Raring2go! Winter 2019 issue

KIDDERMINSTER & STOURBRIDGE

MAGAZINE & WEBSITE WINTER 2019

GO-TO GUIDE

YOU

YOUR CHILD

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Raring2go! WELCOME TO THE NEW YEAR

T: 01384 377536 E: kidderminster@raring2go.co.uk

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Raring2go! WHAT’S ON?

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Raring2go! WHAT’S ON?

What’s on?

5th January – 10th February Wild Winter Safari at West Midland Safari Park. Open weekends from 10am – 4pm.

Enjoy the four-mile self-drive Safari where you can see white rhinos, including the latest arrival, Granville, plus elephants, lions, tigers, African wild dogs, camels, zebras and more!

NB The Theme Park is closed for winter. www.wmsp.co.uk.

Saturday 12th January Family Fun Learning session at Kidderminster Library. 2nd Saturday of every month 10am – 12 noon (includes snack and drink). £60 per family for 12 sessions. This course is FREE if parent/carer is unemployed or earns less than £15,700 per year. Contact the Library to book. T: 01902 822722.

From 12th January, 11am and 2pm Code Club at Stourbridge Library Learn to make your own computer games at Stourbridge Library. Runs every Saturday.

Contact dudley.libraries@gll.org

Until 20th January Theatre: A Christmas Carol At the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford upon Avon. www.rsc.org.uk 25th January - 2nd February Theatre: Red Riding Hood Performed by the Monday Night Group at Stourport Civic Hall. T: 07593175776. www.mondaynightgroup.org Saturday 26th January, 10.30am - 12.30pm Mum2Mum Market: Nearly New Sale for baby, maternity and children’s items at Kinver High School. www.mum2mummarket.co.uk Saturday 26th January, 10.30am - 12pm Fossil Finds at Dudley Museum at the Archives. Free fun with fossils for children aged 5+ and their family. Booking required on 01384 812381. Tipton Road, DY1 4SQ. Until 27th January Theatre: Peter Pan At Birmingham Hippodrome, Hurst Street, Birmingham B5 4TB. T: 0844 338 5000. www.birminghamhippodrome.com

Sunday 13th January Claws, Wings & Things at Wyre Forest. Meet visiting expert to learn all about birds. Cost £1.50 per child. Parking charges apply. Wyre Forest Watch is the junior branch of Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, for children aged 8 – 13 years. Booking required via chris.doncaster@btinternet.com 16th – 26th January Theatre: The Snowman Celebrating 25 years of The Snowman live on stage at Birmingham REP theatre. When a young boy's snowman comes to life on Christmas Eve, the two set off on a night-time quest for adventure. www.birmingham-rep.co.uk Saturday 19th January, 1.30pm– 3.30pm Sticky Saturday at Red Cone, Wordsley.

Free ‘make and take ‘ craft session for children aged 4+ and their family. Drop in session.

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Raring2go! WHERE TO GO?

6 Indoor Venues for a Family Day Out fused-glass workshops and regular glass blowing demonstrations!

ThinkTank Birmingham - B4 7XG Enginuity Shropshire - TF8 7DX Enginuity is one of the 10 museums based at Ironbridge and is perfect for a wet and cold day. There are hands on activities for all ages with buttons to press and towers to build. Test your reactions against the speed of a robot, generate power from water or pull a locomotive by hand.

You should allow 1-2 hours for a visit to Enginuity. It’s only a short drive away to Blists Hill Victorian Town, so if you want to make a day of it you could visit both!

Red House Glass Cone, Wordsley - DY8 4AZ The Red Cone is a heritage site in Wordsley, with 225 years of glass history within its walls. It provides a great opportunity to teach children about Stourbridge’s history.

Free children's trails are run during each school holiday.

Children will also enjoy the

RAF Cosford Museum Staffordshire - WV7 3EX Explore the fascinating story of the RAF and of the thousands of ordinary Servicemen and women who have served in it.

RAF Cosford offers a full day out for the whole family.

Housed in wartime hangars and in the National Cold War Exhibition you will find a fantastic display of aircraft and exhibits. Entry is free and the museum is open daily from 10 am.

Thinktank is Birmingham's award-winning science museum housed at Millennium Point and offers ten galleries of historical artefacts, modern interactive displays and fantastic futuristic facts. You can explore everything from aircraft and steam engines to intestines and taste buds - and even emotional robots! Make sure you visit the 360 degree Resorts World digital Planetarium too!

