in Gloucestershire Issue 147 8 Dec 2016-10 Feb 2017
Also Plan the summer break Discover ‘Wow’ sports
Utterly
Bananas! Download the Primary Times app, free! Page 3
It’s bonkers at Gloucestershire’s play centre, where Santa kicks off a programme of year-round fun. Page 4.
Theatre • Arty Barty • Roundabout • Save money!
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CHRISTMAS 2016
PRIMARY TIMES
As you tidy the wrapping paper away after Christmas Day you’ll already be thinking about the new year ahead. So we’ve taken a peek at the range of holidays available for families as the weather warms up. It may be a few months away, yet, but nothing fans the feelgood factor more than the thought of a good break, so check out our feature on page 17 for a few holiday ideas. Of course, tearing the kids away from the TV (or console) over the winter holidays is always a challenge. You might inspire them, though, with the idea of introducing them to some of the skills practiced by our screen action heroes in our “Wow” sports feature (P6). Go ahead and jump! the editor
147 rshire Issue2017 Feb in Glouceste 10 F 6-10 016 2016 ec 2 D 8 Dec
THEATRE P8 ROUNDABOUT P11 PINBOARD P19 ADVERTISING FEATURES P20 PUPILS’ PAGE P22 CLASSIFIEDS P23 ‘WOW’ SPORTS P6 Trampoline, climbing, karting and high ropes are just some of the different sports inspiring our kids, as Ellen White reports.
YOUR BIG BREAK P17 Eric Blair mulls over a few holiday ideas from beaches to eco-tourism to glamping.
Also er break Plan the summ ’ sports Discover ‘Wow
Utterly
Bananas! ershire’sa at Gloucest s off It’s bonkers Santa kick Page 4. re, where play cent of year-round fun. programme ey! ut • Save mon • Roundabo y Bart Theatre • Arty
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Primary Times in Gloucestershire Bristol News and Media, Temple Way, Bristol BS2 OBY. More information at www.primarytimes.net
Editor Commercial director Advertising Distribution Design Sub-editor Proof reader
Mike Gartside mike.gartside@localworld.co.uk Tracie Simms tracie.simms@localworld.co.uk 0117 934 3165 Caroline Stretton caroline.stretton@localworld.co.uk 0117 934 3737 Juliet Hobbs juliet.hobbs@localworld.co.uk 01242 278053 Cath Evans, Mike Gartside Eric Blair Ellen White
Main office
0117 934 3000
Primary Times is independently published and distributed free in Primary, Junior, Infant and Middle Schools throughout the former Avon area, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. It is also available by subscription at £10 per year. Its aims are to inform families and children of current educational issues, forthcoming events, courses and attractions, and to give teachers, pupils and parents the opportunity to participate in the magazine by adding to its contents or joining in the competitions which we run. It is NOT our intention to publish any racist, sexist or politically biased material whatsoever. We also undertake not to carry any advertising which we would consider to be offensive to young families or harmful to the best interests of young children. While we make every effort to ensure information published is accurate, readers are encouraged to check details of all events in advance and neither Trinity Mirror Ltd nor its contributors are liable for the consequences of any errors. Primary Times would like to thank all the schools in the county for their assistance in distributing the magazine and their contributions to its contents. We would also like to thank all the advertisers who have supported this publication and therefore made it possible. Please support their endeavours when and where you can. The copyright on all written material, logos and advertising artwork produced by our studio remains with Trinity Mirror Ltd. Primary Times currently publishes more than two million copies per issue under franchise. PRIMARY TIMES
Find these amazing offers this issue!
Magicland - 10% off entry with advert Warehouse Climbing 15% off parties with advert Bristol Aquarium – Kids go free with advert. Taurus Crafts Christmas market – free entry and parking Woolacombe Sands Holiday Park – up to 25% off 2017 breaks Cotswold Farm Park – child free with paying adult, with voucher CHRISTMAS 2016
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From Santa to the Glow Disco Go Bananas in Stroud offers tonnes of fun this Christmas and New Year!
Utterly
Bananas! G
o Bananas, Stroud’s all weather indoor play centre, is really excited to announce that Santa and his Reindeer are visiting on Saturday 10 December at 12pm2pm and Sunday 11 December at 11am-1pm. Children will get the chance to pet and feed both Dancer and Blitzen and take their very own selfie! Then they can take a trip through the snow to visit Santa in his grotto and receive an extra special Christmas goodie bag. After all the Christmas excitement, parents can warm up with a festive drink while the little ones burn off energy in the soft play. Join Go Bananas for the Ultimate Christmas Experience for just £11.95 per child! Call 01453 769120 to purchase a ticket now!
Let’s Dance! Party On! Step into Christmas with the Winter Wonderland Disco on Friday 23 December 6.30pm8.30pm. Dance with Santa, play with his naughty little elves and sing with Snow Princesses Elsa, Anna and everyone’s favourite snowman Olaf. Join Go Bananas in your best Christmas jumper for a chance to win one of Santa’s Christmas Goodies. As well as lots of games and prizes, children can also get their face painted.
Go Bananas has a range of party packages tailored to guarantee excitement, fun and, most importantly, freedom from stress for everyone! Choose from a standard Soft Play Party, Disco Party, Glow Party, or even themed parties! Party-goers will love the range of children’s characters.
2017 Exclusive Due to popular demand, Go Bananas’ Glow Disco is back! Get down on Friday 27 January where the team will be ready to cover your faces with UV Paint and dress you up with glow glasses, sticks and bracelets. Did they mention, if you go dressed in white, you’ll glow? That’s right, with the brand new UV canon, everything will glow! With games and prizes galore, there is something for everyone.
10% off entry Present this voucher at reception to receive your discount. One voucher per family of four (two adults and two children). See website for terms & conditions. Offer expires Tue 31 Jan.
www.gobananas.org.uk Offered in conjunction with Primary Times
4 CHRISTMAS 2016
PRIMARY TIMES
“I’d like to to thank all your team who made every day fun and exciting for my daughter. So much better than any other holiday club she has been to before.”
HOLIDAY
CLUBS Every day is a new adventure, including:
At Mojo ■ Assault course ■ High/low ropes ■ Climbing wall ■ Zorbing ■ Archery ■ Tunnel maze ■ Den building
Away days ■ Surfing ■ Trampoline park ■ Swimming ■ Bowling ■ Mountain biking Transport from/to Clifton Down’s café
For more information visit
www.mojoactive.co.uk or call 01454 660075 Holiday clubs | Parties | High Ropes Schools | Stag & Hen Parties | Fitness Corporate Teambuilding
PRIMARY TIMES
CHRISTMAS 2016 5
Ellen Whit ed s o f u n t h e y i s c o v e r s a ra n g e o f sp don’t feel l i k e e x e rc i s o r t s e. tion c a g rtin a
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Get funky!
mpoline Cheltenham’s indoor tray Warehouse nk and parkour park, Fu under 5s so has a soft play area for on the fun. no one has to miss out 28 large It boasts no fewer than mpolines. and three extra large tra ng wall with There’s also a boulderiing abilities. mb variations for all cli (adults and Prices start from £7.50 for infant .95 £2 children) and from y. soft play. Open every da 42 300101 012 T: e us ho re Wa y Funk .uk .co se ou reh wa W: www.funky
Explore indoor
Things that make you go
Wow! Go bananas!
Let off some steam and any frustrations of the day with Go Bananas ‘Little Ninjas’ class featuring pad work and fitness for children ages 7 to 12. Learn basic boxing techniques and improve co-ordination with instructor David Conlon. Sessions run every Wednesday, 4pm-4.45pm, £4.50 per child. Go Bananas Leisure Ltd Ebley Wharf Mill, Ebley, Stroud, Glos, GL5 4SR T: 01453 769120 W: www.gobananas.org.uk
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CHRISTMAS 2016
Mojo motivation
Test your head for heigh swing through the trees ts and Mojo High Ropes Cours . The unique climbing experiee offers a among the trees for £10 nce high “We definitely see the per child. benefits for children when they’r side,” says Mojo’s Jo Mc e out“Being outdoors can en Connell. indoor learning.” Also hance climbing, water sports archery, and more. Open every day. Mojo Active T: 01454 660075 W: www.mojoactive.co.u k
Gloucestershire’s largest indoor soft play area bo 13,000 square foot to exasts including an astra slide, plore, river, zip slide, log rampsball five-a-side football pitch and every day 10am-6pm, ch. Open from £3.65, adults £1. ildren Magicland T: 01285 88 W: www.magicland.co.uk5570
Underground, overground The Warehou offers indoor climse Climbing Centre bi well, with a 90 m ng and caving as system for the ch etre replica cave ance to experienc underground expl e controlled enviro oration in a safe, nm ent. Led by a trained instructor w and sounds child ith realistic sights introduction to ca ren get a lifelike person. There’s plving for only £10 per all ages, from ‘Minenty of climbing for to bouldering for i Mice’ for toddlers ages 7 and above. Digiwall fuses clim A console. Open 10 bing wall and games am -10 pm weekdays and 9am-8pm at £3.50, climbing foweekends. Mini Mice r ages 5 to 10 £8 per session. The Warehouse Clim Parliament St, Gl bing Centre oucester, GL1 1HY T: 01452 W: www.the-ware 302351 house.co.uk PRIMARY TIMES
10% OFF ENTRY WITH THIS VOUCHER ; Strong Traditional Maths and English ; Investigative and Exploratory Science ; Confidence building Individual Programmes ; Affordable Provision, Small Class Sizes OPENDAY DAYSATURDAY SATURDAY 4TH 16thFEBRUARY JANUARY 1-4pm OPEN 1-3PM Now Registered for Children 5-16 years Dyslexia Screening and Support
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climbcavefun activities for all ages & aBilities whatever the weather
e!
the best place to discover adventur Climbing top rope and lead climbing in our Main Arena, or low-level climbing in our 4400sq ft Urban Boulder room
Caving tight, twisted tunnels & chambers in The Cave, our highly realistic artifical indoor caving system!
