Primary Times Wiltshire - October Half Term 2021

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Wiltshire

OCTOBER HALF TERM 2021 SAT 23 OCT - FRI 17 DEC ISS.132

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Wiltshire Wonderland!

The full range of indoor events from crafts to concerts to panto returns to the county this autumn.

Turn Turn to P4 and beyond!

+ SPOOK Y TR A IL!

AT STONEHENGE & OLD SARUM

+ BOOK RE V IE WS

THE GREAT DREAM ROBBERY

+ ROSIE JON ES

THE AMAZING EDIE ECKHART

DAYS OUT • EDUCAT ION • COMPET I T IONS • FAMILY FUN

Support children’s GROWTH and DEVELOPMENT

The TASTY, EASY way to get vitamins into little people 02 OCTOBER HALF TERM 2021

Helping Kids Shine

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INSIDE

Wiltshire

Dear Readers,

Having edited this magazine for seven years, until 2019, I am delighted to be back on board as publisher and owner of the Wiltshire Primary Times franchise.

I return to the fold as restrictions around covid 19 are easing and a near-normal programme of seasonal events is planned by theatres, schools, and event organisers throughout the county. Of course, we should add that we are not completely out of the woods and a return to lockdown and cancellations is still possibile. But the risks seem greatly reduced compared to last year and families can realistically look forward to their Halloween parties, bonfire night gettogethers, pantos and Santa’s visits with relatively light-touch mitigation in place such as facemasks and social distancing.

On a separate note, you may notice we have a new layout and mascot, Petey the Parrot (PT ... Petey - well, it made us laugh!) who offers helpful tips throughout these pages, and makes it easier for you to find the events, competitions and information you need.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me with your thoughts about any part of the magazine. All feedback, positive or critical, is very welcome.

With Petey’s help, I very much look forward to growing Wiltshire Primary Times as a vital part of your primary school community.

Mike Gartside - Publisher

04 COVER STORY 05 SCOOP 06 BOX OFFICE 08 ROSIE JONES FEATURE 09 W.O.W. 12 CORKBOARD 14 FOR THE KIDS 15 IT’S SCIENCE! FEATURE

Front cover images, clockwise from top left. ‘Jack & The Beanstalk’, Wyvern Theatre, Swindon; Stage 65 Youth Theatre; ‘The Hug’, Salisbury Arts Centre; ‘The Snowman’, Salisbury Cathedral; Backdrop: Christmas wrapping paper from workshop by Wiltshire Scrapstore.

ALSO LOOK OUT FOR...

HALLOWEEN EVENTS at Hope Nature Centre, Castle Coombe Circuit, Roves Farm, Old Sarum, Stonehenge and Cholderton Rare Breeds Farm BONFIRE NIGHT EVENTS at Sutton Benger and Wroughton CHRISTMAS EVENTS at Hope Nature Centre, Longleat, Stourhead, Devizes, Swindon Cricklade Railway, Salisbury Arts Centre, Swindon’s STEAM Museum and Salisbury Cathedral primarytimes.co.uk/wiltshire

October Half Term 2021 SALES MIKE GARTSIDE mike.gartside@ primarytimes.co.uk 01452 937123

EDITORIAL & DESIGN EDITOR MIKE GARTSIDE mike.gartside@ primarytimes.co.uk SUB-EDITOR & THEATRE TOM PHILLIPS WOW LISTINGS ELLEN WHITE

PUBLISHED BY STARFISH PUBLISHING LIMITED, The Create Centre, Smeaton Road, Bristol, BS1 6XN 01452 937123

FREE INSIDE: WH 52,000 COPIES FOR FAMILIES OF AT’S ON WPRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN Wiltshire HERE GUIDE

OCTOBER HALF SAT 23 OCT - FRI 17 DEC TERM 2021 ISS.132

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ytimes.co.u

k

Wiltshire Wonderland!

The T he ffull ull rrange ange ooff iindoo ndoor eeven ventts s ffrom rom craft craft ftss tto o cconc onceerts rts tto o panto p anto rretur eturn nss tto o tthe he ccoun ountty y tthis his aautum u tumnn..

Turn Turn to to P4 P4 and and b beyo eyon nd! d!

+ SPOOK Y TR A IL!

AT STONEHENGE & OLD SARUM

+ BOOK RE V IE WS

THE GREAT DREAM ROBBERY

+ ROSIE JON ES

THE AMAZING EDIE ECKHA

RT DAY S OUT • EDU CAT ION • COM PET I T IONS • FAM ILY FUN

This magazine is great for the climate because: • Our paper comes from sustainably managed forests • The environment needs more trees to soak up CO2 • Sustainable forests for paper are a big part of the climate solution • Primary Times remains useful for at least six weeks • It is easibly recyclable after use and can be turned into new paper Primary Times is independently published and distributed free through national primary schools in Wiltshire. It aims to inform families and children about current educational issues, forthcoming events, courses, attractions and to give teachers, pupils and parents the opportunity to participate in the magazine by adding to its contents or by joining in the competitions. It is NOT our intention to publish any racist, sexist or politically based 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. Primary Times would like to thank all the schools in Wiltshire for their assistance in distributing the magazine and for 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 Primary Times or with the relevant contributor. Primary Times is currently publishing over two million copies per issue under franchise licences throughout Britain.

OCTOBER HALF TERM 2021 03

Wiltshire Advertising feature

The Hug The historic city of Salisbury may be best known for its Gothic cathedral spires, abundant markets, and illustrious medieval past, but this vibrant city is also home to a thriving arts scene, spearheaded by Wiltshire Creative.

Stage 65 Youth Theatre

Wiltshire gets creative again!

A

bustling pan-arts organisation that comprises Salisbury Playhouse, Salisbury International Arts Festival, and Salisbury Arts Centre, Wiltshire Creative has launched back into action in spectacular fashion for 2021.

Families in and around the South West won’t have to go far this October Half Term to find a stellar line-up of events and activities for little ones of all ages.

After months of closure, the workshops, events and performances on offer across Wiltshire Creative’s venues won’t leave any family short of things to do as the chillier autumn nights draw in. Where better to spend a cold evening

04 OCTOBER HALF TERM 2021

than in the warmth of Salisbury Arts Centre, which will be a hive of activities throughout the half-term and into the festive season? The Arts Centre’s fully equipped pottery studio hosts pottery workshops for everyone from young people to adults, perfect for getting a head start on those Christmas presents.

And why not book ahead for a Christmas craft workshop to make your own wrapping paper or seasonal decoration?

Still at the Arts Centre, Friday Under 5s sessions (kindly supported by Kindred) are also back with a bang, giving Early Years and Reception-aged movers, shakers and painters the chance to explore a different art form every Friday morning. From storytelling with ‘Stay and Play’ or music making with ‘Start the Music!’ to Salisbury Area Young Musicians, there’s plenty for you and your little ones to enjoy. And what better way to welcome in the weekend than a morning boogie and a freshly-baked

cake from the Arts Centre café afterwards? These sessions are perfect for giving pre-school aged children the chance to socialise, get moving, and make some art in an energetic group setting.

