Kidscene Magazine Issue 34

M a rc h / A p r

il 2018

Your handbag sized guide

www.kidscenemagazine.co.uk

ISSUE 34

Happy babies & children in a safe, stimulated environment, where they can develop & reach their full potential

Outdoor Adventure Play • Indoor Adventure Play Indoor Race Track • Woodland Walk Farm Animals • Duck Ponds • Farm Cafe N OPE

OPENING TIMES:

Mon - Fri (Term time) 10am - 6pm

Sat/Sun & School Holidays 10am - 5pm

E RY DAY ECV LOS E D CH RISTMAS A N A L D BO X L ING

YEA

DAY

01656 743 246 info@wiggleysfunfarm.co.uk www.wiggleysfunfarm.co.uk

Admission

Children over 90cm Children under 90cm Babies in arms Adult with paying child Children’s Parties AFTER SCHOOL DEAL:

Hot meal, drink & play (Term time, Mon-Fri after 3.30pm)

£6.50 £4.50 FREE £1.50 £8.50 £6.00

R!!!

MARCH/APRIL PA G E

5/6 7

W H AT ’ S O N BAKING

9

BIKEABILITY

17

ELIZABETH'S FOOTPRINT

21

BOOK REVIEWS

25

WEIGHT MANAGEMENT

34

COMPETITIONS PA G E 5

Join us at Ffos Las Racecourse for our Easter Raceday, a great day out for all the family. We will have lots of FREE Easter fun and activities to keep the young ones entertained, plus there will be a prize for the best Easter drawing judged by our very own mascot Ffossy and an Easter treat for the little ones!

For the adults we have 7 races lined up, including The West Wales National with a bumper prize fund.

PA G E 2 5

The daffodils are growing, the nights are getting longer and the mornings brighter; Spring is on its way!

I have activities and lovely days out galore in this Easter Kidscene. There are so many fabulous theatre shows to choose from ( and win, see the competitions page) and the start of some great outdoor fun to be had....whether its in a National Trust park, Gwili Railway, outdoor theatre, exploring castles, a day at the races, Wiggley's fun Farm, the WWT Wetlands....the list goes on.

On a more sombre note, included is a story that absolutely breaks my heart every time I read it and at the same time fills me with such awe for an inspirational lady, Natalia Spencer.

Read about Elizabeth's Footprints and about Natalia's goal to raise money for Bristol Children's Hospital, which is one of the UK’s leading children’s hospitals, treating patients from across the South West, South Wales, and beyond. Read her story and support her walk in March.

Family tickets are just £25* and you can bring your own picnic or you can upgrade your raceday experience with hospitality in Bridles Restaurant from £50pp (children half price) To book visit www.ffoslasracecourse.com or call 01554 811092 *Family ticket includes children under 18, no alcohol or glass bottles allowed in to the racecourse.

Kid's Stuff

I hope you have a fun filled Easter.

20,000 copies of Kidscene Magazine are delivered directly into primary schools from SA1 to SA15 areas bi-monthly.

NEXT EDITION | COPY DEADLINE

May/June 2018 | April 13th 2018

Call | 07388 054097 sales@kidscenemagazine.co.uk www.kidscenemagazine.co.uk Follow us | kidsceneswansea  @kidscene1

Sunday March 25th 2018 10.30am - 1pm Swansea (Free parking)

SwanseaDistrictNCT@gmail.com SwanseaDistrictNCT@gmail.com nct.org.uk/nns nct.org.uk/nns

Credit & debit cards accepted.

In aid of The National Childbirth Trust (NCT) Registered Charity No 801395 .

FRE Entr E y!

SUPER SCIENCE SATURDAY

Part of British Science Week 2018 Discover more about Swansea University’s incredible scientific research!

Saturday 10th March 12–4pm At the National Waterfront Museum

For more details visit: www.orielscience.co.uk

Swansea Midwifery and Parenting Centre In 2017 Swansea University opened the doors of its shiny new Health and Wellbeing Academy, offering lots of services, including the Midwifery and Parenting Centre, run by midwives and student midwives.

At the Midwifery and Parenting Centre there are lots of groups and classes for pregnancy and parenting, including antenatal classes, hypnobirthing, birth trauma counselling and our Grow Baby group. There are also drop-in Breastfeeding support groups both at Café 360 (Tues 2-4) and a bilingual group in Gorslas, Wed 1-3) – come along in pregnancy too and get all the info and support in ready.

POSITIVE PARENTING a seven week antenatal preparation programme for birth and parenthood has fantastic reviews, is run by qualified midwives and completely free to attend!

You can book a place by ringing the Academy on 01792 518600.

!

GROW BABY is a free social support group for pregnant women and parents with babies up to 12 months old, run weekly in term time from 10.30-11am.

Every session we are available to chat through any questions you may have about your pregnancy, baby or parenting - often to be found chatting about feeding support, sleep patterns (what sleep??), returning to work and childcare, weaning onto solids and anything and everything else you can think of! We enjoy watching new friendships grow and little ones starting to recognise us all and each other! There is always plenty of tea and coffee and even the occasional homemade cake.

Through the group we like to share information about other groups and local classes so often organise to host taster sessions - we’ve had dozens in the year since our doors open - baby massage, signing and sensory, postnatal fitness, baby wearing and sling meet to mention just a few. All have been noisy and a lot of fun!

You can find all the details of what is coming up next on our Facebook page, Swansea Midwifery & Parenting Centre.

Look forward to meeting you, your bumps and babies soon!

March 9

9th - 10th - Monstersaurus at the Princess Royal Theatre. Ages 3+ (9th is a schools performance at 11am).

11

11th - Mothering Sunday, National Trust Aberdulais 10:30am-3pm Why not treat mum to a day out this Mother’s Day. Take a stroll to the waterfall, enjoy a cosy cuppa and slice of home-made cake in our tea-room and get crafty creating a hand-made Mother’s Day card.

Free entry for mum's and grandmothers when accompanied by their child. Normal admission charges apply. Free to National Trust members.

SUPER SCIENCE SATURDAY

10

10th - Robots at the Waterfront Museum. 12-1pm. A fast paced interactive family show, performed by Gower College Swansea performing arts students.

17

17th & 18th - Teletubbies at the Grand Theatre, Swansea. 10am & 1pm. See the iconic, world famous Teletubbies in their first ever theatre show created especially for your little ones

10th - Super Science Saturday at the Waterfront Museum. 12-4pm.

A packed afternoon of inspiring demonstrations, hands on activities and jaw-dropping experiments to mark International Women’s Day

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25

25th - NCT Sale, LC2, Swansea 10.30-1pm.

30

30th - Easter Eggstravaganza at the Waterfront Museum.12-4pm.

Join us for an eggciting family day out this Easter, featuring cool crafts for kids, live music and a quirky gallery trail!

30th - 2nd April - Cadburys Easter Egg Hunt at NT Aberdulais Falls.

10-4.30pm. If you're looking for some family fun this Easter holidays, why not join us for a river monster adventure in our Cadbury Easter Egg hunt. £2 per trail including a Cadbury chocolate prize. NT Colby Woodland Garden Easter Egg Hunt 11-3.30pm.

NT Tudor Merchants House, Tenby Egg Hunt is 11-5pm.

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30th - 16th April - Smugglers Map Egg Trail at the Waterfront Museum. 10-4pm. Eggsplore the nooks and crannies of our galleries to track down the hidden eggs, plotted on our Eggcellent smugglers map.

10th - Why We Laugh – with Prof Sophie Scott at the Waterfront Museum.12-1pm. Learn surprising facts about laughter in this fastpaced, action-packed dash through the science of cracking up.

10th - The XX Factor at the Waterfront Musuem. 2-4pm.

