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Issue 30
September/ October 2012
SOLENT WEST
IN THIS ISSUE:
How to encourage
reading
After school activities
The Hampshire Baby &
Toddler Show 2012
What’s on this
Autumn
Solent West
September
2012
The- October
really
useful magazine for families with children 0 - 12 years Families
in Hampshire
September - October 2012
Families Solent West
Contents
News &
Information
4
All the latest local
news you need to
know.
Cover image: Marks & Spencer
Families Solent West
Editor: Rebecca Carr
0808 108 0917
editor@familiessolentwest.co.uk
Next issue: November/ December 2012
Booking deadline: 1 October 2012
Copy deadline: 6 October 2012
40,000 readers per issue
Printed by Cedar Group
www.familiessolentwest.co.uk
Copyright: Families Solent West, September/ October 2012
Data Protection: if you send us your name and address in order to win a prize
in a competition, we may supply your details to the company offering the prize. If
you would prefer us not to tdo this please state this on your entry.
Disclaimer: Colour transparencies and anuy other original materials submitted
for publication are sent at the owners risk and whilst every care is taken, neither
Families Solent West not its agents accept liability for loss or damage. We take
care preparing this magazine but the publishers and distributors cannot be held
responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents nor
for consequence.
The Hampshire
Baby & Toddler
Show 2012
6
This popular show
returns for a thirdyear. Find out more
on page 6.
How to
encourage
reading
8
A simple guide to
help your child with
their reading and
learning.
Family
Health
9
Should kids eat less
wheat? Eliabeth
Dalton investigates.
After School 10
activities
What to choose now
the kids are back to
school.
Families Solent West is part of a group established in 1990 headed by Families
South West London. All magazines are independently owned and operated under
licence.
Like to work from home
round your family?
Pocket money or
full time business?
Please email Alex on
alex.murraytwinn@yahoo.co.uk
for a free, no obligation
information pack
September - October 2012
Families Solent West
3
News & Views
Easy2Name Off to School set
We have 5 Easy2Name Off to School sets to give away, each set
is worth £18.90 and contains 30 waterproof stickers, 30 iron on
name tapes, 1 set of shoe covers, 1 bag tag and 1 shoe bag.
Mini Witches and
Wizards for Perform
Drama, Dance &
Singing Workshops
Autumn 2012
To enter the draw simply send a postcard to Easy2Name School
Give Away, Malthouse Farmyard, Ecchinswell, Newbury, Berks
RG20 4TT
Please state clearly the name of your child and whether you require the shoe bag and labels in red, pink or blue.
The full range can be seen at www.easy2name.com
Be careful with music
A new survey by Baby Sensory has discovered that many parents are unaware of the
risks of playing music through headphones
to their baby bump. The research by the
baby development classes found that 89%
of parents are unaware of the risks involved when playing music to their unborn
child: that the amniotic fluid within the
womb actually doubles the level of decibels
a child hears from 60 to 120. Baby Sensory
founder, Dr Lin Day says, “It is widely researched and publicised that playing music
to an unborn child helps mother and child
bond and assists with brain development,
which I fully support. However, the problem with playing the headphones directly
on the abdomen is that the amniotic fluid
works as a conductor of sound and can
amplify the music which causes it to be
far louder for the baby. This can, in some
circumstances, lead to hearing problems to
the child from birth.”
Find out more at www.babysensory.com
Romsey-based Hampshire
Collegiate Prep School
has appointed a new Head
Teacher
There’s more than a hint of magic in the
air this autumn as Perform enters the
Magician’s Chamber, Perform’s most spell
binding term yet.
Local children are invited to don their
finest wizard robes, seize their magic
wands firmly and enter the weird and
wonderful world of Arthurian Legends. As
always, Perform’s unique drama, dance and
singing workshops will be full of thrills,
spills and laughter.
Helen Donnelly joins with more than 20
years’ teaching experience, leaving the post
of Head of Junior School at LVS Ascot in
Berkshire where she taught for 10 years.
As well as taking up her new role, Helen
also has the task of introducing her two
children to the school following the family’s recent relocation to the south.