For older kids who want to flex their creative muscles, Wiltshire Creative’s Stage 65 Youth Theatre has resumed, with regular workshops for ages 8 to 11. No experience is needed for these engaging and active sessions, and they’re perfect for any young person eager to get back into the swing of things. Stage 65 members can access a variety of performance opportunities on Wiltshire Creative’s stages, and as part of Salisbury International Arts Festival, so if your child is the next Dame Judi Dench or Sir Ian McKellen, or an aspiring costume or set designer, Stage 65 could be the perfect chance for them to discover their talents in a professional setting.

With the festive season quickly upon us, it’s also the perfect opportunity to book now for the Winter season at Wiltshire Creative. Christmas is back with a bang at Salisbury

Playhouse with the dazzling ‘Snow White and the Happy Ever After Beauty Salon’ (bringing a 1950s fairy-tale wonderland to the theatre – with a few unexpected underground surprises). For one performance only, Long Nose Puppets present their charming new family show ‘The Hug’, perfect for celebrating the simple joys of a warm hug (best enjoyed with a large mug of hot chocolate). If you can’t wait that long to return to live theatre, Peepolykus’s “ribbustingly hilarious” (The Times) ‘Hound of the Baskervilles’ visits Salisbury Playhouse, offering a whodunnit for all ages and the perfect way to spend a cold November evening.

The fantastic variety of workshops and performances on offer at Wiltshire Creative truly highlights their commitment to making sure there’s something on offer for everyone, whether you want to get stuck in and have a go at crafts, or sit back and enjoy the return to live theatre.

For more information and to book tickets, visit www. wiltshirecreative.co.uk

primarytimes.co.uk/wiltshire

NEWS FOR WILTSHIRE’S PRIMARY SCHOOL COMMUNITY

Reach for the skies

M

oonrakers and stargazers of all ages will gather for a week packed with events exploring the wonders and secrets of space. The first Marlborough Dark Skies Festival blasts off on Mon 25 Oct and remains in orbit until Sun 31, bringing talks, tours, workshops and more - plus the chance to see if you’ve got what it takes to ‘Make me an Astronaut’ (31 Oct). There are lots of hands-on activities from landing a robot buggy on Mars at ‘Rockets and Rovers’, making

your very own star at ‘Spin Art’ to helping create two huge paintings at ‘Starry Night’ (all 30 Oct).

You can explore the skies with the Space Detectives too when they create amazing 3D images and explore space travel and star patterns at ‘Blast Off’ (30 Oct) and ‘In the Night Sky’ (31 Oct).

Our nearest neighbour looms large too: check out the seven-metre inflated moon in Marlborough College chapel throughout the week and learn about lunar legends with storyteller Roger Day at ‘I see the Moon and the Moon sees me’ (30-31 Oct). In all, more than 40 events take place at venues across the town.

Marlborough Dark Skies Festival Various venues, Marlborough, Mon 25-Sun 31 Oct. W: thelittleboxoffice.com/mdsf

Council seeks carers W

iltshire Council hopes to recruit 100 new foster carers and invites “empty nesters”, whose own children have left home, to consider offering a home for children and young people coming into care. The council aims to reach its target by spring 2023 and has already recruited 50 new foster carers since launching the campaign last year. It is also appealing to people wanting a change of direction.

“We are grateful to the many foster carers who provide a warm home and stable influence in our young people’s lives,” says councillor Laura Mayes.

“We know there will be people out there wanting to know more

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and I encourage them to give us a call.”

Foster carers need to be over 21 years of age, have a spare bedroom, time to care for a child and a willingness to care for young people who have experienced trauma and loss. All foster carers are given training and ongoing support and receive a payment of between £350 and £650 a week depending on their skills and experience.

Fostering Wiltshire W: www. fosteringwiltshire.uk

Once upon a trail

S

tonehenge and Old Sarum turn fantastical over the October half term when both sites host a brand-new adventure trail inspired by the fabulous world of Cressida Cowell’s bestselling book series, ‘The Wizards of Once’. The trail will set you on a Halloween quest to see if you can find the ingredients for the spell to get rid of witches and the legendary Cup of Second Chances while exploring the magical landscapes of Stonehenge and Old Sarum themselves.

To really get into the Halloween spirit, put on your finest frightful fancy dress and you might well win a prize. At both venues, entry to the trail is included in the standard admission price (or free to English Heritage members).

While advance booking is not essential, it will ensure you get the best price and guaranteed entry. The Wizards of Once Halloween Quest is at both Stonehenge (9.30am-5pm) and Old Sarum (10am-5pm) from Sat 23-Sun 31 Oct. Wizards of Once W: www.english-heritage.org.uk/ halloween

NEWS BITES

Kind words

Anti-Bullying Week, running from Mon 15-Fri 19 Nov, takes the theme “One Kind Word”. Free teaching resources and themed assemblies geared to primary children can be found on its website.

Reading win?

The National Literacy Trust has teamed up with Disney to challenge schools to bring ‘Beauty and the Beast’ to life in the classroom.

Road aware

Highway safety charity Brake hosts Road Safety Week from Mon 15-Sun 21 November, promising a wealth of teaching ideas.

See Corkboard, P12, for more information on all News Bites OCTOBER HALF TERM 2021 05

BOXOFFICE

THE VERY BEST THEATRE, ARTS AND FILM NEAR YOU in this show suitable for ages 3-6.

Performance at 10.30am. Tickets £2.

The Snowman

Salisbury Cathedral

Salisbury Cathedral, Fri 3 Dec

Salisbury SP1 2EJ, www.carrotproductions.com/ snowman

Fri 3 Dec The Snowman & The Nutcracker Suite

Enjoy a magical treat for the whole family this Christmas. Join Carrot Productions, one of the world’s leading performers of ‘The Snowman’ film-with-live-orchestra experience, as they return to Salisbury with their award-winning show.

Alongside ‘The Snowman’, there’s a “stunning” animated film to accompany that most Christmassy of seasonal pieces, ‘The Nutcracker Suite’ by Tchaikovsky.

Promises a winning combination of a local chorister singing ‘Walking in the Air’, some of the UK’s top musicians, and the majestic setting of the cathedral. Shows at 2pm, 4pm and 7pm. Visit website for more details. Book soon - these shows sell out quickly! Tickets £14.00-£24.04

Salisbury Playhouse The Athenaeum

18-20 High St, Warminster BA12 9AE, 01985 213891, theath.org.uk

St Michael’s Community Centre

St Michael’s Rd, Bemerton Heath, Salisbury SP2 9LE, 07593 074122, bemertonplayers.co.uk

Thu 28-Sun 31 Oct

Thu 2-Sat 4 Dec

Oliver!

Sleeping Beauty

The Athenaeum Masqueraders present the ever-popular musical based on Charles Dickens’ ‘Oliver Twist’ complete with classic songs like ‘Food Glorious Food’ and ‘Consider Yourself’. Performances at 7pm, Sat mat 2pm. Tickets £14 (adult)/£12 (concs).

Thu 25-Fri 26 Nov

Join the Bemerton Players for their family pantomime based on the classic fairytale of the girl who nobody seems to be able to wake up. Performances 7.30pm (Thu-Fri), 2pm & 7pm (Sat).

