40,000 copies for Parents, OVER ÂŁ350 School Staff & Children WORTH OF Sunderland & Durham
1st July - 1st September 2013
Photo: Ryan Edy
Issue 52
VOUCHERS & PRIZES INSIDE
Unbeatable Coverage in the North East www.primarytimes.net
Hello!
This is your friendly queen bee, Bonnie from The Alnwick Garden. I’m talking to you from the rather snazzy new Observation Hive in the Roots and Shoots nursery. Unlike a normal hive, the observation hive lets you peek in on what we get up to.You can see our workers building the honeycomb and tending to the new baby bees, or pupae, as they emerge from their eggs looking for food. You can also track our pollen hunters as they come and go through the, admittedly, rather posh entrance channel. Now I'm not one to court publicity but if you look really hard you even find me as I go about my business. I'm a little larger than most of my bees and the bee keeper has painted a little yellow dot on my back to make me stand out!
The other cool thing about an observation hive is that you can experience how warm it is by laying your hands on the dividing glass panels. The one near the entrance is cool to the touch because there is no hive in there, it is just an entrance and exit. The one where the hive is located feels really, really warm in comparison! In fact it is over 25 degrees centigrade, this is caused by the body vibrations of the worker bees and they can actually make it warmer still if the hive becomes too cold.
Bee vibrations have another clever use. Did you know that bees can both dance and talk? That's right, when bees find a new source of pollen they can tell the rest of the hive by performing what is known as a Waggle Dance. By using a variety of waggles, wiggles and buzzes they give the distance and location of the flowers they have just found. Amazing!
They can travel up to two miles to visit some of the tastiest flowers and at this time of the year they collect lots of powdery pollen from all our favourites. They particularly love the Pink Mistress tulips in the Cherry Orchard here in The Alnwick Garden. There are over 600,000 of these which is a lot of work for our bees. In fact it would take the average Honey Bee over 8000 trips to visit every single one! That's almost 21 years worth of work, nearly 182 times the lifespan of a bee! Phew!
It's not just pretty plants and flowers we go for; what we actually really like is a plot of land like a meadow that is allowed to grow all wild. All plants give off pollen in some way or another but the reason that a wild meadow is best is because we are largely undisturbed by loud noises and we don't have to travel as far for the pollen because there is so much in one small space. Butterflies love meadows too and The Alnwick Garden has a dedicated Wild Border to encourage both bees and butterflies by giving them just the right food and environment we like.
Hope to see you there one day soon! Bonnie.
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Primary Times Sunderland & Durham
Hi Everyone! Welcome to the Bumper Summer issue- absolutely loaded with exciting things to do and see. There’s also loads of money saving coupons to help you enjoy so much more this Summer. This issue brings you our first Deck Watch column which will be a regular feature of the magazine. It follows on from the Youth Wildlife Officer competition, which attracted such a high quality of entries, it was really difficult to choose a winner. The standard of the writing and the drawings was absolutely excellent – so well done to everyone who entered! With over 118,000 copies each issue, covering the whole of the North East and entering our 10th year of publishing we would like to thank you for making Primary Times the most read what’s on guide for families. *We know you appreciate the amount of info we give you on local events, that’s why we try so hard to cover as many events as we can. In fact this issue will cover all you need to know for the best Summer ever, so have a great time and we’ll see you again at the beginning of the new school year.
Jan and the crew….. *GfK NOP Survey stated that Primary Times is the leading What’s On Guide for parents of primary school children.
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Contents Page 4
Alnwick’s Teenage Knight.
Page 5
Summer Holiday Fun at Beamish!
Page 8
Deck Watch with DFDS Seaways & ORCA.
Page 9/16
Your 8 Page Guide to What’s On this Summer.
Page 17
Theatre – Your Guide to all the Family Shows.
Page 18
Competitions Page.
Primary Times is independently published and distributed free to over 40,000 school children at 167 Primary Schools throughout Sunderland & County Durham. 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 competitions which we run. Primary Times would like to thank all schools for their assistance in distributing the magazine and for their contributions to its contents. We would also like to thank all the advertisers. Copyright© Primary Tmes North East. Publishing Editor & Advertising: Jan Stewart Tel: 0191 264 5909 Email: jan@primarytimesne.co.uk. 1 Denehead Cottages, Hexham Road, Walbottle, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE15 9RX. Artwork: Spark Creative Design Ltd Tel: 01429 872291
Primary Times Sunderland & Durham
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Alnwick’s teenage knight!
Hello there! My name is Bunyip, and I am the cat of Alnwick Castle – you may have seen me if you have visited the castle before. My favourite spot is lounging in the sun in the doorway of the gift shop; you can often find me posing for photographs like the one you see here!
I’m going to give you the cat’s-eye view of all the goings-on here at the castle. Alnwick Castle is a very unusual place to live, particularly for a cat! There have been all kinds of interesting people that have lived here in the past – one of the most famous was called Harry Hotspur, England’s most famous medieval knight. He was born in the rooms above the castle’s gatehouse, and he grew up to be a very brave warrior – in fact, some people think he was nicknamed ‘Hotspur’ because he was so eager to start fighting that he always charged his horse into battle before anybody else. Here is a picture of the statue of Hotspur that you can see here at the castle.