Featuring live science experiments and plenty of audience interaction suitable for all the family, learn about some of the awe-inspiring discoveries and breakthroughs made by women scientists

noise detection, online puzzles and live demonstrations. Featuring massexperiments, games, live coding and mind-blowing demonstrations.

Led by science presenter and selfconfessed overly-enthusiastic videogamer Neil Monteiro.

18

18th - Game On Show at the Waterfront Museum. 1pm & 3pm.

Game On is a fun, interactive science show where the audience will get the chance to control a game from their seat using a mix of gesture and

30th - 6th April - Dusty's Giant Easter Dugg Hunt at the WWT Wetlands, Llanelli. Help Dusty find our missing ducks!

30th - 2nd April - Easter Egg Hunt at St Fagans. 10-3pm. Family Easter trail. Solve the riddles and follow the trail around the site, then head back to the start to claim your egg-citing prize! No advance booking needed for this event - just turn up and pay on the day. Head to the atrium to start the trail. Suitable for children age 4+. £3.50 each.

30th-31st - Gwili Special 40th Event! Celebrate 40 years of the Gwili Railway. Meet the Easter bunny, eggs for every child, face painting, magician and activity packs!

31

31st - Meet the Dinosaurs with Chris the Ranger a the Purple Badger. 1-2pm & 2.30-3.30pm. An afternoon of interaction & learning with life-size, baby T-Rex Ronnie & his Dino pals! Tickets: £7 per child 31st - Easter Open Day & Egg Hunt at Llanelli & Mynydd Mawr Railway, From 11am until 4pm for a day of clue finding, train rides and chocolate eggs! All day rover ticket includes unlimited train rides per ticket (with ex-Dutch railways Class 600 diesel locomotive no. NS690 for haulage). e of the former Cynheidre Colliery, Cynheidre, Llanelli. Join us for an Easter 'Eggstravaganza'

April 1

by our very own mascot Ffossy. All small children will receive an Easter treat on arrival.

1st-2nd - Celebrate Easter at Gwili Railway! Meet the Easter bunny, eggs for every child, face painting, magician and activity packs!

2

2nd - Easter Egg Hunt at the Purple Badger. 12-3pm. Free event.

3

3rd-5th - Animal Zone: Exotic Animal Rescue at Plantasia. 4 shows a day, 10.30am, 12pm, 2pm, 3.15pm.

3rd- 8th - Print a Pirate Poster at the Waterfront Museum. 12.303.30pm. Try your hand at printing on our magnificent Stanhope printing press as we make posters inspired by the fearsomely successful Welsh pirate, Black Bart.

5

8

8th - Black Bart- Pirate Show at the Waterfront Museum. 1pm & 3pm.

Find out fascinating and unexpected facts about Welsh pirate Black Bart and a pirate’s life at sea!

9

9th-15th - K'Nex Robots at the Waterfront Museum. 12.30pm, 1.30pm a 2.30pm. Free. Please phone (029) 2057 3600 to book a place.

9th - Superstars Sports Camps at the Purple Badger. To reserve your place call 02920 090 503.

12

12th - Man Engine in Swansea.

11am-9.30pm. Swansea City Centre.

The huge mechanical puppet, which resembles a giant miner, is set to visit three of Swansea’s most important industrial heritage locations for a day of celebration on 12 April 2018.

5th - Peppa Pig Tea Party at the Purple Badger. Join us for an afternoon of fun. To book your ticket call: The Performance Factory on 01792 701570 Tickets £11 per child 2-4pm

6

6th - Jolly Totz Spring Festival at Pontardawe Arts Centre. 10.3012pm. A festival of growing and planting and everything green, all wrapped up with fun!

1st- Easter Egg Hunt & Crafty Fun at Oystermouth Castle. 11-4.30pm.

12th - Easter Bunny's Eggs Factor at the Gwyn Hall, Neath. 1.30pm.

Tickers £6.99.

12th - Live Theatre at Pontardawe Arts Centre. Oskar's Amazing Adventure. 2pm. Ages 2-6yrs.

14 6th - The Amazing Bubbleman at the Taliesin, Swansea University.

4.30pm.

7 1st - Mary Poppins at the Waterfront Museum. 2pm. Free.

1st - Easter Race Day at Ffos Las Racecourse. Join us for our Easter Raceday, a great day out for all the family. We will have lots of Easter fun & activities to keep the young ones entertained, plus there will be a prize for the best Easter drawing judged

7th - Dungeons and Dragons Day at Oystermouth Castle. 11-4.30pm.

7th-8th - Book Swop at the Waterfront Museum. 11-4pm.

7th - Nerf Wars at the Purple Badger. 12-5pm. The biggest event of last year's summer season is back by popular demand! book your 1 hr slot for £7 per child.

14th - Pirate Party at the Purple Badger. 2-5pm. Our Jack Sparrow look-a-like will be on hand to shiver those timbers with his epic magic tricks! Tickets £7 per child 14th - Experience Medieval Life in Oystermouth Castle. 11-4.30pm.

15

15th - Despicable Me 3 at the Waterfront Museum. 2.30pm. Free.

21

21st - Welsh Learners Festival at the Waterfront Museum. 11-3pm.

Join us for this special one day festival for Welsh learners, including free taster sessions.

Easter Bunny Cupcakes

INGREDIENTS:

For the Cupcakes · 150g Soft Butter · 150g Caster Sugar · 80g Cocoa Powder · 50ml Boiling Water · 3 eggs · 170g Self Raising Flour

To decorate · 150g Soft Butter · 300g icing sugar · Splash of milk · 12 Large Marshmallows · 36 Mini-Marshmallows · Edible eyes (available in most large supermarkets) · Black icing pen

If you’re anything like me, you’ve been waiting for Easter since Boxing Day. The kids took a while to get over the excitement of Santa visiting, so the promise of the Easter bunny bringing chocolate eggs to our house has kept us going for nearly 4 months! These character cupcakes are delicious and a great school holiday baking activity.

You will need a 12 hole muffin tray lined with 12 cupcake cases.

Preheat the oven to 180®C/ Gas Mark 4 In a large bowl mix the butter and sugar together until creamy.

In a separate jug or large mug, add the boiling water to the cocoa powder and mix to a paste (this is a bit of a grown up job).

Add the cocoa paste to the butter and sugar mixture and beat in the eggs.

Add the flour and give a quick mix until it’s all combined.

Don’t worry if your mixtures a bit lumpy, it will come together brilliantly in the oven!

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Divide the mixture between the cupcake cases and bake for 12-15 minutes or until raised and springy when touched (another grown up job).

While your cupcakes are cooling prepare the buttercream by beating the butter with the icing sugar and milk until fluffy. If you have an electric whisk, feel free to use it and give your arms a break!

Using scissors, cut your large marshmallows in half diagonally (this is the very last grown up job I promise).

When your cupcakes are completely cool, cover them with the buttercream and get to work making your bunny faces.

Use the large marshmallows to make ears and create the cheeks and mouths using the mini marshmallows.

Add lines to the mini marshmallow cheeks to create whiskers and pop your edible eyes on to complete the face. Almost too cute to eat!

If you enjoyed this and fancy trying a few more kid-friendly recipes head over to our website baking-with-kids.com or find us on Instagram @baking_with_kids

www.plantasia.org

4 SHOWS A DAY

, 10.30am, 12pm 2pm & 3.15pm

4 SIOE Y DYDD

3 – 5 April/Ebrill

10.30am, 12pm , 2pm a 3.15pm

Animal Zone: Exotic Animal Rescue Interactive Animal Shows Adult £5.50 / Child £4.50 (Children under 3 free)

Parth Anifeiliaid: Achub Anifeiliaid Egsotig Sioeau Anifeiliaid Rhyngweithiol £5.50 i oedolion / £4.50 i blant (Am ddim i blant dan 3 oed)

Pre-booking essential / Rhaid cadw lle Tickets non-refundable / Ni ellir ad-dalu pris tocynnau

( 01792 474555

10% off / Gostyngiad o 10%

Enjoy 10% off admission until 31 March 2018 with this voucher!

