families cheshire issue 23 may-june 2013

FREEEdition 23 • May/June 2013 The local magazine for families with children 0-12 years

In this issue> Let’s get the party started> Rock a bye baby> Raising Girls - getting girls back on track

www.familiescheshire.co.uk

@FamCheshMag

facebook.com/familiescheshire

Covering: Poynton, Wilmslow, Alderley Edge, Knutsford, Prestbury, Macclesfield, Congleton, Holmes Chapel, Sandbach, Northwich, Winsford, Crewe, Nantwich, Tarporley, Waverton, Chester and surrounding areas

®

Put Sun 19 May in your diary now – Eaton Primary School (Lower Lane, Eaton, Tarporley) is holding its May Fair from 11am – 3pm.

With independent craft stalls, homemade refreshments, loads of entertainment for the kids and entry just £1.50 for Adults (children free), it’s guaranteed to be an affordable fun outing. Go along and support them!

2 Families Cheshire | www.familiescheshire.co.uk

Welcome

Next issue: July/August 2013

Circulation: 25,000 copies of Families Cheshire are available through nurseries, schools, libraries, selected shops and other points throughout Cheshire. If you would like free copies for your organisation, please let us know.

Contact details: Families Cheshire, PO Box 581, Macclesfield, SK10 9FNTel: 01625 801 801 www.familiescheshire.co.uk

Editorial: [email protected]/artwork: [email protected], diary dates, what’s on: [email protected]

Cover photograph by: Paul Moffat Photography, BollingtonTel: 01625 576 586, www.moff.co.uk

Hello!Mayday! Mayday! Mayday! Such was the desperate cry emanating

from our homes as the winter gloom dragged on and on and the kids drove us up the wall during the Easter break.

But with the FINAL onset of spring and the odd glimpse of blue sky, we’re slowly starting to feel a bit more human and a bit less grumpy old bear. There’s a new puppy in the Families fold, the grass is starting to grow, and it seemed like the perfect time to look at all things babies and birthday parties.

Here’s hoping that spring really is here, and that all our Mayday calls turn into May Day celebrations instead.

See you soon with the Summer issue!

Design: Paul Wilson Graphic Design, Congleton.Tel: 07743 111 694, www.withpaul.co.uk

Print: Bishops Printers, Walton Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO6 1TR Tel: 023 9233 4900 www.bishops.co.uk

Families Cheshire is part of the Families group, established in 1990 and headed by Families South West. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under license.

We take every care preparing the magazine, but the publishers and distributors can’t be held responsible for the claims of advertisers, the accuracy of the contents nor for any consequences.

In this issue 02: Welcome03: Locally speaking04: Babies08: School news10: Education11: Parties18: Parents place 20: What’s on

@FamCheshMag

facebook.com/familiescheshire

Caryl Hall Jayne Keep

Members of Macclesfield RSPB Wildlife Explorers recently helped run a nestbox building session at Jodrell Bank, the site of the iconic Lovell Telescope.

Despite a bitterly cold wind, the group set up gazebos in the lee of the Discovery Centre building and were

The National Festival Circus is coming to Nether Alderley Primary School on Sat 11 May! Bring all your family and friends for a magical mix of laughter & excitement with slapstick clowns, balancing equilibrists, fast tempo jug-gling, and much, much more...!

There will be 3 fantastic performances throughout the afternoon (10am, 2.30pm & 4pm) – each performance lasting just over an hour

joined by enthusiastic members of the public for a busy and fruitful morning building nestboxes. Visitors helped with the construction of a variety of different designs of nestbox, made bird feeders to take home and collected information on conservation and wildlife gardening. The nestboxes will now be sited around the Jodrell Bank arboretum giving birds a variety of nesting opportunities for this and future seasons.