Kids Zone auto-belay climbing, soft-play style fun and bouldering plus the amazing interactive DigiWall!
Parties a unique party venue to suit all ages with all equipment included and a choice of fab food & party rooms!
NICAS Courses structured climbing development to all levels with National Indoor Climbing Award Schemes
Holiday Clubs activitities and events for all ages and abilities each and every school holiday! Call 01452 302351 info@the-warehouse.co.uk www.the-warehouse.co.uk The Warehouse Climbing Centre Parliament St, Gloucester GL1 1HY (just mins from the Docks)
PRIMARY TIMES
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CHRISTMAS 2016 7
FAMILY & CHILDREN’S SHOWS ★ GLOUCESTER, CHELTENHAM, STROUD & BEYOND he hasn’t shown up in years. Meet a lady on a mission and help her pull out all the stops to make sure Santa comes by. The Snow Queen Fri 16-Sat 24 Dec, 2.30pm & 7pm, £9-£15 • Enchanting new version of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairytale from the Rolling Stock Theatre Company featuring new songs, a sprinkling of magic and a humorous retelling with a whole host of fairytale characters.
GLOUCESTERSHIRE BACON THEATRE Dean Close School, Shelbourne Rd, Cheltenham GL51 6HE. 01242 258002, www.bacontheatre.co.uk Fiddler on the Roof Thu 8-Sat 10 Dec, 7.15pm/7.30pm (Sat), free but ticket required • Dean Close School presents the tale of Tevye, a poor dairyman, and his five daughters growing up in Czarist Russia. Lily & the Little Snow Bear Wed 14 Dec, 10.30am, £10 (adult)/£8 (child) • Blunderbus Theatre presents this tale of friendship. Lily finds a lost little bear just two days before Christmas in this modernday fairytale featuring puppets and a magical snowy setting. Sleeping Beauty Wed 18-Sun 22 Jan, 7pm plus 2.30pm Sat & Sun, £10-£14 • Promenade Productions present a family pantomime featuring a beautiful princess, an evil sorceress and a cursed spinning wheel. Expect the traditional plot with some modern twists and turns. BAYSHILL UNITARIAN CHURCH HALL Royal Well Lane, Cheltenham GL50 3ET. 01242 263283. The Nutcracker Wed 28-Sat 31 Dec, 11am & 2.30pm (ThuFri)/2.30pm (Wed)/11am (Sat), £3.50 (adult)/£3.50 (child) • A magical marionette production of “The Nutcracker” featuring Tchaikovsky’s famous musical score. Come in fancy dress to receive a gift from the Christmas tree. Proceeds in aid of the Children in Need appeal. CHELTENHAM TOWN HALL Imperial Sq, Cheltenham GL50 1QA. 0844 576 2210, www.cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk Father Christmas Needs A Wee Tue 20 Dec, 2pm, £13 (adult)/£11 (child) • At every house Father Christmas eats and drinks the tasty treats that have been left for him. But when he reaches number 10 he realises that he’s forgotten to do something rather important and he really, really, really needs a wee! TaleGate Theatre Productions present their musical adaptation of Nicholas Allan’s book. The Snowman & Paddington Bear’s First Concert Fri 23 Dec, 1.30pm & 4.30pm, £15-£30 • The Mozart Symphony Orchestra returns with a festive double bill. Follow Paddington as he journeys 8 CHRISTMAS 2016
Treasure Island, Cheltenham Town Hall, Fri 17 Feb.
from Peru to the concert hall, then watch a screening of Raymond Briggs’ ‘The Snowman’ with live orchestral accompaniment. So You Think You Know About Dinosaurs? Sat 4 Feb, 2.30pm, £15.50 • Test your knowledge against TV’s Ben Garrod and learn everything you ever wanted to know about dinosaurs with the help of film footage and photos from his own palaeontogical digs. Interactive show with the opportunity to ask questions. Treasure Island Fri 17 Feb, 2pm, £13 • Callum, Richard and Robin from CBeebies ‘Spotbots’ take to the stage for a big, bright and breezy swashbucklin’ adventure. Expect a whole host of pirate characters as one of the nation’s favourite children’s novels is brought to life with a lively (and very child-friendly) modern twist. EVERYMAN THEATRE Regent St, Cheltenham GL50 1HQ. 01242 572573, www.everymantheatre.org.uk Jack & the Beanstalk until Sun 8 Jan, see website for times, £5-£29 • Tweedy the Clown and William Elliott as Dame Trott return and promise to deliver the Everyman’s most gigantic pantomime yet. Follow Jack’s adventures in Cloud Cuckoo Land complete with plenty of slapstick, laughs and a comedy cow. The Great Bear of the North Thu 1-Wed 21 Dec, see website for times, all tickets £8.50 • Freya and bear Loki go on an adventure which takes them to the far north in search of Loki’s true home. But Christmas is coming, the nights are cold and dark and there are greedy trolls bent on mischief. A Christmas Carol Wed 7-Fri 23 Dec, 2pm & 7.45pm, £11.50 (adult)/£10 (child) • Red Dog Theatre Company presents Dickens’ classic Christmas tale about the miser Ebenezer Scrooge and the ghosts of
Christmases past, present and future. Taking Flight Tue 7-Wed 8 Feb, 7.45pm plus 2pm Wed, £11.50 (adult)/£10 (child) • Three familyfriendly short plays combining influences from both the east and west. Take Flight Festival is the culmination of Red Dragonfly’s nationwide search to find new and emerging writers from Britain’s East Asian, South Asian and South-East Asian communities. The Play That Goes Wrong Mon 6-Sat 11 Feb, 7.45pm plus 2pm Thu & Sat, £15-£30 • The Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society is putting on a 1920s murder mystery but, as the title suggests, everything that can go wrong … does. Expect slapstick and plenty of laughs as the thesps battle it out to reach their final curtain call. GLOUCESTER GUIDHALL 23 Eastgate St, Gloucester GL1 1NS. 01452 503050, www. strikealightfestival.org.uk A Christmas Carol Tue 17-Sat 21 Jan, 7.45pm plus 2pm Thu & Sat, £11.50 (adult)/£10 (child) • Blast away the January chill with Red Dog’s retelling of Dickens’ heartwarming tale. Join Ebenezer Scrooge and the ghosts of Christmases past, present and future as he learns the true meaning of the season of goodwill. The Great Bear of the North Tue 17-Sat 21 Jan, 10am, £6.50 • Freya stumbles across lost bear Loki in the snow but he soon becomes too big to live in her little cottage. Join the pair as they embark on a magical adventure to return Loki to the far North. THE PLAYHOUSE THEATRE 47-53 Bath Rd, Cheltenham GL53 7HG. 01242 522852, www.cheltplayhouse.org.uk Grandma Claus Sat 10 Dec, 10.30am, 12.30pm & 2.30pm, £5 • Grandma Claus is eagerly waiting to see her grandson Santa, but
ROSES THEATRE The Roses, Sun St, Tewkesbury GL20 5NX. 01684 295074, www. rosestheatre.org Robin Hood & the Babes in the Wood Sat 3 Dec-Sat 7 Jan, see website for times, £13-£25 • This year’s pantomime is the tale of a gallant hero, a feisty damsel and a villainous baddie to boo off stage. Expect plenty of comedy slapstick, dazzling costumes and fairytale sets.
FURTHER AFIELD BRISTOL HIPPODROME St. Augustine’s Parade, Bristol BS1 4UZ. 0844 871 3012, www.atgtickets. com/Bristol Cinderella Sat 10 Dec-Sun 8 Jan, see website for times, £12-£42 • Torvill and Dean take to the stage as fairy godparents in this year’s pantomime. Expect a family extravaganza with glittering sets, big song and dance numbers, real Shetland ponies and jaw-dropping skating sequences. THE BRISTOL OLD VIC King St, Bristol BS1 4ED. 0117 987 7877, www.bristololdvic.org.uk The Snow Queen Fri 2 Dec-Sun 15 Jan, 2pm, 4pm & 7pm, £9.50-£34 • The Old Vic’s version of Hans Christian Andersen’s tale. When Kai is stolen away by the Snow Queen, Gerda sets off on an ambitious and dangerous journey to save her best friend. On her way, a hodgepodge of mysterious characters – including a magpie, a garden of colourful flowers and a trusty reindeer – help her discover her true strength. THEATRE ROYAL (MAIN HOUSE) Theatre Royal, Sawclose, Bath BA1 1ET. 01225 448844, www.theatreroyal.org.uk Aladdin Thu 8 Dec-Sun 8 Jan, see website for times, £9-£32 (family tickets available) • Climb aboard the magic carpet for this year’s pantomime starring CBBC’s Mark Rhodes as Aladdin and soap star Bill Ward as the evil Abanazar. PRIMARY TIMES
“An unmissable Christmas treat for families far and wide” SoGlos
Written and Directed by Ben Crocker
Sat 3 Dec - Sat 7 Jan Tickets: £13 - £25
bury’s Tewkes y nal famil traditio ime - it’s pantom it eed to h guarant rk! the ma
TWEEDY’S LOST PROPERTY SUN 9 APRIL A comedy about a clown who gives in to society and gets a real job...
