Salad Days - Autumn issue 2021

Autumn 2021 Issue 91 FREE e k to ta y awa

Local Information for parents teachers and carers of children Saffron Walden, Bishop’s Stortford, Great Dunmow and Villages

Nurture. Strive. Achieve.

SAINT NICHOLAS SCHOOL

Saturday 9th October 10am – Midd ay Whole Schoo l Open Day

• Independent School in Old Harlow for pupils aged 21 2 to 16 • Academic excellence combined with great pastoral care • Small class sizes • Excellent virtual teaching in lockdown

www.saintnicholasschool.net | 01279 429910

SAINT NICHOLAS

in this issue 1

T: 0790 073 5566 E: hello@saladdaysmag.co.uk

Suddenly it’s Autumn!

Our children have so much to look forward to, they’re itching for fall to begin: Catching up with school friends they’ve missed, sports to practice, and newfound freedoms. For us,summer has ended all too quickly— Is it maturity that speeds up the weeks? We have only just got into the summer groove, relaxed into the “nonschedule, schedule” and suddenly its AUTUMN! To us this season symbolises

many new beginnings, especially when it comes to children. Yes, another year group at school, brand new uniforms and time to get organised. Where does the time go?

One of our favourite quotes from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s, The Great Gatsby is “Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall”.

Thankfully, what’s waiting this side of summer is the best eating season of all..... not to mention pumpkin spiced lattes! How has it been a year since we sipped one of those?

In a few weeks the air will crisp up, leaves will fall and we will be searching for inspiration and advice to keep the children active, healthy and busy. Inside this issue you will find comprehensive lists, activities, recipesand autumn events for all the family.

Enjoy the transition back to school runs and dark nights and please keep upto date with the parent mail #HELP Lisa & Tam

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© Lisa Cureton & Tamara Lee Smart 2021 The copyright of the contents including artwork, advertisements, logos and articles when generated by Lisa Cureton & Tamara Lee Smart t/a Salad Days remain with Lisa Cureton & Tamara Lee Smart t/a Salad Days except where specifically stated otherwise. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the prior written consent of the publisher. Views expressed in articles are those of the contributors and not necessarily of the publisher. The listings, content and advertising in Salad Days are for information only and must not be used for commercial purposes. Inclusion does not imply a recommendation from Salad Days.

All advertisements are accepted in good faith and on the basis that the advertised goods and services are as stated by the advertiser. ISSN 1752-3257. Data Protection Act Registration Number Z9533787. T: 0790 073 5566 E-mail: hello@saladdaysmag.co.uk. Published and edited by Lisa Cureton & Tamara Lee Smart.

Design Services: Nick Crawley. Printed by Parkes Print & Design, 41 Hitchin Street, Biggleswade, SG18 8BE

Contents: Performing Arts

Articles & Features Creative corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Dance, drama, theatre, music .31-34

The Benefits of Boarding . . . . . . . . . .6 Premium grants: what you need to know . . . . . . . . .9

Babies and Toddlers

Saffron Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Toddler Groups . . . . . . . . . . . .38-40

Book review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 & 13

Antenatal & Postnatal . . . . . . . . .40

Diary dates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 &15 The Wizard of Oz . . . . . . . . . . .16 & 17 How food affects your mood . . . . . .18

Education

Gooey chocolate fudge cake . . . . .20

Primary schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-7

Mini Discoverers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Tutors and support . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Cultivating Curiosity . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Find your perfect pumpkin . . . . . . .23 South Mill Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24-25

Sport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27-30

Seasonal things to do . . . . . . . . . . .26 Inclusivity in theatre schools . . . . . .33

Copy Date for Winter issue

1st November 2021 To advertise in the next issue, include activities, clubs and events in your town village or school or to contribute articles on your speciality subject contact Lisa or Tam on 0790 073 5566 or hello@saladdaysmag.co.uk

Pre School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35-37

For digital copy visit

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2 education

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Primary schools n Bishop’s Stortford

St Michael Primary & Nursery T: 01279 652607 E: admin@stmichaelsjmi.herts.sch.uk W: stmichaelsjmi.herts.sch.uk

Felsted preparatory school T: 01371 82260 E: info@felsted.org W: felsted.org

All Saint C of E Primary & Nursery T: 01279 836006 E: admin@allsaints.herts.sch.uk W: allsaints.herts.sch.uk

Summercroft Primary & Nursery T: 01279 307477 E: admin@summercroft.herts.sch.uk W: summercroftherts.sch.uk

Great Dunmow Primary T: 01371 873184 E: admin@greatdunmow-pri.essex.sch.uk W: greatdunmowprimary.co.uk

Bishops Stortford College see back cover T: 01279 838575 E:general.enquiry@bishopsstortfordcollege.org W: bishopsstortfordcollege.org

The Richard Whittington Primary T: 01279 657778 E: admin@whittington.herts.sch.uk W: Whittington.herts.sch.uk

The Flitch Green Academy T: 01371 822330 E: admin@flitchgreen.net W: theflitchgreen.net

Farnham C of E Primary T: 01279 771339 E: admin@farnham.essex.sch.uk W: Farnham.essex.sch.uk

Thorley Hill Primary T: 01279 654496 E: admin@thorleyhill.herts.sch.uk W: thorleyhill.sch.uk

n Saffron Walden

Hillmead Primary T: 01279 656876 E: admin@hillmead.herts.sch.uk W: Hillmead.herts.sch.uk

Thorn Grove Primary T: 01279 653002 E: admin@thorngrove.herts.sch.uk W: thorngrove.herts.sch.uk

Howe Green House School see opposite page T: 01279 657706 E: schooloffice@howegreenhouse.essex.sch.uk W: howegreenhouseschool.co.uk

Windhill Primary T: 01279 696850 E: admin@windhill.herts.sch.uk W: windhill.herts.sch.uk

Little Hadham Primary T: 01279 771285 E: admin@littlehadhams.herts.sch.uk W: littlehadham.hert.sch.uk Manor Fields Primary T: 01279 757193 E: admin@manorfields.hert.sch.uk W: littlehadham.hert.sch.uk Northgate Primary & Nursery T: 01279 652376 E: admin@northgate.herts.sch.uk W: northgate.herts.sch.uk

n Great Dunmow

Dunmow St. Mary’s Primary T: 01371 872340 E: admin@dsmprimary.essex.sch.uk W: dsmprimary.essex.sch.uk Felsted Primary T: 01371 820215 E: admin@felsted-pri.essex.sch.uk W: felsted-pri.sch.uk

Dame Bradbury’s T: 01799 454700 E: office@stephenpurse.com W: stephenpurse.com Katherine Semar Schools T: 01799 521120 E: admin.inf@katherinesemar.net W: katherinesemar.co.uk R A Butler Infant & Junior School T: 01799 523651 E: admin@rab.academy.com W: rabutleracademy.org.uk St Marys C of E school T: 01799 523384 E: info@st-maryscofe.essex.sch.uk W: stmaryssw.org.uk St Thomas More Catholic School T: 01799 523248 E: admin@stmsw.co.uk W: stmsw.co.uk

n Stansted

Bentfield Primary T: 01279 813626 E: admin@bentfield.essex.sch.uk W: Bentfield.essex.sch.uk Magna Carta Primary T: 01279 703484 E: ofice@magnacarta.essex.sch.uk W: magnacartaacademy.org St Marys C of E primary T: 01279 812212 E: office@st-marys-stansted.essex.sch.uk W: stmarysstansted.co.uk

n Villages

Albury C of E Primary T: 01279 771253 E: admin@albury.herts.sch.uk W: albury.herts.sch.uk Ashdon County primary T: 01799 584219 E: Ashdon.essex.sch.uk W: Ashdon.essex.sch.uk Birchanger Primary & Nursery T: 01279 812362 E: admin@birchanger.essex.sch.uk W: birchanger.essex.sch.uk Chrishall Holy Trinity & St Nicholas Primary T: 01799 550300 E: admin@chrishall.essex.sch.uk W: chrishall.essex.sch.uk Clavering Primary T: 01799 550300 E: admin@clavering.essex.sch.uk W: clavering.essex.sch.uk Continued on page 4

T: 0790 01763073 838687 5566E:E:info@saladdaysmag.uk hello@saladdaysmag.co.uk

education 3

HOWE GREEN HOUSE SCHOOL AND LITTLE OAKS NURSERY Independent Co-Ed Prep School for 4 - 11 years Little Oaks Nursery School for 2 - 4 years

OPEN MORNING Saturday 2nd October 9.30am – 11.30am Please visit our website to register your interest.

Howegreenhouseschool.co.uk Great Hallingbury, Bishop’s Stortford, CM22 7UF 01279 657706

creative corner

www.saladdaysmag.uk Continued from page 2

Debden C of E Primary T: 01799 540302 E: admin@debden.essex.sch.uk W: debdenprimary.co.uk Elsenham C of E Primary T: 01279 813198 E: admin@elsenham.essex.sch.uk W: elsenham.essex.sch.uk Finchingfield C of E Primary T: 01371 810423 E: admin@finchingfield.essex.sch.uk W: finchingfield.essex.sch.uk Furneux Pelham C of E Primary T: 01279 777344 E: admin@furneuxp.herts.sch.uk W: furneuxp.herts.sch.uk Gt Chesterford Primary T: 01799 530292 E: admin@greatchesterford.essex.sch.uk W: greatchesterford.essex.sch.uk Great Easton Primary T: 01371 870219 E: admin@greateaston.essex.sch.uk W: greateastonprimary.co.uk Great Sampford Primary T: 01799 586280 E: admin@greatsampford.essex.sch.uk W: greatsampford.essex.sch.uk Picture by Grace, age 10 RA Butler Primary School, Saffron Walden

Please send your art work to hello@saladdaysmag.co.uk for a chance of featuring in Salad Days!