Tickets: £7 (adult), £5 (child/conc), £22 (family).

Neeld Community & Arts Centre

Jeeves & Wooster in Perfect Nonsense

Expect comedy capers aplenty as luckless aristocrat Bertie Wooster tries to present a show about his recent adventures only to run into trouble. But can Jeeves save the day? The Athenaeum Limelight Players present a show based on P.G. Wodehouse’s famous characters.

Performances at 7.30pm, Sat mat 2.30pm. Tickets £12.

High St, Chippenham SN15 3ER, 01249 446699, neeld.co.uk

Sun 19 Dec Santa’s Best Ever Christmas

Santa thinks this Christmas is going to be the best one ever and Dotty the elf, Pompom the penguin and Dasher the reindeer all have their own ideas about why. Join Santa and friends for a festive musical where every child gets a present!

Performance at 2pm. Tickets £9.41-£35.

PETEY SAYS

Thu 16-Fri 24 Dec

“YAY - P A BA NTO’S OH YESCK...

IT IS!”

Mother Goose

Will Mother Goose succumb to the plan of the evil Foie Gras to turn her over to a life of greed and wrongdoing? The theatre says that, despite covid measures to protect audience and staff, there’ll be plenty of panto spirit, spectacle and comedy in this year’s Christmas show. Times vary (see website). Tickets from £11.

06 OCTOBER HALF TERM 2021

Pound Arts

The Pound, Pound Pill, Corsham SN13 9HX, 01249 701628, poundarts.org.uk

Mon 25 Oct Woodland Tales with Granddad

When strange things start happening in the woods, the birds and animals call on Granddad to help them out. Pickled Image tell their tales with a cast of extraordinary puppets. Show at 2pm. Tickets £9 (adult), £7 (child), £28 (family).

Wed 27 Oct This Island’s Mine

Malthouse Lane, Salisbury SP2 7RA, 01722 320333, www.wiltshirecreative.co.uk

Mon 15-Sat 20 Nov

Roustabout Theatre explore what we mean by home as well as themes of colonialism, identity and place in this show set in the magical world of Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’ and developed with the aid of nearly 200 local schoolchildren. Ages 7+. Performance at 2pm. Tickets £9 (adult), £7 (child), £28 (family).

The Hound of the Baskervilles

Fri 17-Fri 24 Dec

Snow White and the Happy Ever After Beauty Salon

Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson investigate the untimely death of Sir Charles Baskerville in this farcical take on the celebrated whodunnit. Ages 8+. Performances at 7.30pm, matinees 2.15pm (Thu & Sat). Tickets £12-£21.

Fri 3-Fri 31 Dec

Faina sets off an action-packed exploration of a wintry wilderness in search of the eponymous snow beast. Mixing storytelling with an original score, the show also includes interactive science experiments to inspire young budding scientists. Ages 6+. Performances 7.30pm, 6pm & 2pm (check website for full schedule). Tickets £9 (adult), £7 (child), £28 (family).

Young apprentice Snow turns up a magic mirror that puts her life in peril. Set in a 1950s wonderland full of your favourite fairytale characters, the Playhouse’s Christmas show brings together live music, dazzling design, puppetry and comedy shenanigans - not to mention a bit of Christmas sparkle. Performances 7pm most days with matinees (matinee times vary - check website). Tickets £12-£21.

Salisbury Arts Centre

Wiltshire Music Centre

Sat 11 Dec

FRI 10 DEC

The Hug

The Nutcracker (As Live)

The Snow Beast

Bedwin St, Salisbury SP1 3UT, 01722 321744, www.wiltshirecreative.co.uk

Ashley Rd, Bradford-on-Avon BA15 1DZ, www. wiltshiremusic.org.uk

Long Nose Puppets unveil their brand new show - a tale of hope, empathy and acceptance. Currently sold out but you can join a waiting list via the website in case further tickets become available. Performance at 1.30pm.

See The Royal Ballet perform this classic festive favourite in an ‘as live’ screening of Tchaikovsky’s ‘The Nutcracker’. 7.15pm, £16 (adult)/£8 (child).

Sat 18 Dec

The Nutcracker (Relaxed Screening)

Festive Saturday Storytime

Actor, musician and storyteller Iona Johnson leads you on a festive journey

WED 22 DEC A relaxed screening of this ‘as live’ version of ‘The Nutcracker’ performed by The Royal Ballet. Relaxed screenings are suitable for people with sensory issues

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Wiltshire

Mother Goose, The Athenaeum, Warminster, Thu 16-Fri 24 Dec

or additional needs: house lights will be left on and audience members are free to come and go as they please.

2pm, £16

Wyvern Theatre

Theatre Sq, Swindon SN1 1QN, 0343 310 0040, swindontheatres.co.uk

23 Oct A Tribute to Ariana Grande & Jojo Siwa

Tribute show to the two poptastic stars rescheduled from May 2020, Feb 2021, April 2021 and July 2021 - but this time it looks set to go ahead! Performance at 2.30pm. Tickets £17.50.

Wed 24-Sat 27 Nov Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain

The Horrible Histories crew return

with a show packed full of barmy tales about dead famous Brits from Boudicca to Henry VIII, Dick Turpin to Queen Victoria. Performances 7pm plus matinees (matinee times vary - see website). Tickets £20-£24, £72 (family of four).

Sat 4 Dec-Sun 2 Jan Jack and the Beanstalk

The Wyvern promises a truly giant pantomime adventure as Jack trades the family cow for some beans, to fight and outwit his evil foe, winning riches beyond his wildest dreams. TV dance star Louie Spence heads up the cast of this show promising laughs, music, special effects, magic beans and bundles of audience participation. Performance times vary - check website.

Tickets from £18 (adult)/£8 (child).

Professional local tuition, in-centre and online • • • • • • •

Build your child’s skills and confidence Maths, English, GCSE and 11+ tuition to Salisbury children Excellent success rate with exams Sensible covid protocols Open for 18 years Worked with over 1,700 children Initial free assessment

Bas Brown Kip McGrath Salisbury T: 01722 332200 E: salisburyeast@ kipmcgrath.co.uk

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year

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OCTOBER HALF TERM 2021 07

UNDERSTANDING DISABILITY WITH

ROSIE JONES

Primary Times talks to the comedian about her debut children’s book, inspired by her own childhood, when she navigated school life with a disability Rosie Jones is a British stand-up comedian, actor and scriptwriter who has written for multiple TV panel shows and sitcoms. Her children’s fiction book ‘The Amazing Edie Eckhart’ is inspired by her own experiences of growing up with cerebral palsy (CP). In the UK, about 150 children are diagnosed with CP every month, according to disability charity Scope, and 17 million people worldwide live with the condition. Here she explains the importance of depicting disability in books.

WHAT WAS IT LIKE FOR YOU GROWING UP WITH CP? I have CP because my brain was starved of oxygen at birth, so I’ve always been disabled, and I’ve never known what it’s like to not have CP. I have always seen the positives in life, so rather than focusing on what I couldn’t do (e.g. talking quickly,

running, playing hopscotch!) I focused on the things I could do (e.g. eating everything in sight, reading tonnes of books, making loads of friends!) I never, ever felt like I was missing out just because I was disabled.

