to process such substances in high levels, and particularly not in processed and concentrated forms. Put simply then, much as we hate to admit it, the time has come to kick, or at least get a handle on this sweetest of habits before it really gets out of hand.

HEYMAG.CO.UK | 21

WOW

EMAIL US YOUR WOW! PHOTOS AND DETAILS TO INFO@IGNYTE-UK.CO.UK

WHAT AN ACHIEVEMENT Tyler Martin age 7 from St Paul’s School in Shepton Mallet, passed his Stage 6 swimming.

Well done.

Todd aged 6 has been awarded a 10 metre swimming award.

Fantastic job.

Lily aged 7 has been awarded a 200 metre swimming award.

Congratulations.

Nyssa aged 6 has been awarded a 50 metre swimming award.

Congratulations.

Jasmine aged 6 has been awarded a 10 metre swimming award.

Well done.

Elizabeth aged 7 has been awarded a 50 metre swimming award.

Fantastic job.

Freddie aged 6 has been awarded a 50 metre swimming award.

Fantastic job.

Thomas aged 7 has been awarded a 25 metre swimming award.

Congratulations.

Sam aged 6 has achieved a 25 metre swimming award.

Well done.

Megan aged 7 has achieved a 15 metre and 20 metre swimming award.

Congratulations.

Alfie aged 4 has achieved a purple stripe in kick boxing.

Well done.

Logan aged 4 has achieved a purple stripe in kick boxing.

Fantastic job.

Aanya aged 6 has achieved a purple stripe in kick boxing.

Well done.

Johnny aged 6 has achieved a 50 metre swimming award.

Congratulations.

Morgan aged 6 has achieved a 50 metre swimming award.

Fantastic job.

22 | HEYMAG.CO.UK

Freddie aged 5 has been awarded a Puffin award for swimming.

Congratulations.

Harley aged 5 has achieved a purple stripe in kick boxing.

Well done.

Aaron aged 6 has achieved a Puffin award for swimming.

Fantastic job.

Kyra aged 5 has achieved a purple stripe in kick boxing.

Well done.

Connor aged 6 has achieved a purple stripe in kick boxing.

Congratulations.

Xabien aged 7 has achieved a purple stripe in kick boxing and a 25 metre swimming award.

Fantastic job.

Fefie aged 4 has achieved a purple stripe in kick boxing.

Congratulations.

Alex aged 6 has achieved a purple stripe in kick boxing.

Fantastic job.

Ciara aged 6 has achieved a 10 metre swimming award.

Well done.

Tilly aged 6 has achieved a purple stripe in kick boxing and a 50 metre swimming award.

Well done.

Tia aged 7 has achieved a choir award, a student council award and 200 metres in swimming.

Well done.

Jessica aged 8 has achieved level 6, 7 and 8 in gymnastics.

Congratulations.

Olivia aged 6 has achieved grade 6, 7 and 8 in gymnastics and also a trophy for great P.E. Fantastic job.

Charles aged 6 has achieved his level 7 and 8 in gymnastics.

Congratulations.

Holly aged 9 has been awarded a merit badge for her amazing fantasy story.

Well done.

Amy-Lou aged 8 has been awarded for taking part in Somerset School games.

Well done.

Willow aged 6 has been awarded a certificate in water confidence.

Congratulations.

Archie aged 5 has been awarded his bronze attendance award.

Fantastic job.

HEYMAG.CO.UK | 23

Jake aged 8 has been awarded his bronze attendance award.

Fantastic job.

Bethan aged 8 has been awarded a star award for always sitting nicely and never talking in assembly.

Well done.

Henry, Miles and Louis have been awarded merit badges for working hard in numeracy.

Zoe aged 10 has made a large helicopter.

Well done.

Claire aged 10 came 2nd in a trampoline competition.

Fantastic job.

Emily aged 10 has been awarded a certificate for fantastic effort and dedication to progress.

Well done.

Jacob aged 8 has been awarded medals for football and judo.

Well done.

Oliver aged 5 has been awarded medals for football and judo.

Fantastic job.

Bodhi aged 6 has played for Midsomer Norton Rugby Club.

Well done.

Callum aged 8 has achieved his level 3 in trampoline.

Congratulations.

Phoebe aged 6 has achieved her level 3 in trampoline.

Well deserved.

Amber aged 6 has achieved her 50 metre in swimming.

Well done.

Joseph aged 7 has achived his 100 metre in swimming, his blue stripe in Tae Kwon Do and a climbing award.

Well done.

Lucas aged 10 has been awarded football trophies.

Congratulations.

Isla aged 4 has achieved her level 3 in swimming.

Well deserved.

Anna aged 5 has achieved her level 3 in swimming.

Well deserved.

Daisy aged 4 has been awarded the arts and crafts awards at Coleford Horticulture Society.

Well done.

Callie aged 10 has been awarded medals and trophies for Tae Kwon Do. Congratulations.