TUESDAY 12 - SATURDAY 23 JULY Starring: Lucy O’Byrne
everymantheatre.org.uk Box Office: 01242 572573 PRIMARY TIMES
CHRISTMAS 2016 9
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CHRISTMAS 2016
PRIMARY TIMES
1 voucher per adult Voucher may only be used once and must be presented on admission. No cash alternative. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers. Cheapest ticket free.
*CHLB*
ROUNDABOUT Your ultimate family diary of what’s on, where & when
Deadlines: List your school’s events in Primary Times for free. We work a half-term in advance so we’re now collecting information for February, March and April: deadline Friday 6 January. If your event is to raise funds for a school, a charity or your community, and is open to the public, we are keen to list it here. Please send all your events information and news/feature ideas to the editor at: mike.gartside@localworld.co.uk PLEASE CHECK BEFORE YOU TRAVEL While we make every effort to ensure these listings are accurate and up to date, event information can sometimes change after we’ve gone to press. Please check with the venue or organiser before you set off to an event to make sure it’s going ahead as planned . . . and tell them you saw it in Primary Times!
DECEMBER UNTIL SAT 10 DEC ST NICHOLAS WISHING TREE Gloucester Life Museum, 99-103 Westgate St, Gloucester GL1 2PG. 01452 396868, www.citymuseums.co.uk, 10am-5pm, standard admission prices apply plus £2 for handwritten reply • Leave your Christmas wish on the magical tree and return to collect a handwritten reply from St Nick himself. Reply letters can also be posted for an additional 50p. UNTIL FRI 16 DEC CHRISTMAS TREASURE HUNT & CRAFTS Dean Heritage Centre, Soudley, Camp Hill, Cinderford GL14 2UB. 01594 822170, www.deanheritagecentre.com, 10am-4pm, included in standard admission prices • Father Christmas has got lost among the museum’s collections
– can you find him and receive a gift? Plus Christmas-themed crafts, woodland Gruffalo trail and a unique opportunity to meet the Gruffalo and Gruffalo’s child for a selfie or two. UNTIL SUN 18 DEC (FRI, SAT, SUN ONLY) ENCHANTED CHRISTMAS Westonbirt Arboretum, Westonbirt, Tetbury GL8 8QS. 0300 0674890, www.forestry. gov.uk/westonbirt, see website for times, £12 (adult)/£6 (child), must be booked in advance • Illuminated celebration of the arboretum’s abundance of trees. UNTIL FRI 23 DEC SANTA’S GROTTO Cattle Country Adventure Park, Berkeley Heath Farm, Berkeley GL13 9EW. 01453 810510, www. cattlecountry.co.uk, 10am-4pm, £10.99 (child)/£5.99 (under-3)/£4 (adult) • Take a tractor ride to see Santa in his festive farmyard. Plus marshmallow toasting, Christmas craft fair, small animal handling and indoor and outdoor play. UNTIL SAT 24 DEC CHRISTMAS MARKET Gloucester Quays, Merchants Rd, Gloucester GL2 5RG. 01452 338933, www.gloucesterquays. co.uk, 12noon-7pm (open 10am Sat)/11am-5pm (Sun), free • 40 traditional chalets selling highquality seasonal food, drink, art, jewellery, accessories and festive gifts that you won’t find on the high street. Plus seasonal entertainment, live music, traditional Ferris wheel and open-air ice rink. UNTIL SAT 24 DEC EVIE’S AIRPLANE Clearwell Caves, The Rocks, Coleford GL16 8JR. 01594 832535, www.clearwellcaves.com, see website for times, £10 • This year’s underground Christmas grotto tells the story of Evie’s adventures with her toy airplane. Where will her imagination take her? See Father Christmas and browse the stalls selling Christmas gifts, decorations and stocking fillers. UNTIL MON 2 JAN THE BIG BATSFORD CHRISTMAS HUNT Batsford Arboretum, Batsford, Moreton-in-Marsh GL56 9QB. 01386 701441, www.batsarb.co.uk, 9am-5pm, standard admission prices apply plus £2.50 per child for Christmas hunt • Santa’s helpers have gone missing and they are all hiding in the Arboretum: find them to win a prize.
Santa, his elves and Evie’s Airplane feature at Clearwell Caves until Sat 24 Dec PRIMARY TIMES
UNTIL MON 2 JAN OPEN-AIR ICE RINK Gloucester Quays, Merchants Rd, Gloucester GL2 5RG. 01452
338933, www.gloucesterquays.co.uk, 11am-7pm, £8.50 (adult)/£6.50 (child)/£1 off during off-peak times • Grab your hats and gloves and take a spin on Gloucester’s first ever real ice rink. Warm up before and after skating with hot drinks, sweet treats, mulled wine and plenty of seasonal goodies.
Bibury Duck Race, Mon 26 Dec
UNTIL SUN 8 JAN TONY MEEUWISSEN CHRISTMAS EXHIBITION Corinium Museum, Park St, Cirencester GL7 2BX. 01285 655611, www.coriniummuseum. org, 10am-5pm, free • Tony’s award-winning illustrations have adorned Penguin books, Royal Mail stamps, playing cards, children’s books and even a Rolling Stones LP. See some of his festive drawings at the museum. UNTIL SAT 25 FEB (SATS ONLY) DECOY DOG DEMONSTRATIONS Slimbridge Wetland Centre, Slimbridge GL2 7BT. 01453 891900, www.wwt.org.uk/wetlandcentres/slimbridge, 2pm, included in standard admission prices • How do you catch a duck with a dog? Watch the centre’s canines assisting conservation work as birds are caught and ringed in the decoy nets. UNTIL TUE 28 FEB WILD BIRD FEED Slimbridge Wetland Centre, Slimbridge GL2 7BT. 01453 891900, www.wwt.org.uk/wetlandcentres/slimbridge, 4pm, included in standard admission prices • See this winter spectacle from the comfort of the Peng Observatory. Hear the warden’s commentary as he feeds the thousands of wintering wild birds and hundreds of Bewick’s swans that have flown all the way from Russia. FRI 2 DEC ALMONDSBURY CHRISTMAS FAIR Almondsbury School, Sundays Hill, Lower Almondsbury BS32 4DS. 01454 612517, 6pm-8pm, free • Festive stalls plus chocolate tombola, games, children’s crafts, raffle, ‘Gift Room’ festive refreshments, Christmas trees for sale and even an appearance from Father Christmas. FRI 2 DEC THRUPP SCHOOL CHRISTMAS FAIR Thrupp School, Thrupp Lane, Stroud GL5 2EN. 01453 889670, 5.30pm-7.30pm, free • Father Christmas will be in school and can’t wait to meet the children. Plus Christmas crafts, games, gifts and festive food and drink.
THU 8 DEC MIRACLE ON 34th STREET Corinium Museum, Park St, Cirencester GL7 2BX. 01285 655611, www.coriniummuseum. org, 7pm, £6 (adult)/£5 (conc) • Screening of the original 1947 version of this Christmas classic. Young Susan Walker meets a man who just might be the real Santa Claus at her mother’s department store. THU 8, THU 15 DEC & SAT 24 DEC FATHER CHRISTMAS AT KING’S WALK King’s Walk Shopping Centre, Management Suite,37-41 Clarence St, Gloucester GL1 1EA. 01452 304 953, www.kingswalk.co.uk, 11am4pm, free • Look out for Santa jingling around the shopping centre handing out goodie bags to little ones aged between 3 and 10. FRI 9 DEC CHRISTMAS DISCO The Kings Head, Bishops Cleeve, Cheltenham GL52 8LU. www.pitchero.com/clubs/cheltenhampowerchairfootball, 7pm-12midnight, £3 • Festive drinks and dancing: all proceeds go to the Cheltenham Powerchair Football Club and St Mark’s Hospital Foundation. SAT 10 DEC MEET SANTA Frankie & Benny’s and Prezzo, CHRISTMAS 2016
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Awesome Birthday Parties! ISE ROM P R OU r frtiti Suga
from Frtiti al colours ci artiĮ
Indoor Segway
For sorti titiroatis atid cougtis as a rtisulti of a cold. Let’s get kids back to happy.
©LW
Start your visit to the Cotswolds here! For furtititir itiformatioti oti tititirti tio tiuti tiisititi www.throatysoothe.co.uk
Fosse Way, Northleach, Gloucestershire GL54 3JH ©LW
www.cotswoldsaonb.org.uk/discoverycentre
TAURUS
CRAFTS
Sat 17 December - Mon 2 January
One child free per coupon when accompanied by one full paying adult. Not in conjunction with any other offer, family tickets or e-tickets. Photocopies are not accepted. This voucher has no cash value. Displays, talks & feeding demonstrations are subject to change.
christmas shop high Quality, Fresh cut local christmas trees 14 artisan businesses
Valid until 31/01/2017
Open daily. Children under 3 years go FREE!