Macclesfield RSPB Wildlife Explorers is the junior section of The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds in East Cheshire. You can find more information about local RSPB activities for young people on the website at www.macclesfieldrspb.org.uk. You can also keep up-to-date with them on their Facebook page or by following them on Twitter @MaccWildlife.

in the Big Top on the school sports field.Drinks, popcorn, sweets will be

on sale, together with a BBQ food to ensure a fun day out. Tickets: £5 for each child and £6 for each adult. A limited number of tickets are available so email [email protected] to book yours now.

Nestbox building in the shadow of the Lovell Telescope

May Fair at Eaton Primary School, Tarporley

Roll up, roll up.....the Circus is coming!!!!!

3Families Cheshire | www.familiescheshire.co.uk

Locally speaking

Chester Performs – Chester’s leading arts producer – is creating the MBNA Chester Music Festival – a brand new classical music festival running from 1 – 16 June in the historical city of Chester.

Singer, songwriter, TV and radio presenter Cerys Matthews will be taking part in the Festival on Fri 7 June at 7.30pm in the Town Hall, aiming to stop us feeling shy about singing. Music is all about words and music from around the world so it’s no surprise that her latest venture is a family sing-a-long book, Hook Line and Singer (published by Penguin the day before this show).

Go along, whether you’re tuneless or finely tuned, because your vocal chords are needed to make this a great experience for lovers, loners and families of all shapes

Duddon Summer FairLooking for a way to kick start the summer? Join in the fun at Duddon’s Seaside themed Summer Fair on Sat 22 June (3 – 6pm) at Duddon St Peter’s Primary School just off the A51.

You’ll find everything for the perfect family day out including a modern Punch & Judy, sandcastle building, music, entertainment, BBQ, drinks, and much more.

and sizes . Cerys will be explaining the stories behind the songs, their ages and origins, and the reason for their inclusion. And of course, she’ll be singing them and getting everyone to join in too.

After the event, Cerys will also be signing copies of Hook Line and Singer.

A total of 25 concerts are on offer at this year’s festival – all of which are being staged in two of Chester’s most iconic buildings – the stunning gothic Town Hall and its 11th century Cathedral. Both venues – right in the heart of the city –are to be dramatically transformed into performance spaces and will offer a range of both lunchtime and evening recitals.

Full listings details are available online: www.chestermusicfestival.co.uk. Under 12s go FREE when accompanied by a full-price paying adult.

Major new classical music festival launches in Chester this June

Staffordshire Bump2Fives is a new annual family event, which this year is being held at Fenton Manor Sports Complex, Stoke-on-Trent on Sat 15 June 10am – 4pm.

With space for over 150 exhibitors, there will be the chance to check out hundreds of innovative and beautiful products that will see you through from bump to beyond. Shop until you drop as there will be something for everyone (not forgetting the Dads of course!).

But that’s not all! The organisers have scoured the midlands to find you some of the best clubs and classes, entertainers, and all manner of activities to keep you and your little ones happy

throughout the day, from fairy workshops to circus skills.

If all that shopping and excitement gets a bit too much, there’s a ‘Little Corner of Bliss’, with a wide range of therapists on hand to help you relax and unwind as well as a ‘Parent advice area’ where you can seek help and tips from the experts.

Tickets are ONLY £5 per adult when booking in advance and children under 12 are FREE.

For further information and tickets visit www.staffordshirebump2fives.co.uk

Have fun at Staffordshire Bump2Fives this June

Macclesfield Barnaby Festival takes to the streets again this year, from Fri 14 to Sun 30 June. This centuries-old Maxonian tradition of feast days and holidays has been reinvented as a festival of arts, culture and fun.

Barnaby Festival aims to show off the town, inviting people into places and spaces they’ve never been before and getting them to see historic Macclesfield in a new light. This year there are over a hundred shows, exhibitions and outdoors events, many of them FREE and for the first time, the popular Barnaby Art Trail takes place over the full two weeks.