WHAT WAS YOUR INSPIRATION FOR THE CHARACTER OF EDIE ECKHART? I really wanted to write a children’s book where the main character had a disability because when I was little, growing up in the ‘90s, I never saw anybody like me depicted in books, or in the media.

I think it’s extremely important to represent disability in children’s books because it not only tells disabled children that their story is valid and worth telling, it also educates able-bodied children about disability.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE CHILDREN CAN TAKE AWAY AFTER READING YOUR BOOK? That people with disabilities are brilliant, funny, challenging, flawed, courageous, stubborn, diverse and unique… just like everybody else!

And that we absolutely deserve to be the hero of the story. I hope they enjoy getting to know all about Edie and her world. I certainly wish I’d had her in my life when I was a little girl. I hope that she inspires readers to live their own lives “the Edie way” without the fear of your differences holding you back.

WERE THERE ANY CHALLENGES YOU FACED IN THE WRITING OF ‘THE AMAZING EDIE ECKHART’?

Good question! I had plenty of time on my hands because I started writing in lockdown.

I felt the importance of doing Edie justice.

She’s my character, my creation, and I love her. Growing up, everybody wanted to be an astronaut, a princess or a gladiator (it was the ‘90s and everybody was obsessed with the television show ‘Gladiators’). Except me.

I wanted to be a children’s author. Today, I’m lucky enough to now be a comedian, actor and a writer. But I never forgot my true, original dream and deep down I am still just that little girl wanting to be the next Jacqueline Wilson.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO HELP ANY CHILD GROWING UP WITH A DISABILITY? I hope this book has a positive impact on how society views disability. I hope it makes people more open and accepting of diversities, and I hope it teaches children that it doesn’t matter how you walk, or who you love. As long as you’re a good person and you’re true to yourself, you’re winning at life! Don’t apologise for being you. Don’t try to change for anybody else. Be you and be proud of it.

‘The Amazing Edie Eckhart’ by Rosie Jones, illustrated by Natalie Smillie, is published by Hachette Children’s Group, £6.99, and available from high street and online retailers.

08 OCTOBER HALF TERM 2021

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THU 21SUN 31 OCT

CHOLDERTON “SCARE BREEDS” FARM Cholderton Rare Breeds Farm, Amesbury Rd, Cholderton, Salisbury SP4 0EW, www. choldertonrarebreedsfarm.com There’s spooky fun at the temporarily renamed “Scare Breeds” Farm this Halloween half term with a new interactive trail to try. See if you can find all the freaky friends hidden around the farm. 10am-5pm, all tickets £8.50.

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UNTIL MON 1 NOV SPOOKY PUMPKIN TRAIL Corinium Museum, Park St, Cirencester GL7 2BX, www. coriniummuseum.org Ten spooky pumpkins are hidden in the galleries, can you find them? Take part in the spooky trail around the museum, discover interesting historical facts about Halloween traditions and rituals, and why we dress up today! 10am-5pm, included in standard admission prices.

FRI 1-SUN 31 OCT WITCHES BREW HALLOWEEN TRAIL Hope Nature Centre, Frome Rd, Southwick, Trowbridge BA14 9QD, www.hopenaturecentre.org.uk Help the resident Witch find her missing potion ingredients. Once you’ve found them all, she might give you a treat for all your help. Keep your eyes open - the ingredients could be anywhere. 9am4.30pm. Book online via website.

SAT 23-SUN 31 OCT THE WIZARDS OF ONCE HALLOWEEN QUEST TWO VENUES: Old Sarum, Castle Road, Salisbury, SP1 3SD, www. english-heritage.org.uk/visit/ places/old-sarum AND Stonehenge, Near Amesbury, SP4 7DE, www. english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/ stonehenge/ Head to Old Sarum or Stonehenge for a brand-new adventure trail inspired by Cressida Cowell’s bestselling ‘Wizards of Once’ series. Will you find the ingredients for the spell to get rid of witches and uncover the location of the Cup of Second Chances? Get along in fancy dress for the chance to win a prize. 10am-5pm (Old Sarum)/9.30am-5pm (Stonehenge), included in standard admission prices at both locations.

MON 25-SUN 31 OCT MARLBOROUGH DARK SKIES FEST Various venues, Marlborough, thelittleboxoffice.com/mdsf Celebrate the wonders of the night sky with Marlborough’s first Dark Skies Festival. Expect a jam-packed programme of more than 40 events, including arts and crafts, talks, art installations, stargazing and more. We’ve included some of the best events for children and families, look out for listings marked MDSF. Various prices and times, see website for details.

MUSEUM OF THE MOON (MDSF) St Michael and All Angels Chapel (entrance via main gate to Marlborough College), A4/ Bath Rd, Marlborough SN8 1PA, thelittleboxoffice.com/mdsf An opportunity to get up close to the moon. Experience this incredible sevenmetre inflated moon hanging in the chapel at Marlborough college. The installation is a fusion of lunar imagery, moonlight and surroundsound created by UK artist Luke Jerram and award-winning composer Dan Jones. Various times, free but booking essential, see website for details.

TUE 26 OCT MINI MOSAICS Corinium Museum, Park St, Cirencester GL7 2BX, www.coriniummuseum.org Look for inspiration in the museum’s Roman mosaic collection and then create a mosaic tile to take home using colourful, safe glass tiles. All materials and instruction provided.

10.30am-12pm, £15-£18.

TUE 26 OCT IN PRINT CONDITION Salisbury Museum, The Kings House, 65 The Close, Salisbury SP1 2EN, www.salisburymuseum.org.uk A Discovery Day family workshop exploring poly board printing, inspired by the British Wood Engravers exhibition and the landscapes of Wiltshire wood engraver, Howard Phipps. Learn printing techniques and make your own eyecatching artwork to take home. 10am4pm, included in standard admission prices.

FRI 29-SUN 31 OCT TRICK OR TREAT FUN DAYS Hope Nature Centre, Frome Rd, Southwick, Trowbridge BA14 9QD, www.hopenaturecentre.org.uk Halloween-themed fun with activities including animal petting and ‘meet and greets’, fancy dress competitions with prizes, pumpkin carving (please pre-book) and Witches Brew Halloween Trail. 9am-4pm, included in standard admission prices/£3.50 per pumpkin.

SAT 30 OCT HALLOWEEN ACTION DAY Castle Combe Circuit, Castle Combe, Chippenham SN14 7EY, castlecombecircuit.co.uk Expect a spooky send off to the show season, with track action, paddock displays, drifting demos and a bustling trade village. Adult tickets from £20/ under-17s free.

ROCKETS AND ROVERS (MDSF) St Mary’s Church Hall, Silverless

WED 20-SUN 31 OCT HALLOWEEN AT ROVES FARM Roves Farm, Sevenhampton, Swindon SN6 7QG, www.rovesfarm.co.uk Visit the Pumpkin Barn to choose the perfect pumpkin, then get creative carving your designs. Even better there’ll be no mess to clean up at home!

9am-5pm, standard admission prices apply, small extra charge for pumpkin carving.