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CHRISTMAS 2016
PRIMARY TIMES
PLEASE CHECK BEFORE YOU TRAVEL . . . AND TELL THEM YOU SAW THE EVENT IN PRIMARY TIMES! »
ROUNDABOUT
The Brewery Quarter, Henrietta St, Cheltenham GL50 4FA. 01242 271393 (Frankie & Benny’s), 01242 227703 (Prezzo), www.thebreweryquarter.com, 10am-12noon (Frankie & Benny’s)/3-5pm(Prezzo), call to book a table • Father Christmas will be dropping in with two winter princesses from ‘Frozen’’s Arendal to perform songs and hand out treats. SAT 10 DEC LAIRY FAIRY & THE CHRISTMAS PUDDINGS Eastgate Shopping Centre, 22 Eastgate St, Gloucester GL1 1PA. 01452 520023, www.eastgateshoppingcentre.co.uk, 11am-3pm, free • Interactive street theatre as Lairy Fairy and the man-sized Christmas puddings dance to cheesy tunes, sneak up on unsuspecting shoppers and generally get into trouble. SAT 10-SUN 11 DEC CHRISTMAS AT PUZZLEWOOD Puzzlewood, Perrygrove Rd, Coleford GL16 8QB. 01594 833187, www.puzzlewood.net, 10am3.30pm, £10 • Dress up as Little Red Riding Hood or the Woodcutter and start by writing your letter to Santa. An elf will guide you through the woods to see Grandma, who has a very special guest waiting. SAT 10-SUN 11 DEC WINTER WONDERLAND The Bird & Deer Park, Prinknash, Cranham, Gloucester GL4 8EX. 01452 812727, www.thebirdpark. com, 2.30pm-6pm, £12.50 (child)/£11 (adult), must be booked in advance • Meet the park’s resident real-life reindeer, see the magical valley of Christmas lights and visit Santa in his grotto and the Nativity scene. Plus Christmas fairy, face painting and craft activities to make your own Christmas cards. SAT 10-SUN 11 DEC CRIPPETTS CHRISTMAS FAIR Crippetts Lane, Leckhampton, Cheltenham GL51 4XT. 10am-4pm, free • Shop for bespoke gifts at more than 50 stalls selling an array of goods as well as festive food and drink. SAT 10-SUN 11 DEC MEET FATHER CHRISTMAS Over Farm Market, Over, Gloucester GL2 8BD. 01452 341510, www.overfarmpresents.co.uk, see website for times, £11 (child)/£7 (adult) • Climb aboard the tractor to Santa’s grotto and hear a festive story, then meet the man himself and receive a present from the workshop. SAT 10-SUN 11 DEC FATHER CHRISTMAS AT REGENT ARCADE Regent Arcade Shopping Centre, High St, Cheltenham GL50 1JZ. 01242 521345, www.regentarcade. co.uk, various times from 10am5pm/11am-4pm (Sun), free • Santa drops in to spread some festive cheer. A chance to meet and take photos with the man himself and then finish the Christmas shopping. SUN 11 DEC MEET SANTA Chiquito, The Brewery Quarter, PRIMARY TIMES
The Christmas Swim at Sandford Park Lido, Cheltenham, Sun 25 Dec.
Henrietta St, Cheltenham GL50 4FA. 01242 223820, www.thebreweryquarter.com, 3pm-5pm, call to book a table • Father Christmas will be dropping in with two winter princesses from ‘Frozen’’s Arendal to perform songs and hand out treats. SUN 11 DEC CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS CRAFT New Brewery Arts Centre, Brewery St, Cirencester GL7 1JL. 01285 657181, www.newbreweryarts.org.uk, 11am-1pm, £25 per child • Join artist Hannah Ellis for Christmas-themed crafts using a variety of materials including paint, printing, felt and papiermâché. MON 12 DEC IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE The Roses Theatre, Sun St, Tewkesbury GL20 5NX. 01684 295074, www.rosestheatre. org, 5pm, £7 (adult)/£4 (child) • Screening of the 1946 Christmas classic. An angel helps despairing businessman George Bailey see what life would have been like if he’d never existed. TUE 13 DEC SLIMBRIDGE CYGNETS Slimbridge Wetland Centre, Slimbridge GL2 7BT. 01453 891900, www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/slimbridge, 10.30am for 11am start, £1.50 per child • Make some Christmas crafts to decorate your tree in a special activity session for toddlers. TUE 13-WED 14 DEC CAROL SINGING King’s Walk Shopping Centre, Management Suite, 37-41 Clarence St, Gloucester GL1 1EA. 01452 304 953, www.kingswalk.co.uk, 10am6pm, free • Christmas shoppers can get into the festive spirit with carol singing throughout the centre in aid of charity Betel UK. TUE 13-FRI 23 DEC SPECTACLE OF LIGHT Sudeley Castle, Winchcombe
GL54 5JD. 01242 602308, www. sudeleycastle.co.uk, from 5pm, £13.50/£15 (adult)/£9/£10 (child) • The castle and grounds will be lit up after dark, offering guests the chance to follow a trail of light around the magical gardens and into the ruins. Watch lights dance on the water while the enormous cedar trees provide a canopy of colour. FRI 16-SAT 24 DEC WINTER WONDERLAND The Bird & Deer Park, Prinknash, Cranham, Gloucester GL4 8EX. 01452 812727, www.thebirdpark. com, 2.30pm-6pm, prices vary – see website, must be booked in advance • Meet the park’s resident real-life reindeer, see the magical valley of Christmas lights and visit Santa in his grotto and the Nativity scene. Plus Christmas fairy, face painting and craft activities to make your own Christmas cards. SAT 17 DEC GRANNY TURISMO Eastgate Shopping Centre, 22 Eastgate St, Gloucester GL1 1PA. 01452 520023, www.eastgateshoppingcentre.co.uk, 11am-3pm, free • Said to be the first and only shopping trolley dance display team moving and grooving to Christmas tunes and delivering some hilarious street theatre.
yarts.org.uk, 11am-1pm, £25 per child • Join artist Hannah Ellis for Christmas-themed crafts using a variety of materials including paint, printing, felt and papiermâché. SAT 17-FRI 23 DEC SANTA’S COMING TO SLIMBRIDGE Slimbridge Wetland Centre, Slimbridge GL2 7BT. 01453 891900, www.wwt.org.uk/ wetland-centres/slimbridge, 9.30am-5pm, meet Santa from 10am-1.15pm, £19.95 (child)/£11.95 (adult) • Meet Santa in his magical grotto and receive a gift, plus festive activities including marshmallow toasting, elf den building, snowman biscuits and arts and crafts. SAT 17-SAT 24 DEC CHRISTMAS AT PUZZLEWOOD Puzzlewood, Perrygrove Road, Coleford GL16 8QB. 01594 833187, www.puzzlewood.net, 10am-3.30pm, £10 • Dress up as Little Red Riding Hood or the Woodcutter and start writing your letter to Santa. An elf will guide you through the woods to see Grandma, who has a very special guest waiting.
SAT 17-SUN 18 DEC FATHER CHRISTMAS AT REGENT ARCADE Regent Arcade Shopping Centre, High St, Cheltenham GL50 1JZ. 01242 521345, www.regentarcade. co.uk, various times from 10am5pm/11am-4pm (Sun), free • Santa drops in to spread some festive cheer. A chance to meet the man himself and finish the Christmas shopping.
SAT 17-SAT 24 DEC FATHER CHRISTMAS BACK FROM THE PAST Dean Heritage Centre, Soudley, Camp Hill, Cinderford GL14 2UB. 01594 822170, www.deanheritagecentre.com, 10am-4pm, included in standard admission prices • The Victorian cottage is nice and cosy, ready for visitors to greet Father Christmas and receive a gift. There are also Christmas-themed crafts, a woodland Gruffalo trail and a unique opportunity to meet the Gruffalo and Gruffalo’s child for a selfie or two.
SAT 17-SUN 18 DEC CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS CRAFT New Brewery Arts Centre, Brewery St, Cirencester GL7 1JL. 01285 657181, www.newbrewer-
SUN 18 DEC FAMILY FESTIVE LUNCH Best Western The Gables Hotel, Bristol Rd, Falfield GL12 8DL. 01454 260502, www.bestwestern.co.uk, from 12.30pm, £19.95 CHRISTMAS 2016
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PLEASE CHECK BEFORE YOU TRAVEL . . . AND TELL THEM YOU SAW THE EVENT IN PRIMARY TIMES!
(adult)/£9.95 (child) • Enjoy a festive Sunday lunch followed by a magic show and visit from Santa himself.
SAT 7-SUN 8 JAN, SAT 14-SUN 15, SAT 21 & SUN 22, SAT 28-SUN 29 JAN & SAT 4-SUN 5 FEB WINTER WARMER WEEKENDS Stourhead, Stourton BA12 6QF. 01747 841152, www.nationaltrust. org.uk/stourhead, 11am-3pm, free • Pop into the entrance hall of the house to enjoy a warming log fire, traditional board games and dressing up. Get to know the Hoare family through their portraits and take a look at the inner hall which is usually closed to visitors.