To find out more go to:
www.hampshirecs.org.uk or call
01794 512206
Next advertising deadline is 1 October 2012 - Bumper Christmas Issue
Tel: 0808 108 0917, email: ads@familiessolentwest.co.uk
Unlike other drama schools, Perform
focuses exclusively on SERIOUS FUN. So,
whilst children have the best fun of the
week, they are also learning confidence,
communication, concentration and coordination skills at the same time, giving
them a head start in life.
Perform offers a Free Trial Session, so
why not bring your 4-8 year old along this
September to discover the wonderful world
of Perform for them? Your local classes are
in Fleet, Basingstoke, Winchester.
For more information visit:
perform.org.uk or call: 0845 400 1304
Home-School Tutoring UK (est. 1984)
Tutors (with full references/CRB checked) available for:
•
•
•
•
•
All ages, levels and subjects
Special Needs Support
Exam Preparation
Support with Home Schooling
Holiday and/or Term time work
Initial consultation is free and without obligation
Please contact the Area Advisor for Hampshire
(West & Central)
Mrs Alex Murray-Twinn, BA (Hons) PGCE, NPQH
e: alex.murray-twinn@homeschooltutoring.co.uk
t: 02380 275573
www.homeschooltutoring.co.uk
4
September - October 2012
Families Solent West
Win one of 2 Birthday Parties at Gambado
Gambado Eastleigh, located at the Swan Leisure Centre offers a host of fantastic value for money
party packages. We cater for Birthday Parties from your child’s first to eleventh birthday! And we
have just launched NEW prices! Prices start from £7.95/ toddler for a weekday toddler party to just
£8.95/ child for a 4 year old plus to celebrate afterschool or £10.95/child at the weekend. So sit back
and relax as we provide:
· 2 hours of fun- 120 mins play and 40 mins party entertainment and hot and cold buffet
· One of the best party hosts in town
· A hot and cold yummy party buffet catering to match all children’s favourites and
unlimited sugar free squash
· Balloons, blowers, invites, thank you cards
· Themes, adult food and a visit from your favourite character such as Games Boy, the
Pink Pig or Fireman Sammy (additional cost applies)
For more information or to book at your convenience on line please visit our website www.gambado.com or call our Party Bookings team on
0844 375 9494
For your chance to win a party for 10 children ( any package, any time subject to availability) please visit: www.familiessolentwest.co.uk/
competitions to enter. T&C apply. Closing date is 30 October 2012.
Birthday Extravaganza......
Come and celebrate with us
Southampton NCT wins lottery
funding for breastfeeding
support scheme
The Southampton National Childbirth Trust has been
awarded £6,800 lottery funding to support a breastfeeding peer support programme. With local breastfeeding
rates well below the national average, the project aims to train 12 local mothers to become peer supporters to help encourage women to sustain breastfeeding. The training
involves 20 hours’ tutorial time to receive a nationally recognised OCN qualification.
If you have breastfed for at least three months and are interested in becoming a peer
supporter, email sotonbfc@nct.org.uk
Little Pickles Markets will be celebrating their
2nd Birthday with their biggest market yet
at River Park Leisure Centre, Gordon Road,
Winchester on Sunday 16th September 2pm 4pm. Bring the whole family to join in the fun
with Iggle Piggle, Peppa Pig and Super Mario,
a Bouncy Castle, face painting and free Wiggle
Waggle music session. With over 40 tables of
pre-loved childrens clothes, toys and equipment plus other child related businesses! First
100 goody bags with free samples free! £1 adult
entry, children free.
www.littlepicklesmarkets.co.uk
The Big Book Hunt
Take part in the children’s big book hunt from September– 31st December.
Do you have any children’s library books at home that might be hiding under a
bed, in a cupboard, on a bookshelf or possibly chewed by the family dog? Not sure
what to do with them? Why not join in the Big Book Hunt between September
and December and return any books you find to your local library.
You can even have new library cards if your old ones are lost and you can start
borrowing books the same day. With an offer this good, make sure you tell family
and friends about the Big Book Hunt and help children to become library users
again.
www.southampton.gov.uk/libraries
September - October 2012
Families Solent West
5
The Hampshire Baby and
Toddler Show 2012
F
Southampton’s premier Baby and
Toddler Show is back for a third
year and is sure to be a fantastic day
out.
WIN TICKETS
We’ve got 5 pairs of
tickets to giveaway.