There are lots of great things for the family to enjoy over the Barnaby Big Weekend (21-23 June) including the Carnival Parade, Metamorph-Fest (the Barnaby fete) on Christ Church lawns, a host of workshops, artist talks, plus a craft café, the open-air Feast in Market Place and the return of the popular People’s Pianos, with a graffiti twist!

For more information, please visit www.barnabyfestival.org.uk

Barnaby’s back!


Babies

The bible told us it is women’s lot to suffer pain in childbirth. Midwives in ante-natal classes talk about ‘labour’ and pain relief. In the movies, birthing women scream for drugs. The belief that childbirth is agony is not only firmly imprinted in our collective psyche, it’s a fact, right?

Over two million children are taken to hospital after having an accident each year. Around half of these accidents happen at home, so learning life saving techniques could prove an invaluable life skill for your whole family. Bumps and Bashes delivers First Aid training to parents and carers of babies and children across Cheshire, and have been specialising in teaching parents since 2009.

Would you know what to do in those vital minutes whilst the professionals are on their way? One short, interactive class will teach you about the recovery position, how to deal with choking, do

CPR, how to treat burns and scalds, signs of meningitis and much more.

Classes last around 3 hours and are taught in pre-booked venues through-out Cheshire. However, the real differ-ence with Bumps and Bashes is that they also conduct Home Classes for you and a group of your friends or family in the comfort of your own surroundings.

Having the correct knowledge with the confidence to apply it can bring peace of mind and the ability to save lives. So if you’re a new parent who wants to learn First Aid – or have always wanted to take a short class but haven’t got round to it – Bumps and Bashes is waiting to hear from you.

For more information or to book onto one of the open classes coming up, please visit www.bumpsandbashes.com.

Or if you’d like to arrange a Home Class, please email Kylie at [email protected] or call directly on 07970 716443.

My idea of a pleasurable childbirth was lounging in the hospital birthing pool getting high on the gas and air. (The reality was an emergency caesarean section. Oh, well.) But for some women, childbirth goes way beyond pleasure. For some women – and come closer because I’m going to tell you a secret here – actually have an orgasm.

I’ll have what she’s havingBy Helena Foss

Are you choking on your coffee? I know. Outrageous, isn’t it? How on earth does that happen?

It seems that being a professional dancer, practicing yoga, having few expectations, a loving husband and a hot tub under a tree in a home in Hawaii to give birth in, most certainly help. According to an American news feature on the documentary ‘Orgasmic Birth’, it was a simple kiss from her husband, which helped turn Amber Hartnell’s labour into unexpected rolling waves of ecstasy. (See: www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5bm9-B6Ec4 or search ‘Birth as we know it’.)

The producer of Orgasmic Birth, childbirth educator Debra Pascali Bonaro, says that the same organs involved in orgasm get stimulated during childbirth. According to Dr Christine Northrup, author of ‘Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom’, it is the expectation of pain that causes women to tense up and release stress hormones, disrupting the surging hormonal changes that accompany labour. The mix of prolactin, oxytocin and beta-endorphins are nature’s painkillers. Or, as Northrup describes them, “the molecules of ecstasy”.

Not that Amber Hartnell didn’t feel any pain in her hot tub. She did. But she was relaxed enough to be able to transform it into what she called “sensations” by squatting and moving her hips in a spiralling motion, leading to an orgasmic birth experience that overwhelmed her with both tears and laughter. Rather than having contractions, she felt like she was being expanded.

When the documentary aired in America in 2009 it caused a mixture of fascination, shock and horror, not least at the perceived

‘indecency’ of equating birth with sex. But hang on, wasn’t that how conception happened a mere nine months previously?

The British birthing guru Sheila Kitzinger, who had three orgasmic births herself and says she has met hundreds of women during her career who have too, wrote her book ‘Birth and Sex’ to illustrate the connection hardwired deep in our biology. When a woman is free to follow her instincts and give birth naturally she says, “birth and sex mingle to become one in the thrilling, sweet, intense and overwhelming experience of creation.”