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Primary Times Sunderland & Durham
No one is really sure how old I am, as I have lived in the castle for many years and I like to be quite mysterious, but I can tell you that the first time Harry Hotspur went into battle he was only 12 years-old – not much older than you are now! At Alnwick Castle we have lots of boys and girls who visit and want to learn how to be noble knights and brave princesses, so we have a special family area called Knight’s Quest where you can learn all kinds of medieval skills, like sword
fighting, herbal soap-making and tile-making. Next time I will tell you how we make herbal soap, and more about life at Alnwick Castle!
See you soon, Bunyip
Summer Holiday Fun at Beamish!
FAMILIES will be bowled over by a host of cricketing fun at Beamish Museum this summer. You won’t be stumped for things to do, as they celebrate The Ashes test match coming to nearby Durham County Cricket Club for the first time. Come and practise your cricket skills, join in games of French cricket on the Events Field and enjoy other themed activities during the first three weeks of the school holidays, starting 22nd July. To begin the summer break, why not join us on 20th & 21st July for a celebration of brass and music, including trying out instruments and band performances, as part of Brass: Durham International Festival?
There’s plenty happening over the rest of the summer too, with lots of fun and games for the whole family to enjoy. The Great North Festival of Agriculture also begins, with a packed programme of things to see and do every weekend from 29th August to 6th October. The festival starts with Agricultural Power from the Past (29th August to 1st September), an extravaganza of horse and steam power and lots more in between, from traction engines and trams to motorcycles and railway locomotives. The celebration of our rural heritage continues during the Growing Your Own (7th & 8th September) and Show of Agriculture (12th to 15th September) events.
Have a go at traditional activities during the Hands-on Heritage Skills weekend (21st & 22nd September) and join in the Harvest Festival (28th & 29th September) and Harvest Home and Ceilidh (5th & 6th October). And, of course, there’s the whole Museum site to explore, from The Town and Pit Village to Home Farm and Pockerley Old Hall and Waggonway. Get a real sense of your past – taste traditionally-cooked fish and chips, hear the hiss of a steam engine, smell the home cooking on a coal-fired range, try your hand at playground games and experience life as it used to be in Edwardian, Victorian and Georgian times.
The latest exhibit, an Edwardian Bakery selling delicious freshlybaked traditional bread, cakes and pies, is due to open in The Town in late summer. Take a trip down the drift mine, enjoy a train ride, visit the new Band Hall, discover school days 100 years ago, have a ride on the steam gallopers at the Fairground and why not treat yourself at the Sweetshop?
Keep up to date with all the summer holiday fun at Beamish on our website: www.beamish.org.uk.
Primary Times Sunderland & Durham
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Go wild at Gibside this summer!
For hassle-free, fantastic value, wonderfully wild family events every day of the summer holidays, visit Gibside, the National Trust landscape park and nature reserve near Rowlands Gill and the Metrocentre. With Explorer Mondays, Foodie Tuesdays, Wildlife Wednesdays, Adventure Thursdays and Fab Fridays, there’s something for everyone – whatever the weather.
From den-building to mud-painting, frisbee golf to pond dipping, rhoddie-bashing to camp fires – the fun begins with a Family Cycle Day on 20 July and ends in water fights on 30 August. Go wild every day at Strawberry Castle Adventure Play Area, the Low Ropes Challenge and Nature Playscape or check out the Wildlife Hide for a chance to get up close to Gibside's birdlife (plus roe deer and red squirrels if you're lucky). Add to this, gardens, parkland and woodland, historic buildings and ruins, regular farmers’ markets and live open air music on Sundays, and no-one could complain ‘I’m bored!’ If you've not been recently your children will also love the new high
rise walkway through the trees on your way in... Stay for the evening with a free family-friendly beer garden every Friday and now summer Saturdays too, 6 to 9pm, or inspire the kids with their first taste of outdoor theatre as Gibside's Avenue becomes the stage for an exciting performance of Sherlock Holmes and the Hound of the Baskervilles on 25 July. A Family Camping Weekend is also taking place from 17-19 August. Bring the kids, pitch your tent and get a unique taste of the outdoors, plus lots more fun and games. It costs £60 per family and booking is essential.
For more info, check out www.nationaltrust.org.uk/gibside or like GibsideNT on Facebook.
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Primary Times Sunderland & Durham
Summer Fun at Dalton Park!
You won’t want to go far when you see the fantastic line up at Dalton Park this summer! The region’s biggest outlet shopping centre has lined up a whole programme of exciting events for all the family to enjoy! You can also enjoy a free children’s play area and there’s 55 acres of parkland at Dalton Park with special trails for all the family to follow. With all the fun going on you’ll need a short break in one of the many cafes at Dalton Park-BB’s Coffee and Muffins, Starbucks, Millies Cookies, Cafe Thorntons, Spud U Like and McDonalds offer a fantastic range of soft drinks and snacks. Parking is free so a super day out really is a walk in the park!