The event takes place at the City Cruise
Terminal in Southampton on Sunday 4 NoSimply go to
vember from 10.30am – 4pm. The event offers
www.familiessolentwest.co.uk
parents and parents-to-be the chance to try,
to enter for your chance to
test and buy the very latest products, enjoy a
win
demonstration session and take part in activities for parents and toddlers. Our exhibitors
include; clubs and classes, family portraits, baby
knitwear and bespoke clothing, organic products, books and
much more.
Our headline sponsor this year is Mothercare, who will be
showcasing the latest in pushchair technology as well as offering car seat safety demonstrations. If you visit their stand
on the day you will also receive a special 10% discount off any
purchase or orders taken at the show.
As well as the exhibition, there are lots of entertainment and
taster sessions for everyone including; toddler football, baby
yoga, music and movement, soft play, a bouncy castle, plus you
can meet Peppa Pig! Plus we have 1000 goody bags to giveaway
and we’ll also be running a charity raffle in aid of Wildern
Opportunity Group, based in Hedge End, who provide support
for children with special needs.
Facilities at the show include a baby feeding café, baby
changing, a breast-feeding area and free parking. With
everything on one level the venue provides easy access for
everyone including pushchairs!
Advanced tickets are now available for £3.50 (£5 on the day)
and can be purchased on the website. All advanced tickets
holders will be entered into a draw to win one of two £250
Mothercare gift vouchers. Plus all visitors will receive a free
family swim voucher to redeem at a choice of venues. Book
your tickets today and don’t miss this fantastic event!
Timeless 24 hour childcare agency offer a
range of services across Hampshire including:
• Quality childcarers & babysitters
• Registered childminders
• Full & part time nannies
Are you a qualified childcarer? If so, we would
like to hear from you. please call us on:
07934 828728 or visit our website:
www.timeless24.co.uk
• Birthing solutions
• Taster sessions
• Childcare
• Baby feeding area
• Photography
• Baby & toddler classes
• Financial advice
• Music & movement
• Organic products
• Bouncy castle & soft play
• Expert advice
• Pushchairs & car seats
• baby essentials
• Toys
• charity raffle
• Free show guide
SPECIAL READER OFFER
£1.00 off
entry on the day with this coupon.
Valid on Sunday 4 November only. Families Solent West
www.babyshowhampshire.co.uk
6
September - October 2012
Families Solent West
Etikett is a unique boutique specialising in
classic, traditional and designer wear for
babies and children 0 - 8 years.
* accredited christening retailer
* shoes & accessories
* toys & gifts
* baby & premature babywear
* girls & boys wear
* free gift wrapping service & loyalty card
* baby gift hampers - ideal for baby showers,
birth congratulations, in stock and made to order
22 High Street, Botley, Southampton SO30 2EA
Tel: 01489 785829 I www.etikett.co.uk
FREE PARKING IN THE SQUARE & CAR PARKS
September - October 2012
Families Solent West
7
How To... encourage reading
Simple, quick guides to help you help your family
by Eliabeth Dalton
Many of us know the value and enjoyment
of reading. Good readers become better
writers, better learners and well rounded
individuals. Taking an active part in helping your children become interested in
reading is vital.
Despite busy days, tired kids, limited time
and many distractions, we outline five
simple steps that can help.
Step one
Set up reading time every day
Decide when and where a reading session will take place, which fits into your
household schedule. 10 minutes is fine.
Encourage your child to read aloud. They
don’t have to get every word right, and
praise them often. If they are discouraged by their own reading, you read
aloud. The pleasure of listening to you
read can restore their enthusiasm.
Offer to read every other sentence, page,
chapter, and have conversations and
discussions about the content.
See the teacher and judge where they
are:
Find out what reading program the
school follows, get to know the levels,
and aim to supplement the program at
home.
Prepare a timetable. Know what level
your child is at and the next, with some
idea of when it can be achieved. There is
no race to be the first to read, it just puts
things into context.
Step four
Plan specific reading linked activities:
Extend your child’s positive reading
experiences, e.g. If they enjoyed reading
about dinosaurs, visit the natural history museum.
Make it fun. Children love sound
effects, different voices, pulling faces.