Birmingham - B40 1PU Laser Quest Resorts World, Birmingham (near the NEC) offers more Stourbridge - DY8 4DG than just shopping. There are Whether you’re 7 or 77, you’ll family friendly restaurants, and love the adrenaline pumping entertainment options exhilaration of stalking your including Vortex Gaming. This opponents and unleashing a is a state of the art family searing volley of laser fire, so entertainment centre and it’s a nice family activity. home to immersive Virtual Each game is played out in the Reality gaming and a family Laser Quest labyrinth, with Virtual Reality simulator. catwalks, mazes, swirling fog, Vortex also has a great variety music and lights. of arcade games, from retro Enjoy 3 laser games for only £9 classics to modern games. on selected days during Half For even more Indoor ideas, Term with the K.A.O.S club.

NB all players must be at least visit raring2go.co.uk/articles/ 7 years old and 1.1m in height. placestogo

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Raring2go! PRE-SCHOOL

Fun for the Under 5s Find more ideas on the Raring2go! website

Discover Dance Brand new dance class for the 2-4 year olds. Held each Monday, at 1pm, during term time, at St Mary’s Church Hall, Oldswinford. Contact Clare at The Performance Hub for details.

T: 07944 334424.

Little Skippers 19th—22nd February, 10am. 45 minute boat ride followed by craft activities, with the theme ‘Wonderful Water’. Held at Dudley Canal & Tunnel Trust. £6.50 per ticket.

Book via www.dudleycanaltrust.org.uk

Balanceability New sessions run by RB Gym and Sport. Help your pre-schooler gain confidence riding a bike. Various dates. Book via www.rbgymandsport.co.uk

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Raring2go! CLUBS & CLASSES

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Raring2go! CLUBS AND CLASSES

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Raring2go! CLUBS AND CLASSES

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Raring2go! KEEP ACTIVE

Simple Changes for a Healthier You are doing. Taekwondo and dance are great for this because as you concentrate on trying to get your technique, your body is burning lots of calories. If you don’t know what you like, just try as many as you can. Have a look at the class in action before you join if you are nervous, and don’t be afraid to ask gym staff about what classes are like. If you love the class, you don’t notice the exercise.

6. Get a Training Buddy 1. Drink More Water Water is really good for us and most of us don’t drink enough. It will help to control your hunger as well has having many other benefits on the body.

2. Move Faster Exercise doesn’t have to be in the gym. By increasing the pace and energy of anything you are doing turns it into exercise. So, if you are walking the kids to school, cleaning the house, or doing the garden, speed it up. If you feel out of breath and a little sweaty then you are burning those calories!

3. Get a Diary App Having an awareness of what we eat is important, especially if you are a snacker.

There are hundreds of free phone apps on the market that will help you realise when, where and why the weight is sneaking on. Most people find just keeping a food diary massively impacts on what they eat.

4. Watch Your Treat Portions Grab bags and sharing packets are a killer. You open it with the aim of just having a few and then suddenly the treat fairies have emptied the whole bag! The only way to deal with this is to ration yourself. Don’t bring the whole bag out of the kitchen. Take a few. Put the bag away. Step away from the kitchen.

5. Find a Class You Enjoy The best way to exercise is when it doesn’t feel like exercise because you are enjoying what you

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A good training buddy has many of the perks of a personal trainer but not the fee! The commitment to meeting your friend makes you much less likely to back out of that session.

Between you and your friend you can keep each other on track. You don’t need to go to the gym, either. Go power walking, go swimming, get an exercise DVD to do together at home. There are so many options!

7. Search for Healthy Recipes There are now so many recipes out there that are fantastic and also low calorie. The trick is to find things that you like and can work into your weekly meal rotation. Meals like pizza, fish and chips, and curries can all be made in a much healthier way at home too. Eating right doesn’t have to be tasteless and bland.

8. Take a Picture Face up to the body that you have. If you are not happy then change it. Put the picture on your fridge, your phone, your wall or your wallet. Use it as a reminder of the change you want to make.

Author: Katie Billingham, Personal Training and 5th Dan instructor at Wyre Forest Taekwondo.