Saturday 20th July “Celebrating Our Coast” If you can’t get to the coast this summer – then Dalton Park will bring the coast to you, with the help of “Durham Heritage Coast” The plants, animals and scenery all deserve to be celebrated and summer is the best time to do it! There will be lots of information on how to make the most of your coast plus special fun activities for all the family to enjoy including face painting, make and do stalls and much more! Saturday 3rd August Star Wars darkside characters including the infamous Darth Vader
and the sensational stormtroopers will be at That’s Entertainment, the store specialising in amazing value replay CD’s, DVD’s and games. You’ll be able to meet the characters at various intervals from 11am -4pm when they will make an appearance in store and on the mall. The characters are part of the “Universal Alliance” and are visiting Dalton Park in aid of the centres chosen charity The Sick Children’s Trust. Creepy Crawly Workshops Thursday 8th August, Saturday 17th August, Thursday 22nd August Steve’s Animal Ark is full of minibeasts for you to get up close to or keep your distance if you prefer! Steve will also be on hand to answer
your questions and tell you all about the amazing world of invertebrates! Free workshops take place between 11am -4pm, there’s no need to book. Please note this is an unsupervised event so children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
For more information on summer events at Dalton Park call 0191 5266500, visit the Dalton Park website www.dalton-park.co.uk or find us on Facebook and Twitter (@Dalton_Park).
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DECK WATCH Hello from the North Sea! I’m Sara and I’m a Wildlife Officer for ORCA onboard DFDS seaways. This means I live and work on a cruise ferry which sails between Newcastle and Amsterdam every day! At ORCA, we think it’s really important to understand as much about whales, dolphins and porpoises as possible – especially where they live. If we know where these animals live, then we can help look after their habitats and help protect their seas. What animals do you think we have in the North Sea? Birds? Fish? Absolutely! But what about whales and dolphins? Did
you know you can see these in the North Sea too? I’m standing outside doing a ‘deck watch’ right now, which means I’m right at the front of the ship looking out for wildlife as we sail into the sunset! This evening I’ve seen 3 minke whales, 2 seals, lots of puffins and more white-beaked dolphins and harbour porpoise than I could count - this sea is just bursting with life! Over the next few months I’ll be bringing you updates from the ship along with loads of amazing facts about whales and dolphins, as well as activities for you to try at home!
WITH This Month’s Activity: Come and have a whale of a time at the Free North East Marine Wildlife Festival; meet our experts and walk amongst ocean giants in a room full of life-size, life-like inflatable whales and dolphins! 20-26 July, Great North Museum: Hancock – (first week of the summer holidays). For details visit: http://www.orcaweb.org.uk/ne ws/marine-wildlife-festival
This Month’s Whale Wonder: The harbour porpoise is the most common type of whale in the North Sea; it is nicknamed the puffing pig because of a loud sneeze-like sound it makes when it surfaces to breathe! Next month: Feeding Frenzy – learn all about what our North Sea animals eat – and who gets eaten by whom!
Sighting Highlight of the Month: White-beaked dolphins swimming in front of the ship and showing off with high jumps, somersaults and big splashes! Photo © Michael. J.Tetley.
Check out our website for great whale and dolphin news at www.orcaweb.org.uk Or to book your own wildlife experience on DFDS Seaways visit www.dfds.co.uk/orcawildlife
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Primary Times Sunderland & Durham
What’s On Sunderland
Durham
Sunderland Mon 22nd July – Fri 30th August MULTI SPORTS HOLIDAY ACTIVITY CAMPS
School holiday camps for children aged 5 to 11 years old combine sports camps with activity holidays to provide busy parents with fun & affordable childcare. There will be a selection of Monday 22nd July to Friday 9th August inclusive.
HOLIDAY PLAYSCHEME Full or half day, 5 -11 years, £11.00 - £13.00 per half day. St Mary’s Childcare Centre, University of Sunderland, Chester Road, Sunderland, SR1 3SD. For application & booking forms contact 0191 5152286.
Activities, Sports & Fun Games on offer including: Agility Skills Football Short Tennis Circuits Badminton Rounders Benchball Diamond Cricket Dodgeball and many more... All courses are to be paid in advance & ALL children will need to bring their own drink and Packed Lunch. Tel 0191 5194322. Email: camps@acgsports.co.uk Mon 22nd July – Fri 26th July & Mon 29th July – Fri 2nd Aug 10am-3pm
Southwick Community Primary School - Cost £3 per child per day Farringdon Community Sports College - Cost £5 per child per day Ages 5-11 years. Mon 5th – Fri 9th Aug & Mon 12th – Fri 16th Aug 10am-3pm
Red House Academy Cost £3 per child per day Seaburn Dene Primary School Cost £5 per child per day Ages 5-11 years.
We take great care to ensure all this information is correct at the time of going to press. However, we would advise parents to phone and check details prior to making a long trip … or promise!
Mon 5th – Fri 9th Aug 10am-3pm
Bethany Christian Centre, DH5 8PF - Cost £5 per child per day Ages 5-13 years.
aged 5 - 11 years. Children under 8 must bring an adult (over 16) with them. Cost £1 per family. For more information Tel 0191 5843112.
Mon 19th – Fri 23rd Aug & Tues 27th – Fri 30th Aug 10am-3pm
Fri 26th – Sun 28th July 25th SUNDERLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRSHOW
Castle View Enterprise Academy Cost £3 per child per day Houghton Kepier Sports College Cost £3 per child per day (19th23rd Only) Ages 5-11 years.
Roker & Seaburn Seafront Friday evening sees the opening of the 25th Sunderland International Airshow at 7pm & ends at 10pm with a spectacular firework display. Both Saturday and Sunday's entertainment begins at 10am & finishes around 6pm. Tel 0191 5532000.