Henham & Ugly Primary T: 01279 850213 E: admin@henhamugly.essex.sch.uk W: henhamugly.essex.sch.uk Manuden Primary T: 01279 842626 E: admin@manuden.essex.sch.uk W: manudenprimary.co.uk

Much Hadham C of E Primary T: 01279 842626 E: admin@standrews236.herts.sch.uk W: standrews236.herts.sch.uk Newport Primary T: 01799 540055 E: admin@newport.essex.sch.uk W: Newport.essex.sch.uk Radwinter C of E Primary T: 01799 599248 E: admin@radwinter.essex.sch.uk W: radwinter.essex.sch.uk Reed First School T: 01763 848304 E: admin@reed.herts.sch.uk W: reed.herts.sch.uk Rickling C of E Primary T: 01799 543274 E: admin@rickling.essex.sch.uk W: rickling.essex.sch.uk Steeple Bumpstead Primary T: 01440 730220 E: officemanager@steeplebumpstead.essex.sch.uk W: steeplebumpstead.schooljotter2.com Takeley Christian School T: 01279 871182 E: office@takeley-christian.essex.sch.uk W: tcst.org.uk Takeley Roseacre School T: 01279 879599 E: admin@roseacres.essex.sch.uk W: roseacres.co.uk Takeley Primary T: 01279 870541 E: admin@takeley-pri.essex.sch.uk W: Takeley-pri.essex.sch.uk

T: 0790 01763073 838687 5566E:E:info@saladdaysmag.uk hello@saladdaysmag.co.uk

Inspired girls make great women

education 5

Open Events Saturday 2 October stmaryscambridge.co.uk/visit

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LIS RT TED O NT ENDE INDEPOLS OF 1 O 2 H 2 C S R pe0 rience YEstuA dent ex THE rating Celeb

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The Benefits of Boarding George Masters, Deputy Headmaster at Felsted School, explores the benefits of weekly boarding

Gone are the days of cold showers and weekly phone calls to mum and dad modern boarding schools now provide a comfortable ‘home from home’ experience, even including en-suite bedrooms, cosy common rooms with flat screen TVs and squashy sofas, WiFi, and kitchens for toast and hot chocolate before bed.

With more parents working full-time, quality family time can get squeezed out by work obligations, the daily commute, the school run, sports, music and drama commitments and homework.

It is not surprising therefore that weekly boarding, for five nights per week, is becoming an increasingly popular option for busy parents – shifting the focus for adults and children alike towards work in the week, so that quality family time can be enjoyed at home at the weekends.

Boarding from Monday to Friday gives children an academic boost, thanks to increased access to libraries, computers and assistance from teaching staff, while they are working on homework in the evenings. This is an attractive option for parents, who may prefer not to become an expert in the GCSE history syllabus, and it can also help to avoid counterproductive homework battles.

George at Felsted says: “We are receiving a growing number of weekly boarders, which is not surprising. For many children, this offers the best of both worlds: they can enjoy school during the week, work hard and spend plenty of time with their friends in activities and socialising, then relax at home with their family at weekends. Parents like the fact that they do not have to nag about

family every weekend. Younger children in particular know it won’t be long until they see their parents (and vice versa) so there’s barely time to feel homesick.”

homework and feel that home time is then ‘quality time’. Many opt for boarding schools within an hour’s drive so they can easily support their child’s co-curricular activities such as sports matches, concerts and drama productions.”

Felsted School in Essex is located 20 minutes south of Saffron Walden and offers day and boarding options (3, 5 or 7 nights) for all students from the age of 4 to 18. A flexi-boarding option is also available for children from ages 8 to 13, whereby parents can book in their child for a single night, or multiple nights on a termly basis.

But how do you know if your child would thrive in such an environment?

“All children are different,” says George “but most flourish in modern boarding communities. Speaking from experience, weekly boarding is hugely rewarding; children form life-long friendships with children from different countries and cultures as well as those more local.

Contact with parents is available whenever they want it; boarders develop their characters, learning independence, versatility, resilience, leadership, teamwork and communication skills that set them up for life.”

He adds: “In comparison with traditional full boarding, where children board for the entire term, many children are much more at ease knowing they will see their

and welcoming atmosphere? Do the children seem relaxed yet purposeful and, above all, happy?”

What tips does George have for any parents considering weekly boarding?

“Most important is spending time in the schools you are considering. Ask plenty of questions (both parents and children) to really get under the skin of the place and understand the ethos and atmosphere. Talk with other boarders and parents of boarders to get a full picture of life at the school. Many schools offer taster nights, so do take advantage of these. Finally, make sure you meet the people who will be caring for your child, and observe the relationships between both staff and boarders and between the boarders themselves – is there a positive

T: 0790 01763073 838687 5566E:E:info@saladdaysmag.uk hello@saladdaysmag.co.uk

Felsted for me Leading all-round education with pupil wellbeing at its heart. Visit us to see our wonderful classrooms in action, meet our caring teacher team and find out all about our creative curriculum which includes Swimming, Spanish, ICT, Music & Forest School.

Reception - Year 7 entry Open Morning 18 September 2021, 9.30am Developing character, making a difference.

Co-educational, ages 4-18, boarding & day. #FelstedForMe

education 7

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Tutors & support n Academic

FREE TRIAL 1 SEPTEMBER - 31 OCTOBER

Catch up and get ahead with Kumon maths and English study – where great futures take shape. Book your Free Trial today!

Bishop’s Stortford Study Centre 01920 461457 at home | in centre | online Terms and conditions apply. Fees vary. Participating study centres only.

Please refer to your local study centre. Subject to availability.

kumon.co.uk

Confidently start the new school year with KUMON Most children start their new school term with fresh notebooks and a crisp new uniform, but it is just as important to ensure they are equipped with the most vital tools needed for a successful year ahead; a good grip on maths and English and the learning skills required for academic progression.

Having long breaks from study means children can sometimes require extra support to get back into the routine of daily study.

At your local Bishop’s Stortford Study Centre, Kumon offers individualised maths and English study programmes tailored to all ages and abilities. Established for over 60 years, the programmes enable children to develop their study skills and confidently tackle advanced work.

Through daily study of the Kumon programmes, your child will develop the ability to learn for themselves, so they do not become dependent on – or limited by – the skills and knowledge of others. Your child will then be able to apply these skills to all subjects and outside of school too.

For more information contact Nicola Norbury on 01920 461457 or email bishopsstortford@kumoncentre.co.uk.

Anna Clarke BA(Ed) Hons Qualified and Experienced Tutor Primary Literacy and Maths. SATs preparation and confidence-building. GCSE Maths and English; T: 01799 526134 Glenis Toms Qualified and experienced teacher.

Maths and English; 7-11 years T: 01799 540833 Kumon Bishop’s Stortford - See right Contact: Nicola Norbury T: 01920 461457; W: kumon.co.uk Sue Herd BEd (Hons) Experienced pre school tutor English & Maths (give your child a head start before school); T: 01799 510995 M: 07836687376 Caron Johnson Qualified teacher, experienced in supporting children with learning difficulties in KS1. Maths and English.

T: 07305 353 720

n Languages

Kidslingo Have fun learning Spanish through songs, games, drama and stories from 0-11 years. Classes also available for nurseries, primary schools & child minders; T: 07926 007797 E: jessicalp@kidslingo.co.uk W: kidslingo.co.uk

Luciana Ferreira Day Spanish all levels E: lucianafday@gmail.com T: 07930 525079

n Family support

Aspects Family Support Ann Creitzman All Saints CE Primary School Parsonage Lane Bishop’s Stortford, CM23 5BE T: 01279 758134 W: www.aspects.org.uk Registered Charity 1164201

n Mindfulness and Relaxation

Nikki Phillips, ITEC IIHHT DIP SMT Youth Mindfulness, Teaching emotional well-being skills for life to all.

Nature retreats, children's, young adults and family courses run all year.

T: 07966 579345 E: info@nikkiphiliips.co.uk W: nikkiphillips.co.uk 6Mini Mindfulness programmes teaching young people skills for life.

Relaxing in nature, and being in the present moment can improve sensory awareness. Our sessions raise self esteem, confidence and concentration, whilst reducing anxiety. For summer bookings at Noakes Grove, Nature Reserve .

Contact -Nikki Phillips M: 07966 579345

education 9

T: 0790 01763073 838687 5566E:E:info@saladdaysmag.uk hello@saladdaysmag.co.uk Polly Kerr, Senior Associate and Education Law specialist at Tees.

Covid catch-up premium grants: What you need to know Children and young people across the country have experienced unprecedented disruption to their education due to the pandemic. To remedy this, in June 2020, the government announced £1 billion of funding to support children and young people to catch up on missed learning: • A one-off universal £650 million catch up premium for the 2020 to 2021 academic year to ensure that schools have the support they need to help all pupils make up for missed learning • A £350 million National Tutoring Programme (NTP) to provide additional, targeted support for those children and young people who need the most help, including: • A schools programme for 5 to 16 year olds • A 16-19 tuition fund • An oral language intervention programme for reception-aged children How do I find out more about how my child’s school is using the grant?

Returning to normal educational routines as quickly as possible to help children

and young people get back on track is critical to any school’s recovery. As a result, schools are given flexibility to spend their funding in the best way for their cohort and circumstances.

To ensure appropriate transparency for parents and carers, school leaders and governing boards are also urged to make sure that their school is publishing information about how the grant funding is being spent and what the impact has been on learning, attainment and pupils’ wellbeing. You should check your school’s website to see if any information about the grant has been published online.

National Tutoring Programme – What’s available to my child?

The programme, launched in November 2020, is aimed at supporting schools by providing a sustained response to the pandemic and a longer-term contribution to closing the attainment gap.

State-maintained primary and secondary schools in England will be able to access the two schemes offered, NTP Tuition Partners and NTP Academic Mentors, and use them to best suit the needs of their pupils.

The programme also includes specialist provision to support students with SEND, including 17 providers who are able to support students in special school settings.

Expect more Expert legal services and independent financial advice Call Cambridge – 01223 311141 Bishop’s Stortford – 01279 755200 Saffron Walden – 01799 527299 What if my child is not able to access additional support?

The programme is currently providing subsidised tutoring for up to 250,000 pupils, which is only 15% of the roughly 1.7 million children eligible for free school meals in England. In June 2021, the Department for Education announced an extension to the programme for a further two years with additional funding to be confirmed.

Unsurprisingly, the NTP has stated that it may introduce caps on the number of pupils per school who can receive tutoring, in the event the demand be too high for the programme. This can potentially mean that schools with large numbers of disadvantaged pupils have arbitrary restrictions placed on them,

thereby limiting the number of pupils who can access help. This could further the attainment gap as some pupils will be unable to receive tutoring if there is a cap placed on numbers.

If you are concerned that your child may not be able to access the support for which they are eligible and would like a specialist lawyer to take a closer look at your situation, please call us and we can explore some options.

10 education

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A remarkable village school near Stansted ● A happy, stimulating school full of opportunities, challenges and excitement ● Friendly & welcoming with dedicated staff ● Focused on personal achievement ● Rich learning environment with a strong caring ethos ● Well-resourced equipment &innovative technology for teaching & learning ● West End style drama productions ● Breakfast club, after school club & many enrichment opportunities ● An exciting outdoors curriculum and full Forest schools program for all year groups

Through faith and nurture, we thrive.