Cewch ostyngiad o 10% oddi ar y ffi fynediad tan 31 Mawrth 2018 gyda’r daleb hon!

Not to be used with another offer / Ddim i’w defnyddio gyda chynnig arall

Once they are pedalling forward and balancing with little assistance, let go, but be ready to grab them if necessary.

The next step you must teach them are the important skills of starting off & stopping!

It’s a huge moment for any child learning to cycle without stabilisers. It’s a skill for life and years of fun.

STARTING OFF & STOPPING Position the right pedal into the 2 o’clock position, and get your child to put their foot on the pedal. Remind them to look up and push off with the other leg on the ground.

Repeat look straight ahead this stops them from looking at their feet. This is always hard at first so keep them practising.

So what’s the best way to teach your child to ride?

Ok the most important bit, stopping!!! It’s best to teach brakes without your child being on the bike. Show them they have two brakes front and back, demonstrate how the bike reacts if one or the other is pulled alone. Then pull both brakes slowly together to demonstrate how the bike stops. Get them to walk with the bike and have a go pulling the brakes together slowly. After a few practices get them on the bike to have a go it will take a bit of practise. A common problem to stopping is forgetting to put their feet down at the end. Try to remind them or be prepared to catch them.

TOP TIP FOR A HEAD START. Balance bikes or two wheel scooters are your biggest friends. Give them one of these first for the best possible start. We don’t recommend using stabilisers on a bike as your child doesn’t learn to lean the bike. This is the secret to finding their balance and steering.

AT WHAT AGE SHOULD I START TO TEACH THEM? You can start teaching a child to ride a bicycle between ages 4 and 6. But remember that every child’s different and the time at which they’re ready to ride varies.

Remember children learn through fun so teach with a smile, stay calm praise them and practice!

GETTING READY TO CYCLE Make sure you buy the right bike size, don’t put them on a bike that’s too big in the hope they’ll ‘grow into it’ Check you children’s clothing is appropriate and the helmet fits correctly. Straps must be around the ears and once done up there should be room under the chin for two fingers only. The helmet should be placed over the front of the child’s head, again one or two fingers above their eye brows. Take care that the dial at the back is done up tight, this is the most important part. Cycling gloves or mitts are a good idea as children grip on for dear life and little hands get sore.

Keep a drink and a snack close to keep up morale and determination FITTING THE BIKE Check the seat is positioned so your child can get the balls of their feet on the ground. Don’t fix the seat too low so they can put flat feet on the ground as this makes pedalling more difficult, as their knees will come up too high. Test to see if they can reach the brakes, if not, these usually can be adjusted.

HERE WE GO FIRST LESSON For their first lesson choose an appropriate area, somewhere flat with a tarmac surface and plenty of space.

Not grass as it is harder to pedal on.

Support them with a hand on their back, so they’ve got complete control of the bike. Don’t be tempted to put your hands on the handle bars as it takes away all control and they may start to lean on you. Push them off to start & tell them to look straight ahead, keep repeating this as they may look down at their feet. Keeping your hand on their back at all times & be prepared to start jogging your socks off! Your hand will act as a security blanket & if they start to fall you can grab the clothing at the centre of there back.

www.bikeabilitywales.org.uk

Interested in fostering? Have a spare bedroom?

Help a child reach their full potential!

Diddordeb mewn maethu?

Oes ystafell wely sbâr gennych?

Helpwch blentyn i gyrraedd ei lawn botensial!

Join Foster Swansea today and receive outstanding support from Swansea’s longest established fostering service.

Ymunwch â Maethu Abertawe heddiw a chewch gefnogaeth ragorol gan y gwasanaeth maethu hynaf yn Abertawe.

 0300 555 0111 / 01792 533212  www.fosterswansea.org / www.maethuabertawe.org

AM D

DIM FREE

Bu môr-ladron yn codi braw ar forwyr am ganrifoedd – ond sut oedden nhw’n byw go iawn? Dewch i ddysgu mwy yn ein harddangosfa Môr-ladron: Mwy na Chwedlau.

Pirates terrorised the high seas for centuries – but what was their life really like? Find out with our new exhibition Pirates: The Truth Behind the Tales.

Amgueddfa Genedlaethol y Glannau

National Waterfront Museum

30 Mawrth – 30 Medi 2018

30 March – 30 September 2018

Rhan o Flwyddyn y Môr 2018

Part of 2018 Year of the Sea

/waterfrontmuseum

@the_waterfront amgueddfa.cymru | museum.wales (029) 2057 3600

SwimFinity is a privately owned swimming Pool in Felindre. We cater for all ages and abilities.

Our lessons are 1:2:1 private lessons

e now r a y t i in SwimF ookings for B taking ter Crash s the Ea rse Cou Days 5 r o f £50

to lucy@ book con t starfi shpho act to.co .uk

BOOK EARLY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT CONTACT US

@SwimFinity

!$

Contact SwimFinity on Email: swimfinitywales@gmail.com CALL NOW | 07538 366 143

Open daily/Ar agor yn ddyddiol 11am - 5pm Sun 1 Apr - Sun 30 Sept Dydd Sul 1 Ebr - dydd Sul 30 Medi

Sun 1 Apr / 11am - 4.30pm Easter Egg Hunt and Crafty Fun Sat 7 Apr / 11am - 4.30pm Dungeons and Dragons Day Sat 14 Apr / 11am - 4.30pm Experience Mediaeval Life Sul 1 Ebr / 11am - 4.30pm Helfa Wyau Pasg a Hwyl gyda Chrefftau Sad 7 Ebr / 11am - 4.30pm Diwrnod Dreigiau a Daeargelloedd Sad 14 Ebr / 11am - 4.30pm Profi Bywyd Canoloesol

swansea.gov.uk/oystermouthcastle abertawe.gov.uk/castellystumllwynarth

Department of Adult Continuing Education

THE BA DEGREE PREPARATION PROGRAMME PART-TIME COURSES STA RT I N G IN APRIL 2018

Flexible timetables designed for adults Day-time, evening and weekend courses available

Financial assistance available to eligible students

Extensive study support available

No formal entry qualifications required

Courses available on campus in Swansea and throughout communities in Swansea, Neath and Port Talbot adult.education@swansea.ac.uk • 01792 602211 • www.swansea.ac.uk/dace DACE - Swansea University

@daceswanseauni

Adran Addysg Barhaus Oedolion

Y RHAGLEN PARATOI AR GYFER GRADD BA C Y R SIAU RHAN AMSER YN C Y C H W Y N YM EBRILL 2018

Amserlenni hyblyg ar gyfer oedolion Cyrsiau yn ystod y dydd, gyda’r nos ac ar y penwythnos ar gael

Cymorth ariannol ar gael i fyfyrwyr cymwys

Cymorth astudio sylweddol ar gael

Nid oes angen unrhyw gymwysterau ffurfiol

Cyrsiau ar gael ar y campws yn Abertawe a thrwy gymunedau yn Abertawe, Castell-nedd a Phort Talbot addysg.oedolion@abertawe.ac.uk • 01792 602211 • www.abertawe.ac.uk DACE - Swansea University

@daceswanseauni

A team of the consultants from many different departments and the angel-like nurses relentlessly worked on her with great intensity. They tell me that Elizabeth is suffering from acute pneumonia which triggered HLH (Hemophagocytic Lymhohistiocytosis), a very rare condition in which Elizabeth’s immune system is attacking her own body, shutting down her major organs and cutting blood supply to her limbs. They say that Elizabeth’s case is extremely severe and it leaves her with a very tiny chance for life.