Encourage activities that require reading, e.g. read a recipe, instructions,
and directions, play games that require
reading, use a reference book to look up
something you have seen.
Step two
Visit the library and give your child their
own library card. They can choose their
own library book or listen in on storytime.
During reading time:
Introduce the bookmark. Stop after a
few pages and pick up where you left off
at another time.
Provide an accessible, special place for
children to keep their own books.
Use special incentives like an extra 5
minutes to finish a chapter, a promise
to take them to see the film of the book,
sticker charts and certificates.
Let them choose their own books. Don’t
worry the books are too young or too
easy, early reading success can came
from several “non-traditional” sources
such as comics.
8
Step three
September - October 2012
Helping reading for children with
learning difficulties
Books and Audio
Follow a book as the audio book plays. Listen to a chapter, and then read it together.
Turn on the TV subtitles
Sub-titles on your TV or DVD help
increase sight word vocabulary, whilst
developing a sense of flow of written and
spoken language
Make your child the star of their own
audio book
Your child can read into a recorder, then
follow the book together during playback
Everyone joins in
Reserve thirty minutes each evening for
family reading time. Each family member
reads different material and then shares
information about it, or take turns reading
aloud from the same book.
Support their learning
Help ensure your child doesn’t get behind
in reading material necessary for school
subjects, ask for help with obtaining textbooks on CD ROM. Together identify
unfamiliar words you come across and
show your child how to look up the meanings of words.
Step five
Be a role model:
Let your children see you reading for
pleasure. Read aloud everyday items menus, road signs, food labels.
Give books as gifts.
Leave books, magazines, and colourful
catalogues around your home.
Write short notes for your child to read.
Families Solent West
Should our kids
eat less wheat?
To advertise in
Families Solent West
call: 0808 108 0917
Advert1:Layout 1 05/12/2011 12:16 Page 1
good quality baby and
'Buy and Sell Pre-loved
equipment'
children's clothes and
Check out our webs
ite for dates and ven
www.littlepicklesmar
email: littlepicklesma
ues near you:
kets.co.uk
rkets@gmail.com
Contact us on : 07856 832095
Check out our social media sites:
For centuries wheat has been at the centre
of our diets. Over the last 10,000 years,
the earth’s population has doubled ten
times, and wheat is one food source that
has helped enable this. Wheat feeds more
people in the world today than any other
food. Yet nutritional therapists are starting to advise reducing our consumption of
wheat, in some cases even eliminating it
from our diets totally. Why?
Wheat is a common part of our and our
children’s diets. It is in almost every meal
we have - cereal, bread, crackers, biscuits,
cakes, pastry, and pasta. It is also recommended by many world governments as an
essential part of our daily intake. However, wheat grown today looks very different
from how it used to look. Chemicals are
used to grow wheat today, as well as preservatives, and the most notable difference
is how it’s processed. Today most wheatbased foods are highly processed, removing
most of the nutrients.
Perhaps therein lays the reason, as wheat
is increasingly being linked to common
allergy, sensitivity, ADD and hyperactivity in kids, celiac disease, fatigue, weight
gain and more. Wheat contains fibre and
other nutrients that are beneficial for
health and wellness. However, sensitivity
to wheat and gluten (a large protein found
in wheat) is increasing. Some people have
a severe allergic reaction to gluten, known
as coeliac disease, which affects as many as
one in 300 in the UK. But wheat intolerance is also more prevalent. Symptoms
occur after the body reacts to wheat and
interferes with its normal processes,
causing everything from irritable bowel
syndrome to thyroid disorders, arthritis,
diabetes, asthma and eczema. Indeed,
many nutritional therapists believe too
September - October 2012
much wheat causes headaches, a feeling
of ill health, bloating, tiredness and even
depression. There’s little mainstream
scientific evidence to support this, but that
hasn’t stopped nutritionists advising their
patients to cut down on wheat intake or
use alternatives to wheat such as spelt, rye,
barley, rice and soy.
Twitter:twitter.com/littlepicklesmk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/littlepicklesmarkets1
It is very easy to overdose on wheat and
end up eating it for breakfast, lunch and
dinner – toast, sandwiches, a pizza. Try
cutting wheat down to one meal a day for
the family, and eat the most natural and
unrefined wheat such as wholemeal or
wholegrain bread and whole-wheat pasta.