‘Life in all its fullness.’ JOHN 10:10 Please call or email to arrange a visit for your child

FARNHAM

CE Primary School

Farnham, Bishop’s Stortford, CM23 1HR Tel: 01279 771 339 admin@farnham.essex.sch.uk

leisure and features 11

T: 0790 01763073 838687 5566E:E:info@saladdaysmag.uk hello@saladdaysmag.co.uk

★★★★★

“

Easy parking. Snacks & drinks available. Good seats & sound system

15

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YEARS

★★★★★

The Big Screen on your Doorstep Saffron Screen is your local independent cinema; it’s friendly, convenient, reasonably priced, and shows a brilliant range of entertaining films for all the family – on a big screen with surround sound!

And if that’s not enough, family tickets are just £20.50 and parking is free.

Inside the 200 seat auditorium, staff and volunteers sell a tempting range of cinema snacks (that don’t cost the earth)

including big tubs of popcorn, chocolates, sweets, locally produced ice cream and drinks. There’s even a bar at evening weekend screenings and Arts on Screen events.

Family films are shown most weekends and throughout the school holidays – take a look at the Saffron Screen website for more information and to book tickets www.saffronscreen.com

A fantastic independent “cinema with an amazing community feel ” RATED 4.7 5 ON GOOGLE

VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO SEE WHAT’S ON

EEG FR RKIN PA

W LO RICES P

FAMILY TICKET £20.50

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FOLLOW US:

(2 adults + 2 children or 1 adult + 3 children)

www.saffronscreen.com

BOOK AT THE TIC, ONLINE OR CALL 01799 524002*

Audley End Road, Saffron Walden CB11 4UH

*MON–SAT 9.30AM–5PM

12 leisure and features

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Books to coax children (and their parents) out of their comfort zones I hope that by the time you read this, Lockdown will be history and we’ll all have enjoyed a summer safely out and about. But while many of us have felt very frustrated by all the restrictions, it has been quite comfortable holing up at home and we might all need a little encouragement to expand our horizons again. I have found some books to help with this.

The Seed of Doubt

by Irena Brignull, illustrated by Richard Jones is a lovely picture book about a boy who dreams of what he could achieve in the world beyond the farm on which he lives.

The boy plants a tiny seed which grows into a tall tree. Although at first he looks forward to climbing to the top of it, the tree casts a shadow of doubt over him.

As he grows older, his dreams get smaller and ‘instead of thinking of all that he could do, he thought more of what he could not’. At crisis point, his father tells him, ‘Doubt…is like a seed. It starts off

tiny, but it sure grows fast’. ‘What do I do?’ asks the boy, tearfully. His father reminds him that he can do anything as long as he believes in himself.

With that, the boy starts to climb his tree.

It is hard and he wants to climb down and run away but eventually he reaches the top of the tree and there is the world ‘all laid out before him, ready to explore.’

It’s a heart-warming story to inspire us all to get out of our comfort zones.

Once inspired to explore the world beyond, we might need some practical guidance.

The Ordnance Survey Kid’s Adventure Book might be just the job. Described as ‘the ultimate guide to creating and enjoying your own outdoor adventures’, this book is an excellent introduction to how to use and be inspired by maps with plenty of fun facts, top tips, map-reading challenges, and all the information children need to

go exploring safely. For example, what to do if you get lost: you should ‘STOP – Stop, Think, Observe, Plan’ – much more effective than panicking and running about like a headless chicken. Wellwritten, clear and sensible, aimed at a 10+ age group, this is a book to coax even the most committed armchair explorer outdoors – and, in my view, it teaches very necessary skills. While mobile phones and GPS systems are brilliantly useful, there will inevitably be no signal or no battery power when you need them most!

Someone who went far out of his comfort zone in his explorations was Charles Darwin. Despite constant ill health, he undertook long and uncomfortable sea journeys around the world to gather the information which ultimately led to his theory of evolution. His determination in his quest, and his enthusiasm for what he found, spill out in his writing: ‘As buds give rise by growth to fresh buds, and these, if vigorous, branch out and overtop on all sides many a feebler branch, so by generation I believe it has been with the great Tree of Life, which fills with its dead and broken branches the crust of the earth, and covers the surface with its ever branching and beautiful ramifications’.

(As a Victorian, he was a bit verbose, but you can sense his exhilaration). Sabina Radeva captures this glorying in the wonders of nature in her retelling of his story in Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species. Beautifully judged for readers of perhaps 8+, the book explains Darwin’s theory in accessible language and with lively illustrations. I’ve reviewed this book before in Salad Days but it is well worth reminding you of it.

If Darwin’s travels were arduous, those of Stan, the narrator of Charlie Higson’s hilarious and moving novel for children, Worst. Holiday. Ever., are even more of a struggle, not least because Stan doesn’t even want to go on holiday. Indeed, he lists 30 reasons not to go – and his list doesn’t even begin to cover all the problems he envisages. Other people write Bucket Lists: Stan writes a Duck-It List. Shy, anxious, and scared of life, Stan is panicked into

T: 0790 01763073 838687 5566E:E:info@saladdaysmag.uk hello@saladdaysmag.co.uk agreeing to go on holiday with his fifth best friend Felix. While he is away (and all the usual holiday catastrophes are happening), Stan’s father is taken very ill at home and Stan has a series of lump-in-the-throat-inducing long distance phone calls with his mum.

(It’s a happy ending, don’t worry!). By the end of the story Stan has survived, and even secretly enjoyed, some of the items on his Duck-It list (kissing, for example) – and realises that even adults ‘don’t know how to get through the day any better than we do’ – they have their own comfort zones and challenges - but that’s OK. A fabulous book which will absolutely take adults out of their comfort zone if they are asked to read it aloud is The Book That Did Not Want To Be Read by David Sundin. The ‘A’ in ‘Read’ in the title is actually printed upside down, which is a signal of the mayhem about to ensue. I love books which play with the concept of books and reading, and this is one of the very best I’ve seen. The book itself becomes the story, requiring the reader to do much more than read it. Sound effects are the least of the reader’s worries.

On page 2, for example, the book

becomes a steering wheel, which the adult must steer to the left and the right – and beep the horn. On the next page, the words go wild and ‘it suddenly got very blard to fread the book. There was a baddle that kralled poysh. Poysh? Yes, poysh’. The book catches fire and gets hot if you touch ‘here’ and ‘here’; it tries to close, and the reader must stop it; words

disappear so the reader has to make them up…You get the picture?! Talking of pictures, the wonderful quirky illustrations are like Victorian line drawings gone bonkers. I guarantee that the efforts to which their adult must go in order to get to the end of this book will have children in stitches, time and time again. Comfort zone – forget it! But delight in books and reading – absolutely!

All these books can be found on the shelves at Hart’s Books (www.hartsbooks.co.uk) in Saffron Walden. Do go and browse and find books for curling up with on the sofa with your children in comfort – or choose books like these which will prod you into exploring way beyond it!

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Diary Dates September

11 Radwinter Unlocked

18-19 Saffron Screen are showing Paw Patrol: The Movie 19 International Talk like a Pirate Day A parodic holiday invented in 1995 by John Baur and Mark Summers, of the United States, who proclaimed 19 September each year as the day when everyone in the world should talk like a pirate. What’s your pirate sound like? Visit www.talklikeapirate.com

Back to school!!!!

October

5 World Teachers Day Now in its 24th year, World Teachers Day has an important purpose; to raise awareness of the work done by teachers and to support them to help the learning of future generations. So, whether you polish up an apple for your teacher, or simply send them a card letting them know how important they’ve been to you it’s important to let them know about the great job they are doing!

Half term!!!!!

9 National Teddy Bear Day Today we honor the history of one of childhood’s favourite toys… have you got a teddy bear that doesn't get much love anymore? Why not support today by donating your unloved furry friends to a local organization for children?

13 Roald Dahl Day Roald Dahl Day takes place every year on 13 September, on the birthday of the World's No.1 Storyteller. Indulge in reading some of the classics James and the Giant Peach or Matilda.Perhaps watch the new film version of The Witches… I’ll warn you, it’s scary!

International School Library Month International School Library Month is celebrated around the world throughout October every year. It’s the perfect time for kids to visit their own school library and browse through the hundreds of books available to them!

25 South Mill Arts presents The Dong With A Luminous Nose

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T: 0790 01763073 838687 5566E:E:info@saladdaysmag.uk hello@saladdaysmag.co.uk

18-23 National Adoption Week The Cambridge Science Centre is hosting a weekend of spooky, but scientific, fun. Each session will include ghoulish slime making, some screamingly-good Halloween demonstrations and a mix of other spooky activities. Organisers say the event is suitable for children aged 7-11 years old. Tickets are priced from £7 from Eventbrite. Saturday, October 31 and Sunday, November 1, 2020 at 10:45 am 12.30pm www.cambridgesciencecentre.org

31 Halloween Visit Hatter’s farm in Takeley and pick your own pumpkin!

Check out www.kitchenfunwithmy3sons.com for lots of different ways to decorate your pumpkins!

Spooky woodland walk at Audley End House and Gardens Ghost-hunting storytellers lead a trip through the shadows of Audley End's woodland trail. With well-told tales full of spooky, strange and silly goings-on, this Halloween walk is sure to get you into the spirit of the season. This is an outdoor tour, so visitors are advised to wear suitable clothes and shoes. It lasts about 45 minutes, and it’s suitable for children aged 5-12.Pre Booking online is required, through English Heritage.

Audley End House and Gardens

November 5 Guy Fawkes Day

Museum in Duxford as they are hosting a Spitfire flying display to commemorate the day book at www.iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-duxford

6 Bonfire Night Saffron Walden Round Table are hosting a Free Fireworks display at The Common in Saffron Walden

18 BBC Children In Need Appeal

11 Remembrance Sunday In the UK, the official ceremonies related to the end of the hostilities in the first world war take place on the Sunday nearest November 11th.

Armistice Day is still observed on November 11th. It is not a public holiday, but many people will still observe a minute's silence at 11am GMT. You could visit the Imperial War

15-19 Anti-Bullying week Anti-Bullying Week is an annual event to spread awareness about bullying. Most importantly, it empowers us to unite against it.

16 leisure and features JOIN US

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OVER THE RAINBOW

THIS CHRISTMAS!

KD Theatre Productions Ltd present

22ND – 29TH DECEMBER 2021 www.saffronhall.com 0845 548 7650

proudly supported by

A MAGICAL FAMILY SHOW

SHOW PARTNERS

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T: 0790 01763073 838687 5566E:E:info@saladdaysmag.uk hello@saladdaysmag.co.uk

Click your heels and follow us down the yellow brick road for a magical family production of The Wizard of Oz at Saffron Hall.