Against all expectations, Elizabeth desperately fought for her life for the next 18 days. The medics surrounded her with an unbelievable level of care, love and devotion, trying everything they could to keep her alive.

Yet, God’s plan was different and on 10th December 2015 Elizabeth went to heaven.

It is midnight on the 21st November, 2015. Elizabeth, my 5 year old daughter is hugging my shoulder, fast asleep beside me with her reindeer which she’d got earlier that day from Father Christmas. We’d had a lovely time exploring Bristol Museum and visiting Winter Wonderland. During the day, we’d popped into a shop and Elizabeth had chosen the Charlie and The Chocolate Factory movie, which we were watching this evening, along with a bright book full of math exercises - which we will read tomorrow.

My little girl, she is so amazing! Vivacious, fun-loving and happy, she is a true epitome of life. Yet, tonight she feels a bit under the weather, it must be just a cold. So I stay awake and keep an eye on her throughout the night, just in case. She means the whole world to me and I would never take a risk.

I don’t know yet that this is our last night in this house.

And these cuddles from my daughter- they are also the last. In a few hours time I will be taking her to hospital thinking that we will be home soon but the minute I shut the front door behind me, it will also close on my whole world.

Intensive Care Nothing could ever prepare me for the next 18 days that I was about to face.

My beautiful and until now perfectly healthy child lay unconscious. A big tube down her throat attaching her to the ventilator that vibrates and sounds like an old train. A huge dialysis machine doing the job instead of her kidneys. An overwhelming number of equipment all beeping and pumping various drugs and steroids into her innocent little body. Some of these were experimental, hence hugely expensive and delivered especially for her.

Creating a New Normal It has been two years and two months and I live the life that most people cannot even begin to imagine. There are no busy mornings spent plaiting Elizabeth’s hair while making pancakes for her breakfast. No school routine. No ballet classes. No pretty dresses. No zooming scooter.

No cuddly toys. No bedtime stories. No little girl sleeping in my bed...

Yet, there are miraculous rainbows. My Elizabeth is always there. She is not out of my life just because she is out of my sight and as I grieve for her physical presence and for the future we are not going to have, I do believe that when the time is right, I will see her again. Until then, instead of holding her in my hands, I will be holding her in my heart.

Elizabeth’s Footprint was created exactly one month after she passed away. Like a shining light in the midst of the gloomiest despair, it comforts my broken heart

and shows me the right path.

Elizabeth’s Footprint is all about celebrating Elizabeth’s beautiful life and raising as much money as possible for the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit in Bristol Children’s Hospital. Last year for Elizabeth, I walked 6000 miles around the entire British coast. It was the most bittersweet, surreal, beautiful and challenging experience that brought me peace and enriched my life to the level I never expected.

Along my walk, I was privileged to meet thousands of amazing people and it is thanks to their phenomenal support and kindness, Elizabeth’s Footprint became a very successful campaign which raised over £200,000 for the Wallace and Gromit Grand Appeal charity and gained national recognition as well as prestigious

Get Set for Study…

Get Ready for a Degree

“I always wanted to return to study” said Angie White, “but I didn’t think I would have the opportunity until I saw an advert for a part-time BA Degree Preparation Programme offered by the Department of Adult Continuing Education (DACE) at Swansea University. I decided that it was the right time for me to study as my 5 children had now grown up. I first attended a Criminal Psychology course at a community venue close to my home. I enjoyed the subject area so much that I decided to continue with my studies and enrolled on an 11 week Child Psychology course. I was delighted to pass both my assignments which gave me the confidence and incentive to follow my dreams and apply to study a BA (Hons) Degree in Humanities on a part-time basis with DACE. I am now half way through my first year of studies and I have achieved so much more than I expected!

With the support of my tutors as well as staff at the South Wales Miners’ Library, I have been able to confidently and successfully undertake my studies.

awards. My goal is to keep walking until we raise one million pounds for the charity that is so close to my heart. I also hope to inspire other people to hold an event in support of Elizabeth’s Footprint. It could be a coffee morning, a walk, a marathon or anything else that our wonderful supporters might dream of. Every single penny of the money raised will be invested into advanced technology and life-saving equipment, so other poorly children will have a much better chance for survival.

Only God knows the exact length of my challenging journey and the true weight of my heavy cross. Despite the never ending pain, I never questioned Why Me? Instead, I keep putting one foot in front of the other, thanking God for all the loveliness and blessings that I am given. But most of all – for my beautiful daughter Elizabeth and for the hope.

Natalia Spencer

During my studies, I have made many friends and even have a social life again. I have easily managed to balance both being a mother and a student as the class times fit perfectly around the school day.

Studying for a degree has shown me that it is always possible to accomplish your goals alongside family commitments. I would highly recommend studying with DACE to anyone who would like to return to education. Following graduation, I plan to continue with studying and pursue a career in Forensic Psychology. I really do believe that anything is possible now!”

For more information on the BA Degree Preparation Programme, contact 01792 602211 adult.education@swansea.ac.uk www.swansea. ac.uk/dace

! Elizabeth's Footprint

Natalia is setting off on a new challenge called 'Acts of Kindess' on 11th March to raise £1,000,000 in memory of her beautiful daughter. She will be walking around S.W England and S.Wales and is visiting all the main hospitals on the way. Her aim is to link together hospitals throughout the region from which young patients are referred to Bristol Children's Hospital and to highlight the huge geographical area that is serves, stretching from Cornwall to S.Wales. She will be walking through S.Wales roughly between May 10th to 28th. Keep a lookout on the Facebook page for more info, Elizabeth's Footprints and walk with her.

www.kidscenemagazine.co.uk |

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Swansea Bay this spring As the longer days are coming, the Easter Bunny will soon be arriving in Swansea Bay. In the meantime, we have lots going on in Swansea Bay including outdoor attractions, indoor attractions and events aplenty...

1 April Easter Egg Hunt and Crafty Fun, Oystermouth Castle 3 – 5 April Animal Zone: Exotic Animal Rescue, Plantasia 7 April Dungeons and Dragons Day, Oystermouth Castle 12 April Man Engine Cymru, City Centre 14 April Experience Mediaeval Life, Oystermouth Castle 28 April Tŷ Hafan Rainbow Run, Swansea Bay Beach Don’t forget to make the most of the spring sunshine by hopping aboard the Swansea Bay Rider, running every day this Easter holiday from 10.30am.

For more information on any of the above events, or to see what else is going on this spring visit enjoyswanseabay.com Enjoy Swansea

@EnjoySwansea

Bae Abertawe’r gwanwyn hwn Wrth i’r diwrnodau hwy nesáu, bydd Bwni’r Pasg yn cyrraedd Bae Abertawe cyn bo hir. Yn y cyfamser, mae gennym lawer o bethau i chi eu mwynhau ym Mae Abertawe gan gynnwys atyniadau yn yr awyr agored, atyniadau dan do a digonedd o ddigwyddiadau...

1 Ebrill Helfa Wyau Pasg gyda Chrefftau, Castell Ystumllwynarth 3 – 5 Ebrill Parth Anifeiliaid: Achub Anifeiliaid Egsotig, Plantasia 7 Ebrill Diwrnod Dreigiau a Daeargelloedd, Castell Ystumllwynarth 12 Ebrill Man Engine Cymru, Canol y Ddinas 14 Ebrill Profi Bywyd Canoloesol, Castell Ystumllwynarth 28 Ebrill Ras Enfys Tŷ Hafan, Traeth Bae Abertawe Cofiwch wneud yn fawr o heulwen y gwanwyn drwy neidio ar Drên Bach Bae Abertawe, a fydd yn rhedeg bob diwrnod yn ystod gwyliau’r Pasg o 10.30am.