Mon 22nd July – Fri 9th Aug HOLIDAY PLAYSCHEME
St Mary’s Childcare Centre, University of Sunderland, SR1 3SD. Full or half day, 5 -11 years, £11.00 £13.00 per half day. For application & booking forms contact 0191 5152286. Tues 23rd July then every Tuesday until 27th Aug 1-3pm NATURE RANGERS
Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve Activities include exploring the grassland, pond dipping, garden games & orienteering. For children
Thurs 1st, 8th & 15th Aug 11am-1pm POND DIPPING IN THE DENE
Hylton Castle, Castletown Road Find out what creatures are found beneath the surface at Hylton Castle fishing lake. Booking required. Tel 0191 5480152.
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Sat 3rd, 17th & 31st Aug 1pm Wed 7th, 14th, 21st & 28th 1pm POND DIPPING
MONKWEARMOUTH STATION MUSEUM
Thurs 1st, 8th,15th, 22nd & 29th Aug 1.30-3.30pm MINI MAKERS
Herrington Country Park, Penshaw DH47EL Pond dipping at Herrington Country Park takes place at 1pm. Tel 0191 5205550.
North Bridge Street, Monkwearmouth, SR5 1AP Tel 0191 567 7075
Come along to mini-makers & make something new every week.
www.monkwearmouthstationmuseum.org.uk.
Tues 6th Aug 11am-12pm & 1-3pm NICELY NISSAN
Sat 3rd (11.30am - 1pm & 2pm - 4pm) & Sun 4th Aug (2pm - 4pm) FAMILY FUN WEEKEND
Washington F Pit, Albany Way NE37 1BJ A family fun weekend with fossil rubbing, making mini mining lamps & decorating some traditional festival bunting. Tel 0191 5532323. Sat 10th August from 10am RYHOPE CARNIVAL
Ryhope Recreation Park It's carnival time at Ryhope with jazz bands, stalls, displays & much more... Sat 24th August 3-5pm CHILDREN’S SUMMER CEILIDH Arts Centre Washington, NE38 8AB
Live music event for young children & their families with fun & games with dancing & singing. Tickets £6 adults, £4 children or a Family Ticket that admits 4 for £18. Tel 0191 2193455 or visit www.artscentrewashington.co.uk
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Sat 20th July – Mon 26th Aug 10am-5pm 2020 INVENTORS COMPETITION
Draw a new invention that will help people travel without damaging the planet in the year 2020. Collect your entry form from Museum reception.
Drop in to find out about the Leaf, the new electric car from Nissan, & make your own model car using recycled materials. Tues 13th Aug 11am-3pm MARVELLOUS MECCANO
Tues 23rd July 11am-12.30pm & 1-2.30pm CRAFTY CALENDARS
Drop in to see the amazing moving models from the North East Meccano Society & make your own moving models from KNEX.
Drop in & create your own seasonal calendar with moving pictures, inspired by St Bede who created the calculation for Easter.
Tues 20th Aug 11am-12pm & 1-3pm AMAZING MINING LAMPS
Thurs 25th July – Mon 26th Aug 10am-5pm SUNNY SEASIDE TRAILS
Collect your free seaside trail from the shop & see if you can find all the seaside clues hiding in the Museum.
Primary Times Sunderland & Durham
Drop in to make & decorate your own mining lamp out of craft materials. Tues 27th Aug 1.30-3.30pm STAINED GLASS WINDOWS
Drop in & create a mini stained glass window using craft materials.
SUNDERLAND MUSEUM & WINTER GARDENS Burdon Road, SR1 1PP Tel: (0191) 553 2323 www.sunderlandmuseum.org.uk. Sat 20th July – Sun 1st Sept CODE CRACKER TRAIL
Find out about the special meanings of animals, plants & other symbols in art, then follow the code cracker trail in the Museum & Winter Gardens & Mowbray Park to discover a hidden message. Wed 24th July 11am - 12noon & 1pm- 3pm FAMILY ARCHAEOLOGY DAY
Drop in & find out about life in the Anglo-Saxon monasteries of NE England. Tues 30th July, 6th, 13th & 20th Aug 1.30-3.30pm FAMILY BOWLS
Learn the skill of lawn bowls with members of the Mowbray Park Bowls Club. Ages 5+ years. Wed 31st July 11am – 12.30pm & 1.30pm- 3pm TRIBAL TATTOOS
Find out about the meanings of tattoos & have your own pretend tattoos painted.
Wed 7th Aug 11am – 12.30pm & 1.30pm- 3pm WONDERFUL SUNDERLAND
Drop in & help create a large art banner inspired by the Grayson Perry tapestries. Mon 12th Aug 12noon-2pm TEDDY BEARS’ PICNIC
Bring your teddy & a picnic to Mowbray Park for fun & games beside the bandstand. Wed 14th Aug 11am – 12.30pm & 1.30pm- 3pm THE TASTE OF HOME
Drop in & work with artist Mike Clay to create a series of model rooms in a dream house decorated with your favourite objects, furniture & brands. Sat 17th Aug 12noon-4pm SMILE CONCERT
Young bands from the Sunderland Music Workshops Project showcase their musical talents on the Mowbray Park bandstand. Face-painting & shaker making from 1pm to 3pm at the bandstand. Wed 21stAug 11am – 12.30pm & 1.30pm- 3pm STYLISH SELF PORTRAITS
Drop in & create an unusual selfportrait using magazine cuttings.