Join Dorothy as she embarks on an exciting adventure, over the rainbow, where along the way she makes new friends with the Scarecrow who longs for a brain, the Tin Man who really wants a heart and the very cowardly Lion who is

desperate to be brave and find some courage. Dorothy needs to find her way home, but it’s not going to be easy with the Wicked Witch of the West watching her every move! Will the Great and Powerful Wizard of Oz be able to help Dorothy and her newfound friends?

This spectacular and colourful Christmas show is jam packed with hilarious jokes, dazzling dance routines, lavish costumes, glittering scenery and endless fun for all ages!

Featuring a live band and a professional cast – don’t miss out on this festive treat for all the family!

22- 29 December 2021.

Tickets available at www.saffronhall.com

18 leisure and features Mental Health & Well-Being Support How food affects your mood At a time when mental health has never been more important, looking at what foods we put into our body to fuel the mind is essential. We have all heard that healthy foods keep us healthy. What we’re not always told is that good nutrition significantly affects our mental health. A healthy, well-balanced diet can support our body to think clearly and feel more alert. It can also improve concentration and attention span. On the contrary, an inadequate or poor diet can lead to fatigue, brain-fog, lack of concentration, slows down reaction time, and even lead to stress and depression.

We can’t always change the stressors in our life but we can support our body to deal with stress better.

Your brain and nervous system depend on nutrition to build new proteins, cells and tissues. In order to function effectively, your body requires a variety of carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and minerals that improve brain functioning.

Steer away from sugar-filled snacks and drinks, which lead to highs and lows in energy levels and impair your ability to concentrate.

Poor diet during periods of stress and depression only makes matters worse.

This cycle of sugar and processed foods addiction is a vicious one, but it can be overcome.

Fuel your mood, motivation, and mental function - Eat wholefoods.

• Consume healthy fats, such as fish, coconut oil and avocado. This will support your brain function.

• Drink plenty of water, 1 - 2 litres a day.

Water helps your brain cells communicate with each other and carries nutrients to your brain.

• Plenty of vegetables, dark green leafy vegetables in particular are essential for the nervous system and are brain protective.

• Food’s rich in protein contain amino acids, which help produce neurotransmitters. These play a vital role in preventing and supporting anxiety and depression. i.e. chicken, fish, turkey, eggs, beans and lentils.

Gut health and mood • Our guts and brain are physically linked via the vagus nerve. The gut is able to influence emotional behaviour in the brain.

• Research shows gut bacteria produce an array of neurochemicals that the brain uses for the regulation of physiological and mental processes, including mood. 80% of the body’s supply of serotonin, which is our happy hormone, is produced by gut bacteria.

• It’s important to know that processed foods such as fast foods are manufactured to be extra tasty by the use of ingredients and additives. Foods that contain chemical additives, affects our gut microbiome and increases our

www.saladdaysmag.uk risk of diseases. Eating natural whole foods and avoiding processed foods that we know cause inflammation and disease, can also be protective against depression.

At the Naturopathic Health Clinic, I work with every client on a personal basis to achieve overall health and wellbeing.

Joanne D’Urso - Functional Medicine Practitioner, Naturopath and Nutritionist – Saffron Walden – Tel: 01799 218010 – www.naturopathichealth.co.uk Yoga Pose for stress management - Legs up the wall, as it is commonly known, is mentioned in ancient Indian yoga texts as Viparita Karani. Legs up the wall is an accessible way to invest 10 minutes a day into your health and wellbeing to reap significant health benefits, including reducing the effects of stress on the nervous system.

‘Viparita’ means ‘turned around’. ‘Karani’ refers to ‘doing’. It is sometimes referred to as ‘reversing the attitude’. If our normal attitude is action, getting things done, then this is a call to restore and reset and reverse that. The inversion of the legs gives a calming, restful effect for the nervous system. It is a great antidote to the effects of stress and anxiety on the body, re-establishing balance within the busy sympathetic nervous system and the restoring parasympathetic nervous system, thereby inducing balance.

One valuable benefit of legs up the wall pose is that it increases circulation and therefore benefits the vital organs, including the brain. In turn, this energises and creates a feeling of refreshment. In

contemporary First Aid courses, they raise the legs like in this pose if someone has fainted, as it is the most rapid way to increase circulation, re-oxygenating the brain and organs.

Jac -Yoga Teacher @ Mokshala Stress, anxiety and depression are warning signals from our body that something in our life is not right: we need to pay attention, stand back and work out what is wrong and make change in our life. If we ignore the signal, then it’s easy for the mind to go into a spiral and for us to become ill quite quickly. However, if we pay attention to the signal and make changes, then the stress, anxiety or depression will decrease. Crucially, we need to reduce the pressure that school children are under in today’s world, especially post-pandemic: they will perform far better and suffer less anxiety.

With computers and social media, modern everyday life has become fast, pressurised, loud and too stressful. We live life as a constant sprint! It is essential that we religiously build downtime into our everyday life: going for a walk, meditating or even reading a novel. The point of the “fight or flight” mechanism is to enable us to deal with an emergency and then let the mind and the body come back into balance. Living life as a constant sprint means that our dayto-day adrenal levels are far too high, and the body does not have the chance to come back into balance.

Mark Newey – Psychotherapist @ Headucate.me

T: 0790 073 5566 E: hello@saladdaysmag.co.uk

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The ultimate gooey chocolate fudge cake Prep time: 30 minutes Bake time: 40 minutes Total time: 70 minutes Serves: 12 generous slices

Ingredients Sponge: 225g dark/plain chocolate 225g unsalted butter 175g plain flour 25g cocoa powder ¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda 1tsp baking powder 200g caster sugar 200g light brown sugar 4 eggs 75ml buttermilk 1tsp vanilla essence Chocolate buttercream: 250g unsalted butter 500g icing sugar 50g cocoa powder 100ml evaporated milk 2 x 8” cake tins, greased Recipe courtesy of IG @stortfordbakes

Preheat the oven to 160°C/320°F

National Adoption Week 2021

Cut the chocolate into small chunks. Place a heatproof bowl over a pan of boiling water (bain-marie) and melt the unsalted butter and chocolate together until smooth.

In a separate bowl add all the dry ingredients (plain flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, caster sugar and light brown sugar) and mix together until fully combined.

In another bowl whisk the eggs and buttermilk together. Add the cooled chocolate mixture and the egg mixture to the dry ingredients. Stir well but do not whisk. This is best by hand and not using an electric mixer. Ensure the mixture is fully combined.

Pour the mixture equally into the two prepared tins and bake in the oven for 40 minutes. At around 35 minutes insert a skewer into one of the cakes to see if it comes out clean.

Before removing the cakes, leave them to cool in their tins for at least 15 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

18-23 October

For the buttercream: Using an electric mixer (if possible) beat the butter until it is light and smooth. TIP: leave the butter out of the fridge for at least 40 minutes before beating so it is not too hard.

Turn the mixer down to the lowest setting and add the icing sugar and cocoa powder a bit at a time.

Finally, add the evaporated milk and whisk on a high setting until combined and light.

Once your sponge is completely cooled you can spread or pipe your icing between the layers and on top. Decorate with sprinkles or chocolates and enjoy!

In the UK, there are almost 3,000 children in need of an adoptive family and the number of adoptions in England has fallen by a third in four years. In response, a new national recruitment campaign has been launched. #YouCanAdopt aims to bust myths around who is eligible to adopt and explore what the adoption process involves. It also seeks to highlight that there are still children out there who are waiting too lonf for their “forever family”.

The nationwide campaign is being delivered by a group of Regional Adoption Agencies, Voluntary Adoption Agencies and key stakeholders working in adoption in England. It is supported by the Department for Education. #YouCanAdopt aims to bust myths around who is eligible to adopt and explore what the adoption process involves.

Further information can be found at www.youcanadopt.co.uk

T: 0790 01763073 838687 5566E:E:info@saladdaysmag.uk hello@saladdaysmag.co.uk

One YMCA One YMCA believes that every family should have the support they need to develop and lead more fulfilling lives.

Their Children’s Activity Programmes are designed to deliver a range of activities during term time and school holidays.

The programme is split into three groups targeting children aged under 5, 5-11 and over 11. All of the sessions are designed to increase child development and school readiness, parent aspirations and parenting skills, as well as child and family health and life chances.

These young people will develop a physical and emotional sense of belonging by being part of a group and engaging in many activities. It will also help them to learn key skills whilst having fun and improving their physical,

mental and emotional health and wellbeing.

In Bishop’s Stortford, One YMCA has been successfully running Rhyme Time since July 2021. These sessions have been designed to enrich early communication, language and literacy skills in children under 5. They are delivered by a member of One YMCA’s team who has recently received ‘Early Years Worker of the Year’ for her efforts with supporting all children within local communities.

During the session, children will sing familiar songs, use instruments to make new sounds, learn simple parachute activities and so much more!

For more information and booking, please visit www.oneymca.org/discoverers

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Bishop’s Stortford Rhyme Time An interactive music and rhyme session for children 0-4 years.

Tuesdays 10.00am - 10.45am Bishops Park Community Centre Lancaster Way Bishop’s Stortford CM23 4DA

Reserve your space via Eventbrite For more info: activity.holiday@oneymca.org oneymca.org/minidiscoverers

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www.saladdaysmag.uk “big teachers moment” and sets up the parent / child relationship for a more positive, consistent connection.

“Curiosity is the key That opens a world of Discovery and joy” So what’s the best way to optimise everyday learning opportunities? Hook into the curiosity that is natural to each and every child. Curiosity is the key that opens a world of discovery and joy.

Parents can easily support and tap into their children’s innate curiosity. With a playful mindset and attuned presence, parents can find joy in teaching and learning along with their children.

Being a role model and a mirror is a great way to demonstrate a genuine love of learning, children receive the message that it’s good to be interested in life and tuned into the world. Follow your child’s lead and trust that they will show you what they want

Cultivating Curiosity In the swirl of education games, video, apps and specialised camps for even the youngest children, parents can feel confused about the best way for their children to learn new information.

Reacting to cultural pressure to raise the next generation of geniuses, combined with the exhaustion of daily stress, parents tend to either overdo their own teaching efforts or shy away entirely from teaching. Finding the right balance is different for every family

based on numerous factors, including each child’s temperament and readiness.

The truth remains, however, that parents and regular caregivers are children’s first teachers and children’s best learning happens during the everyday routines, activities and conversations that occur with adults who spend the most time with them.