SUN 18 DEC MEET SANTA Real China, The Brewery Quarter, Henrietta St, Cheltenham GL50 4FA. 01242 250088, www.thebreweryquarter.com, 3am-5pm, call to book a table • Father Christmas will be dropping in with two winter princesses from ‘Frozen’’s Arendal to perform songs and hand out treats. MON 19 DEC STRETCHY REINDEER Corinium Museum, Park St, Cirencester GL7 2BX. 01285 655611, www.coriniummuseum. org, 10am-11am, £2 • Celebrate the festive season by making one of Santa’s reindeer – Comet, Dasher, Blitzen or maybe a red-nosed Rudolph. MON 19-THU 22 DEC CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS CRAFT New Brewery Arts Centre, Brewery St, Cirencester GL7 1JL. 01285 657181, www.newbreweryarts.org.uk, 10am-3pm, £35 per child per session • Join artist Hannah Ellis for Christmasthemed crafts using a variety of materials including paint, printing, felt and papier-mâché. MON 19-SAT 24 DEC SANTA’S GROTTO Eastgate Shopping Centre, 22 Eastgate St, Gloucester GL1 1PA. 01452 520023, www.eastgateshoppingcentre.co.uk, from 10am/11am (Sun), tickets from £5 • Tell the jolly man in red what you want for Christmas and receive a gift to take home. MON 19-SAT 24 DEC MEET FATHER CHRISTMAS Over Farm Market, Over, Gloucester GL2 8BD. 01452 341510, www.overfarmpresents. co.uk, see website for times, £11 (child)/£7 (adult) • Climb aboard the tractor to Santa’s grotto and hear a festive story, then meet the man himself and receive a present from the workshop. TUE 20 DEC CHRISTMAS MOSAICS Corinium Museum, Park St, Cirencester GL7 2BX. 01285 655611, www.coriniummuseum. org, 10.30am-12noon, £7.50 per child • Learn the Roman art of mosaic making and be inspired by the season to create your own mosaic tile to take home. All materials and instruction provided. TUE 20-WED 21 DEC FESTIVE FILM SCREENINGS Bacon Theatre, Dean Close School, Shelburne Rd, Cheltenham GL51 6EP. 01242 258002, www.bacontheatre.co.uk, 5pm, £7 • Enjoy a screening of festive favourite ‘The Polar Express’. Santa will also be dropping by with gifts for good boys and girls.
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Festive Tudor Birds of Prey, John Moore Museum, Sat 31 Dec.
TUE 20-FRI 23 DEC CHRISTMAS ART ACTIVITY DAYS Nature in Art Museum, Wallsworth Hall, Sandhurst, Gloucester GL2 9PA. 01452 731422, www.natureinart.org.uk, 10.30am-12noon (3-7 yrs)/1-2.30pm (3-18 yrs)/34.30pm (8-18 yrs), £6 per child • A range of festive art activity days including Christmas wreath, willow sculpture and stained-glass Christmas fairies. See website for which activity falls on which day. WED 21 DEC THE NUTCRACKER The Roses Theatre, Sun St, Tewkesbury GL20 5NX. 01684 295074, www.rosestheatre.org, 10am, £15 (adult)/£13 (child) • Screening of the festive tale performed by the Bolshoi Ballet. WED 21 DEC STORIES WITH SANTA Corinium Museum, Park St, Cirencester GL7 2BX. 01285 655611, www.coriniummuseum. org, 11.15am/12noon, £3 (child)/£2 (adult) • Santa will be reading some special stories written at his home in the North Pole. Each child will receive a present to take home. SUN 25 DEC CHRISTMAS SWIM Sandford Parks Lido, Keynsham Rd, Cheltenham GL53 7PU. 01242 524430, www.sandfordparkslido. org.uk, from 11am, free • A festive tradition for more than 50 years: the very brave can prepare for a dip in the freezing cold waters while family and friends watch from the side. MON 26 DEC CAROLS FOR ALL Gloucester Cathedral, 12 College Green, Gloucester GL1 2LX. www. gloucestercathedral.org.uk, from 3pm, free • Boxing day sing-song featuring traditional Christmas carols and seasonal choral pieces. MON 26 DEC BIBURY DUCK RACE River Coln, Bibury. From 11am, £1 per duck • One of Gloucestershire’s more eccentric festive traditions: more than 2,000 yellow ducks are unleashed on the river, with prizes for the first over the finish line.
WED 28-FRI 30 DEC CHRISTMAS ART ACTIVITY DAYS Nature in Art Museum, Wallsworth Hall, Sandhurst, Gloucester GL2 9PA. 01452 731422, www.natureinart.org.uk, 10.30am-12noon (3-7 yrs)/1-2.30pm (3-18 yrs)/3-4.30pm (8-18 yrs), £6 per child • Festively themed activity days for all ages, with glass painting on Wed 28, glitter painting on Thur 29 and make your own textile bunting on Fri 30. SAT 31 DEC FESTIVE TUDOR BIRDS OF PREY John Moore Museum, 41 Church St, Tewkesbury GL20 5SN. 01684 297174, www.johnmooremuseum. org, 10am-1pm/2pm-5pm, £3.50 (adult)/£1.50 (child) • Learn how important birds of prey were to the Tudors from a costumed J.R.C.S falconer and then meet a kestrel, a buzzard, a Peregrine falcon, a barn owl and an eagle owl.
JANUARY SUN 1 JAN NEW YEAR’S DAY WALK Stourhead, Stourton BA12 6QF. 01747 841152, www.nationaltrust. org.uk/stourhead, 11am-1pm, £10 (adult)/£5 (child) • Join head ranger Kim and garden/estate manager Alan for a walk through the ancient woods and parkland. Discover how the historic estate is looked after and finish with warming mulled wine and mince pies. TUE 3-THU 5 JAN PUXTON’S ELVES Puxton Park, Cowslip Lane, Hewish BS24 6AH. 01934 523500, www.puxton.co.uk, 9am-5.30pm, included in standard admission prices • Festive elves will be on hand to help children write their ‘thank you’ letters to Santa. SAT 7 JAN SATURDAY ART CLUB Holburne Museum, Great Pulteney St, Bath BA2 4DB. 01225 388572, www.holburne.org, 10.30am12.30pm, £10 per child • This session’s theme is 3D landscapes so you’ll explore the museum’s collection of Dutch landscapes in order to design and make your own pop-up stage set.
WED 18-SUN 22 JAN SLAPSTICK FESTIVAL Various venues across Bristol including Colston Hall, 0844 8871500, www.slapstick.org.uk, see website for prices & times • Five days, 24 events and lots of special guests. The Bristol festival returns to celebrate silent film and physical comedy. Expect film screenings, stand-up comedy and lots more. SAT 21 JAN DISCOVERING WILDLIFE IN BRISTOL M-Shed, Princes Wharf, Wapping Rd, Bristol BS1 4RN. 0117 352 6600, www.bristolmuseums.org. uk/m-shed, 11am-12noon, £10 (adult)/£8 (conc) • Award-winning wildlife photographer Sam Hobson will talk about his experiences of photographing Bristol’s urban wildlife and offer tips on how to discover nature in your own neighbourhood.
FEBRUARY FRI 3-SUN 5 FEB WINDOW WANDERLAND Various streets around Bishopston, Bristol, BS7, www. windowwanderland.com, 5.30pm9pm, free • The Bishopston neighbourhood transforms into an outdoor gallery as residents, local businesses and community groups light up their windows and gardens. SAT 4-SUN 5 FEB CHINESE NEW YEAR: ROOSTER Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, Queens Rd, Briatol, BS8 1RL, 0117 922 3571, www.bristolmuseums. org.uk/bristol-museum-and-artgallery, 11am-4pm, free • Usher in the Year of the Rooster with a packed weekend of special events including lion dancing performances, martial arts demonstrations, Chinese dancing, dressing up and live music. Also arts and crafts activities including mask making, paper folding, storytelling and dance classes.
ROUNDABOUT AND THEATRE LISTINGS BY ELLEN WHITE PRIMARY TIMES
PRIMARY TIMES
CHRISTMAS 2016 15
Mobile phones & kids With Christmas coming many
children will have the latest mobile phone on their wish list. But should they get one? Many parents think that giving their child a phone is a safety precaution. If they miss the bus, or feel scared, or threatened, then they can call home for help. Well, yes, in theory. And perhaps if you give your child a phone which is just a phone (yes, you can still get them) it will enhance their safety. For younger children and Tweens (8-12 year olds approximately) basic old-style mobile phones are probably the best idea. However, what most children want is a smart phone. The problem with giving your child a smart phone is that you are giving them access to the internet and social media. While many mobile phone carriers will put in place settings that limit access to various sites, free Wi-Fi, which is widely available, will override those settings. With a smart phone your child will never be more than a few clicks away from content that is not age appropriate. It is essential that you discuss this with your child before giving them access to the internet. And it is essential that it is an ongoing conversation. Most social media don’t allow children to sign up but this does not stop them. There are several aspects of social media that can be troubling for both children and parents. First, if all of your child’s friends are on a particular social media site there is a certain degree of peer pressure for them to also join. Once part of social media peer pressure can become even more potent. We’ve all heard stories of ‘Cyber bullying’ and quite a lot of that occurs via social media. As a parent you need to know what sites your child is on and you need to be able to access their accounts to see what is being discussed or said. Many Tweens and teens (and indeed many adults) live their lives on and through social media. Parents need to discuss the disconnect with what people are posting and what is, in fact, real. A lot of distress can come from children thinking that their lives are boring or insignificant compared to the grandiose boasts
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and pictures posted by their pals. And for any parent who has read the ‘reader comment’ section in a daily newspaper, you know just how quickly things can turn when people post online. Sexting has also been in the news a lot as it can lead directly to cyber bullying. Before you let your child loose with access to the internet you must impress upon them one thing above all others. Once they hit the send button – be it a text, a social media post, a picture, an email, once it enters the cyber sphere, they have lost all control over it. Once something enters the cyber world although it may subsequently be deleted – there will always be traces and they’re there for good. Ask your children do they really want naked pictures of themselves floating around the internet for their teachers, friends, neighbours and Grannies to see? It’s the same with offensive comments and language. Things that are done ‘in fun’ can come back with serious repercussions. For everyone, parents and children, there are two things that need to be remembered before posting anything. One, once it’s online it’s ‘out there’ FOREVER. Second, do not post something that you would not say or do in public. Another consequence of your child being on social media is what is generally now referred to as ‘FOMO’ (Fear of Missing Out, something that affects adults as much as children). A recent survey by DAUK (Digital Awareness UK) revealed that youngsters as young as 9 checked their mobile phones up to ten times a night. In the same survey half of 11-18 year olds admitted to checking social media on their phone when they were supposed to be asleep. Obviously if your child is losing sleep checking social media there is a knock-on effect the following day and 68% of participants said that subsequent tiredness affected their school work. Another thing parents about to equip their child with a mobile phone need to think seriously about is cost as usually they will be the ones paying the bill.