For the full article visit: raring2go.co.uk/ kidderminster-and-stourbridge/articles/ healthandbeauty

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Raring2go! KEEP ACTIVE

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Raring2go! HOLIDAY CLUBS

Action-packed, Ofsted registered childcare throughout the school holidays!

If you’re looking for school holiday ideas that keep your child active, enable them to make new friends, build confidence and learn new skills all while having lots of fun, then look no further! For children aged 4 -14, Aspire Active Camps is running a whole week of sports and activities this February half term.

Aspire’s number one aim is to ensure your child has fun. Safety is paramount and we go that extra mile as an Ofsted registered provider to give you peace of mind in knowing that your child is cared for in the best environment possible. All our child protection policies are in place and our coaches are suitably qualified in first aid and safeguarding to ensure your child’s safety at all times.

We provide fantastic early booking offers, in addition to discount offers and a loyalty scheme to our valued customers. As we are Ofsted registered you are also able to pay via childcare vouchers.

Our next camps are taking place from 18th – 22nd February at multiple locations across the Midlands.

Our camp at Hagley High School will be running

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Multi Sports Academy, Dance and Stage Beatz Academy and, for 12-14 year olds, Active Leaders.

A standard day at our Active Camps is 8am – 4pm, however, we also offer Xtra time which runs from 4pm – 6pm.

Competition For a chance to win a free week at Active Camps*, just answer the following question: Between what times does Xtra time run at Active Camps?

Head over to the Raring2go! website and find the Aspire competition in the Competitions menu. Register your answer there. *Free week at camp venue of choice. Bookings for standard times only. Xtra time packages available if required. Must be consecutive days

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Raring2go! HOLIDAY CLUBS

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Raring2go! PARTY TIME

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Raring2go! PARTY TIME

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Raring2go! WHERE TO GO?

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Raring2go! WHERE TO GO?

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Raring2go! WHAT’S ON?

What’s on?

Sunday 2nd February, 2pm or 3pm Glass Fusion: Rainbows theme. Glass craft at Red Cone in Wordsley. For ages 5+. £6 per child. Booking required. T: 01384 812381.

Thursday 7th February Harry Potter Book Night at Dudley Canal and Tunnel Trust. A free event for families (tickets will be available from the DCT website).

Visit facebook.com/DudleyCanalTrust Saturday 9th February, 10am—12pm Family Fun Learning session at Kidderminster Library. 2nd Saturday of every month. (includes snack and drink). Different theme each time. £60 per family for 12 sessions. This course is FREE if parent/carer is unemployed or earns less than £15,700 per year. Contact the Library to book. T: 01902 822722.

Until 10th February Your Brilliant Body at ThinkTank, Birmingham. Find out about what’s inside you: What are bodies made from? How do bodies work? What happens when things go wrong? www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/ thinktank Sunday 10th February, 10.30am - 12.30pm Mum2Mum Market: Nearly New Sale for baby, maternity and children’s items at Dudley Leisure Centre. www.mum2mummarket.co.uk Sunday 10th February Toy Collectors Fair at the NEC, Birmingham. Explore over 500 stalls packed with all kinds of collectable toys, trains and models for sale eg Star Wars, Doctor Who and Thunderbirds. Parking is free.

Tickets sold on the door. www.thenec.co.uk 16th - 24th February, 11am - 5.30pm Gingerbread Trail at Bodenham Arboretum, Wolverley. Follow the trail to find clues that lead you to the gingerbread homes! No need to book. For ages 5+. T: 01562 582444.

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16th - 24th February Astronomy Trail at Blists Hill, Ironbridge.

Follow the astronomers’ trail around the Town and have a go at making a space-themed piece of enamel jewellery in a drop-in workshop.

‘Planets and Space’ events that are taking place during Half Term. www.ironbridge.org.uk 16th - 24th February Half Term Trail and Crafts at Whitlenge Gardens and Tearooms, Hartlebury. For details call T: 01299 250720.

16th - 24th February Kids Go Free to Arley Arborteum Scavenger Trail and more. arleyarboretum.co.uk.

16th - 24th February Space Activities at Enginuity See the night sky and discover more about space in a pop-up planetarium at Enginuity, Coalbrookdale. Design and make your own space-themed model from craft materials to take home. www.ironbridge.org.uk 16th - 24th February Half Term Trail at Rays Farm, Bridgnorth.