This is all good news, because it removes the pressure that every moment should be a

to learn, and when they are ready to learn it.

Make frequent, open observations about the immediate world. As in, “I wonder why that baby is crying. “What’s that smell” or even “I wonder what’s wrong”. This is modelling curiosity. To mirror curiosity focus on the same thing that your child is focused on. For example if your child is watching the autumn leaves fall from the trees, just sit next to them and watch also - without speaking. Enjoy the stillness and feeling connected, even if it’s only for a few minutes or seconds. The questions will then start to come and they will soon start to have a sense of curiosity about everything. Learning about season changes, times of the day and adjusting to temperature changes and bed times will give you lots to discuss which will lead to great meal time conversations without the need of tablets and other distractions.

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Find your perfect pumpkin Hatter’s Farm is a family-run pumpkin patch producing thousands of pumpkins and squash each year! Having farmed near the village of Takeley for almost 100 years, Ross and his family decided to open their farm to the public for the first time in 2020.

With over 30 varieties to choose from, visitors are able to pick up a wheelbarrow and venture out into the fields to find their perfect pumpkin! To top off the perfect family day out, you can also fire the UK’s first Pumpkin Cannon, explore the massive Maize Maze and get the perfect pumpkin pic’ at one of the many photo opportunities!

Hatter’s Farm has exciting plans for the patch to be even bigger and better than ever this year, with more pumpkins, another Pumpkin Cannon and a new night-time picking experience. This means for those feeling a little braver, you can venture out with your torches and pick your pumpkins in the darkness of the night…

So, what are you waiting for!

Visit www.hattersfarmpumpkins.co.uk to book your tickets for daytime and evening sessions before they sell out!

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We’re looking ahead to a fantastic season with our venue now returning to full capacity whilst still keeping a safe and secure environment for all of our visitors...

Please check our site for further details: www.southmillarts.co.uk The Dong With A Luminous Nose Mon 25th Oct 2:00 PM

Entertaining the Grandparents Weds 27th Oct, 10.00 & 1.30

With a huge and colourful cast of abstract and figurative puppets, this absurd take on Lear’s nonsense classic explores that difficult age between being a child and becoming an adult . 7+ Approx. 80mins

Can you spy what your grandparents did for fun before video games?

Play the games they enjoyed in the 1940s and 50s and make a set of rope quoits to take home..

Booking essential – online. accompanied 6+

Entertaining In The Castle

Pop Divas Live!

Tues 26th Oct, 10.00 & 1.30

Thurs 28th Oct 6:00 PM

Will you be a wandering minstrel, a jester or lady of court? Discover what happened at a castle feast and make a medieval hat.

Then construct a model catapult and test your aim for the next siege..

Whether you’re a mum who listens on the radio or a little diva who watches on a tablet, we guarantee you’ll love every tune!

Booking essential – online. accompanied 6+

There’s even a chance for four lucky little divas to join the stars LIVE ON STAGE! It doesn’t matter if you’re 4 or 64!

Tom Brace: Embrace the Impossible!

Rapunzel - A Magical Christmas Adventure

Weds 27th Oct 7:00 PM

Sat 4th Dec - Sun 2nd Jan

Featuring Tom’s unique blend of comedy and magic, the show promises to have a little something for everybody.

Want to make Christmas special this year?

With a wicked witch, a feisty heroine, a talking horse and a host of adventures, a vibrant take on a classic and much loved story.

Approx. 1 hour 35 mins (inc. interval) 8+

Recommended for ages 8+

T: 0790 01763073 838687 5566E:E:info@saladdaysmag.uk hello@saladdaysmag.co.uk

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26 leisure and features Out door activities • Apple Picking - Bloomfield Fruit Farm, Ongar.

• Pumpkin Picking - check out Hatters Farm in Takeley for a fab family day out with pumpkin picking and adventures in the maze.

• Haunted House - Stansted Parks haunted house, Stansted.

• Football Golf - Gold World, Stansted • Leafy Walks - #SDLoves Thetford forest for free adventurous play facilities. Segways, tree top adventure, pyramids and tree houses, pony rides and the sensory sound trail around the woodlands.

• #SDLOVES - Little Monsters House Of Fun… The children can have hours of fun while you catch up with you good friends and enjoy the newly refurbished areas. Dunmow (see page 19) • Shows. Check out South Mill arts amazing autumn theatre programme • Visit the local library and try out there autumn activities with the children.

• Create a memory Box or time capsule • Carve a pumpkin • Create your own halloween costume

• BeWilderwood - A huge, award winning forest of family fun and outdoor adventure. Treehouses, Wobbly Wires, Slippery Slopes, Crocklebogs, Twiggles and Boggles, storytelling, boat rides, marsh walks and really yummy food! Norfolk

Night Time activities

• Daisy May Petting Farm - Elesnham

• Stargazing in the garden

• Audley End Miniature Railway Halloween special - Saffron Walden • Visit Bury Lane Fun Barn - Royston • Firework displays will be taking place this year, in Bishops Stortford, Dunmow and Saffron Walden 6th November Indoor Activities • Make the chocolate cake recipe on page 20.

• Campfire S’mores and toasted marshmallows • Drive in movie or try your own outdoor movie night.

• Family Game night

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Things to do this autumn !

T: 0790 01763073 838687 5566E:E:info@saladdaysmag.uk hello@saladdaysmag.co.uk

Sports clubs n Archery

Stortford Archery Club Ages: 10+ E: secretary@stortfordarchers.org.uk W: stortfordarchers.org.uk

n Badminton

Bishop’s Stortford Badminton Club Ages: 12+ Contact: Phil Barton; T: 01279 654464 W: stortfordbadminton.net

n Cricket

n Fitness

Bishop’s Stortford Cricket Club Jnr Section Ages: 5+ Contact: Graeme Sumner E: gsumner@arroweurope.com T: 07768 368773

Lift Off Academy Bishop's Stortford (Twyford Business Centre) Ages: 4 years plus Contact Name: Anne-Lise Fitzgerald E: anneliseblum@gmail.com Instagram: @thekookycoach Fitness classes for children teaching them how to move safely, whilst having fun.

Dunmow Cricket Club Ages: 5-16 Contact: Matt Gibson T: 01371 872652

Turpins Indoor Bowls Club Ages: 10+ accompanied T: 01799 525959

Saffron Walden Cricket Club Ages: 4-any age (boys, girls, disabled) Contact: David Barrs; T: 07760 484390 E: saffronwaldencricketclub@gmail.com W: saffronwaldencricket.co.uk At the clubhouse, Anglo American Playing Fields (off Catons Lane) All children aged 4+ welcome

Wimbish Carpet Bowls Ages: 10+ Contact: D Vettewinkel T: 01799 732098 E: d.vettewinkel@sky.com

Stansted Cricket Club Ages: 8-15 Contact: Keith Ayres T: 01279 814471 E: batsman1uk@yahoo.co.uk W: stanstedcc.hitscricket.com

n Bowls

n Canoeing

Bishop’s Stortford Canoe Club Ages: 8+ by discretion Contact: Angela Aldam T: 01279 755089 E: info@stortfordcanoe.org.uk W: stortfordcanoe.org.uk Whoosh Explore Bishop’s Stortford Contact: Peter Nash T: 01279 817453 (evenings) E: peter.nash@yahoo.co.uk W: whooshexplore.co.uk

Thorley Cricket Club Bishop’s Stortford Ages: 8+ Contact: Nigel Pack T: 07984 006012 W: pitchero.com/clubs/thorleycricketclub/ Wenden Kwik Cricket Ages: 4-12 Contact: Ed Welch T: 07825 210021 E: wendenjuniorcricket@gmail.com

n Fencing

Saffron Walden Swords SWCHS Gym Sat am. Ages: 7-adult Contact: David Aronsohn T: 01799 500593 W: saffronwaldenswords.com

n Football

Bishop’s Stortford Football Club Ages: 8+ Contact: Tim Moylette T: 07740 945117 E: tim.moylette@bscfc.co.uk Bishop Stortford Football Club 2 year BTEC extended diploma in sport Birchwood High School, Bishops Stordford Contact: Jim Duggan T: 07870 970925 E: jim-duggan@hotmail.co.uk/ jclift@birchwoodhigh.org.uk Elsenham Youth Football Club Ages: 4-18 Contact: Paul Jarvis, T: 01279 814434 E: pajemiki1@hotmail.com W: eyfc.org Plantation Youth Football Club Saffron Walden Ages: 4-16 Contact: Adrian Marsh M: 07980 946424 E: adrian.marsh1@virginmedia.com W: mypartnerclub.co.uk/plantation-youth-fc

Saffron Walden Community FC Boys: ages 4-18; Various venues T: 01763 836928/07775 944664 E: chairman@PSGFC.co.uk

sport 27 Saffron Walden PSG FC Ages: 6-16 Herbert’s Farm, Saffron Walden T: 01763 836928/07775 944664 E: chairman@PSGFC.co.uk Thaxted Rangers Youth Football Club Ages 7+ Contact: Martin Tritton; T: 07976 670409 E: martintritton@hotmail.com FB: thaxtedrangersyouthfc

n Golf

Bishop’s Stortford Golf Club Ages: 5+ Pro: Simon Sheppard; T: 01279 651324 W: bsgc.co.uk Golf World Stansted Contact: Colin Pharaoh T: 01279 812865 Great Hadham Golf & Country Club Ages: 4+ Pros: K Lunt/P Hetherington T: 01279 843558 W: greathadham.co.uk Saffron Walden Golf Club Pro: Rob McNicholas; T: 01799 527728 E: sarah@smithpeformancegolf.co.uk Junior coaching programme open to all ages and abilities of children!

n Gymnastics

Lift Off Academy and listed under Fitness

28 sport Stortford Gymnastics Ages: up to 12 T: Janine Peart 07808 808815/ Karen Perkins 07976 124095 E: enquiries@stortfordgymnastics.com W: stortfordgymnastics.com Stortford Gymnastics Satellite Club All Stars, Church End; Little Hadham Ages: 9+ Thursdays 18.00-19.00 Tumbling for All 19.00-20.00 Gym Fest T: Janine 07808 808815 E: enquiries@stortfordgymnastics.com W: stortfordgymnastics.com

n Handball

Bishop's Stortford Handball Club Tuesdays at Herts and Essex Sports Centre, Beldams Lane, CM23 5LH 5-6pm Mini Handball 6-7pm u14 and u16 7-9pm u19 and Seniors Contact: Annica; T: 07940 392894 E: stortfordhandball@gmail.com

n Hockey

Blue Hornets Felsted and Braintree W: braintreehc.co.uk/bluehornets Saffron Walden Junior Hockey Club Ages: 7-15 Contact: Andy MacIntosh; T: 01799 550878 W: saffronwaldenhockey.co.uk

n Martial arts Associated Karate Schools (AKS) Bishop’s Stortford - St Michael's Mead & Bishop's Park Contact: Anthony Barrett 5th Dan T: 07929 100612 E: barrettbusiness@aol.com W: karateschools.co.uk Bishop’s Stortford Judokwai W: bishopsstortfordjudo.com B.L.Tae Kwon-Do Schools Saffron Walden; Contact: Bruce Lapthorn T: 01354 693554/07816 032265 E: bruce@tkd72.plus.com W: bl-taekwondo-schools.co.uk Budo Taijutsu Saffron Walden W: mushinzui.com Dunmow Shotokan Karate Club Instructor: Garry Hutton T: 07770 854154; W: eska.org.uk Haverhill & Saffron Walden Shotokan Karate Ages: 5+ Contact: Gill Payne; M: 07939 138665 E: gill.payne@talktalk.net Judo, Ickleton and Sawston Ages: 6+ Contact: Richard Drage T: 01763 838203; M: 07860 331081 E: iskjc@yahoo.co.uk) Koryoda Kids Martial Arts for Little Ninjas Ages: 6-11 W: koryoda.com

www.saladdaysmag.uk SW Judo Club Ages: 7+ E: saffronwaldenjudoclub@hotmail.co.uk Thursdays Dame Bradbury's School SW Contact: Michelle Camp FB: "Saffron Walden Judo Club".