Things to consider before buying your child a mobile phone.
1
Agree a budget. If it is a PAYG (Pay as you go) plan, ensure that your child knows in advance that if they use up all their minutes you will not replace them. Similarly, if they lose the phone or ‘lend’ it to someone else then you are not going to replace it.
2 3
For Tweens and younger teens agree who they can call and when.
Impress upon your child the importance of not answering calls from unknown numbers and not to ‘friend’ or communicate online with people they don’t know in real life.
4
Smart phones are often targeted for theft. Warn your child to be smart about their smart phone.
5
To ensure that everyone gets a good night’s sleep ban phones from the bedroom. Some people recommend a ‘digital detox’ where all mobile devices are switched off 90 minutes before bedtime. (This applies to parents as well as children. You really can’t preach one thing and practice another.)
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Keep the conversation about internet safety going.
For further information see www.digitalawarenessuk.com. See also Internet Matters – www.internetmatters.org/advice/ tech-guide/mobile-phones/ for more information about kids and mobiles including reviews of ‘age-appropriate’ phones.
Anne Marie Scanlon for Primary Times
PRIMARY TIMES
The summer might seem a long way off, but winter’s the best time to start planning for your holidays. Eric Blair looks at the options. Polurian Bay
Your big
W
hether it’s lying on the beach all day, visiting bustling cities, trekking through the great outdoors or speeding around on rollercoasters, everyone’s got their own ideas about what makes for a perfect summer holiday. These days, there’s more choice than ever – and not just in terms of destinations. There are many types of accommodation and activities, too. The good old package holiday remains popular, of course, but the rise of the internet and the proliferation of cheap air flights mean that it’s even easier – and sometimes cheaper – to build a bespoke holiday for yourself. With all this in mind, here are a few of the options available to families looking to plan their big summer break. CAMPING Once you’ve invested in all the gubbins, camping is probably the cheapest and most flexible option when it comes to holiday accommodation. Campsites
Center Parcs
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break
Swimming at Fowey Hall
something to do, no matter what the great British summer might be doing weather-wise. Ffi: woolacombe-sands.co.uk
Why not try a Balkan holiday in Sozo pol?
across the UK charge as little as £5 a night for a pitch – although, of course, the lower the price, the more basic the facilities on offer are likely to be. And if you do have all the gear yourself, you’re pretty much free to go where you please as and when you want to. It’s a great way to enjoy – and introduce your kids to – the great outdoors and you’ll find campsites a-plenty by the seaside or in areas of great natural beauty. On the downside, of course, you’re at the mercy of the elements and, if you’re doing it yourself, there’s all that gear to deal with, tents to put up and down, meals to cook over the gas stove etc. Alternatively, many campsites offer the option of hiring a tent
or chalet on site, while glamping offers a seriously upmarket variant complete with yurts and luxury facilities. Ffi: www.pitchup. com, www.classicglamping.co.uk HOLIDAY PARKS They’ve been around for donkey’s years and if they once had a reputation for being a bit old-fashioned in a ‘Hi-de-Hi’ kind of way, holiday parks have undergone a renaissance of late, with the likes of Center Parcs and old favourites like Pontins and Butlins upping the ante in terms of accommodation, catering and activities. Woolacombe Sands, for example, is a family-run park on the North Devon coast which offers a range of accommodation in modern on-site caravans and chalets (although you can bring your own caravan or tent if you prefer). As well as its great location close to Exmoor and only a short walk from the beach, the park also boasts indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a children’s park, crazy golf, arcades, bowling, a daily kids’ club and a clubhouse offering nightly entertainment – so there’s always
PACKAGE HOLIDAYS When it comes to a summer holiday, there’s a lot to be said for letting someone else do all the hard work for you. Package holidays to continental Europe first really started taking off in the 1960s and many of the resorts which first attracted British holidaymakers remain at the top of the list – especially when it comes to beach holidays. Spain and Greece, for example, are still firm favourites, but it’s also worth considering other destinations. While it’s hardly a secret any more, Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast offers everything that you’d expect of a beach holiday and if you steer clear of the bigger and often overcrowded resorts – like the notorious Sunny Beach – you can still find places that work to a less frenetic pace, especially if you look to the north and south of the main Burgas-Varna ‘strip’. Prices are reasonable and, once there, you’ll find that your money goes a little further than it does in more frequented European holiday resorts. The eastern coast of the Adriatic is also growing in popularity and 2017 might well be the year to discover some of the further flung islands of Croatia or the relatively unspoilt beaches of southern Albania before everyone else does. Ffi: www.balkanholidays.co.uk B’N’B As the guesthouses and B’n’Bs along the seafront at Westonsuper-Mare and Tenby attest, staying in small, family-run accommodation remains a popular option. The rise of Air B’n’B CHRISTMAS 2016
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Your big continued from P27 has also opened up all sorts of opportunities for relatively cheap and cheerful accommodation. You can obviously find somewhere to stay for a whole week or a fortnight, but there’s also the possibility of making it up as you go along. It’s not a cheap option, necessarily, but the likes of booking.com mean that it’s possible to balance the different demands of your family members – the one who likes beaches, the one who likes museums, the one who likes chilling out in a spa – by piecing together a holiday around B’n’Bs in the places that you’d each like to go. The Youth Hostel Association, too, is well worth joining if you fancy this kind of peripatetic holiday – you’ll find hundreds of family-friendly places to stay in the UK (and across Europe, for that matter) via their website. Ffi: www.airbnb.co.uk, www.booking.com, www.yha.org.uk FARM STAYS Spending your holiday down on the farm doesn’t just mean soaking up the peace and quiet of the countryside. Many farm stay holidays offer all sorts of family-friendly activities too, from feeding the animals to quad and mountain biking. Farm Stay UK,
n Ecotourism can support Orang-uta conservation projects in Borneo
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break is Glamping (this photo and top left) increasingly popular with families
for instance, has just launched a series of holidays which feature tractor-related experiences for children and adults alike. Farms across the country are offering the chance to get hands-on with this classic piece of farm machinery as part of a self-catering or B’n’B break. Ffi: www.farmstay.co.uk THE LAP OF LUXURY When it comes to holiday accommodation, the words ‘family’ and ‘luxury’ haven’t always been readily associated with each other, but that’s no longer the case and there are now many top-notch hotels which welcome children so that the whole family can spoil themselves rotten. Very often, too, these high-end hotels aren’t so far from home. Both Fowey Hall and the Polurrian Bay Hotel in Mullion – both on the south Cornish coast – appear in TripAdvisor’s top ten luxury family hotels in England. A wee bit further
afield, meanwhile, Coillabus Eco Luxury Lodges on the Isle of Islay in Scotland add green credentials into the mix, giving families the chance to stay in a turf-roofed guest cottage in a location that offers magnificent views across to Kintyre and Ireland. Ffi: www. foweyhallhotel.co.uk, www.polurrianhotel.com, www.coillabus.com
Driving a tractor at one of the grow ing number of farm stay holidays
gap-year days of travelling with little more than a few changes of clothes and a rucksack. Again thanks to the internet, it’s becoming increasingly easy to turn completely DIY when it comes to going on holiday and seek out those parts of Europe (or of other continents, for that matter) which you might not otherwise visit. Interrail tickets, after all, aren’t just for students and the go-anywhere deals they offer on Europe’s rail network are now more flexible than ever, making it possible to fly out to somewhere like Prague or Venice and then spend a couple of weeks travelling in one or more specified countries or across Europe as a whole. It’s more than possible with children too – and can in fact resolve that age-old problem where every member of the family wants something different from their holiday because you can mix and match beaches, cities, mountains etc as you see fit. The Man in Seat 61 website shows just how easy it can be. Ffi: www.seat61.com
ECOTOURISM Although it might sound a bit ‘worthy’, ecotourism covers some of the most exciting and adventurous family-friendly holidays on offer. These range from spending time with initiatives like the Samboja Lestari Orang-utan Volunteer Project in Borneo or Routes Kilimanjaro in the Serengeti in Kenya and Tanzania to staying in a tree house in Norfolk which runs on almost 100% renewable energy. Such experiences, of course, don’t come cheap, but if you’re after a summer holiday that will also have the makings of being the experience of a lifetime, ecotourism could well be the word you need to drop into your Google search. Ffi: www.ecocompanion.com SLOW TRAVEL If time isn’t of the essence, then the summer holidays can be an opportunity to turn modern-day explorer and relive those heady PRIMARY TIMES