Nature really is extraordinary, isn’t it? And we forget that our bodies are nature itself. “The genius of [a woman’s] body is designed to give birth with ease and grace,” says birth educator Elena Vladimirova in the film ‘Birth as We Know It’, which has become an international word-of-mouth phenomenon. It shows footage of women giving birth in the sea. Their faces appear trancelike; their bodies relaxed, not a trace of agony in sight.

There are so many factors in having a pleasurable birth; feeling safe, supported, being able to trust one’s own body – and even with the best will in the world, it doesn’t happen for every women. But isn’t it great to know it actually exists? We might not have been so lucky, but at least we can educate our daughters about the awesome power lying dormant right inside of them.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.orgasmicbirth.com www.sheilakitzinger.comhttp://birthintobeing.com

First Aid Classes specifically for parents


Babies

If your child suffers from feeding issues, NoTube is here to help. A unique new programme founded to help children around the world overcome the severe condition of tube feeding, NoTube offers specialist counselling for children with a variety of feeding problems.

Many babies and children suffer from problems surrounding eating and drinking – for some it is no more than a power struggle with their parents, for

others a premature birth might have led to a number of sensory issues. Some children will drink from bottles but refuse the transition to solids, others will only eat crackers and cookies. In the worst case, some toddlers have never even learned how to swallow because of prior medical conditions, where they have been fed artificially by a tube and now remain tube dependent. Since these problems demand a highly experienced and intensive interdisciplinary approach,

many children remain unsupported, their quality of life impaired and their families desperate.

This is where NoTube can help. Based on more than 20 years of clinical experience, the online medical coaching platform NETcoaching has been specifically developed for parents of tube dependent children, with the ultimate goal of teaching the child how to eat while simultaneously removing the feeding tube. The programme is original and non-invasive, and includes a 4-week tube weaning programme and 24/7 support from medical experts, while the child stays at home in a familiar environment. Most importantly, NoTube is achieving success rates of over 92%.

A team of highly specialised paediatricians, therapists and developmental psychologists offers a modern and effective solution, with intensive online coaching and guidance for parents as well as any professional wishing to be part of the process.

Register at www.notube.com and you will receive a professional assessment and recommendation about what can or should be done. Then decide which “product” your child needs and might profit from: whilst

NET coaching is the program designed especially for medically fragile infants and young children with feeding tubes, the LTE (Learn to Eat) program will help all parents solve the feeding or eating problem of their child gently, effectively and at home. There is no magic or tricks, just a highly individualised approach by which parents and the Notube-team identify the exact nature of the problem and, with daily contacts via “cyber rounds”, behavioural and nutritional advice is given and parents report their observation of changes. With the help of video clips and intake protocols, the specialists are able to trace the exact nature of each problem very specifically and develop an individually tailored coaching plan for each child.

If you’re in the area, you can find out more at NoTube’s London Play Picnics, where NoTube’s experts will help your child learn to eat or prepare them for tube weaning. The Play Picnic is a 60-minute group therapy specific to children who suffer from early eating behaviour disorders, picky eaters and tube dependent children, where parents can ask questions regarding the feeding situation of their child.

Teach your child to eat

If you hear the words ‘cloth nappies’ being uttered when you are at a baby group or soft play, there’s no need to run a mile, honest.

And if the thoughts of washing, scrubbing and drying inconvenience come into your

mind, banish them. Using modern cloth nappies is not that bad, we promise.

We believe cloth nappies should be viewed like bibs; they are just as simple to use and care for. And like bibs, you don’t need to use them all the time. We are all for mixing and matching nappies to suit your day/lifestyle/childcare situation – even those moments when whatever is nearest will do. There are some mums who believe that only cloth will do, but we believe the best way to get started is to just have five or so – even one makes a difference.Here are some tips to get you started:• Don’t think that you have to change

your lifestyle for them; they fit in with you. You can even put them in your normal wash. Even if you use them full time, it’s usually only an extra wash a week and I don’t know a mum that would notice that – when is a mum’s washing machine ever off?