I gael rhagor o wybodaeth am unrhyw un o’r digwyddiadau uchod, neu i weld beth arall sy’n digwydd yn ystod y gwanwyn, ewch i joiobaeabertawe.com Joio Bae Abertawe

@JoioBaeAbertawe

CHILDREN’S POETRY ANTHOLOGY TITLE: APES TO ZEBRAS – AN ANTHOLOGY OF SHAPE POEMS

My particular favorites are the haunting melancholy of Wolf, the lyrical, sing songy Humming bird verse and short funny Fish Farm.

A fabulous resource for both home and school with tips for experimenting with your own shape poems. Enjoy!

Poets: Liz Brownlee, Sue Hardy-Dawson, Roger Stevens Publisher: Bloomsbury Last edition I looked at poetry but today I had to include this gorgeous hardback as it would be a great Easter present alongside the chocolate!

As the title says the poems in this anthology travel linearly through the alphabet featuring sixty different animals from all around the globe! From creatures we find in our own backyards like spikey hedgehogs and harvest mice, to creatures that dwell in the seas – octopus and sea stars; enjoy reading about exotic beasts like orangutans, and tigers to the smallest beings on the planet such as creepy crawly snails and tiny plankton. A lovely variety of favourites and lesser known animals.

There were quite a few I’d never heard of such as the Philippine Tarsier and Quokka. Great to inspire inquisitive young wild life lovers to learn more.

There is also a beautiful simplicity in the text of the poems that allows you to appreciate the usage of words as a clear illustrative form. Some are told in just one word such as the cheerful Robin or one sentence such as the annoying Mosquito. You have to turn the book around and around or upside down as you follow the various swirls, and undulations of the various shapes. It’s great for concentrating and you’ll want to read it several times.

The whole collection has been produced in a striking fresh tri-colour scheme of orange, grey and black. There is playfulness even when the tone is more serious and as I read each poem I was expecting the animal characters move off the page! They would work well as animations.

Spring Competition!

Spring is with us and to celebrate we’re giving away a copy of the fabulous Apes to Zebras!

If you want to be in with a chance of winning a copy of the fabulous Apes to Zebras then simply design you own animal poem just the like book!

You can use a few or as many words as you’d like then just arrange them in an animal shape!

For a tip - You can always ask an adult to draw you the outline of the animal you want to write about and then either trace the lines round or fill in the space like the text filler of a shaped newspaper!

We look forward to seeing what you can come up with!

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| www.kidscenemagazine.co.uk www.kidscenemagazine.co.uk |

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MEET THE DINOSAURS

with Chris the Ranger - Sat 31st March,1-2pm & 2.30-3.30pm. An afternoon of interaction & learning with life-size, baby T-Rex Ronnie & his Dino pals!

Tickets: £7 per child

EASTER EGG HUNT

Mon 2nd April, 12 - 3pm A fun filled afternoon for all the family! (Free event)

PEPPER PIG TEA PARTY!

Thurs 5th April/Sat 26th May, watch out for who’ll be turning up on our second party!... Join us for an afternoon of fun. To book your ticket call: The Performance Factory on 01792 701570 Tickets £11 per child 2-4pm

To book all our events please contact the booking office on 01792 391 083 (open daily between 8.30am and 4.30pm)

Action Packed Easter!

NERF WARS

Sat 7th April/Mon 28th May, 12-5pm. The biggest event of last year’s summer season is back by popular demand! book your 1 hr slot for £7 per child.

SUPERSTARS SPORTS CAMP

Weeks commencing 9th April, 29th May... choose from 1, 2 or 5 day activity & sports courses. Prices from £15 per day with discounts for multi bookings.

To reserve your place call 02920 090 503.

PIRATE PARTY

Sat 14th April, 2pm - 5pm... Our Jack Sparrow look-a-like will be on hand to shiver those timbers with his epic magic tricks, followed by a disco & afternoon of fun-filled family fun! Tickets £7 per child.

SPORTS DAY

Mon 7th May, 1-4pm, Join us down on the sports field for an afternoon of fun, testing your skills against your friends and family! (Free event)

DISCO NIGHTS

Saturday 14th April 3-5pm

School’s out for spring and its time to party! Grab your dancing shoes and boogie on down to The Purple Badger for our disco nights... Fri 30th March/Fri 14th April 6th/Fri 4th May/Fri 25th May.. all at 6-8pm.

Tickets £3 per child. (max 2 adults per child)

Call us 01792 391 083

Follow all the events at The Purple Badger why not sign up to our monthly newsletter or go out our website @BadgerGower The Purple Badger Llanrhidian Gower

Llanrhidian Holiday Park, Llanrhidian, Swansea, SA3 1EU

www.purplebadgerrestaurant.co.uk

JOSHUA’S X B O X • D V D ’ S • B A L L O O N S • S T I C K E R S • T R E AT S !

BARBERS & KIDS CUTS

514 Mumbles Road, Mumbles SA3 4BU TEL: 01792 367774 C H I L D F R I E N D LY H A I R D R E S S E R S . . . c h e c k o u t o u r F a c e b o o k f o r u p - t o - d a t e i n f o !

FIND US

W E A R E PA R T O F T H E N E W D E V E L O P M E N T N E X T T O C O S TA C O F F E E , JUST DOWN FROM THE WHITE ROSE ON MUMBLES ROAD.

G W I L I R A I LWAY celebrates 40th Anniversary in style at Easter

handing out Easter Eggs at Llwfan Cerigg Station. Fun and games will the order of the day with activity packs and special guest Loopy Lews and Emma the Gwili Magicians.

Tickets cover you all day with food available at our Vintage Tea Rooms and on the train subject to availability.

During the year we have introduced many new events focussing on what our visitors to Wales enjoy and bringing events to Carmarthen never seen in the area for many years. The first event in May over the 1st bank holiday will see the start of our new Welsh Food Festival with many popular and local food and drinks artisans appearing at the railway. The second May bank holiday will also feature the start of a annual Welsh Craft and Art Fair, showcasing the best of Welsh Crafts and art.

The Gwili Railway was voted the best Tourism and Leisure Business in the West Wales Business Awards.

The awards were held at the Stradey Hotel in Llanelli on the 19th January. The competition was fierce and the representatives for Gwili Railway Scott Artus Communications Director and Jeremy Johns Group Booking Manager were surprised when the award was announce. They were up against some of the biggest tourism companies in West Wales.

WHAT CAN YOU LOOK FORWARD TO AT EASTER ON THE GWILI RAILWAY?

Our popular annual event will start with a special 40th Anniversary Gala on Good Friday and the Saturday (30-31 March), the railway will showcase the best of their running stock with special services and gala fun all day. Easter will see the return of our friendly Easter Bunny who will be

4 0 T H A N N I V E R SA RY G A L A E V E N T S 25th March 2017 - Anniversary of the first train in preservation. A special ‘Sunday Lunch’ dining train to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the first train in the preservation era - as close to the original date as we can! 12.30 ex Bronwydd Arms - booking details to follow shortly.

March 30th/31st - ‘Gwili 40 - The Opening Act’ A family-based event to kick off our year, over the Easter weekend. All visitors will receive a special goody-bag, whilst a busy timetable will be in operation.

April 21st - ‘Gwili 40 - The Diesel Day’ Our home-based diesel fleet will take to the stage on this day, with the first advertised diesel-hauled trains to Abergwili Junction in the preservation era. Normal fares.