THU 21-SUN 31 OCT BOWOOD’S AUTUMN ADVENTURE Bowood House, Old Rd, Derry Hill, Calne SN11 0LZ, www.bowood.org Explore the Arboretum this half term with the return of Bowood’s popular autumn trail. 11am-6pm, included in standard admission prices. primarytimes.co.uk/wiltshire

MON 25-WED 27 OCT ARTS AWARD AT CROFTON Crofton Beam Engines, Crofton, Marlborough SN8 3DW, www. croftonbeamengines.org Crofton Beam Engines are offering children between the ages of 7 and 11 the opportunity to take part in Arts Award Explore. The course enables children and young people to develop creative and critical skills by exploring the arts and gaining a recognised qualification. Applications to join the course close 8 Oct. 10am-2pm (on site Mon and Wed, online on Tues), £40 per child.

Christmas Lights return to Longleat Sat 6 Nov-Mon 3 Jan

OCTOBER HALF TERM 2021 09

Wiltshire

St, Marlborough SN8 1JQ, thelittleboxoffice.com/mdsf How do you get a robot buggy from Earth to the surface of Mars in one piece? Join Simon Holbeche of Bath Astronomers as he sets out to explore each of the challenges involved and gives you the opportunity to create your own solutions and try them out. 10.30am12.30pm, free.

Sutton Benger Village Hall charity. 5-7.30pm, prices TBC.

Fireworks are back! Look out for the Benger Blaze, Sat 6 Nov.

CURIOUS KIDS: HORSES Wiltshire Museum, 41 Long St, Devizes SN10 1NS, www.wiltshiremuseum. org.uk Make connections with objects around the museum, delve into the past and have fun learning together. Expect stories, sounds and games, plus the chance to make something to take home. Suitable for ages 2 to 5. 10.15am, £4 per child.

FAMILY HALLOWEEN PARTY Cholderton Rare Breeds Farm, Amesbury Rd, Cholderton, Salisbury SP4 0EW, www.choldertonrarebreedsfarm.com Join award-winning entertainer Disco Dion for Halloween games, dancing, drinks and food. Full fancy dress essential. 7-11pm, all tickets £7.

SPIN ART (MDSF) Youth and Community Centre, St Margaret’s Mead, Marlborough SN8 4BA, thelittleboxoffice.com/mdsf Fun art for families with professional artists from No Added Sugar. Drop in and use a spin machine to make your very own unique stars to take home. 10am4pm, free.

STARRY NIGHT WORKSHOP (MDSF) Youth and Community Centre, St Margaret’s Mead, Marlborough SN8 4BA, thelittleboxoffice.com/mdsf Fun art for children with professional artists from No Added Sugar. Come along and take part in creating two large collaborative Starry Night paintings that will later be on public display. 10-4pm, free but please pre-book a slot in advance.

BLAST OFF! (MDSF) Marlborough Town Hall Council Chamber, High St, Marlborough SN8 1AA, thelittleboxoffice.com/mdsf Join Jo from the Space Detectives and learn more about space and space exploration. Expect fun activities and AR (augmented reality) in the form of a downloadable free app that can be used with Space Detective resources to present 3D images in the room. 10am, 11.30am and 1pm, free but must be booked in advance.

MINI CHEFS: HALLOWEEN Vaughan’s Cookery School, Unit 8, White Horse Business Centre, Hopton Industrial Estate, Devizes SN10 2HJ, www.vaughanskitchen.co.uk Learn how to make stuffed spooky carved peppers and pumpkin muffins in a special Halloween-themed Mini Chefs session. Suitable for children aged 6 to 10. 10.30am-12.30pm, £30 per child.

10 OCTOBER HALF TERM 2021

SAT 6 NOV-MON 3 JAN

YOUNG CHEFS: HALLOWEEN Vaughan’s Cookery School, Unit 8, White Horse Business Centre, Hopton Industrial Estate, Devizes SN10 2HJ, www.vaughanskitchen.co.uk Learn how to make a spooky three-course meal of pumpkin soup, ‘eyeball’ spaghetti and a quick pumpkin cheesecake while developing valuable cooking skills along the way. Suitable for children aged 11 to 16. 2-4pm, £30 per child.

SAT 30-SUN 31 OCT I SEE THE MOON AND THE MOON SEES ME (MDSF) St Michael & All Angels Chapel, via Marlborough College, SN8 1PA, thelittleboxoffice.com/mdsf Join storyteller Roger Day to learn about moon-related myths and legends, both home-grown and from all over the world.

Would you like your event listed in WOW? Email: mike.gartside@ primarytimes. co.uk Deadline for our Christmas edition: MONDAY 1 NOVEMBER

1.15 and 2.15pm on both days, £1 per child, booking essential.

SUN 31 OCT MAKE ME AN ASTRONAUT (MDSF) St Mary’s Church Hall, Silverless St, Marlborough SN8 1JQ, thelittleboxoffice. com/mdsf Ever wanted to know what it takes to become an astronaut? Join the team from the Space Detectives to discover the skills and abilities required to do just that. Test yourself on teamwork, communication, reaction times and being calm under pressure. Are you made of the ‘Right Stuff?’

10 and 11.30am, free but booking essential.

IN THE NIGHT SKY (MDSF) St Mary’s Church Hall, Silverless St, Marlborough SN8 1JQ, thelittleboxoffice. com/mdsf Become a Dark Sky Ranger with the Space Detectives and find out just how important it is to care for our dark skies. Discover star patterns and their related stories and make your own edible creations. 1 and 2.30pm, free but booking essential.

SAT 6 NOV BENGER BLAZE Sutton Benger Recreational Ground and Village Hall, Chestnut Rd, Sutton Benger, Chippenham SN15 4RP, facebook.com (search Benger Blaze) This annual event has been running for more than 10 years so you can expect another spectacular professional firework display with a large bonfire, real ales, mulled wine and BBQ food this time. Plus children’s entertainment, free face painting and balloon modelling. All proceeds donated to

CHRISTMAS AT LONGLEAT Longleat Safari Park, Warminster BA12 7NW, www.longleat.co.uk Expect another spectacular lights display at Longleat as the safari park is transformed for the Christmas season. Discover the tunnel of light and sound, musical display, hedge maze, Wonderland Walk and more than 100 illuminated Christmas trees. Plus storytelling, carols and a ride on the Santa Train to see Father Christmas. See website for ticket prices and times.

SUN 7 NOV FOX AND HOUNDS FIREWORKS The Fox and Hounds, Markham Rd, Wroughton SN4 9JT, foxandhoundswroughton.co.uk/ whats_on After a break last year, The Fox and Hounds say they are “back and better than ever” and promise an epic firework display, BBQ, bar and funfair for the whole family. 3-9pm, £8.50(adult)/£7 (child).

TUE 16 NOV ROCK THE TOTS Trowbridge Town Hall, Market St, Trowbridge BA14 8EQ, www. trowbridgetownhall.com Monthly music event for little people (and their grown-ups). Expect a different fun theme each month with a live guitarist performing upbeat covers, plus puppets, percussion and more. Suitable for under-5s.

10.30-11.30am, £4 per session (discounts for siblings).