Saffron Walden Squash Club Ages: 8-adult; Junior coaching Saturdays Contact: George Atterbury T: 01799 530695 E: george.atterbury@hotmail.com

Shotokan Karate Ryu Bishop’s Stortford & Stansted Ages: 4+ Contact: Sensei Donna Ring 5th Dan or Sensei Michael Ring, 6th Dan T: 01279 731752 W: skr.org.uk

Bishop’s Stortford Swimming Club Bishop's Stortford College Sunday 3-6pm Ages 3-Adult E: membership@bsswimclub.org.uk www.bsswimclub.org.uk

Te-Ashi-Do Karate - see far right Bishop’s Stortford Ages: 3-adult Sensei Alan Worrell, 4th Dan T: 07826 849388 E: alan.worrell@sky.com W: teashido.co.uk Wendens Ambo Mini Rugby Ages: 5-12 Joyce Franklin Academy Contact: E: chair@wendenrugby.com www.wendenrugby.com

n Running

Bishop’s Stortford Running Club Ages: 11-16 Contact: Ian McClymont; T: 01279 723786 W: bsrc.org.uk

n Squash

Bishop’s Stortford Squash Club Juniors Ages: 5 years+ Contact: Andrew Mulvey; T: 01279 652897 E: andrewmulvey@stortfordsquash.co.uk W: stortfordsquash.co.uk

n Swimming

Dolphin Swim Linton, Fulbourn & Bishops Stortford Ages: 6 weeks + Contact: Amanda Gawthrope T: 07975 719 444 E: dolphinbabyswim@gmail.com W: dolphinbabyswim.com & bishopsstortforddolphinswim.com SAS Swimming - see opposite page Linton and Fulbourn classes Ages: from 3 ½ yrs+ T: 01799 500142 or 07947 730287 E: mail@sas-swimming.co.uk W: sas-swimming.co.uk Saffron Walden Swimming Club (Saffron Seals) Ages: 8-16 E: trials@saffronseals.org.uk W: saffronseals.org.uk Meets at Lord Butler Fitness & Leisure Centre, Saffron Walden with training sessions on Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. Competitive club with an element of fun.

T: 0790 01763073 838687 5566E:E:info@saladdaysmag.uk hello@saladdaysmag.co.uk

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Warm water pools ideal for beginners & improvers • Friendly, experienced teachers • Fun and progressive • Small classes (max. 6 pupils) • Free award scheme Linton & Fulbourn Ages 3½ onwards Call 01799 500142, Mob: 07947 730287 sasswimmingcambridge@gmail.com

www.sas-swimming.co.uk

T: 0790 01763073 838687 5566E:E:info@saladdaysmag.uk hello@saladdaysmag.co.uk

Dance & drama n Dance Graham School of Dance T: 01279 654 423 E: info@grahamschoolofdance.co.uk W: grahamschoolofdance.co.uk JCL School of Dance M: 07753 607 523 E: julialast8@gmil.com W: jclschooldance.webden.co.uk Karen Howarth School of Dance T: 01279 651535 E: balletkaren@hotmail.co.uk Kate Plummer School of Dance M: 07832 212 593 E: kateplum@hotmail.co.uk Tempos Performing Arts M: 07956 211 909 E: info@temposperformingarts.co.uk W: temposperformingarts.co.uk

n Drama Drama Wise T: 01223 832 288 E: frances.wyse@btinternet.com W: dramaclasses.biz

n Theatre schools Buzzy Bees Sting Performing Arts M: 07900 735 566 E: hello@stingperformingarts.com W: stingperformingarts.com

Hyperfusion Theatre Co M: 07909 960 490 E: sarah@hyperfusion.co.uk W: hyperfusion.co.uk Pauline Quirk Academy M: 07958 913 456 E: paula.templeman@pqaacademy.com W: pqaacademy.com Pure Rhythm Performing Arts T: 01799 501 579 E: sue@purerhythm.co.uk W: purerhythm.co.uk Saffron Walden Musical Theatre Company M: 07799 628 977 E: swmtcyg@gmail.com W: swmtc.net Stagecoach T: 01799 588 246 E: saffronwalden@stagecoach.co.uk W: stagecoach.co.uk/saffronwalden Sting Performing Arts M: 07903 192 094 E: hello@stingperformingarts.com W: stingperformingarts.com

Music n Choirs, orchestras Cantate Youth Choir E: info@cantate.co.uk W: cantata.co.uk Joyful Noise T: 01799 520 083 E: annecass@btinternet.com

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Sing Dance Act

AWARD WINNING School of Performing Arts

Ages 5 to 17

Parent and child music and dance classes in Saffron Walden and Bishops Stortford

Contact: Sue Raven 07952 993288 or 01799 501579

FRl cElaEsses

Believe, Achieve, sue@purerhythm.co.uk www.purerhythm.co.uk Succeed

tria able avail

Fun, friendly and affordable performing arts classes taught by local professional teachers.

Wide range of classes for students ages 3+ years.

Classes in Stansted, Ugley, Newport and Saffron Walden

www.temposperformingarts.co.uk info@temposperformingarts.co.uk www.tinytempos.co.uk info@tinytempos.co.uk

Tel: 07956 211909

BOOK ONLINE

Aged 4-18? Make music with Saffron Centre for Young Musicians SCYM is a division of Guildhall School, which delivers world-class performing arts training.

To book your two free taster sessions or for more information go to saffroncym.org

Applications for bursaries close Monday 5 July

T: 0790 01763073 838687 5566E:E:info@saladdaysmag.uk hello@saladdaysmag.co.uk

Inclusivity in theatre schools

We spoke to Sting Performing Arts about their theatre school which runs in Bishops Stortford, Saffron Walden and Harlow.

Sting performing arts has been running locally for many years and has a great reputation for creating many opportunities for young people to perform and audition in many West End shows and films. We have seen in the local paper some off their students go on to perform leading roles in West End productions such as, Matilda, Adrian Mole, and recently two students have starred in the new independent film “Love Without Walls”. But suprisingly there is more to know and understand about this independent theatre school which is run by two local ladies who also run classes in all the surrounding schools as afterschool clubs along with an inclusive theatre company.

Tam and Lisa have been teaching students with additional needs for over

15 years for different providers in the area.

But when covid-19 happened the pair were unable to visit their local students to provide classes, and these students were unable to even leave their houses due to being high risk.

The pair started an online weekly class which continues today with Essex cares. The dance and fitness class is now streamed in Saffron Walden, Bishops Stortford, Epping, Loughton and Harlow. The pair have also since opened a brand new Inclusive Theatre group of their own in Harlow.

At Sting Performing Arts everyone is welcome, and everyone is valued because everybody is included. We believe in creating activities and self expression through dance, drama, singing and musical theatre and bringing everybody together regardless of age, differences and abilities. We like to bring people together and educate our younger students that differences will no longer dived us. We will be starting rehearsals with all our students to produce a beautiful inclusive show performance and we would like everyone to come support your local theatre group or get in contact if you would like to help,

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Saffron Walden Town Band M: 07779 266 853 E: stephthake@gmail.com Sting Choir M: 07484 865 763 E: hello@stingperformingarts.com W: stingperformingarts.com

n Music tutors

Dan Ketteridge (Guitar) M: 07862 278 404 E: fig6@hotmail.com Elizabeth De Vile (piano) All ages. Offers practical exams and aural test coaching for instrumentalists.

T: 01799 500 111; E: edevile@hotmail.co.uk James Free (sax, flute, guitar) M: 07818 334 592 E: jamesfsax@gmail.com W: schoolofeverything.com

n Music schools

Kodaly Classes; E: info@saffroncym.org W: Kodaly.org.uk Saffron Centre for Young Musicians E: info@saffronmusicschool.com W: saffronmusicschool.com St Marys C of E school T: 01799 523 384 E: info@st-maryscofe.essex.sch.uk W: stmaryssw.org.uk

Dance classes for young children from the age of 3 years upwards.

Registered teacher of the R.A.D, A.I.S.T.D. Exams in ballet, tap and modern, and contemporary dance.

“

Creativity takes courage,

but behind every performer

is a beginner who fell in love with expression, story telling, & being set free.