ADVERTISING FEATURE
d r a o b n i P Art for all After-school art clubs are really taking off across the region and you can make sure your child is enjoying their creativity by signing them up to one of South West Art Workshops after-school clubs. From Chinese calligraphy to willow weaving, South West Art Workshops supply every kind of workshop you can imagine – and even some you can’t. The company is passionate about art and wants to inspire the next generation to stretch their imaginations and have fun. Run by two mums in Gloucestershire, South West Art Workshops supply artists and tutors to schools for after-school art clubs and specialist arts weeks across the South West. They handle everything on the school’s behalf and the club is run from the school so there are no rushed trips in the car. Phone or email to discuss what they can offer your school. Ffi: South West Art Workshops T: 01453 799270 E: enquiries@swartworkshops.co.uk
Action all areas Mojo Active is one of Bristol’s largest outdoor activity centres and has more than 140 acres of private fields and woodland. Located close to Cribbs Causeway, off junction 17 on the M5, there’s plenty to do to keep children and families entertained. This Christmas you can book your kids into the Mojo Active Holiday club for some fantastic outdoor adventures. With so much to do on site, including learning archery skills, scaling the climbing wall, battling across the assault course, conquering the tunnel maze and enjoying fun team games like zorb football and archery tag, the kids really will make the most of the great outdoors. There are also some special away days, including sessions at a local trampoline park, bowling, ice-skating and swimming. And new for 2017, Mojo Active is now running nerf battle birthday parties. Enjoy non-stop adventure in the new Mojo nerf bunker. Ffi: Mojo Active W: www.mojoactive. co.uk
PRIMARY TIMES
Parents’ & teachers’
news, education & contacts
Magic Quays Snap up a bargain
Children and families will be twinkling and twirling on ice this Christmas as Gloucester Quays launches the city’s first ever real ice rink on 17 November. Set against the beautiful backdrop of the historic docks, the rink’s inviting visitors to skate to their heart’s content from 17 November until the beginning of January. Set to be the biggest and most magical Christmas celebration ever, Experience More Magic at Gloucester Quays will include the much-loved Victorian Christmas Markets, also returning on 17 November and featuring the biggest free-entry Christmas market in the South West. The largest ever Nutcracker Trail also launches on 12 November, with beautiful handpainted wooden figures throughout Gloucester Quays as well as prizes, promotions, cupcakes and fizz. Ffi: Gloucester Quays W: www.gloucesterquays.co.uk
London Camera Exchange in Southgate Street Gloucester first opened in 1973. It’s a one-stopshop for all your photographic and optical needs. It sells an extensive range of new and used digital SLR and compact system cameras for the beginner and enthusiast alike, with prices to suit all, bolstered by a selection of lenses and accessories too. For those who prefer to point and shoot, London Camera Exchange stocks compact digital cameras. Amongst other things, it also stocks binoculars and spotting scopes, astronomical telescopes, tripods ... far too much to list here. The shop accepts trade-ins, so you can take in your old camera to trade up to a new one. In-store services such as instant printing and UK passport photos are also available. Ffi: London Ca mera Exchange Southgate St, Gloucester T: 01452 304513 W: www. lcegroup.co.uk,
Call of Beauty Promenade Productions guarantee that you will not be ‘sleeping’ at their ‘beauty’ of a traditional family pantomime. You will be kept wide awake as Cheltenham’s favourite panto providers present a new version of muchloved fairy story ‘Sleeping Beauty’. It’s the tale of a beautiful princess who is cursed by an evil witch. The kingdom rejoices when a new princess is born but their happiness is shortlived when an evil sorceress places a curse on the infant – the princess will prick her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel and die on her 16th birthday! This magical panto is fun for all ages – it’s enchanting, entertaining and very funny and follows the original story but with modern twists and turns along the way. ‘Sleeping Beauty’ is at The Bacon Theatre, Cheltenham from Wed 18-Sun 22 January at 7pm with matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 2.30pm. Tickets are £10-£14. Ffi: Promenade Productions T: 01242 224144 (Showcase) W: www. promenade productions.co.uk
Festively fishy From Saturday 17 December to Monday 2 January, Bristol Aquarium is offering you the chance to enjoy a very merry ‘Fishmas’. You can meet Santa Claws’ moults, take on a crab cracker trail and make a crafty starfish to put on your Christmas tree at home. Festively dressed, giant, cuddly costume character Charlie the Clownfish will be on hand and there’ll be thousands of sea creatures waiting for their festive meal so you can help feed them their Brussels sprouts! It’s a chance to discover the wonders of the deep in the heart of the city and explore more than 40 naturally themed displays that are home to thousands of amazing aquatic creatures, including tropical sharks, rays, seahorses, puffer fish, piranhas and much more. Bristol Aquarium also features a giant botanical house, known as the Urban Jungle, showcasing hundreds of exotic plant and tree species from around the world. Ffi: Bristol Aquarium W: www.bristolaquarium.co.uk
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CHRISTMAS AT
Adver tising Featu re
St Nicholas Markets CORN STREET, BRISTOL Something for all the family this festive season - We’re open 7 days a week
until Christmas Eve - Shop late every Thursday until 7pm (from December 8)
Over 60 stalls, packed with hundreds of gift ideas and fabulous food
nted ncha arket E e h T ter M Win ecember,
4D 2 to 2 am to 5pm w 10 willo ated music, n i m Illu ptures, ee, scul shing tr s, wi an gift artis ve food festi
www.stnicholasmarkets.co.uk @stnicksmarket #xmasstnicks
CHRISTMAS
Adver tising Featu re
It’s play time!
SEASON
3-17 Dec 2016
Reindeer Dash
3
1 mile Fun Run
Sat
10
Sat
FREE * CHILD ENTRY voucher code number
NAZF021
20 CHRISTMAS 2016
•’Tis the season to prepare The Roses Theatre for panto and all things festive and making its debut in Tewkesbury this year is ‘Robin Hood and the Babes in The Wood’, which runs from Saturday 3 December-Saturday 7 January. Packed with all the usual festive fantasy and merry mishaps, the show invites audiences to leave the real world behind and escape to Sherwood Forest. This timeless treat is written and directed by one of pantoland’s most celebrated script writers, Ben Crocker. His witty writing freshens familiar tales whilst retaining their enchanting traditional elements. Panto season is an exciting time for a marketing officer – no idea is too bold or too colourful and it’s very easy to get swept up into the festive cheer: you eat, breathe and sleep tinsel, glitter and anything sparkly. Each pantomime inspires different marketing ideas and The Roses likes coming up with something that it hasn’t done before. This year it has joined up with local ice-cream company Spot Loggins to launch a competition offering the opportunity to get creative and enjoy the magic beyond watching the show. Entrants are required to come up with their own flavour of ice-cream and draw their design. The winning flavour will then be made and sold throughout the panto run. The theatre always get a brilliant response from local youngsters when it asks them to make or draw something, so it will be hard to pick a winner. Bonus points go to any entries covered in glitter. Ffi: The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury W: www.rosestheatre.org
BD8521
Sat
Invent an ice-cream for Robin Hood!
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Terms & Conditions * One child only may come in FREE
with one full paying adult ticket. * This offer is valid from the 3rd - 17th December 2016 only. * Not valid with any other offer including online booking. * Bring this advert with you to redeem the offer. www.noahsarkzoofarm.co.uk
• Magicland is Gloucestershire’s largest indoor soft play area for the entire family to enjoy. Your children can let off some steam on the astra and wave slide, while the cannon area shoots foam balls at various targets. As well as the ball rivers, zip slides, log ramps and another winding slide, Magicland also has its own fivea-side indoor football pitch. Plenty of things have been planned for little visitors to Magicland this Christmas. Tuesday 6 and Thursday 8 December see build-an-elf workshops which will also include play. Tickets must be pre-booked and are £8 each. There are only so many elves, though, so do book early to avoid disappointment. Friday 16 December, meanwhile, sees a Christmas disco with a special appearance from Elsa between 6.30-8.30pm. Tickets must be pre-booked and are £7.50 each. Included in the price are the disco, play, making reindeer food, arts and crafts workshop, decorating a cake, squash and biscuit. Limited face painting slots are available on the night at an extra cost. On Tuesday 20 December there is a stained glass Christmas decoration workshop from 10am-2pm. There is no need to book, but please note there may be a small extra charge. An elf craft workshop takes place on Friday 23 December from 10am-2.30pm. The Magicland elf will be getting into the Christmas spirit in the arts and crafts workshop and making reindeer food. All are welcome and there is no need to book and no extra charge. Ffi: Magicland W: www.magicland.co.uk
PRIMARY TIMES
Adver tisin g Feature “I would just like to say how amazing it was on Saturday, the kids all had a fantastic time.”