While it may not necessary for most of us
to cut out wheat completely from our diets,
it’s worth the effort to reduce excessive
wheat intake.
Wheat free lunch boxes
Good quality proteins, complex carbohydrates and healthy fats are the key to a
super wheat-free lunch box.
• Quality proteins - Deli meats, cheese
and cheese spreads, salads (chicken,
turkey, tuna), soup, yogurt, protein bars,
hard-boiled eggs, falafel
• Complex carbohydrates - Vegetables
and fruits (celery, carrot sticks, sugar snap
peas, broccoli, cauliflower), rice, whole
grain gluten free bread and crackers,
hummus, gluten free pasta with pesto and
pinenuts, rice cakes with fun toppings (nut
butters, jam, cheese)
• Healthy Fats - Olive oil, raw nuts/seeds,
dried fruit, avocados, olives
Families Solent West
9
Choosing after-school
activities
After-school activities can provide enrichment, adventure and variety. They can
enhance knowledge and build character.
Spend a bit more time choosing the right
activity programme for your child and you
will reap the benefits.
Consideration for special needs
children
Consider your child’s interests, rather than
their needs. Many regular activities can
use technology or planning to help their
participation, e.g. drama, athletics, cooking, academic Evaluate your child’s stamina.
Check they have the energy for an extracurricular activity?
Talk with the activity leaders about your
child’s unique medical and communication
needs.
Make sure family downtime is a regular part
of the schedule.
After-school activities definitely offer value to your children. Reports indicate those
who participate in after-school programs
have better school attendance, higher
grades and loftier aspirations. They’re less
likely to get into trouble are at lower risk
of obesity. It is also a great opportunity for
children to develop social and leadership
skills. The benefits are there, but under
which classes?
Talk to your child and find out how they
feel about the activity, and let them
choose at least one club or activity themselves. Help them choose activities that
reflect who they are and what they want
to learn, don’t impose your preferences.
Explain that it’s important and fun to
try new things, and remember switching
activities is normal amongst children.
Always check out the quality of an activity.
Discipline-based activities that create a
quality product over a period of time are
great, e.g. putting on a play. Don’t think
that high cost equal high quality, some
10
September - October 2012
activities are cheaper to run like football.
Staff members should be professionals
with skills and experience.
Consider the mix of activities. The benefits
of exercise are huge, so including a sport
would be a good start. Extracurricular
activities are ideal for children to explore
and practice what it means to be a group
leader, e.g. Brownies. If you are stuck
between two similar activities, consider
the usefulness, e.g. drum lessons might
be cool, but the guitar might have wider
applicability.
Remember the inclusion of children with
special needs is beneficial to all. Special needs
children achieve more, improve behaviour,
and enhance motivation. Children without
special needs learn from working cooperatively and grow in confidence through
helping others.
Finally, remember logistics. The afterschool programme affects you too. Avoid
signing on to too many activities that
leave you scrambling from one to the next.
No one will have fun doing anything if
it means arriving late, leaving early, and
going without dinner on Tuesdays and
Thursdays. Look hard for places you can
walk to, it reduces your carbon footprint
while keeping you fit for free!
Finally do build in some downtime. Children need to have independent play as
well as the structured activities, so ensure
time is built in for dinner, watching T.V.
and relaxing. Leave some activities perhaps for the summer, when different interests can be tried, without the pressure of
school demands.
Images © Fotolia.com
As the new school year starts, so does the
time to choose after-school activities, but
take a quick look and you will find a whole
range of classes available, from Scouts to
Ballet, from French to Karate. How can
we know which ones are the best for our
child, offer value for money, and critically,
which ones they will enjoy!
Dance, Rhythm,
Coordination,
Imagination, Fun
For Boys and
Girls aged 2-5
CALLING ALL
TODDLERS TO GET
THEIR ‘GROOVE’ ON!
Classes held @
Romsey Rapids
For more information
call Emma on
0781 8406831
Families Solent West
a s el d
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Treasure Island
The perfect family show!