SAT 20 NOV-FRI 24 DEC CHRISTMAS AT HOPE NATURE CENTRE Hope Nature Centre, Frome Rd, Southwick, Trowbridge BA14 9QD, www.hopenaturecentre.org.uk Hop aboard the Snowflake Express and enjoy a ride around Animal Park, spotting the resident animals. After your journey, you can wander along the magical primarytimes.co.uk/wiltshire

Wiltshire

palmiers, pear and cranberry sauce, chocolate truffles and spiced Christmas biscotti. 2-4pm, £30 per child.

children to make some unique, festive paper to take home. Suitable for ages 4 to 7. Sessions at 10.15am, 11.30am and 12.45pm, £2 per child.

SAT 27 NOV-SUN 19 DEC

Tell them you saw it here!

Woodland Walk of twinkling lights, have your very own ‘meet and greet’ with Santa and receive a special present. 9am-4.30pm, selected dates in Nov and Dec, see website for full details and to book tickets.

SANTA SPECIALS Swindon Cricklade Railway, Blunsdon Station, Tadpole Lane, Swindon SN25 2DA, swindon-cricklade-railway.org Climb aboard and bring children to meet Santa in his grotto where every child will receive an age-appropriate gift. Santa Specials every Sat and Sun between selected dates. See website for ticket prices and times.

FRI 25 NOV-SUN 2 JAN CHRISTMAS AT STOURHEAD Stourhead, Nr Mere BA12 6SH, www. nationaltrust.org.uk/stourhead Expect more than a million lights, lasers and seasonal sounds as Christmas comes to Stourhead. Discover sparkling tunnels of light, illuminated trees, flickering flames in the fire garden, larger-than-life illuminations and a glimpse of Father Christmas along the way. Plus plenty of tasty treats and warming drinks from independent food vendors.

Selected dates, from 4.30pm, see website for dates and ticket prices.

FRI 26-SAT 27 NOV WINTER FESTIVAL Various venues, Devizes, www. docadevizes.org.uk/winter-festiva/ Details are still being finalised at the time of going to press, but expect outdoor stalls, the Devizes Lantern Parade and magical outdoor galleries to showcase the work of the local community. Check website for more info.

SAT 27 NOV-THU 23 DEC CHRISTMAS AT ROVES FARM Roves Farm, Sevenhampton, Swindon SN6 7QG, www.rovesfarm. co.uk Follow the twinkling lights through the trees and make your way to the grotto for festive fun on the farm. 9am-5pm, see website for tickets.

SAT 27 NOV-SUN 2 JAN CHRISTMAS ADVENTURE QUEST AT STONEHENGE Stonehenge, Nr Amesbury SP4 7DE, www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/ places/stonehenge Explore Stonehenge with this year’s festive family-friendly adventure quest.

Follow the trail, find the clues and discover the amazing stories and secrets of the stones. 9.30am-5pm, see website for ticket booking and prices.

SAT 4-SUN 5 DEC CHRISTMAS AT STEAM STEAM Museum, Fire Fly Ave, Swindon SN2 2TA, www.steammuseum.org.uk STEAM’s Christmas extravaganza returns this winter, promising a wonderland of more than 50 market stalls selling wooden toys, traditional games, jewellery, Christmas decorations and much more. 10am-5pm, £3.50 (adult)/£1(child).

SAT 4 DEC-MON 3 JAN PERCY’S WINTER WANDER TRAIL Dyrham Park, Dyrham, Chippenham SN14 8HY, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ dyrham-park Join Percy The Park Keeper and his animal friends on the Winter Wander Trail. Explore the grounds of Dyrham Park and see what hidden treasures you can spot. 10am-3pm, £2 per trail.

SAT 11 DEC TIZ THE SEASON High St, Salisbury SP3 6LD, www.tisbury. co.uk Expect more than 40 food and craft stalls, a visit from Father Christmas, carol singing and the Christmas lights switch-on at Tisbury’s annual Christmas fair. 12-5.50pm, free.

TUE 14 DEC ROCK THE TOTS Trowbridge Town Hall, Market St, Trowbridge BA14 8EQ, www. trowbridgetownhall.com Monthly music event for little people (and their grown-ups). Expect a different fun theme each month with a live guitarist performing upbeat covers, plus puppets, percussion and more.

Suitable for under-5s. 10.30-11.30am, £4 per session (discounts for siblings).

SAT 18 DEC FESTIVE SATURDAY STORYTIME Salisbury Arts Centre Cafe, Bedwin St, Salisbury SP1 3UT, www.wiltshirecreative. co.uk Join storyteller Iona Johnson as she takes you on a festive journey. Suitable for ages 3 to 6.

10.30-11.15am, £2 per child.

SAT 19-SUN 27 FEB HALF TERM EXPLORER QUEST AT STONEHENGE Stonehenge, Nr Amesbury SP4 7DE, www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/ places/stonehenge With spring just around the corner, get out and about during February half term on this brand new explorer quest. Track down the clues and solve the puzzles as you follow the family trail around Stonehenge. 9.30am-5pm, see website for ticket booking and prices.

Santa Specials are coming to Swindon Cricklade Railway, Sat 27 Nov-Sun 19 Dec

SAT 4 DEC SAT 27 NOV MINI CHEFS: CHRISTMAS GOODIES Vaughan’s Cookery School, Unit 8, White Horse Business Centre, Hopton Industrial Estate, Devizes SN10 2HJ, www. vaughanskitchen.co.uk Make some delicious treats to take home or even give as a Christmas gift. Children can develop valuable cookery skills and learn how to make cheese and herb biscotti, mince pie biscuits and chocolate truffles. 10.30am12.30pm, £30 per child.

YOUNG CHEFS: CHRISTMAS GOODIES Vaughan’s Cookery School, Unit 8, White Horse Business Centre, Hopton Industrial Estate, Devizes SN10 2HJ, www. vaughanskitchen.co.uk Develop valuable cookery skills while learning how to make a range of delicious festive goodies. In this session, children will make red pepper, walnut and goat’s cheese primarytimes.co.uk/wiltshire

CURIOUS KIDS: TOYS AND GAMES Wiltshire Museum, 41 Long St, Devizes SN10 1NS, www. wiltshiremuseum.org.uk Make connections with objects around the museum, delve into the past and have fun learning together. Expect stories, sounds and games, plus the chance to make something to take home.

Suitable for ages 2 to 5. 10.15am, £4 per child.

SAT 4 DEC CHRISTMAS WRAPPING PAPER FESTIVE WORKSHOP WITH WILTSHIRE SCRAPSTORE Salisbury Arts Centre Cafe, Bedwin St, Salisbury SP1 3UT, www. wiltshirecreative.co.uk Join the Wiltshire Scrapstore Team for a festive craft session. A chance for OCTOBER HALF TERM 2021 11

Wiltshire Advertising features

CORKBOARD Building skills and confidence

Kip McGrath Tutors in Salisbury offers professional Maths, English, 11+ and GCSE tuition to any local child aged 6 to 16. The centre has been open for 18 years now and has had over 1,700 children through its doors. It has a sensible Covid protocol in place and is fully open for tuition, both in-centre and live online.