Fri 23rd Aug 1-3pm MINIBEAST HUNT
Drop in & hunt for amazing minibeasts hiding in the park.Meet at the Jack Crawford room at 1pm or near the bandstand from 1.15pm to 3pm. Wed 28th Aug 11am – 12.30pm & 1.30pm- 3pm LITTLE DOG TRUMP
Drop in & make your own little dog using felt & card. Fri 30th Aug 1-3pm FABULOUS FLAGS
Drop in at the bandstand & make a fabulous flag decorated with animals found in the park.
Durham Sat 13th July DURHAM MINERS GALA
This annual event, which takes place in the city centre, attracts thousands of people each year. Celebrations include a funfair, stalls, brass bands & marches. Sat 13th July – Mon 30th Sept 11am-6pm A DATE WITH SEALS
Greatham Creek, Seaton Carew Rd, TS25 2DD See the seals on the River Tees. Friendly RSPB staff & volunteers
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will be on hand at the Greatham Creek viewpoint every Wednesday to Sunday, 11am 6pm, to show you these amazing creatures. Tel 01642 546625.
in awe as the Diggerland operators smash doors, rip bonnets & much more - how awesome is that?! Tel 0871 2277007 or visit
Mon 22nd July – Mon 30th Sept EXPLORE THE HISTORY OF THE NORTH EAST
Sun 28th – Wed 31st July PIRATES & PRINCESSES
Palace Green Library, DH1 3RN Learn how to be a good Viking, make Anglo-Saxon jewellery, write like a scribe & even build an AngloSaxon house! Plus story-tellers, drama workshops & an opportunity to get up close & personal with local wildlife. Tel 0191 3342932. Fri 26th – Sun 28th July SEAHAM CARNIVAL WEEKEND
North Terrace, Seaham SR7 7EU Following on from the success of the 2012 Seaham Carnival weekend, the 2013 event will include a continental market, live music & will have a maritime theme. Tel 0191 5818034. Sat 27th July THE CAR SMASH CHALLENGE
Diggerland, Langley Park, DH7 9TT The Car Smash is a thirty-minute spectacular where two of Diggerland's operators will go head to head in a series of extreme car-crunching challenges! Watch
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www.diggerland.com.
Crook Hall & Gardens, Frankland Lane, DH1 5SZ Adventures with the Crook Hall Pirate & Princess. Adults £6.50, Child £5.00, Family £19.00. Tel 0191 3848028. Sat 3rd & Sun 4th Aug MODEL MANIA
The National Railway Museum at Shildon DL4 1PG An exhibition including Meccano, Airfix plus many other items of interest to the modeller! Tel 01388 777999. Wed 7th & Wed 21st Aug 10am-4pm TEDDY BEARS PICNIC
Botanic Gardens, Hollingside Lane DH1 3TN All day event with special activities. Enter your bear into the most loved teddy competition, enjoy a bear story & create some bear-y good artwork on this special day. Adults £4.00, Children (5-16) £1.50. Tel 0191 3345518.
Primary Times Sunderland & Durham
Mon 12th – Thurs 15th Aug & Tues 27th – Fri 30th Aug 10am-3pm SUMMER SOCCER SCHOOLS
Consett Community College Durham Road DH8 5TW For Boys & Girls aged 4-16 years. Cost £42.00 for 4 days. Free Early drop off/late collection service. Tel 0191 2642015. Thurs 15th Aug 11am-3pm JAY’S ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS
Sun 25th & Mon 26th Aug 10am-5pm FAMILY FUN DAY
The National Railway Museum at Shildon DL4 1PG Free fun family activities for the August Bank Holiday weekend. Go along & listen to captivating stories, get creative with the arts &crafts activities or have a go at the museum’s giant games! Tel 01388 777999.
Botanic Gardens, Hollingside Lane DH1 3TN The zoo comes to the Botanic Garden. From cute & cuddly to smooth & scaly, meet the incredible range of friendly animals visiting the Garden for the day. Adults £4.00, Children (5-16) £1.50. Tel 0191 3345518.
Sun 25th & Mon 26th Aug 11am-5pm BRING A TEDDY DAY
Sat 24th – Mon 26th Aug 10am-4pm TRADITIONAL CRAFTS WEEKEND
Thurs 29th Aug 11am-3pm MARKO’S CIRCUS WORKSHOP
Botanic Gardens, Hollingside Lane DH1 3TN Silversmith Les Howe & his wife Vivienne, an artist & card designer, will be demonstrating their skills in the garden. Adults £4.00, Children (5-16) £1.50. Tel 0191 3345518.
Crook Hall & Gardens, Frankland Lane, DH1 5SZ Teddy themed activities with Rupert the Bear. Adults £6.50, Child £5.00, Family £19.00. Tel 0191 3848028.
Botanic Gardens, Hollingside Lane DH1 3TN Learn circus tricks, including how to juggle & spin plates, at this fun workshop. Adults £4.00, Children (5-16) £1.50. Tel 0191 3345518.