“

St. Mary’s Church Junior Choir T: 07928 339 310 E: choirsmsw@gmail.com

pre-school 35

T: 0790 01763073 838687 5566E:E:info@saladdaysmag.uk hello@saladdaysmag.co.uk

Pre-schools n Albury

Albury Seedlings Pre-School Albury C of E Primary School Ages: 2 to school age T: 01279 771253 E: admin@albury.herts.sch.uk

n Ashdon

Ashdon Childrens Nursery Ages: 3mths-5yrs; Contact: Annette Bel T: 01799 584848 E: info@ashdonchildrensnursery.com W: ashdonchildrensnursery.com Forest School sessions in Ashdon E: Sarah@natureoflearning.co.uk W: natureoflearning.co.uk

n Bartlow

Little Hands Nursery Ages: 0-4; Head: Marion Kell T: 01223 897945 E: lh-bartlow@btconnect.com

n Birchanger

Birchanger Butterflies Preschool Birchwood; Ages: 2½-5 T: 01279 810800 E: admin@birchangerbutterflies.org.uk

n Bishop’s Stortford

Appletree Pre-School Windhill21 School Ages: 2-5 Contact: Hayley Lynskey T: 07745 262676/01279 771367

Blues Pre-School Nursery Bishop’s Stortford High School Ages: 2-5 Contact; Kim Craythorne T: 01279 755422 E: admissions@bluespreschool.co.uk W: bluespreschool.co.uk Busy Bees Nursery St Michael’s Mead Ages: 0-5 Contact: Mandy Caslake T: 01279 755522 Busy Bees Thorley Park 16 The Thorley Centre Ages: 3 months-5 yrs Contact: Stacy Kersey T: 01279 654830 Doodle Do Day Nursery The Old Church Hall, Portland Road Ages: Babies-5 Contact: Colleen Guiver T: 01279 653318 E: manager@doodledodaynursery.com W: doodledodaynursery.com Grove Cottage (Special needs) 151 London Road. Bishop’s Stortford.

M-F (offers 15hr and 30hr funded places) Ages: Birth-5 Contact: Maria Sims T: 01279 656085 E: nursery@mencapgrovecottage.org High House Montessori Nursery Takeley Rd, Herts CM22 6PL Ages: 0-5, Contact: Vanessa Callan T: 01279 870898 W: highhousenursery.co.uk

Little Ladybirds All Saints School; Ages: 2-4 Contact: Hayley Lynskey T: 07745 262676/01279 771367 Little Oaks - See page 3 Howe Green House School; Ages: 2-3 Contact: Julie Sellears; T: 01279 657706 E: julie.s@howegreenhouse.essex.sch.uk W: howegreenhousseschool.co.uk Sunflowers Pre-School Ages: 3 & 4 yrs Thorley Hill Primary School Park Lane, CM23 3NH. Manager: Louisa Cowler T: 07752 562206 E: sunflowers.preschool17@gmail.com W: sunflowerspreschool.co.uk Sycamore House Day Nursery Manager: Courtney Skeggs T: 01279 465097; E: manager@ sycamorehousedaynursery.co.uk W: sycamorehousedaynursery.co.uk Thorley Pre-School & Thorley Tree Tots Manager: Jean Palfreman T: 01279 503895; M: 07722 129073 E: admin@thorleypreschool.plus.com W: thorleypreschool.co.uk Thorn Grove Little Acorns Thorn Grove School; Ages: 2-5 Contact: Sam Stedman; T: 01279 653233 E: tglittleacorns@aol.com

n Chrishall

Chrishall Pre-School Manager Mrs Sonia Mckenna T: 01763 838592 E: preschool@chrishall.essex.sch.uk W: chrishall.essex.sch.uk

n Clavering

Clavering & Arkesden Preschool Head: Cara Donker; Ages: 2½-5 T: 01799 550380 E: claveringarkesdenpreschool@gmail.com W: claveringarkesdenpreschool.org.uk

n Farnham

Saplings Farnham (Preschool) Term Time: Mon-Fri 09.00-15.00 Contact: Jess Boyten E: admin@saplingsnursery.co.uk W: saplingsfarnham.co.uk

n Finchingfield

Finchingfield Pre-school Ages: 2-5 Manager: Christine Lambert T: 01371 811593; M: 07713 189801 E: finchingfieldpreschool@gmail.com

n Ford End

Ford End Pre-School Village Hall Prorietor: Joanna Mardell T: 01371 874457 M: 07754 876330 E: joannamardell@yahoo.co.uk W: fordendpreschool.co.uk

n Great Bardfield

Great Bardfield Pre-School Ages: 2 to school age Manager: Kathy King T: 01371 811580; M: 07971 429386 E: KathyKing32@btinternet.com

36 pre-school n Great Chesterford

n Hatfield Broad Oak

n Much Hadham

Great Chesterford Community Preschool Ages: 2-5 Manager: Debbie Allard; T: 07840 341551 E: admissions@chesterfordspreschool. org.uk

Under 5s Preschool High Street, Hatfield Broad Oak Manager: Sharon; T: 01279 718998

Faraway Tree Kindergarten Ages: 2+ Hadham Cross Congregational Ch Hall Manager: Kristie Chesters T: 07488 333820 E: info@farawaytreekindergarten.co.uk W: farawaytreekindergarten.co.uk Mo, Tue, Thur, Fri. 08.30-16.30. All year

n Great Chishill

Great Chishill Nursery School Gt Chishill Cricket Pavillion Ages: 2-5 Head: Anita Street; T: 01763 836968 W: chishillnursery.co.uk

n Great Dunmow

Flitch Green Montessori Preschool Manager: Carly Gold, T: 01371 823293 E: flitchgreen@mymontessori.org.uk W: flitchgreenpreschool.co.uk Freedom Daycare Nursery Contacts: Joules Abraham & Kath Gibson T: 01371 873663 Maynard Montessori Pre-School Managers: Becky Sadler, T: 01371 856995 E: maynard@mymontessori.org.uk W: maynardmontessori.co.uk Puffin Preschool Head: Carolin Dodkins T: 07712 858878 Wrens Pre-School Quaker Meeting House Proprietor: Joanna Mardell T: 01371 874457; M: 07754 876330 E: joannamardell@yahoo.co.uk W: wrenspreschool.co.uk

n Hempstead

Pips Nursery - see page 37 Boytons Farm, Boytons Lane, Hempstead.

T: 01279 295296 M: 07866 469471 E: pippa@pips-nursery.co.uk M-F Flexible hours Registered child minding setting.

Extension of PIPS Nursery in Strethall.

Ages: 3 months to 3 years.

After school care from 4-9 years.

Holiday club with a variety of activities.

Norland Nurse; NNEB, RSH.

n Henham

Henham & Ugley Nursery School Ages: 3-5; Head: Mrs Kim Hall T: 01279 850213 E: admin@henhamugley.essex.sch.uk W: henhamugley.essex.sch.uk Saplings Nursery- see page 34 Ages: 3 mths-5 yrs Contact: Cheryl Rae; T: 01279 851998 E: admin@saplingsnursery.co.uk W: saplingsnursery.co.uk

n Little Hallingbury

Little Hallingbury Playgroup Village Hall; Ages: 2-rising 5 Contact: Debbie Roberts; T: 01279 726578 E: debbieroberts35@virginmedia.com

Much Hadham Pre-School Ages: 2+ -5 years Oudle Lane, Much Hadham SG10 6DQ Contact: Maria; T: 01279 842614 E: muchhadhampreschool@yahoo.co.uk W: muchhadhampreschool.co.uk Monday-Friday 09.00-15.00

n Newport

Olivers Lodge Nursery Ages: 0-4 07.00-18.30; Head: Alex Suffolk T: 01799 540709 E: info@olivers-lodge.co.uK Olivers Lodge Pre-School Ages: 3-4; 09.00-15.00 Head: Alex Suffolk T: 01799 540709 E: info@olivers-lodge.co.uk

n Saffron Walden

Bell Day Nursery; Ages: 0-5 Head: Jenny Rivers/Glenys Goodwin T: 01799 528051 Bright Horizons Crocus Saffron Walden Nursery and Preschool Ages: 3 mth-5 yrs Manager: Anne Hunt T: 01799 522522 E: saffronwalden@brighthorizons.com W: brighthorizons.com.

www.saladdaysmag.uk Meadow Montessori Nursery Ages: 2-5; Head: Colette Loveday T: 01799 513858 W: montessorimeadows.co.uk Saffron Walden Nursery School see left Ages: 1-5 Head: Kirsty Curtis; T: 01799 522108 E: info@saffronwaldennursery.org.uk W: saffronwaldennursery.org.uk Stehen Perse Nursery (Dame Bradbury’s) Ashdon Road, CB10 2AL; Ages: 1-5 T: 01223 454762 E: admissions@stephenperse.com W: stephenperse.com St Mary’s Church Pre-School Ages: 2-5 Head: Faye Jeff; T: 01799 520358 E: smcpreschool@btconnect.com W: stmaryschurchpreschool.co.uk St Thomas More Montessori Ages: 1-5 yrs; Manager: Rachel Salt, Vanessa Thompson T: 01799 523248- ext.3 E: stm@mymontessori.org.uk W: stthomasmoremontessori.co.uk

n Stansted

Bentfield Nursery Ages: 3-5; T: 01279 813626 E: admin@bentfield.essex.sch.uk W: bentfield.essex.sch.uk Rainbow Preschool Ages: 2½-5; Administrator: Gill T: 01279 814242 W: rainbowpreschool-stansted.co.uk

pre-school 37

T: 0790 01763073 838687 5566E:E:info@saladdaysmag.uk hello@saladdaysmag.co.uk Ugley Duckling Pre-School Ages: 2½-5; Head: Caroline Dawson T: 01279 812621

n Steeple Bumpstead

Blois Meadow Day Nursery Ages: Birth-5 years; T: 01440 730520 W: bloismeadowdaynursery.com Steeple Bumpstead Pre-School Ages: 2½-5; Manager: Carol Bradley T: 07376 079254; W: sbpsp.co.uk

n Strethall

Pips Nursery; Ages: 3 mths-3 yrs Head: Pippa Doherty; T: 01799 522782

n Thaxted

The Barn Nursery, Barn Kids Ages: 3 mths-5 yrs; Head: Claire Simpson T: 01371 831262 E: info@thebarnnursery.co.uk

Strong outdoors ethos; based on Forest School Principles

Saffron Walden Nursery School

Shirehill Industrial Estate, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11 3AQ

01799 522108

Westwood Montessori Ages: 3 mths-5 yrs; Managers: Clair Snell-Smith, Jo Gaught; T: 01371 831902 E: westwood@mymontessori.org.uk W: westwoodmontessori.co.uk

Child-centred, Discovery based approach

High quality “home from home” Now welcoming children aged from environment 12 months to 5 years at our friendly with free-flow child-centred setting. access to the outdoors Highly qualified and experienced Staff

n Wendens Ambo

led by a Qualified Early Years & Open from Primary Teacher.

8am-4pm Follow us on Facebook Term time only www.saffronwaldennursery.org.uk swnschool@aol.com

Windmill Pre-School Ages:2ys-5yrs Contact: Anne Guney T: 01371 831457 E: windmillpreschoolthaxted@gmail.com W: thewindmillpreschool.co.uk

Wendens Ambo Pre-School Ages: 2-5; Head: Sara Herring T: 07543 651343 E: manager@wendensambopreschool.co.uk W: wendensambopreschool.co.uk

PIPS Boytons Farm, Boytons Lane, Hempstead. CB10 2PW

t: 01279 295296 m: 07866 469471 e: pippa@pips-nursery.co.uk M-F Flexible hours Registered child minding setting.