Explorer Fairy Tale Forest and enjoy animal encounters. There’s an indoor play area to warm up in too. See Child Goes Free voucher on Page 19. www.raysfarm.com 19th and 21st February Glass Fusion: Bugs theme. Glass craft at Red Cone in Wordsley. For ages 5+. £6 per child.

Various time slots. Booking required. T: 01384 812381.

19th - 23rd February, 2pm - 4pm Children’s Activities at Mary Stevens Park, Stourbridge. Free-play and different sports and games. Suitable for school age children. FREE. Wednesday 20th February, 1.30pm - 3pm Clowning: Workshop at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford. Take inspiration from As You Like It’s clown, Touchstone, and discover how to get your audience belly laughing in a fun introductory workshop. www.rsc.org.uk 18th - 22nd February Climbing Activities at Wyre Forest Leisure Centre. For ages 4+. Drop off the kids at one of the open sessions and experienced instructors will guide them through their first steps climbing. T: 01562 515151.

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Raring2go! WHAT’S ON? 18th - 22nd February Active Holiday Camp at Hagley RC School, with Aspire Sports UK. Save 15% See special offer on page 12. T: 0121 663 1979 18th - 22nd February Half Term Activities at Webbs Garden Centre in West Hagley. To find out more visit www.webbs.co.uk/whats-on 18th - 22nd February Sports Camp at Peters Hill Primary School, Brierley Hill and Our Lady and St Kenelm’s in Halesowen, with RB Gym and Sports. See early booking offer on page 13.

T: 0121 695 1394.

18th - 22nd February K.A.O.S club at Laser Quest Enjoy 3 laser games for only £9 when you book online.

Mornings only. www.lasergames.co.uk 18th - 22nd February, 10am - 3pm Animation at the MAC, Birmingham.

Week long workshop for 6—11 year olds.

Make a short animated film using stop frame animation techniques. Create a storyboard, build characters and make them come alive! www.macbirmingham.co.uk 20th and 21st February Wilderness Explorers from The World Outside. Forest fun at Bodenham Arboretum, Wolverley. Campfire cooking, den building, story telling and more. 2 hour session for 5– 11 year olds. Morning and afternoon sessions available, PLUS Under 5s session on Friday 22nd February at 10am and 11.30am. Book via www.the-worldoutside.co.uk 19th - 22nd February Children’s Craft & Stories at Avoncroft Museum, near Bromsgrove. Explore the historic buildings and grounds and take part in hands-on activities. No need to book. www.avoncroft.org.uk.

Saturday 23rd February Fossil Finds at Dudley Museum at the Archives at 10.30am for children aged 5+ and their families. Gorgeous Gemstones at 2pm for ages 8+ and their families. Free events.

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Raring2go! WHERE TO GO?

What’s on?

Saturday 2nd March, 2pm or 3pm Glass Fusion: Spring Sheep Glass craft at Red Cone in Wordsley. For ages 5+. £6 per child. Booking required. T: 01384 812381.

Sunday 10th March, 8am—10am

Bird Bracelets at the Wyre Forest Get up close and personal with birds at a bird ringing demonstration. Hot drinks provided (bring your own mug). Cost £1.50 per child.

Parking charges apply. Wyre Forest Watch is the junior branch of Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, for children aged 8 – 13 years. Booking required via chris.doncaster@btinternet.com 13th - 16th March

The Big Bang Fair at NEC Birmingham Aimed to show young people (primarily aged 7 – 19) the opportunities in science and engineering by bringing classroom learning to life. Tickets are FREE. Register at thebigbangfair.co.uk

Sunday 24th March, 10.30am Family Reading Group At Stourbridge Library. This week’s theme is Dinosaurs! Contact dudley.libraries@gll.org Saturday 30th March, 10.30am - 12.30pm Mum2Mum Market: Nearly New Sale for baby, maternity and children’s items.

At Gilt Edge Social Club, Kidderminster. www.mum2mummarket.co.uk Sunday 31st March Mothering Sunday Visit the Raring2go! website for ideas on family days out with mum!

The Spring issue of Raring2go! will be full of ideas for the Easter and May school holidays! 16,000 copies will be delivered to families in March. Call Sally on 01384 377536 to book space.

Until 15th March

Free 2-Week Trial with maths and English tutors. Kumon. Find out more at the Open Days on 2nd and 9th March at Kingswinford Study Centre and Stourbridge Study Centre.