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KILLHOPE MINING MUSEUM Killhope - The North of England Lead Mining Museum Nr Cowshill Upper Weardale Durham Dales Co Durham DL13 1AR (A689). Open Sat 16th - Sun 24th Feb 2013 for half term - 10.30am 5.00pm. Open Daily Fri 29th Mar 2013 – Sun 3rd Nov 2013 10.30am - 5.00pm. Prices Adult £7.15, Child £4.10, Conc £6.65. Tel 01388 537 505 or info@killhope.org.uk www.killhope.org.uk Sat 6th July, Sun 21st July & Sun 25th Aug 11am-4pm BLACKSMITH DEMONSTRATION
Killhope's resident blacksmith will be firing up the forge & demonstrating his skills. Tues 23rd July & every Tues until 27th Aug 11am-3pm FUN IN THE FOREST
Join in the fun with woodland crafts & enjoy tatties & marshmallows around the campfire. Normal admission prices apply plus £5. Pre - booking essential. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Every Tuesday throughout the Summer hols! Wed 24th July & every Wed until 28th Aug 11am-4pm CLAY PLAY
Join in the fun of this open workshop – get dressed to be messy. All the materials supplied – you just bring your imaginations. Normal admission prices apply plus £2.Every Wednesday during the school holidays. Thurs 25th July & every Thurs until 29th Aug 10.30am-5pm MESSING ABOUT IN THE RIVER
With guidance, hunt out mini beasts & find what lurks beneath the stones & hides in nooks and crannies in Killhope burn & the reservoir. Bring a pair of wellies & a change of clothes. Cost £2 per child. Sessions at 11 12.30 & 1.30 – 3pm. Book your session on arrival, limited spaces in each session. Normal admission prices apply. Every Thursday during the school holidays.
Sun 11th Aug 10.30am-5pm MINER’S PAY DAY
A costumed Victorian Fair - a celebration of miners pay day with games, costumes, stalls & music. Normal admission prices apply.
ORIENTAL MUSEUM Elvet Hill, Durham DH1 3TH Tel: 0191 334 5694 www.durham.ac.uk/oriental.museum Admission : Adult: £1.50, Children (5-16) & Over 60's: 75p, Family ticket (2 adults & up to three children): £3.50, Children under 5: FREE These activities are suitable for children aged 5-11. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Events are drop in between 1 & 3 pm, unless otherwise stated. Participation in all activities is included in the usual admission price. Sat 6th July WALK LIKE A PHARAOH
Make your own ancient Egyptian Pharaoh mask. Sat 13th July PERFCT PAPER
An afternoon of paper marbling & paper crafts. Sat 20th July 1-4pm FESTIVAL OF BRITISH ARCHAEOLOGY
A fun-packed afternoon of activities & crafts based on the life & times of Richard III. Analyze human remains, find out about 15th century warfare and weaponry Places are limited so booking is essential on 0191 3345694. Wed 24th July EGYPTIAN MASK
Make a mummy mask & visit the museum's mummies! Fri 26th July JAPANESE WOODEN DOLL
Make a Japanese wooden doll. Sat 27th July MAGNIFICENT MOSAICS
Get creative & make a beautiful mosaic from glass tiles.
COMPETITION WINNERS EPIC FILM COMPETITION WINNERS Rana Elise Whale from Nevilles Cross Primary School, Durham. Kye Charlton from The Grove Primary School, Consett. Ross Gregg from Albany Village Primary School, Washington. DFDS MARINE WILDLIFE MINI CRUISE WINNER Millie Carss from Woodlea Primary School, Fencehouses.
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Wed 31st Jul THE HUNGRY SILK WORM
Fri 30th Aug JAPANESE CRAFTS
Find out about the silk trade route & make your own Hungry Silk Worm story book.
Discover the importance of symbols in Japanese art, & make a Japanese screen decorated with the symbols you have learnt about.
Fri 2nd Aug JAPANESE ZEN GARDEN
Design & make a Japanese zen garden. Sat 3rd Aug AMAZING ANIMALS
Make your own 3D model of a tiger, panda or elephant. Wed 7th Aug THE EGYPTIAN AFTERLIFE
Find out what the Ancient Egyptians believed about the afterlife & make canopic jars complete with organs inside. Fri 9th Aug BUDDHIST WHEEL OF LIFE
Learn about Buddhism & make a Buddhist Wheel of Life. Sat 10th Aug SUPER SOAP CARVING
Create your own sculpture ... from soap. Wed 14th Aug CELEBRATE AWA ODORI
Celebrate the Japanese dancing festival of Awa Odori. Learn about the Fool's Dance & decorate the costumes of ren dancing groups. Fri 16th Aug CHINESE HANDPRINT DRAGON
Make & decorate a Chinese handprint dragon. Sat 17th Aug MAGICAL MASKS
Find out about the Chinese operatic tradition, make your own opera mask, all whilst listening to an authentic Chinese opera. Wed 21st Aug ISLAMIC PRAYER MAT
Find out about Islamic culture & make a prayer mat. Fri 23rd Aug INDIAN ANIMAL MASKS
Learn about the animals of India, & make an elephant or tiger mask or a peacock finger puppet. Sat 24th Aug MYSTICAL MONEY TREE
Find out about this mythical Chinese tree & make your own golden coin tree for good fortune. Wed 28th Aug SCARAB BEETLE
Sat 31st Aug LOVELY LEATHER
Have a go at making your own wrist guard or purse.