Extension of PIPS Nursery in Strethall.

3 months to 3 years.

After school care from 4 to 9 years.

Holiday club with a variety of activities.

Norland Nurse; NNEB, RSH.

38 toddlers and babies n Monday Baby College Felsted Memorial Hall. (10am 18m- 36m) (11am 9m -18m) (12pm 0-9m) Infant, toddlers and junior programmes for parents and little ones to enjoy together with activities and learning skills to promote social skills and awareness.

M: 07871 119037 E: tegan@babycollege.co.uk W: www.babycollege.co.uk Hartbeeps Birchanger Church Hall. 10am Interactive baby and toddler classes featuring: music, puppets, laughter and fun. M: 07779 100053 E: Sharon.g@hartbeeps.com W: www.hartbeeps.com/bishopsstortford-harlow-andsurrounds Sing and Sign Stansted Free Chruch, Stansted Mountfitichet from 9:30am The award - winning baby singing & music classes from 0-26 mths. Songs, props, sensory & fun.

M: 07828 316397 E: alexandra@singandsign.co.uk W: bit.ly/singandsignhomepage Toddler Steam Saffron Walden 9:30qm Free STEAM (Science, technology, engineering, art and maths) sessions for babies and toddlers.

M: 07708 157326 IG @sandratoddlersteam

(term time only except where stated)

Boogie Woogies United Reform Church, Saffron Walden Music & Movement classes from 9:30am M: 07837 176823 E: sarah@boogiewoogies.co.uk W: www.boogiewoogies.co.uk

n Tuesday

Baby Massage with Lauren Saffron Walden Town Hall. 10:15-11:15 Learn to massage your baby and enjoy time with your little one!

M: 07840 544709 E: babymassagewithlauren@gmail.com W: www.babymassagewithlauren.co.uk Hartbeeps Bishops Stortford Rugby Club from 10am Interactive baby and toddler classes featuring: music, puppets, laughter and fun. M: 07779 100053 E: Sharon.g@hartbeeps.com W: www.hartbeeps.com/bishopsstortford-harlow-andsurrounds Sweaty Mama Golden Acre community centre, Saffron Walden 11am. A specialist group for pre natal and post natal women to enjoy activities for mind and body with baby or bump. M: 07834 530296 E: claireneville@sweatymama.com W: www.sweatymama.com Boogie Woogies Margret Street Hall, Thaxted. From 9:30am. Unique music and movement classes for babies and pre-school aged children. M: 07837 176823 E: sarah@boogiewoogies.co.uk W: www.boogiewoogies.co.uk

Tiny Tempos St Barnabas Centre, Thorley 10:45am11:30am. Music and movement classes suitable from birth. M: 07956 211909 E: info@tinytempos.co.uk W: www.tinytempos.co.uk Baby Sensory Flitch Green Community Centre, Dunmow.

From 9:30am. All classes are structured to introduce ideas of play to aid and enhance babies’ precious early learning through play. M: 07703 79027 W: braintree@babysensory.co.uk Sing and Sign The Hub Church, Bishops Stortford from 9:30am The award - winning baby singing & music classes from 0-26 mths.

Songs, props, sensory & fun.

M: 07828 316397 E: alexandra@singandsign.co.uk W: bit.ly/singandsignhomepage

n Wednesday

Baby Massage with Lauren Parsonage Community Hall, Bishops Stortford. 10:45-11:45. Learn to massage your baby and enjoy time with your little one! M: 07840 544709 E: babymassagewithlauren@gmail.com W: www.babymassagewithlauren.co.uk Hartbeeps – Baby Beeps Stansted Free Church Hall. 11:15am Interactive baby and toddler classes featuring: music, puppets, laughter and fun. M: 07779 100053 E: Sharon.g@hartbeeps.com W: www.hartbeeps.com/bishopsstortford-harlow-andsurrounds

www.saladdaysmag.uk Tiny Tempos Golden Acre Community Centre, Saffron Walden. 11:15-11:45. Tiny Tutus toddler ballet classes for parent and child.

Suitable from 18months old.

M: 07956 211909 E: info@tinytempos.co.uk W: www.tinytempos.co.uk Bible Group Saffron Walden 10am Free and friendly Bible group sessions for Families with young children. M: 07708 157326 IG: @Sandratoddlersteam BoogieWoogies United Reform Church, Saffron Walden from 9:30am. Unique music and movement classes for babies and preschool aged children. M: 07837 176823 E: sarah@boogiewoogies.co.uk W: www.boogiewoogies.co.uk

n Thursday

Sweaty Mama Standon Village Hall 10:30am. A specialist group for pre natal and post natal women to enjoy activities for mind and body with baby or bump.

M: 07834 530296 E: claireneville@sweatymama.com W: www.sweatymama.com Jo Jingles Sewards End Village Hall from 9:30am Jo Jingles offers fun, interactive music, singing and movement classes for babies and pre-school children. T: 01440 730039 E: westsuffolk@jojingles.co.uk W: www.jojingles.com

T: 0790 01763073 838687 5566E:E:info@saladdaysmag.uk hello@saladdaysmag.co.uk Tiny Tempos Baptist Church, Saffron Walden 10:45 – 11:30. Music and movement classes suitable from birth.

M: 07956 211909 E: info@tinytempos.co.uk W: www.tinytempos.co.uk Baby Gymnastics Twyford Industrial Estate, Bishops Stortford 9:15am. This 45 minute class is aimed to stimulate learning through sensory using hand apparatus and encourage talking and singing with songs and play. M: 07808 808815 E: enquiries@stortfordgymnastics.com W: www.stortfordgymnastics.com Kids Lingo Saffron Walden, Dunmow and Bishops Stortford. From 10am. In our award winning classes the aim is to bring the language to life through songs, games, stories and drama. M: 07926 007797 E: jessicalp@kidslingo.co.uk W: www.kidslingo.co.uk Sing and Sign The Hub Church, Bishops Stortfordfrom 9:30am The award - winning baby singing & music classes from 0-26 mths.

Songs, props, sensory & fun.

M: 07828 316397 E: alexandra@singandsign.co.uk W: bit.ly/singandsignhomepage

n Friday

Hartbeeps Birchanger Church Hall from 10am Interactive baby and toddler classes featuring: music, puppets, laughter and

(term time only L except where stated)

toddlers and babies 39

fun. M: 07779 100053 E: Sharon.g@hartbeeps.com W: www.hartbeeps.com/bishopsstortford-harlow-andsurrounds Sweaty Mama Personage Lane Community Hall, Bishops Stortford 10:30am. A specialist group for pre natal and post natal women to enjoy activities for mind and body with baby or bump. M: 07834 530296 E: claireneville@sweatymama.com W: www.sweatymama.com Tiny Tempos Baptist Church, Saffron Walden 9:4010:45 & 10:45-11:30. Music and movement classes suitable from birth.

M: 07956 211909 E: info@tinytempos.co.uk W: www.tinytempos.co.uk

BOOKSY APP 01371 830129

Baby Sensory Flitch Green Community Centre, Dunmow.

From 9:30am. All classes are structured to introduce ideas of play to aid and enhance babies’ precious early learning through play. M: 07703 790273 W: braintree@babysensory.co.uk Yoga Todds Town Hall, Market Street, Saffron Walden 10:30am.Toddlers Yoga from walking to approx. six years. M: 07977 995204 E: flowyogakids@gmail.com W: www,bookwhen.com/yogatodds Boogie Woogies United Reform Church, Saffron Walden Music & Movement classes from 9:30am M: 07837 176823 E: sarah@boogiewoogies.co.uk W: www.boogiewoogies.co.uk

Music and Movement classes for Babies - Preschoolers in Saffron Walden Please visit www.boogiewoogies.co.uk for details of upcoming blocks of classes and to book your space Or contact Sarah Jones directly for more info Email: sarah@boogiewoogies.co.uk

Tel: 07837 176823

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How to get help from Uttlesford Citizens Advice The last 18 months have been hard on many of us, but there are things that can make it a little easier.

Our team of trained advisers can help you to access: • Local foodbanks and children’s clothes banks • School holiday support • Help to save money on your energy bills & grants to improve energy efficiency • Support with housing and homelessness issues • Emergency funds for prescriptions and other household essentials • Budgeting & debt support • Employment advice & access to support for job seekers • Universal Credit & Disability Benefits • Benefits for working families • Support for carers • Help from your local council, such as council tax support Remember, you don’t need to be on benefits to ask for our help. Our advice is available to everyone and is always

free, confidential and impartial. We will work with you to overcome barriers and solve problems that may be preventing you from sleeping well at night.

• For online advice go to www.citizensadvice.org.uk • Call us on 01799 618840 • Email help@uttlesfordca.org.uk • Or visit our new one-touch video access point in Great Dunmow library!

Simply pop into the library in Dunmow and touch the screen to talk to a ‘reallife adviser’, anytime between 9.30am to 3.30 pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday.

If you are passionate about social justice and have some time to spare, why not join our team of volunteers?

You will meet new people, gain new skills and experiences that could enhance your CV, challenge yourself and achieve great satisfaction! Visit our website for more information and to find out about the different volunteer roles available. www.uttlesfordca.org.uk

Born to Birth.

Hypnobirthing and caesarean section classes. T: 07828 866198 E: ellie@borntobirthcompany.com W: www.borntobirthcompany.com

Accuro Supporting young people with disability in West Essex T :01279 870297 W: www.accuro.org.uk

Children’s Centres

Herts Family Centres T: 0300 123 7572 W: www.hertsfamilycentres.org

Conkers Children’s Centre Cathodoeon Centre, Linton T: 07768 008919

Antenatal and postnatal

Little Goslings Family Hub North Street, Great Dunmow T: 0300 2470122

Mummy MOT A woman’s health check with physio Contact: Fiona, M: 07757 609091 E: hello@fionaolearlyphysio.co.uk W: www.fionaolearlyphysio.co.u

Spangles family Hub Lower Street, Stansted T: 0300 2470122

Hypnobirthing Birth Easy with Georgia Bishop’s Stordford T: 07919 158070 E: georgia@birtheasy.co.uk W: www.birtheasywithgeorgia.co.uk

Fairycroft Children’s Centre T: 01799 521602 W: www.essexcentre.info/Fairycroft

We deliver over 10,000 FREE magazines directly into the school books bags of every school in the area above. We include social, community and health hubs.

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Call :- 07900 735566