• Don’t be put off if they leak at first, this is normal while you get the fit right on your baba. Babies come in all shapes and sizes so it takes some trial and error to get the fit spot on.

• Do mix and match between

disposables and cloth until you get used to them. A good way to start is use cloth at home until you get your confidence up (that won’t take long).

• Do holler if you get stuck. There are so many cloth nappy forums, and mums who use cloth nappies are more than willing to share their experience and offer advice.

• Don’t be overcome by the amount of information about nappies if you start looking into them. It can be daunting. Think of them as a disposable that you put in the washing machine rather than the bin. It really is as simple as that.

• Do a little online research to see if your local council have any trial schemes or

offer any incentives such as cashback. We offer a trial scheme, where you can try one and if you don’t get on with it, we will refund you 70% of the purchase price within two months. We like you to give it a really good try as we are so confident you will like them.

Once you’ve decided to give cloth nappies a try you’ll have another major decision to make – which of the cool and funky designs to try first! Long gone are plain white nappies, there are designs to match every outfit! Do drop us a line if you’re could be convinced to try cloth nappies…we love to talk about cloth nappies – [email protected].

www.babaandboo.com

Cloth nappies... make a difference by using just one a day By Eve Bell, Baba+Boo


Babies

The most common question Evelyn Burdon was asked during her 30 years as a health visitor was “How can I get my baby to sleep?” She helped so many mums with this issue that she was nicknamed the “sleep fairy”! Now in private practice as the Cheshire Baby Whisperer, she visits desperate mums and dads all over the Cheshire area.

Evelyn explains: “All babies make sleep attachments to smell, sound, sight, touch and taste and each sense has a separate sleep association. Sleep is very complex and babies are confusing; it’s no

wonder so many parents have worries about their babies’ sleep! Leaving babies to “cry it out” is not an option for most parents. I am passionate about helping parents find the right solution for their baby. This is the secret to my success, and using my knowledge and skills in child development, I have devised a multi-sensory approach to sleep for babies and toddlers, (birth to 5 years) that is both baby friendly and parenting empowering.

One of my techniques is to create positive sensory sleep attachments. This is very easy to do; simply introduce a comforter with your scent, play some relaxing, calming sleep sounds at 60-80

beats per minute, use a mobile light show and fairy lights, and cuddle baby with a soft teddy at every sleep time.”

Evelyn makes home visits in Cheshire, but wanted as many parents as possible to benefit from her techniques, so last year she made a DVD to demonstrate and guide parents through the techniques and routines. The response and feedback has been fantastic and the video has been sent to parents all over the UK and Ireland as well as to the US and Mexico.

Evelyn can be contacted via email ([email protected]) or on 07715 505331. Find out more at www.cheshirebabywhisperer.com

The summer is nearly here and where better to take your baby but to the beach or maybe your local swimming pool?

Most babies just love splashing about in the water, and swimming is both fun and really good exercise for your baby. However, until your baby is potty trained, you will need to use a swim nappy to help combat any little accidents.

There are some great washable swim nappies on the market with lovely bright sunshine colours and funky patterns. You can even get matching tops for baby girls and some of the fabrics also include UV protection.

Washable swim nappies are made of soft stretchy bathing suit material, and come with either a plastic inner to contain the nappy’s contents or an inner mesh which contains the solids but lets liquid out until baby is safely back on dry land.

A good swim nappy should have snug and soft elastic at the legs and waist so nothing can escape. Poppers or Velcro side openings can be helpful when

taking off a soiled nappy or you could opt for a conventional pull up design. You will need to check the size and weight carefully before you buy, as with all nappies, an ill-fitting swim nappy will leak! And as always, change your baby regularly to avoid nappy rash.Washable swim nappies have many benefits:• They look and feel like normal

swimwear• They are great value for money• They won’t weigh your baby down in

the water• They take up next to no room when

packing for your holidays.They also have a considerable

environmental benefit, helping to reduce the hundreds of disposable nappies that end up as litter on our beaches every year.