Farmtastic
BEAMISH MUSEUM
Summer Fun 20th July – 2nd Sept
Beamish Museum, Beamish, DH9 0RG Tel: 0191 370 4000. www.beamish.org.uk Sat 13th & Sun 14th July 10am-5pm NATIONAL QUOITS CHAMPIONSHIP
Between twenty & fifty competitors from The Quoits Association will play in the traditional game in the Pit Village at Beamish. Thurs 29th Aug – Sun 1st Sept AGRICULTURAL POWER FROM THE PAST
Horse drawn vehicles, bicycles, motorcycles, trams, stationary engines, tractors, railway locomotives, traction engines & a host of fascinating agricultural machinery will be on display & in action in all areas of the museum. Power from the Past is a fantastic day out for all ages! There is no extra charge for this event, as admission is included in the regular museum entry price.
Meet the Meerkats Birds of Prey Beastie Shows Magic Shows ( every Tues, Wed & Thurs) Groom a Goat Bath a Pig Feed, hold & stroke lots of animals Adventure Playground * Soft Play Barn *Donut Dash * Go-Karts * Bouncy Castles * Trampolines * Frisbee Golf * Racing Cars * Tractor-Trailer Rides * Restaurant and lots more!
Open daily 10am until 5pm (Last entrance 4pm) Farmtastic Fun whatever the weather!!
10% off admission with this voucher
GIBSIDE NATIONAL TRUST Burnopfield, NE16 6BG Tel: 01207 541820.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/gibside Sat 20th July 10am-4pm FAMILY CYCLE DAY
Bring your bikes & helmets for a once a year chance to go for a gentle cycle ride around Gibside's woods & parkland. Free event but normal admission charges apply. Mon 22nd July – Fri 30th August 11am-3pm (Mon-Fri) SUMMER HOLIDAY FAMILY FUN
Family activities & outdoor adventures including the best of the National Trust's '50 things to do before you're 11¾'. Don't miss Explorer Mondays, Foodie Tuesdays, Wildlife Wednesdays, Adventure Thursdays & Fab Fridays. Free event but normal admission charges apply.
Try writing your name in hieroglyphs & make your own scarab beetle.
Primary Times Sunderland & Durham
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Sat 17th – Mon 19th Aug FAMILY CAMPING WEEKEND
Give the kids a taste of the wild in the heart of Gibside's landscape garden. Pitch your tent for three days and two nights of family adventure & activities. £60 per pitch including games, bushcraft activities, live music & much more! Booking essential. Mon 26th Aug 11am-3pm SUMMER BANK HOLIDAY FAMILY FUN DAY
Mon 22nd- Sun 28th July 10am-4.30pm BUZZING BEES
Find out how you can help to give bees a home & get stuck in to lots of bee themed crafts & activities. Mon 29th July – Sun 4th Aug & Mon 19th – Sun 25th Aug 10am – 4.30pm MONSTER WEEK
Get stuck in to lot of insect themed activities.
A summer holiday highlight including archery, frisbee golf, den-making, face painting & Gruesome Gibside tours. Free event but normal admission charges apply.
Mon 5th – Sun 11th Aug 10am – 4.30pm WILD NIGHTS
RSPB SALTHOLME
Mon 12th – Sun 18th Aug 10am – 4.30pm PLANT POWER
Seaton Carew Rd, Port Clarence, Middlesbrough TS2 1TU Tel 01642 546625 salthome@rspb.org.uk www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/s /saltholme. Cost £2 per activity (RSPB members FREE).
In support of the RSPB’s Big Wild Sleep Out, find how you can help give nature a place to sleep.
Get stuck in to lots of plant themed activities. Mon 26th Aug – Sun 1st Sept 10am – 4.30pm ON THE MOVE
Get stuck in to lots of migration themed activities.
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The original, largest and still the best network of performing arts schools in the world. Nurturing and developing young peoples potential through dance and singing. For 4-18 year olds, after school, at weekends and holiday workshops.
Stagecoach Durham is now taking bookings for next term
Call 0191 417 5556 www.stagecoach.co.uk
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Theatre What’s On Guide - Family & Children’s Shows
Sunderland Empire Box Office 0844 8713022
Thurs 1st – Sat 3rd Aug FOOTLOOSE Footloose is the culmination of Stage Experience’s two week theatre summer school, which offers young thespians of the North-East the chance to take part in a West End style production. Nurturing & developing skills in training, rehearsing & performing, throughout the 2-week project running from Mon 22nd July – Sat 3rd Aug, participants receive expert guidance & tuition from theatre industry professionals before taking part in four live performances of this year’s production – Footloose! Tickets from £9.00.
Gala Theatre Durham
Empire Theatre Consett
Box Office 0191 332 4041
Box Office Tel: 01207 218 171
Wed 31st July – Sat 10th Aug 7.30pm (& Sat 2.30pm) GREASE Gala Theatre Stage School Wed 28th Aug – Sun 1st Sept present their spectacular MICKEY’S ROCKIN’ ROAD summer musical Grease set in SHOW 1959 at Rydell High School where Put on your dancing shoes! the kids think they rule. After their Disney Live! is bringing a brand Summer break they head back to new, live stage show, starring your to face their final year. school favourite Disney characters to a member of the ultraDanny, the Empire. A high-energy, funcool T-Birds, is only interested in packed adventure led by Mickey cars, chicks & hanging out with Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck & Goofy as they embark on his mates whilst Sandy - the new girl in school - doesn't fit in with an hilarious talent search the Pink Ladies - although they adventure filled with unexpected, are interested in her summer exciting encounters. As this romance. The two gangs go original storyline unfolds meet through the trials & tribulations of Tigger, Cinderella & her conniving love, rejection, career choices & stepsisters, Buzz Lightyear, the end of year prom. Who would Woody & friends from Toy Story. have thought High School could Tickets from £19.00 be so tough? Tickets from £12.00.