Parrots,
Pirates
and Pieces
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Nuffield Theatre Southampton
7 December 2012 to 6 January 2013
023 8067 1771
www.nuffieldtheatre.co.uk
September - October 2012
/nuffieldtheatre
@nuffieldtheatre
Families Solent West
11
© Sir Harold Hillier Gardens
What’s On
We aim to be as accurate as possible but the listings are compiled several weeks
beforehand and may be subject to change. Please contact venues in advance to
check details and prices.
Throughout September
Art in the Garden
Sculpture Family Trail
www.hilliergardens.org.uk
Free with normal admission
picture book by Children’s
Laureate Julia Donaldson MBE
and Axel Scheffler. Songs, laughs
and scary fun for children aged 3+
and their grown ups.
Exciting family trails where
children can learn about colour
and camouflage while discovering
art in the Gardens.
Little Pickles Markets
West End Parish Centre,
West End, SO30 3FE
Family Summer’s End
Picnic and Concert with
Fireworks
www.hilliergardens.org.uk
6pm to 9pm , Adults £12,
Children £8
Live entertainment for all the
family including hilarious shows,
dancing, singing, circus skills and
dressing up.
16 September
Little Pickles Markets
Birthday extravaganza
River Park Leisure Centre,
Winchester
www.littlepicklesmarkets.co.uk
2pm - 4pm
40 tables of quality Pre-loved
children’s toys, clothes and equipment for sale. Bouncy castle, face
painting, free music session with
Wiggle Waggle and come and
meet Iggle Piggle, Peppa Pig and
Super Mario!
19 - 20 September
The Gruffalo
Theatre Royal Winchester
Box office 01962 840440
1.30pm (20th Sept at
10.20am & 1.30pm)
Children’s favourite The Gruffalo
has been performed to well over
a million people worldwide. Join
Mouse on an adventurous journey
through the deep, dark wood in
Tall Stories’ magical, musical
adaptation of the award-winning
12 September - October 2012
Festival of Autumn Colour
www.exbury.co.uk
Daily 10am – 5pm
Children free, Adults £9.50
One of the most stunning displays
of autumn colour in the country.
Exbury is National Collection
holder for Nyssa and Oxydendrum, two of the most beautiful
autumn trees.
to 4 Nov
1 September
www.littlepicklesmarkets.co.uk
10am – 11.30am
Buy and sell pre-loved good quality baby and children’s clothing
and equipment.
1 October
6 October
Baby and Children’s Market
The Romsey School
Main Hall, Greatbridge,
Romsey SO51 8ZB
22 September
Baby and Children’s Market
Regents Park Community
College, Main Hall, King
Edward Avenue, Shirley,
Southampton SO16 4GW
2.30pm to 4.30pm
www.babyandchildrensmarket.co.uk
A large selection of stalls selling
excellent quality pre loved and
new items for boys and girls aged
from birth to six years. Entrance :
Adults: £1, Free for Kids.
Refreshments. Parking is free.
For more information call Kirsten
on 07580 410594 or to book a
stall visit our website.
30 September
Little Pickles Markets
The Hilt, Hiltingbury Road,
Chandlers Ford
www.littlepicklesmarkets.co.uk
10am – 11.30am
Buy and sell pre-loved good quality baby and children’s clothing
and equipment.
Throughout October
Art in the Garden
Sculpture Family Trail
www.hilliergardens.org.uk
Free with normal admission
Exciting family trails where children can learn about colour and
camouflage while discovering art
in the Gardens.
Little Pickles Markets
Jubilee Hall, Little Shore
Lane, Bishops Waltham
www.littlepicklesmarkets.co.uk
10am – 11.30am
Buy and sell pre-loved good quality baby and children’s clothing
and equipment.
14 October
Little Pickles Markets
Fleming Park Leisure
Centre, Eastleigh
www.littlepicklesmarkets.co.uk
2 - 3.30pm
Buy and sell pre-loved good quality baby and children’s clothing
and equipment.
2pm to 4pm
www.babyandchildrensmarket.co.uk
11 October
Autumn Festival
www.hilliergardens.org.uk
Adults £3. Children free.
Buy 4 tickets and get 5th
free
Spectacular range of crafts and
sculpture plus countryside
activities including pottery
demonstration, rake making,
ferret racing.
to 14 Oct
13 October
Big Draw
www.exbury.co.uk
Daily from 10am – 5pm last
admission. Children free,
Adults £9.50
Create an autumnal collage with
fallen leaves, twigs and berries
from the Gardens, under the
watchful of the National Assn of
Flower Arrangement Societies
(NAFAS).