Dr Louise... Weight Management in Children & Varsha Viswanath Paediatric Dietician

In this edition, I’ll be providing advice on how to help your child achieve & maintain a healthy weight. There will also be advice from a dietitian.

If you are worried that your child may be overweight or obese, the first thing to do is discuss it with your GP, your practice nurse or another health care professional that you trust. GPs, practice nurses, health visitors & school nurses are all ideally-placed to suggest ways in which you can help your child, or refer you to another professional e.g. a dietician who may be able to help.There may be some specific ‘healthy living’ schemes or lifestyle-based weight management programmes in your local area specially set up to help prevent or manage obesity in children.

Children who are seriously overweight may be referred by their doctor to a special clinic at a hospital, where there’s a team of healthcare professionals specialising in overweight & obese children.

There are a few ways in which you can encourage your child to become more physically active.

1 2 3

Encourage active play for your child, including games that involve moving around a lot, such as skipping, dancing, running or ball games.

Build physical activity into your child's daily life in general. For example, walking or cycling to school and the shops, going swimming or to the park together.

Help children to take part regularly in structured physical activities that they enjoy, so that they are more likely to continue with it, e.g. swimming, football, dancing.

In general, rapid weight loss or strict dieting is not recommended for children who are still growing, unless this has been specifically advised by a specialist. For most children, the aim is usually to keep the weight at the same level rather than weight loss. As they grow and their height increases, the child should either: not gain any weight, or their weight gain should be slower than their height gain.

Your child's healthcare professional will be able to advise what is best for them.

The main way to treat a child who is overweight or obese is to make lifestyle changes, ideally involving the whole family; children learn by example & you will be important good role models for them. The two main lifestyle changes advisable are healthy eating & plenty of physical activity.

Small, gradual changes may be best. Your child will then be more likely to stick to these changes in the long term.

It is recommended that all children should do at least 60 minutes of moderate physical activity every day. This 60 minutes does not have to be done all at once and can be broken up into 10- or 15-minute blocks. Try to find activities that your child enjoys, rather than something they don't want to do. This way they are more likely to continue with it.

Also, you should limit the amount of time your child spends doing sedentary activities, i.e. time in front of the computer or TV, which should be less than two hours each day.

ENERGY BALANCE It is important to understand about 'Energy Balance' when it comes to weight- that is the relationship between “energy in” (food calories taken in through food and drink) and “energy out” (calories being used for our daily energy requirements).

Eating a healthy diet is paramount in weight management.

The Eatwell Guide, shown below will help to support us in eating healthily.

Bread, rice, potatoes, pasta and other starchy foods • Base your meals around foods from this group.

• Eat wholegrain or wholemeal bread, pasta and cereal as well as white choices.

• Avoid frying or adding butter/oil to these foods.

• Potatoes and sweet potatoes fall into this group, rather than fruit and vegetables, because they too contain starchy carbohydrates.

• Instead of having chips, try having jacket potatoes, new potatoes etc.

• The fibre from these foods help to fill us up, helping us to eat less and manage our portions.

Recommended portions for children will generally be smaller and may have approximately 5-6 portions a day, a portion is the following: • 3 tbs breakfast cereal, • 1 Weetabix or Shredded Wheat

We need to include 3 portions of milk and dairy foods in our diet every day. Examples include: 200ml (1/3rd pint) of milk A pot of yoghurt 120g/2 pots of fromage frais- 50 g each ( instead of having fromage frais- can mix pureed fruit into natural yoghurt to reduce the sugar content) 1oz/30g cheese (a small matchbox size).

A pot of custard/rice pudding ( can make homemade rice pudding and custard and substitute some of the sugar for more fruit.)

• • • •

1 slice bread/toast 1 small pitta bread/chapatti 3 crackers 1 egg sized potato/1 spoon mashed potato/1/2 a jacket potato • 2 tbsp rice or pasta, noodles ( cooked) Eating at least five portions of fruit and vegetables every day is recommended for health as they are rich in vitamins, minerals, low in fat and calories and high in fibre. This is why it is important to eat a variety of fruit and vegetables-a good saying to remember is ‘eat a rainbow of colours!'

• • • •

Choose fruit or chopped vegetables as a snack.

Add dried or fresh fruit to breakfast cereals.

Have a salad with sandwiche.

Add vegetables to casseroles, soups and stews and fruit to desserts.

• Tinned ( in natural juice), frozen, and dried fruit and vegetables are just as good as fresh!

What is a portion of fruit and vegetables?

About 80g counts as a portion of fruit and vegetables.

Examples include: • 3 tbs cooked vegetables • Cereal bowl of salad • Piece of fresh fruit, eg, one apple/pear/banana/ orange/nectarine • Half a grapefruit/one slice of melon/one large slice of pineapple, • 2 slices of mango • A handful of grapes/berries, • 2 small fruit eg satsumas, plums, • 1 tbs dried fruit ( approximately 30 g) • 150ml fruit juice • Meat, fish, eggs, beans and other non-dairy sources of protein • Choose lower fat meat products.

• Choose lean cuts of meat.

• Remove visible fat including skin from meat and poultry and drain away fat while cooking. • Try to grill, poach, steam, bake or microwave meat and fish rather than frying.

• Eat oily fish once a week.

We need to have 2-3 portions from this group in our diets every day. A portion is usually about 50-75g ( also illustrated as a pack of cards or the size of a fist). Examples include: • 2-3oz/50-70g beef, pork, ham, lamb, liver, kidney • 2-3oz/50g-70g chicken or oily fish • 4-5oz/100-150g white fish • 2 eggs (up to 6 per week) • 3 tbs baked beans/pulses/lentils • Milk and Dairy Foods • Choose lower fat milk, i.e. semi-skimmed, skimmed milk.

• Choose low fat yoghurts and reduced fat cheeses.

Foods and drinks high in fat and/or sugar • These are the foods that generally contribute to weight gain • Eat small quantities of these foods.

• Choose low fat or reduced sugar foods where possible.

• Use spreads and oils sparingly – opt for vegetable fats and oils.

• Try to limit consumption of sugar-containing foods and drinks between meals, especially for children.

• Try not to add fat to foods when cooking.

It's important to remember that healthy eating is about eating all foods in moderation, so we can have a treat once in a while!

FLUIDS

It is important to drink enough to remain well hydrated.

The body needs about 1.5 litres (6 – 8 glasses) of fluid per day and additional fluid during warm weather and exercise.

For children, the recommendation is about 6-8 cups of 150-200ml ( 5-9 ounces)of fluid and the recommended drinks are either water/milk through the day and well diluted juice/squash only at mealtimes.

SOME PRACTICAL TIPS TO EAT HEALTHILY:

1 2 3 4 5 6

Maintaining portion sizes especially at mealtimes helps to maintain and manage weight.

Examples of healthy snacks for children: fruit with natural yoghurt, peanut butter on toast, scrambled eggs, vegetable sticks with houmous, rice cakes and plain popcorn.

Plan meals and healthy snacks for the week ahead so you can plan what ingredients you need and shop accordingly.

Try and make homemade healthy meals as far as possible Involving children in the shopping, cooking and preparation of food. For example, making banana bread, spaghetti bolognaise, fruit kebabs together.

Grow your own fruit and vegetables and herbs and involve children in this, they will learn to appreciate where our food is coming from and great way to have some fun! www.kidscenemagazine.co.uk |

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Specialising in

Street Dance

Boys only Classes

es porary Class Jazz/Contem

BALLET CLASSES Acro Classes

New to ballet?

Thought it was too late to start?