EMPIRE THEATRE, CONSETT Thurs 29th Aug 1pm & 3.30pm POSTMAN PAT LIVE! A brand new, fun filled, all action show featuring everyone’s favourite postman. See Pat & his friends live on stage, with an exciting new story based around the new feature film. As local talent scouts come to Greendale, Pat’s friends encourage him to give it a go. How will he get on? Will Pat become a new singing sensation & leave his postbag behind? Tickets £12.00, Child £10.00, Family £42.00.
Primary Times Sunderland & Durham
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Win a Family Day Ticket for
COMPETITION
Adventure Valley is a great day out for the whole family. It’s two newest attractions are Forty Towers, a new play castle, made up of walkways, platforms and tunnels, and Water Wars, the ultimate water balloon game. In addition there is a Roller Disco, the Battle of Birds bird display, hamster grand prix, pony rides, goat hurdles and family entertainment shows throughout the summer months. In fact, Adventure Valley boasts enough attractions to keep families entertained for hours! Adventure Valley is located in Brasside, Durham, DH1 5SG. For more information including current prices & opening times call 0191 386 8291 or visit www.AdventureValley.co.uk. Primary Times has teamed up with Adventure Valley to offer you the chance to Win A Family Day Ticket for 4 people (2 adults & 2 children) to see all the attractions this summer by simply answering the following question:
Wednesday 7th August 2013, sees the release of one of the big films this summer – Percy Jackson : Sea of Monsters. Based on the huge best-selling series by Rick Riordan, Percy Jackson, the son of Poseidon, continues the epic journey to fulfill his destiny, as he teams with his demigod friends to retrieve the Golden Fleece, which has the power to save their home and training ground, Camp Half-Blood. Primary Times has teamed up with 20th Century Fox to offer you the chance to win 1 of 3 packs of merchandise from the film (which includes headphones, notebook & pen, t-shirt, satyr hat & keychain) by simply answering the following question:
Q Where is Adventure Valley located?
Q. Who is Percy Jackson the son of?
A. Send your answer along with your name, address, telephone number & school details to Adventure Valley Competition, Primary Times, 1 Denehead Cottages, Hexham Road, Walbottle, Newcastle upon Tyne NE15 9RX or by e-mail to john@primarytimesne.co.uk. Entries must be received by Friday 26th July 2013. The winners will be notified thereafter. The judges decision is final & there is no cash alternative!
A Send your answer along with your name, address, telephone number & school details to Film Competition, Primary Times, 1 Denehead Cottages, Hexham Road, Walbottle, Newcastle upon Tyne NE15 9RX or by e-mail to john@primarytimesne.co.uk. Entries must be received by Friday 26th July 2013. The winners will be notified thereafter. The judges decision is final & there is no cash alternative!
COMPETITION PAGE
Come and meet the seals and the brand new sea lions Finn and Lucy at Blue Reef Aquarium, Tynemouth! Seal cove is an awesome outdoor facility which provides a stunning home for the resident harbour seals and the newly arrived pair of California sea lions. Giant viewing panels and a ramped walkway provide visitors with an unrivalled opportunity to admire the seals and sea lions grace and agility from both above and below the water! The daily seal displays are great fun, and the perfect way to find out all about these beautiful animals. A full programme of entertaining talks and feeding displays take place throughout the day. Be prepared to get wet if you stand in the splash zone! For more information telephone 0191 258 1031, e-mail info@bluereefaquarium.co.uk or visit www.bluereefaquarium.co.uk. Primary Times has teamed up with Blue Reef to offer you the chance to Win a Day Pass for a Family of 4 people by simply answering the following question:
Win Tickets to Beamish Wild High Ropes Course At Beamish Wild, you’ll discover some awesome adventure for all ages, including their High Ropes Course for wannabe tarzens. Packed with high wire thrills, you can swing through the trees, brave the Burma Bridge, face up to the freefall power fan & grow in confidence with every step. And the best news of all is that mum, dad & grandparents can stay on the ground since children don't need to be supervised to go on the High Ropes Course at Beamish Wild. For more details contact Beamish Wild on 01207 233733 or visit www.beamishwild.co.uk. Primary Times Sunderland & Durham have teamed up with Beamish Wild to offer you the chance to win 1 of 5 pairs of tickets for the High Ropes Course by simply answering the following question: Q. What is the name of the Rope Bridge at Beamish Wild?
Q What are the names of the new sea lions at Blue Reef Aquarium?
A.
A.
Send your answer along with your name, address, telephone number & school details to Beamish Wild Competition, Primary Times, 1 Denehead Cottages, Hexham Road, Walbottle, Newcastle upon Tyne NE15 9RX or by email to john@primarytimesne.co.uk. Entries must be received by Friday 26th July 2013. The winners will be notified thereafter. The judges decision is final & there is no cash alternative!
Send your answer along with your name, address, telephone number & school details to Blue Reef Competition, Primary Times, 1 Denehead Cottages, Hexham Road, Walbottle, Newcastle upon Tyne NE15 9RX or by e-mail to john@primarytimesne.co.uk. Entries must be received by Friday 26th July 2013. The winners will be notified thereafter. The judges decision is final & there is no cash alternative!
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Primary Times Sunderland & Durham