20 October
RHS & New Forest
Breakfast Walks
www.exbury.co.uk
8am – 10.30am Adults£19
(£15.20 RHS Members /
Friends of Exbury)
Enjoy a walk around an autumnal
Exbury with Head Gardener John
Anderson, finishing with a
3-course locally sourced
breakfast. Re-entry to Gardens
included to visit Nerine exhibition.
& 21 Oct
Little Pickles Markets
Isaac Watts Memorial
United Reformed Church,
Winchester Road, SO16 6TS
www.littlepicklesmarkets.co.uk
2.30pm – 4pm
Buy and sell pre-loved good
quality baby and children’s
clothing and equipment.
& 14 Oct
Sweet on Honey
www.hilliergardens.org.uk
Free with normal admission,
1.30pm to 5pm
Annual honey show of the
Hampshire Beekeeping
Association.
Families Solent West
Watershed Productions present the BBC Worldwide and Polka
Theatre Production of
CHARLIE AND LOLA’S
BESTEST PLAY
Tues 30 & Wed 31 Oct
Based on the characters created by Lauren
Child adapted by Jonathan Lloyd
Show times: 11am I 1.30pm I 3.45pm
BOX OFFICE 01962 840440
www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk
September - October 2012
Families Solent West
13
Autumn Half Term Events
27 October
Exbury Ghost Train
www.exbury.co.uk
Trains run daily from 10am
– 3.45pm Admission to
Gardens Ghost Train:
Adults £13.50; Children £4;
Familiy £34
Ride the Exbury Ghost Train and
enjoy a “Halloween Phantomime”!
Come in fancy dress and receive
a free goody bag. Lots of
Halloween characters, terrible
jokes, props galore and a very
dark tunnel!
to 4 Nov
Halloween Festival
www.marwell.org.uk/halloween
10am – 5pm
Adult £16-£18, Child £12£14
Prepare to be spooked…meet all
manner of creepy crawlies and
even see a python up close,
enjoy spooky storytelling with our
resident witch. Visit our pumpkin
emporium – where you can buy a
pumpkin (or bring your own) then
draw on and carve your very own
design. Our experts will be on
hand to assist, so don’t be shy!
Plus, throughout the week,
different animals will be enjoying
pumpkin treats – from meerkats
to monkeys and many more – so
come and join the Halloween fun!
to 4 Nov
Ghosts & Gouls
Beaulieu
www.beaulieu.co.uk
10am - 5pm daily
There is something strange in the
neighbourhood at Beaulieu this
half term including; phantom
tours, sppoky tours, ghost
hunters, spooky stories and much
more.
to 4 Nov
14 September - October 2012
27 October
Spooky Submarine Tours
Royal Navy
Submarine Museum
10am
Grab your torch and follow our
ghostly guide on a spooky tour of
WW2 era submarine HMS
Alliance. Watch out for the scary
bits!! Tickets: Free with a valid
museum ticket Suitable for ages 5
upwards. All children must be
accompanied by a responsible
adult.
to 31 Oct
27 - 28 October
Frightful fun at the farm
Longdown Activity Farm
www.longdownfarm.co.uk
A whole weekend of spooky stuff
to see and do including pumpkin
carving (charge applies) and
paper bat making.
Sunday only: inlcudes meet and
hold a barn owl and see lots of
creepy creatures like rats, snakes
and snails from the creature
teacher.
29 October
Firework Spectacular
Beaulieu
www.beaulieu.co.uk
3pm - 9.30pm
Have fun on the Beaulieu Rides &
Drives and Old-Time Fairground
entertainments including a Big
Wheel, Gallopers and Swing
Boats, all at good value extra
charges. Hot food and drinks are
available both inside and out as
well as roast chestnuts and
candyfloss.
PEPPA PIG
Watercress Line
Adults £14, children (2 – 16)
£7, family ticket £35
Peppa visits the Watercress Line
for the very first time! It’s going to
be a really exciting day out.