See page 9. www.kumon.co.uk Until 23rd March Theatre: Cat in the Hat At Birmingham REP. Based on the much-loved book by Dr Seuss that has captivated generations of readers. www.birmingham-rep.co.uk WIN TICKETS ON PAGE 26!

23rd - 24th March

Comic Con, NEC Birmingham If your child loves comics, movies and sci-fi, collectables and games, this is the place to be! Children under 10 are free. NB Sunday is the quieter day so better for younger children. Register at www.mcmcomiccon.com/ birmingham

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Raring2go! WHAT’S ON THIS SPRING?

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Raring2go! WHAT’S ON THIS SPRING?

perfect first theatre trip for pre-schoolers and their families.

Cirque Berserk! is back by popular demand and visits in February for a halfterm treat. Britain’s biggest theatre circus brings with it, acrobats, aerialists, dancers, daredevil stuntmen and the legendary ‘Globe of Death’!

Dr. Seuss’ The Cat In The Hat has captivated readers for years and is now making the leap from page to stage, bringing feline frivolity to The REP from 26th February – 3rd March. It’s full of infectious humour that all the family can enjoy.

Bing Live! takes to the stage on 6th – 7th April for his first ever stage show.

Now in its tenth year, In The Night Garden Live, is one of the UK’s favourite family events. Iggle Piggle, Upsy Daisy, Makka Pakka and friends are beautifully brought to life with full-sized characters, magical puppets and enchanting music.

Catch them from 31st July – 4th August.

The REP’s popular First Stages shows are especially designed to introduce children to the delights of theatre and the 2019 season welcomes the interactive Uncle’s Story Shop, the beautiful Little Gift and the magical Muckers.

Full of fun, laughter and music, it’s the 25

Raring2go! COMPETITIONS

A Child’s Sit-On Car!

Tickets to Cat In The Hat!

Tickets to All Things Wild!

Congratulations to the WINNERS of our Autumn Competitions: Paul Frase: Dudley Building Society

Jackie Hickenbottom: Webbs Circus Tickets

Ruth Harrison: Odeon Cinema Tickets

Ian Boyle: Aspire Holiday Camp

Lisa Tuffy: Ironbridge Christmas Event Emma Holness: Scallywags Grotto Tickets

Jo Parsons and David Hayes: NEC Christmas Fair

Rachel Nock Let’s Rock Shrewsbury Tickets

Competitions can be entered via the Raring2go website, simply by registering for free with the site. The winner(s) will be the first correct entry drawn at random.

No cash alternative to prize. The winner will be notified by email or by phone. Full terms and conditions are available online at www.raring2go.co.uk/competitionsterms. Please also see our Privacy Policy at raring2go.co.uk/privacy

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Raring2go! COMPETITIONS

Tickets to see Dear Zoo!

Tickets to Dudley Zoo!

Closing date 22nd March 2019. Full terms and conditions online.

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Raring2go! CHILDCARE

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Raring2go! VOUCHERS

Adult Entry £10 off!into

2 FREE Dance Lessons With The Performance Hub, Oldswinford

A sports birthday Ironbridge party with Active Adventurers

T: 07944334424

T: 07790278031

Museum

For new pupils only.

Not to be used with any other offer. Photocopies not accepted.

Valid until 31 Dec 08

£10 off!

1 Free Ski Lesson when

A hosted birthday party at Laser Quest

you book a block of lessons.

T: 01384 443939 Not to be used with any other offer. Photocopies not accepted.

at Wolverley CE Secondary School lasergames.co.uk

A football or zorbing party at Sixes, Kingswinford

with TAGB Wyre Forest Taekwondo

T: 01384 401407

£10 off!

A birthday party with Angie’s Animal Antics.

T: 0845 4309281

Quote RARE2GO. One use per person. New customers only Ts & Cs apply. Valid until 31/03/19

One month of free training

£10 off

Valid for bookings made before 31/03/19 Not valid with any other offer.

T: 01562 859800

T: 07855 293088 www.sixesfootball.co.uk DY6 7JU

Valid until 31/03/19 New students only and up to 3 guests.

Ts and Cs apply.

Kids Play for £2 each at Scallywags

Valid for bookings made before 31/03/19

Corbett

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