Kip McGrath’s success rate at 11+ and GCSE is excellent at around 80%, but its core work is to fill skills and confidence gaps for children who need a boost, especially after recent school closures and lockdowns. It does this by using an initial free assessment, to assess each child’s needs, giving parents a chance to see what they can offer before signing up.

Ffi: contact Bas Brown, Kip McGrath Salisbury T: 01722 332200 E: salisburyeast@ kipmcgrath.co.uk

Become a reading champion

Christmas crackers

Children’s theatre is back at Wyvern Theatre, Swindon, with Horrible Histories’ ‘Barmy Britain’ (24-27 Nov). Combining live action with 3D special effects, it brings you battling Boudicca, horrible Henry VIII, gunpowder Guy and many others who made British history truly barmy.

It’s followed by the festive panto ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ (4 Dec-2 Jan), in which Jack upsets his mum by selling their trusty cow for a handful of beans, only to climb a gigantic beanstalk to discover a fearsome giant and riches beyond his wildest dreams. Expect laughter, music, special effects, oodles of audience participation and pirouettes aplenty from dance and TV star Louie Spence and Millie O’Connell (pictured).

Wyvern Theatre W: swindontheatres.co.uk

Road aware

Fans of ‘Beauty and the Highway safety charity Beast’ will love the Brake hosts Road latest Reading Champions Safety Week from Mon Challenge from the National 15-Sun 21 November, Literacy Trust. It has teamed promising a wealth of up with Disney and invited schools to bring the age-old fairy tale to life in their classrooms, explore how its themes and characters connect with modern stories and create a wall display based on children’s work.

Schools can send photos of their display to a national competition for a chance to win copies of ‘Beauty and the Beast’, branded stationery sets and a tote bag for the teacher. The challenge is designed for pupils aged 7 to 14 and offers a full set of resources.

Entry deadline is Fri 12 November.

National Literacy Trust W: literacytrust.org.uk/competitions/ beautyandthebeast

12 OCTOBER HALF TERM 2021

A future in health?

Have you ever wanted to know what it’s really like to be a doctor, a nurse or do any of the hundreds of jobs in the NHS? A new campaign, Step into the NHS, offers primary pupils the chance to learn just that.

Its resources for Key Stage 2 include worksheets, quizzes and lesson plans that enable children to explore what they’re good at and what they want to be when they grow up.

The project’s website also has real-life stories showing what working in the health service is like, and information on more than 350 careers. Resources are now available and the deadline for the competition is Sat 30 Apr. Step into the NHS W: www. stepintothenhs.nhs.uk/primaryschools

Parents’ and teachers’ news, resources and contacts Kind beats cruel

Kindness is at the heart of this year’s Anti-Bullying Week. With the theme One Kind Word, it runs from Monday 15 to Friday 19 November and launches with Odd Socks Day, the chance for everyone to celebrate what makes us all unique by wearing your finest pair of odd socks. Schools can download free teaching resources and themed assemblies geared to different Key Stages and the whole week is supported by CBBC and CBeebies star Andy Day - whose band Andy and the Odd Socks release a specially recorded song for the campaign. “The isolation of the last year has underlined how little acts of consideration can break down barriers and brighten lives,” says the campaign.

Anti-Bullying Week W: antibullyingalliance.org.uk/antibullying-week

Putting road safety first

Schools taking part in this year’s Road Safety Week will be participating in a truly global event, with similar projects in countries from Australia to Argentina, Botswana to Mexico, and Nigeria to the USA. Organised in the UK by road safety charity Brake, this year’s week runs from Mon 15 to Sun 21 November when schools will play a key role in explaining to children how we can use our roads safely.

Brake suggests in-school activities including lessons using its road safety teaching guide and lesson ideas and road safety assemblies with speakers from local police, fire service or health agencies.

Road Safety Week W: www. roadsafetyweek.org

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Wiltshire

Advertising feature

BOOK SHELF

Robbery Galore!

Ellen White finds this month’s books have something of a thieving theme.

Sleep uneasy T he authors behind the bestselling Kid Normal series bring us a brand new fantasy adventure, aimed at 10 to 13 year olds. ‘The Great Dream Robbery’ follows Maya Clayton, a not-so-typical 12 year old who can’t wait to go to bed early!

Her dreams are the only chance

llamas, unicorns and even a talking cat named Binbag, as Maya and the Dream Bandits race to save the Professor. Nguyen’s illustrations add an extra layer of fun, although it would have

she has to save her dad, the “brilliant but odd” Professor Dexter, after his dream device is hijacked, trapping him inside a nightmare. James and Smith clearly have a love of language, with a command of words (both nonsense and otherwise) that echo those of Roald Dahl.

The plot is fast-paced and fun, with plenty of ridiculous elements that are sure to appeal to

been nice if they were in colour, matching the vibrant front cover.

There’s so much humour and fun to be had that any fans of ‘Kid Normal’ can expect plenty of similar laugh-out-loud antics in a tale perfectly poised to become the start of a new series.

the target audience. Expect to meet penguins, banana-loving

Puffin Books, www.penguin. co.uk/puffin

The Great Dream Robbery Greg James and Chris Smith, illustrated by Amy Nguyen, £12.99,

Thriller on the roof

G

loucestershire author J.M.Forster returns with a follow-up to her award-winning debut ‘Shadow Jumper’, which has now sold over 90,000 copies worldwide. ‘Twilight Robbery’ continues the adventures of Jack, a boy with an allergy to sunlight, who finds solace exploring the rooftops at night. The roof has always been Jack’s safe place - or so he thought - but when he finds a package hidden among the chimney pots, he becomes the prime suspect for theft. Things only go from bad to worse when friend Fabien falls from the roof. Was it an accident?

Or something more sinister?

Fans of ‘Shadow Jumper’ can expect another exciting mystery

primarytimes.co.uk/wiltshire

adventure with twists, turns and red herrings to keep any reluctant readers engaged.

Suitable for ages 9 plus, Forster doesn’t shy away from heavier topics, including a tense visit to the hospital, but with language and a depth that’s age appropriate. Jack and Beth remain warm and likeable protagonists, which helps to ground the plot when the mystery really gets going.

Another gripping addition to the series!

Twilight Robbery J.M.Forster, £6.99, Scribblepad Press, www. jm-forster.com

Take the Snowflake Express to see Santa

A

re you ready for some festive fun? Enjoy a visit to Hope Nature Centre, near Trowbridge, this festive season, and experience their thrilling Christmas event from Sat 20 Nov to Sun 24 Dec! Hop aboard the Snowflake Express land train, and enjoy a ride around the Animal Park, spotting its resident animals. After your journey, wander through the magical Woodland Walk of twinkling lights before enjoying your very own “meet and greet”

with Santa himself.

Children receive a present from the great man, while parents enjoy a hot chocolate and mince pie from the Picnic Lodge. Tickets include entry to the Animal Park for the full day of your visit, so you can enjoy visiting the animals and the Adventure Play areas. Tickets are selling out fast, so buy yours via the website.