There will be colouring, DVD
shows and face painting available
at Alresford station in the Old
Goods Shed. Catch the BIG
steam trains to Alresford where
Peppa will be making
appearances at various intervals
on each day! And it’s excellent
value too! Standard fares apply
offering unlimited travel along the
full length of our 10 mile railway
on the day of your visit!
to 2 Nov
Unsinkable Boats
SeaCity Museum
10am-3pm / FREE drop-in
sessions, entrance charge
to the museum applies
Join the University of
Southampton‘s Outreach Team to
design & build an unsinkable
boat.
Pumpkin Carving for
Halloween
www.hilliergardens.org.uk
Children £2. Adults free
with usual admission
Come and carve a pumpkin, we
are here to help.
Vegetable Orchestra
SeaCity Museum
10-11am / 11.30am-12.30pm
1-2pm / 2.30-3.30pm / £2 per
participant. Pre-book only
02380 834536
Join the lively and imaginative
team from SoCo to create
instruments made out of
vegetables and then use them for
a special group performance! It’s
great fun for all the family.
30 October
Room on the Broom: Hats
and Trickery (4-7 years)
Southampton Art Gallery
10am – 12pm OR 1.30 –
3.30pm. Pre-book 02380
834536
Get into the Halloween spirit
listening to the story of Room on
the Broom and then have fun
making and decorating your very
own witch’s or wizard’s hat, ready
to trick or treat with style!
Abominations Animation
(8-12 years).
Tudor House
10.30 – 3.30pm. £15. Prebook 02380 834536
Get to grips with the basics of
stop-frame animation and create
a short horror film. You can
explore this clever technique and
create an animation using the
spooky Tudor House. Create your
own ghost, monster, witch or
beast then create a fantastic film
to show you friends. Each
participant will receive a copy of
the animation.
Tower of Terror
The Spinnaker Tower
02392 857520
www.spinnakertower.co.uk
Adults £8.25, Concession
£7.40, children £6.55
The Spinnaker Tower is
celebrating Halloween in spooky
style by transforming into a Tower
of Terror. Frighteningly decorated
and with some gruesome new
members of staff roaming the
tower poised to thrill visitors. Plus,
to get into the Halloween spirit,
children are invited to dress up in
Halloween costume and get into
the tower for just £1*.
Families Solent West
31 October
Halloween at Tudor House
10.30am – 3.30pm
FREE event, entrance
charge to the museum
applies
What better place to spend
Halloween than ‘spooky’ Tudor
House. Meet our friendly sprits in
the banqueting hall, and pick up
your witch trail. Take part in dropin craft activities and spooky
vampire photo booth. Prizes for
the best fancy dress.
Wicked iPod Covers
Tudor House
10.30am – 12.30pm OR 1.30
– 3.30pm / FREE WFL
Pre-book 02380 834536
Working with Lokksley Illustration
and Crafts you can make a
wicked looking cover for your
iPod, phone or MP3 player. Using
felt and other fancy trimmings you
will transform your object into a
frighteningly good accessory. 6 10 years old.
Happy Halloween for all the
family
www.hilliergardens.org.uk
Children £2. Adults free with
usual admission
Forest Forge Theatre Company
bring their own fun twist to make
Halloween a little less spooky.
30 - 31 October
Family Friendly Ghost Tour
Tudor House
10.30-11.30am OR 3.304.30pm
£2.00 adults, £1.00 for
children over 7. Pre-book
02380 834536
Get into the spirit of Halloween at
Tudor House for some spooky
goings on. Our family friendly
ghost tour will tickle your funny
bones as you head into the deep
dark cellar! Come in fancy dress
and enter our competition to win a
prize!
September - October 2012
Charlie and Lola’s
Bestest Play
Theatre Royal Winchester
Box office 01962 840440
11.00am, 1.30pm and
3.45pm
Watershed Productions
present the BBC Worldwide and
Polka Theatre production at
Theatre Royal Winchester. Based
on the characters created by
Lauren Child adapted by Jonathan
Lloyd. Don’t miss everyone’s
favourite brother and sister,
Charlie and Lola, in their
extremely everso wonderful stage
show! The stars of the hit BBC
series and books by Lauren Child
are brought to life by a magical
mix of puppets, live action and
music. Age recommendation 3+
Families Solent West
15
16 September - October 2012
Families Solent West