So whether you are enjoying the many miles of our beautiful coastline or jetting off to foreign sands, travel light with washable swim nappies but don’t forget the sun cream!

From May, Swimming Nappies will be available in the Cheshire West and Chester Real Nappy Trial Kits.

Go Real, The Real Nappy Information Service is working with both Cheshire West and Chester Council to offer parents the opportunity to try out Real Nappies for FREE.

Real Nappies are not only up to 40% better for the environment than disposables, but parents can also save at least £500 per child by using them. Modern designs and fabrics ensure that Real Nappies are now a fashion favourite and parents will be able to find out that they are really easy to

For more information on the scheme visit www.goreal.org.uk/westcheshire, email [email protected] or call 0800 328 8175.

The majority of pregnancies end happily, but sadly 17 babies die before, during or shortly after birth every day in the UK. The loss of a baby is a devastating experience and has a huge impact on parents as well as their family and friends. SANDS (the stillbirth and neonatal death

charity) supports families across the country whose babies have died, offering emotional support, comfort and practical help.

SANDS has a UK-wide network of local groups, including groups in Chester and Cheshire East. Both these groups are run by local bereaved parents aiming to provide support in a variety of ways:• Monthly support groups in Chester,

Crewe and Macclesfield, giving the opportunity to meet other bereaved parents and talk to others who understand

• One to one support from specially trained SANDS Befrienders

• Practical help and advice when a baby dies

Rainbow Babies Playgroups were set up in 2011 to support parents in subsequent pregnancies and beyond. Babies born to bereaved parents after loss are often called Rainbow Babies – the idea is the sun coming out after the storm. The playgroups are a place where parents can meet others affected by the death of a baby or child and their children can play together; groups

currently meet monthly in Chester and Lowton near Warrington.For more information about Sands please contact:[email protected] them on Facebook – search for Chester SANDSFollow them on Twitter – @ChesterSANDSSANDS Helpline: 0207 436 5881For more information about Rainbow Babies please contact:[email protected] them on Facebook – search for Rainbow Babies PlaygroupsFollow them on Twitter - @RainbowBabiesN

Cheshire’s Baby Whisperer

‘Beach Bums - Real Swimming Nappies’

SANDS and Rainbow Babies – Supporting bereaved parents in Cheshire

Babies

Isn’t it just for bendy people and rice-cake munching hippies? Nope. OK you can eat rice cakes if you really want but it’s not compulsory.

Parents today face a bewildering choice of activities to help their child “develop” and “reach their potential”, but which to pick? Loads of them are great fun but they ain’t yoga! I see yoga working its magic on babies that don’t sleep or poo or are just plain niggly. It can get Mums’ body back without a SINGLE sit-up. We don’t do pain. It gives Mums, Dads and babies time to relax and bond, and gives your baby more of your valuable touch in one hour than they normally get in a day (then they sleep!) and kids love it!

I often work with children with special needs. Most of them face way more challenges than any of us. Yoga helps them to live in their bodies. It is a gentle and loving approach that, over time, brings awesome achievements physically, emotionally and cognitively. But don’t just take my word for it. Check www.specialyoga.org and if they can do it so can everyone!

Families who come to classes say they love the calmness as well as the fun. They learn together with their babies and children, and everyone gets happier, fitter and more relaxed together. So, you should come, give it a try. Quote Families Cheshire and you can have a trial class for free. 07850580855 / www.yogababycheshire.co.uk

The power of baby yoga and baby massage is well documented in books, websites and magazines. Baby Massage is wonderful for soothing colic and wind, helping babies to sleep, building their digestive, circulatory and immune systems and much more.