Hope Nature Centre W: www. hopenaturecentre.org.uk/christmas

Fantastically Fun Family Events

3-7 November 2021

TICKETS: stroudbookfestival.org.uk OCTOBER HALF TERM 2021 13

Wiltshire

FOR THE KIDS THEBUZZWORD

Petey’s Arty Party PAINT A PICTURE FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A

CHILDREN’S BOOK

P

S RE R E VIO US ARTY WINN

TOO HARD? Why not ask a grown-up for ideas?

Children under 7 will find the yellow clues easier.

28. Fashionable. (6) 29. To wander off. (5).

DOWN 1. These super-realistic three dimensional images, often recreated in glass or film, might well be put to scary use on 31 October. (9) 2. The sound of someone having fun (8) 3. A woman believed to posess magical abilities. (5) 4. New or revived (eg. ...-classical) (3) 6. Everyday or normal (8) 8. A terribly sad event. (7) 10. A container. (3) 12. Sunbathers hope to get one of these. (3).

14. A mistake. (5) 17. Power. (6) 19. Amphibian creatures. (5) 22. Light coloured or unhealthy looking. (4) 25. Belonging to us. (3) 26. Opposite of night. (3) 27. Pronoun for an object/thing (2)

If you’d like the chance to win a book from Petey’s nest, enter the next art competition on the subject:

Autumn animals Send in your entry as a high resolution image to mike.gartside@primarytimes.co.uk

by Friday 12 November.

Don’t forget to put Petey’s Arty Party in the subject line, include your name, age, school and home address so we can send you the prize. See primarytimes.co.uk/gloucestershire/tcs for competition terms and conditions.

3

4

2

NUMBER CRUNCHING How to play this mini-sudoko: fill the empty boxes with a number from 1 to 4. Each box, each row and each column contains all four numbers but the same number cannot appear twice in the same box, row or column.

14 OCTOBER HALF TERM 2021

1

Answers published on our Facebook page, @PrimaryTimesWiltshire, about three weeks @PrimaryTimesWiltshire after publication.

ACROSS 1. The night all the spooks and monsters come out, (9) 5. A word you might not like hearing your parents say. (2) 7 French for “and”. (2) 9. An insect known for stripping crops bare in one of the biblical plagues. (6) 10. You may be scared, you may be excited but you certainly won’t be experiencing this feeling when celebrating No. 1 Across. (5) 11. Originally one of the tribes who helped defeat the Roman empire, this word now describes someone who dresses up in dark clothes, perhaps similar to an outift you might wear during 1 Across. (4) 13. A six sided shape. (4) 15. A preposition indicating place. (20 16. Opposite of always. (5) 18. “Oh yes I am!” “Oh no you’re ...” (3) 20. What you might say if your parents say the opposite of 5 across. (3) 21. To drink delicately, (3) 23. Someone who saves the day or does something courageous.

(4) 24. Speaking to be heard. (5)

primarytimes.co.uk/wiltshire

INSPIRED SCIENCE

The success of scientists in slowing the spread of Covid-19 and reducing many of its most harmful consequences has shown exactly Scientifi c effand orts to prevent the deadly of Inspired Covid-19 worsening been a triumphant in medical what science knowlege can achieve whendisease it needs to. by from this, Primary Timeshave has put together three fascinating experiresearch and action.

From this inspiration, Primary Times have put together three fascinating experiments that ments which you can try out at home. Encourage your children to put on their lab coats and become the scientists of tomorrow.

can be done at home. Encourage your children to put on their lab coats and become the scientists of tomorrow.

2.

Make A Volcano

What you’ll need

1.

10ml of dish soap, 100ml of warm water, 400ml of white vinegar, food colouring, baking soda slurry (a cup of about ½ baking soda and ½ water), an empty 2L bottle.

Extract Your DNA

What you’ll need

A small, clean container (preferably a shot glass or test tube), dish soap, table salt, pineapple juice, cold alcohol (rubbing alcohol or over 100 proof), drinking straw, toothpick, saliva.

What to do

1. Spit into the container until it’s a quarter full of your saliva.

2. Add a few drops of dish soap, a tiny splash of pineapple juice, a pinch of salt and then mix the ingredients together.

3. Gently fill the rest of the container with the alcohol. It should sit in a layer on top of the mixture. To prevent the alcohol from mixing in, add it gradually with a drinking straw. Put the straw into the alcohol, cap it with your finger, hold the full straw over the container and release it on top.

4. Use the toothpick to pull out the cloudy, snot-like mixture that has formed in the container. This is your DNA!

What to do

1. Combine the vinegar, water, dish soap and 2 drops of food colouring into the empty bottle.

2. Use a spoon to mix the baking soda slurry until it is liquid.

3. Pour the baking soda slurry into the bottle and step back quickly. Now watch the volcano eruption!

Why this happens

A chemical reaction between vinegar and baking soda creates a gas called carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is the same gas used to make carbonation in fizzy drinks. When you shake up your fizzy drink this gas quickly tries to spread out but it is trapped inside the bottle. If you open the fizzy drink it escapes through the opening fast, causing a volcanic like eruption.

PETEY SAYS

“DON’T WITHODUO THIS ADULTT” AN

primarytimes.co.uk/wiltshire

What you’ll need

3 clear containers (cups or jars), water, food colouring, kitchen roll.

What to do

1. Line up three containers and fill the left and right containers with ¾ of water, leaving the middle container empty.

2. Add several drops of food colouring to the water. Any colour is fine but the most effect colours are two that combine to make a third – like yellow and blue which makes green.

3. Fold some kitchen roll four times lengthwise. Place one end of the folded kitchen roll in the left-side coloured water and the other end in the empty container. Repeat this step using another piece of folded kitchen roll and the right-side coloured water.

4. Let the containers sit for a few hours. You’ll soon see the kitchen roll acting like capillaries to move the water into the empty container!

Why this happens

Why this happens

Saliva contains cells from your mouth that have DNA inside them. The dish soap breaks open these cells in a process called “lysing”. The pineapple juice removes proteins that have spilled out from these cells.

The salt makes the DNA start clumping together in the cells. The cold alcohol allows the clumped DNA to create its visible, snot-like form for you to see.

3.

See A Capillary

Capillaries are very tiny blood vessels in your body that connects small artery branches to very small veins. They have thin walls that deliver nutrients, water and oxygen to the cells. Kitchen roll is able to pick up spills quickly, meaning it is a very porous material.

These pores in the kitchen roll act like capillaries to draw up water. The molecules in water are attracted to the walls of the capillaries and “stick” to them. This allows the water to “travel” along the capillaries, against gravity, to where it needs to go, in this case, into the empty jar.

Adult supervision is advised for all experiments.

OCTOBER HALF TERM 2021 15

BOOK NOW FOR THE DELICIOUSLY MAGICAL FAMILY TREAT AT SALISBURY PLAYHOUSE THIS CHRISTMAS

3 – 31 DECEMBER 2021 To book, visit wiltshirecreative.co.uk, pop in to Salisbury Arts Centre (Tue - Sat) or call 01722 320 333 (Tue - Sat, 10am - 2pm) A Wiltshire Creative production in the Main House at Salisbury Playhouse

16 OCTOBER HALF TERM 2021

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