We have BEGINNERS CLASSES FOR AGES 3-18

Award-Winni ng School Teams Competition

NOW TAKING ON NEW STUDENTS

Melody Movement classes for 3-5 year olds

Regular danc ers for ...

Fully qualified teacher ARBTA NATD BTDA RAD (ttc) SDS (L1)

ADULTS DANCE FIT & LBTS WITH BEV COE

SINGING LESSONS TUESDAYS

Dance Fit TUESDAYS (Zumba, Hip Hop, Salsa) 4:30pm -5:15pm years 9.30am6-10 - 10.15am

Classes held at

DANI DEE DANCE STUDIOS

1194 Neath Road, Plasmarl SA6 8JT Classes also available at Upper Killay and Mumbles

07921 455988

5:15pm 11 years LBTs- 6pm 10.15am - 11am+ £4 per lesson Wednesdays Body Conditioning 6.30pm - 7.30pm £4 for 1 class, £6 for 2 classes

w w w . d an i d e e s c h o o l o f d an ce . co . u k info@danideeschoolofdance.co.uk

Ballet Classes, Saturday Classes, Adult Classes, Workshops, Beginners Classes, Flexibility Classes and Studios for Hire

Holiday arrangements post separation

www.taliesinartscentre.co.uk | box office 01792 60 20 60

Friday 6 April 4.30pm Dydd Gwener 6 Ebrill 4.30pm

The Amazing Bubble Man

In many cases, divorce has a devastating impact on a family, especially where children are involved. One of the major challenges for separated parents can be agreeing on the arrangements for the children during the holidays and on other important occasions.

This, we have seen, is a common area for conflict.

Holidays and other important dates in the year such as Christmas, Easter, school holidays and birthdays can be a difficult time for children dividing their time between two homes. If parents are not able to agree on arrangements, it can result in tense and emotional discussions, sadly sometimes in front of the children, following which one parent is inevitably disappointed.

It is important to bear in mind that generally, the holidays are there to benefit the children, rather than the parents.

Unfortunately, often one or both parents lose focus and turn discussions into a purely mathematical exercise during which they try to ensure they take exactly their 50% entitlement for each of the holidays.

This might not work on a practical level due to work commitments and can lead to the children toing and froing between their parents or missing out on specific events which one family has planned. Further, it may not work on an emotional level where dependant on the children’s ages, consideration should be given to their wishes and feelings.

It is essential that the children remain in the forefront of everyone’s minds when discussions take place about the division of childcare generally and during the school holidays.

WHAT ARE OUR TOP TIPS?

“Within minutes he was holding the audience Broadway Baby absolutely entranced.”

There was an Old Lady who Swallowed a Fly The People’s Theatre Company

1. Plan ahead - In our experience, part of the problem is that many people do not think about this soon enough and parents allow the issue of where the children will be and who they will spend holidays with remain unre solved until the last moment. This may be because they do not wish to discuss matters, or they hope that nearer to the time they will be able to reach an agreement or because neither of them wishes to rock the boat by discussing things too early. There are often other competing factors to be taken into account and co-ordinated such as grandparents, step-families, parties, holidays, and time off work to be arranged. The whole issue can easily become a logistical minefield with the children themselves at the centre.

2. Communicate - Always tell the other party in advance what your proposals are. You want to avoid a situation where you both book holidays at the same time. Ideally, you should be discussing holidays at least two months in advance. If you and your ex-partner are not able to agree matters yourselves, we have many experienced lawyers at Peter Lynn and Partners who specialise in this area of law. We also refer many clients to mediators to facilitate discussions between parents.

In our experience, the more amicable discussions can remain, the more likely parents will remain focussed on what is best for the children, rather than on winning the battle they believe they have with their ex-partner surrounding holiday contact.

Friday 4 May | Gwener 4 Mai (time tbc - tyst i’w gadarnhau)

For more information or to arrange a free initial meeting to discuss this or similar matters, call 01792 450010 or email Advice@plandp.co.uk

G & K Martial Arts academy Improve your child’s Confidence with Martial arts G&K Martial Arts Academy have classes on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays! - Come and try it FREE for the first two weeks!!

G&K are an International Award Winning Martial Arts Academy, teaching people ages 4-50+ the skills in order to be safe in the modern world.

For more information: Call: 07787 154409 Freephone: 0800 612 5056 Email: info@kickboxinginswansea.co.uk www.kickboxinginswansea.co.uk

The Speech Clinic

Independent Speech and Language Therapy for children and adults across South Wales Clinics in Swansea and Cardiff Home and school visits Assessment, diagnosis, therapy and reports Speech sounds pronunciation Language delay Stammering Autistic spectrum disorder Learning difficulties Stroke rehabilitation

The Speech Clinic 56 Walter Road, Swansea SA1 5PY T: 01792 206 784 | M: 07934 432 116 E: reception@thespeechclinic.co.uk www.thespeechclinic.co.uk

EASTER AT GWYN HALL, NEATH Easter Bunny’s Eggs Factor Thursday 12th April 1.30pm Tickets: £6.99 Everyone is excited about the Easter Bunny’s singing competition - but who will Fluffy decide has got The Eggs Factor? Marty MacDonald, Henrietta the Hen and Professor Pinky are all going to enter, but can’t choose which song to sing…can you help them practice and see if YOU have The Eggs Factor too?

Love Cinema ALL THE LATEST RELEASES IN DIGITAL 3D Peter Rabbit A Wrinkle in Time Isle of Dogs

Gwyn Hall Neath 0300 365 6677 I www.gwynhall.com Orchard Street, Neath, SA11 1DU

WWT Llanelli Wetland Centre has lost some rather special ducks! A number of our GIANT yellow ducks have gone missing and we need children to help us find them this Easter holiday as part of Dusty’s GIANT Duck Hunt!

You’ll need to use all your special detective skills to track down these cheeky birds and be in with a chance of winning a yummy Easter treat.

Dusty’s GIANT Duck Hunt is taking place daily from Friday 30 March – Sunday 15 April, visit wwt.org. uk/llanelli for more information about something a little bit different to take the family to this Easter.

As well as the GIANT duck hunt, there are lots of other family activities during the Easter holidays including den building, mini beast hunts, pond dipping and a chance to make your own Easter crafts to take home!

Dusty’s

Fri 30 March - Mon 16 April

GIANT EASTER DUCK HUNT at Llanelli Wetland Centre

Help Dusty find our missing ducks!

Carmarthenshire SA14 9SH

For more details search WWT Llanelli

Competitions WIN a Family Ticket to see at THE AMAZING BUBBLEMAN on April 6th at 4.30pm at the Taliesin, Swansea University.

Louis Pearl has been thrilling audiences worldwide for over 30 years with the art, magic, science and fun of bubbles. An Edinburgh Fringe favorite, he has sold out there for the last ten years. Louis explores the breathtaking dynamics of bubbles, combining comedy and artistry with audience participation and enough spellbinding bubble tricks to keep everyone mesmerized. From square bubbles, fog and helium bubbles, giant bubbles, volcanoes, tornados and trampolines to people inside bubbles, the Amazing Bubble Man conjures shrieks of laughter and gasps of amazement from all ages.

(New this year, live music by Jet Black Pearl). www.taliesinartscentre.co.uk

WIN a Family Ticket to see THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED A FLY on May 4th at 4.30pm at the Taliesin, Swansea University.

The People’s Theatre Company bring one of the world’s best loved nursery rhymes to life just in time for the 45th anniversary of Pam Adams’ best-selling book! From the creators of Don’t Dribble On The Dragon, this magical show has been written especially for grown-ups to enjoy with their children, so come and relive the delights of this most charming of tales complete with a feast of sing along songs www.taliesinartscentre.co.u

Tickledom Productions p r e s e nt s

M U S I C & LY R I C S M AT T HE W BRIND

B O O K & LY R I C S J O H N M A N DE R S

A NEW SHOW f OR 2018

A new musical adventure with your favourite flower folk.