Underground extravaganza • Father Christmas is safely installed in his real underground Christmas Grotto along with fantastic colourful displays at Clearwell Caves. Forget Lapland – the caves’ Christmas Fantasy is spectacular and really popular with children and adults alike. The wonderful seasonal scenes tell the story of ‘Evie’s Aeroplane’ – Evie finds a toy aeroplane in her Christmas stocking on Christmas Day and her imagination takes off … You can see Father Christmas, then walk through the amazing displays, which is just like walking through a life-size pop-up book. Halfway through the caves, underground Christmas stalls are selling gifts, decorations and stocking fillers and there is also an underground café for those in need of refreshment. Car and coach parking is free. The Christmas Fantasy runs until 24 December and after Christmas the displays re-open from 27 Dec to 3 Jan. It’s open daily from 10am to 4pm. Entry is £10 for adults or children and includes a quality gift for children between two and 14 years old. There is a magical lateevening opening every Friday until 8pm. Take a look at the website for more details and for booking. Ffi: Clearwell Caves W: www.clearwellcaves.com
Adver tisin g Feature
Unleash your child’s potential • Everyone knows the importance of maths and English. It has been widely shown, for instance, that young people with better literacy and numeracy skills are far more likely to succeed in gaining good employment and fulfilling their potential later in life. In the run-up to the start of a new school term, parents will be thinking about how they can support their child’s learning. At study centres across the country, Kumon offers individualised maths and English study programmes tailored to all ages and abilities. Established for more than 50 years, Kumon programmes enable children to develop their independent study skills and confidently tackle advanced work beyond the international standard for their age. Before enrolling, each child can benefit from a free assessment. This will determine where on the programmes they will begin and will ensure that their Kumon study is individualised to their needs from the outset. In addition to developing academic ability, Kumon study fosters in students the mind-set and skills for self-learning. Kumon is an independent study programme, but students are never alone. Instructors provide the guidance students need to take their learning into their own hands, increasing their motivation to succeed and achieve. Kumon students complete daily worksheets at home and visit the centre up to twice a week. The school holidays are therefore the ideal time to settle into this new routine so students can get off to a flying start in the new term. Ffi: Kumon T: 0800 854 714 W: www.kumon.co.uk
PRIMARY TIMES
BIRTHDAY
PARTIES Combine activities for a birthday adventure:
■ Assault course
■ Archery
■ High/low ropes
■ Tunnel maze
■ Climbing wall
■ Sports parties
■ Zorbing
■ NEW Nerf parties
For more information visit
www.mojoactive.co.uk or call 01454 660075 Holiday clubs | Parties | High Ropes Schools | Stag & Hen Parties | Fitness Corporate Teambuilding
CHRISTMAS 2016 21
Hello Kids! I am so looking forward to the New Year and have lots of projects planned. Maybe you have some ideas about everything you’re looking forward to after Christmas. It’s given me an idea for my next competition. Children who send me pictures on the subject Things I want to do in 2017 could win a fabulous book from the editor’s overflowing cupboard. So get your crayons out and send me your pictures to: Arty Barty, Primary Times, 1 Temple Way, Bristol, BS2 0BY, or email high resolution jpegs to my editor at: mike.gartside@localworld. co.uk Don’t forget to give me your name, age, full home postal address and the name of your school. Deadline: Monday 9 January. Have fun!
Arty NB. Please see T&Cs at primarytimes.net/ avon/home-intro/tcs
Arty Barty I was so impressed by your pictures about My favourite thing at Cattle Country Adventure Park. It was so hard to choose a winner but well done to these lucky two, who win a family ticket to the Gloucestershire attraction.
hool, Newent klenash Junior Scuntry is the Alexia Agnew, Pic at Cattle Co ng thi rite ou fav Alexia’s to include all the . She’s made sure magnificent castleshield above the door. Great work! details, even the Josie Ellis, 6, Linden Primary School, Gloucester Josie says her favourite thing at Cattle Country is the exciting tractor ride to the witch’s house, and she’s represented it here beautifully. I love all the bright colours and the lollipops on the outside of the house.
Keira Marchant, 8, Amesbury CofE School, Wiltshire Keira’s goat is so vibrant! The firework-style explosion behind him makes him really stand out. I love the shiny gold horns, too!
WINNER!
WINNER!
Kasper Grzegorczyk, 7, Bridge Learning Campus, Bristol Kasper has drawn a wonderfully realistic guinea pig enjoying time in his cage. Really lifelike: well done!
Winnie rides again Primary Times reviews the new releases.
A right Christmas stink A word of advice to John Dougherty’s Santa this Christmas: perhaps the badgers have been too naughty to get presents this year. Or any year for that matter. The idea that the jolly bearded one should deliver presents to the evil and wicked badgers while they are actually (a word that the author himself uses to great effect) in prison stretches credibility. But then, if he had taken my advice we wouldn’t have a right rollicking adventure, where Santa gets kidnapped and bagged up by the cunning badgers, meaning that our stinky siblings from Kerfuffle Island have to save the day – Christmas Day, no less. The theme that Santa gets in a pickle and needs helping out is a common one, repeated elsewhere on this page, but Dougherty deploys it with such slapstick fun and vigour that readers of all ages are sucked in quicker than a runaway sleigh spiralling to catastrophe. Before the crisis is resolved we tangle with supermarket trolleys, wobbly skiing trees and sardonically captioned mugs of tea. Ho Ho Ho, or, as the badgers would say, Hur, Hur, Hur! (Mike Gartside) Stinkbomb & Ketchup-Face and the Great Kerfuffle Christmas Kidnap John Dougherty, £6.99, Oxford University Press, www.oup.com
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CHRISTMAS 2016
A jolly, bright and beautiful storybook, illustrated by the talented Korky Paul, this is a splendid Christmas present for fans and a lovely addition to their collection of Winnie books. The familiar characters and magic word “Abracadabra!” won’t disappoint. The pages are packed with amazing detailed drawings to delight and readers are in for a special treat with the fold-out letter to Santa and the spectacular pop-up on the last page. Winnie and Wilbur go an another adventure on the witch’s broomstick when they have the enormous pleasure of meeting Santa himself, as he gets stuck in their chimney on Christmas Eve. They join him on his sleigh to help him deliver all his presents to the children and end up having a magical Christmas night to remember. (Sarah Trevelyan) Winnie and Wilbur Meet Santa Valerie Thomas and Korky Paul, £12.99 Oxford University Press, www.oxfordowl.com www.winnieandwilbur.com
PRIMARY TIMES
Classifieds Arts & Crafts Paint -aPot
Swimming
• Paint your own ceramics • • Keep Sakes • Gifts • • Decopatch • Partyroom •
5 Cossack Square Nailsworth Stroud GL6 0DB
Tel 01453 835043 For all your dancewear needs • Ballet • Tap • Modern • www.paint-a-pot.co.uk • Jazz • Drama • ©LW www.colourdancewear.co.uk
QUALITY SWIMMING LESSONS FOR ALL AGES AND ABILITIES. SMALL CLASSES & STROKE TECHNIQUE A PRIORITY AT ST. MARY REDCLIFFE SCHOOL
EVERY WEEK DAY 4-6PM & SATURDAY 9AM ONWARDS CLIFTON HIGH SCHOOL SUNDAY 9-11AM
Fancy Dress
PRE-SCHOOL CLASSES: 2.5YRS SCHOOL AGE CLASSES: 4 YRS UPWARDS MINI SQUAD SESSIONS ADULT LESSONS • DUAL LESSONS INDIVIDUAL LESSONS: ALL AGES
OR CONTACT JENNY 07749908599 JACKIE 07749908599 | CAROLINE 01275 865185
©LW
FULL DETAILS SEE WEB:
www.wavesswimschool.co.uk
After School Clubs Party Ideas
After school art clubs for all ages From £5 per child
www.swartworkshops.co.uk
Tel; 01453 799270
©LW
Crime scene investigation parties and workshops for children age 7+
Unforgettable parties for ages 5+ at your local venue
nerf gun parties GOLD FROM THE TIME OF STONEHENGE See 500,000 years of Wiltshire’s Story
07412 797900 www.boystoysparties.co.uk
Tuition Longlevens Tuition Helping Primary Children with Maths & English Skills Tuition for 11 Plus 2017 Help with dyslexia Mrs Manley, NNEB, BSc (Hons) PGCE
Gloucester (01452) 387228
Just 2 minutes from the Market Place
©LW
tel 0117 244 0053 web www.thedetectiveproject.co.uk
BONJOUR LES BILINGUES French classes for kids and teens! Fun Book now for FREE bouncy castle hire Limited period only
Swimming
educational program
• Classes françaises • After-school sessions • Classes for teens
FREE TRIAL
07535 518 539 / bonjourlesbilingues@gmail.com
www.bonjourlesbilingues.co.uk
WOuld yOu liKE yOur Child TO gO TO graMMar SChOOl?
41 Long Street Devizes, SN10 1NS T: 01380 727369
Seasonal variations in opening times - please contact us or check our website before travelling hello@wiltshiremuseum.org.uk
www.wiltshiremuseum.org.uk PRIMARY TIMES
Making swimming lessons fun for all ages & abilites
Clifton: &
Westbury-On-Trym: Junior Lifeguard Academy Ages 8 upwards - Sat 1.45pm and Tuesday 7.15pm Must be able to swim 50m + wearing clothes
New Advanced Lane classes opening in September on Sunday and Tuesday Baby, preschool, individual & pairs lessons available in a private pool near Thornbury Register online: www.splash-Happy.co.uk E-mail: hazel@splash-happy.co.uk Tel: 01454 228817 ©LW
Proven to improve your chances of Grammar school success MOCK TESTS 11+ CEM style and timings Cheltenham March - Sept 2017 Test papers available with feedback
www.11pluspractice.com Tel: 07966 733450
• Tuition on Acoustic and Electric Guitar • Beginners to advanced (any age welcome!) • Enhanced CRB/DBS clearance • Available to teach in school holidays • Discounts available for teaching small groups • Able to travel city wide
JIM JOHNSTON
Tel: 0787 0887242 E-mail: jim@jimjohnstonmusic.com www.guitarlessonsbristol.com
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CHRISTMAS 2016
PRIMARY TIMES