Tues 26 - Sat 30 June Tues - Thurs | 10.00am & 1.00pm Fri | 10.00am & 7.00pm Sat | 4.00pm

Maw 26 - Sad 30 Mehefin Maw - Iau | 10.00am a 1.00pm Gwe | 10.00am a 7.00pm Sad | 4.00pm

Make your way to the happy land of Tickledom for a new musical adventure with the flower folk. Has Fluella the Ice Witch struck again?

When Princess Violet loses her knowledge of flowers, plants and herbs, Basil sets off on a perilous journey to discover the truth and find the mysterious Evergreen who he hopes can break the spell.

Make your way to the happy land of Tickledom for a new musical adventure with the flower folk. Has Fluella the Ice Witch struck again?

When Princess Violet loses her knowledge of flowers, plants and herbs, Basil sets off on a perilous journey to discover the truth and find the mysterious Evergreen who he hopes can break the spell.

£11.00 - £15.00, Family ticket (4) £42.00, Schools £8.00

£11.00 - £15.00, Tocyn teulu (4) £52.00, Ysgolion £10.00

SWANSEA GRAND THEATRE Call 01792 475715 for ages 3 — 103

WIN a family Ticket to see DEAR ZOO on May 15th at 1pm in the Grand Theatre, Swansea.

Author Rod Campbell’s bestselling classic lift-the- flap book, Dear Zoo, is being brought to life for the very first time in 2018 as a brilliant new stage production.

WIN a family ticket to see the EAS TEBunny's Easter Eggs Factor R AT G Y at the Gwyn W HallN on HAApril LL, N EATH 12th at 1.30pm.

Ea ste r Bu Egg nny’s s Fac Thurs tor Ticke day 12th April ts: £6 1.3 .9

9 0pm Every o Bunn ne is exc ite y who ’s singing d about th w c Eggs ill Fluffy d ompetitio e Easter n e F Henri actor? M cide has g - but www.kidscenemagazine.co.uk | a e o Pinky tta the He rty MacDo t The n n a choo re all goin and Profe ald, se wh g s s to en or ich help te

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Live Learn Swim Continuous courses now available all year round

Signing up has never been easier via Direct Debit Find us on social media

01792 513513 Wales National Pool Swansea, Sketty Lane, Swansea SA2 8QG enquiries@walesnationalpoolswansea.co.uk

Easter half-term fun Cadbury Easter Hunt 30 March – 2 April Are you brave enough to discover what lurks beneath the water? Follow our trail, hunt down the clues and keep your eyes peeled for river monster eggs. £2 per trail including Cadbury chocolate prize.

River Creatures 3 – 15 April Design and make your own monster, search for scary beasts with our monster trail, and learn about the creatures that live in our rivers.

01639 636674 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/aberdulais Aberdulais, Neath, SA10 8EU Drwy ymuno, cyfrannu, ymweld neu wirfoddoli, mae eich cefnogaeth chi'n ein helpu ni i ofalu am lefydd arbennig yng Cmyru fel Aberdulais i bawb am byth.

When you join, donate, visit or volunteer, your support helps us to look after special places in Wales such as Aberdulais for ever, for everyone.

© Ymddiriedolaeth Genedlaethol 2018. Mae'r Ymddiriedolaeth Genedlaethol yn elusen gofrestredig annibynnol, rhif 205846.

Lluniau © National Trust Images. © National Trust 2017. The National Trust is an independent registered charity, number 205846. Photography © National Trust Images.

#nationaltrust

Tell us about your business

I own Brontosaurus Vegan Lifestyle Store in Swansea Indoor Market. We are the first and only 100% vegan store in Swansea. Brontosaurus houses a large range of vegan food, both frozen and ambient, speciality and local sourced products, nutritional supplements and sports nutrition, cosmetics, household products and clothing that are completely free from animal products. Within the first year of business, Brontosaurus was nominated for ‘Best New Business’ in the Swansea Bay Tourism Awards and has been interviewed by the Evening Post, BBC Radio Wales, Bay TV, City of Culture Bid 2017, Oystermouth Radio, The Wave and other media about veganism.

Where did you begin and what motivated you to start your own business?

Since the age of 11 I have worked within the health food trade, beginning as a Saturday girl in my Grandparents health food shop in Mumbles, then as an assistant manager in Health And Herbs in Swansea and manager in Health With Herbs in Cardiff. I have always wanted to have my own store, but it was after the birth of my second child I began to seriously research what I needed to open a business of my own. With the encouragement and guidance of my family and friends, I opened Brontosaurus in January 2017.

How many children do you have- tell us a bit about your family.

My husband, Tim, and I have two children. Lily, who has just turned five this January, and Rory who is two in March.

I’m still breastfeeding Rory and we bed share for part of the night (from first wake onwards) Lily is artistic and loves to draw. We’re currently reading ‘Bedtime Stories for Rebel Girls’ and she is enjoying learning about inspiring women in history. Rory is incredibly chatty and loves building train tracks for ‘Tomo’ (Thomas the Tank), reading anything by Julia Donaldson and following Lily around. My husband, Tim, is a very supportive and wonderful man who encourages me in what ever I do- from birthing our son at home, to starting my own business.

How do you juggle childcare?

Lily attends Terrace Road Primary full time, then after school club or she will come and ‘help’ me in the shop.

Once a week my Grandparents (Lily’s Great-Grandparents!)

pick her up from school and take her on an adventure for the afternoon. During school holidays she attends the same nursery as Rory and goes ‘on a holiday’ for one evening to my Mums house. Rory attends The School House Day Nursery on The Kingsway where the wonderful staff enjoy listening to his cheeky chatter. We are lucky enough to have a very supportive network of family and friends who are ready to step in, either to help in the shop or with childcare, at a moments notice.

what do you do to relax?

I have Sundays and Mondays off from the shop, but sometimes find it hard to switch off. I’ve recently ‘forced’ myself to find some ‘me’ time. I take baths (with the children popping in and out to check out the bubbles, or have a wee whilst I relax) read books and enjoy trying out new recipes or baking vegan cakes with the children (whilst they ask every two minutes to lick the spoon!) On the days my husband is off we pack everybody into the car and visit the beach, or walk to the park, get some fresh air and splash in puddles. Then when we return we all snuggle up and watch a film together.

What's been your biggest challenge & how have you overcome it?

There are daily challenges starting a business and growing a business which you must overcome by remaining calm and tackling the issue with a level head. Those challenges increase when you start a business with two children.

My biggest challenge is finding enough hours within the day - I overcome this with support and love of my family especially my husband, Tim, who has encouraged me from the begining. Without his support I think I would have a lot more moments where I melt into a puddle of stress tears.

What's the one piece of advice you would give up other mums wanting to start their own business?

I’m not going to lie, starting your own business is hard, very hard. But it is so worth it! Work on your business plan, get support from Business Wales, Careers Wales or the Prince’s Trust, talk to family and friends, and always have a Plan B. Take care of yourself and don’t let your glass become too empty emotion wise. Cwtch your children and significant other at regular intervals. But most of all, do it!

Do it, enjoy it, leap into it and don’t look back.

EASTER RACEDAY sunday 1st april 2018

LOTS OF FREE CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES

FAMILY TICKET

£25*

BRING YOUR OWN PICNIC**

7 EXCITING RACES INCLUDING THE WEST WALES NATIONAL Gates open 12.20pm | First race 2.20pm

*Children under 18 FREE, advance bookings only. **No alcohol or glass bottles allowed.

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