The magic touch

Yoga is for Everyone!By Jo Kirwin, www.yogababycheshire.co.uk

The mere act of touch through the massage aids the bonding experience between mother and baby, releasing oxytocin and raising endorphin levels; these love hormones counteract any stress hormones such as cortisol, in both mother and baby. Baby Yoga builds on baby’s physical and mental

developmental milestones and will aid brain development and sense of co-ordination, balance and sensory and motor skills.

Now you can experience the benefits first-hand, with a course from MamaBabyBliss. Classes include 6 weeks in Baby Massage & Baby Yoga courses, suitable from newborn to crawling. The focus of the classes is also very much on parents, with dedicated time for discussion & support on a variety of parenting topics including settling crying babies, feeding & weaning, encouraging sleep, life as a parent and more.

Katie Raybould is currently running weekly classes for baby massage at the Dean Row Village Hall in Wilmslow, and weekly Baby Yoga classes at the Mulberry Bush Cafe also in Wilmslow. There will be more classes in local surrounding areas soon.

From 13 – 18 May, Mamababybliss will

be celebrating National Baby Massage week and supporting The Bliss Charity, which has been set up to help parents and the babies who were born too soon, too small or too sick. There will be lots going on throughout this week to raise money for this fabulous charity and also to raise awareness of the MANY MANY benefits of baby massage. Have a look at Katie’s facebook page for updates on events or how you can help raise money.www.facebook.com/MamababyblissCheshireEast.

For more information and to book a class, either visit www.mamababybliss.com/teachers/katieraybould, call Katie on 07540 378428 or email [email protected].

For classes in Chester, please visit www.mamababybliss.com/teachers/samblaney or call 07717 194402.


School news

Sat 11 May 9.30am – 12.30pm (Lower School)Mandarin MorningFor Junior school girls in years 2 – 5 (ages 7 – 10)Chinese themed activities i.e. lion dancing, arts & crafts, Chinese instruments and learning of the Mandarin language.

Thurs 6 June 4.30 – 6.30pm (Lower School)Fiesta FunSpanish themed event including learning the language, music and dancing.

Mon 8 July9am – 3pm (Senior School)Activities DayFor girls in Year 5Sampling of various lessons including subjects such as science, ICT, cookery, Drama and Mandarin.

Apply online to attend any of these events, or call the Admissions Officer. 01244 312078 / www.queens.cheshire.sch.uk

One of the country’s top girls’ schools, The Queen’s School in Chester is holding the following free open events in the next few months – the perfect opportunity to give your daughter a taste of what the school’s all about:

our hockey and I look forward to supplying more JAC candidates in the future.”Two Stockport Grammar pupils have been recognised for their rugby talents.

Fifth Year pupil, James Gilboy of Glossop has been selected for England U16s after he impressed the selectors while playing for Cheshire and the North. While attending a national U16s training camp over half-term he played against Gloucester U17s and has since been picked for the full England squad, representing his country in their games against Italy U17s and Wales U16s in April.

Offerton 17-year-old Tom Morton’s outstanding performances for the North U18s have led to him being picked for the England U18 Clubs and Schools squad, whom he represented during two training weekends before playing for his country against Ireland.

Teacher in charge of rugby Mr Hugo Corbett said: “This is a fantastic achievement for both James and Tom. They are hugely talented individuals who have shown great commitment and dedication towards their sport. Their selection will hopefully be an inspiration to other rugby players in the school.”

Open events at The Queen’s School, Chester

School sporting achievements


Children at Lostock Hall Primary School in Poynton have been enjoying an exciting time at their new Science club.

The club is one of the parent’s brain child; Dr Moore is an organic chemist who for 10 years worked in the pharmaceutical industry. “She’s clever” is the children’s verdict!

To date, the children have investigated how they could make the biggest bubbles, how to tell if an egg is hard boiled or raw

– without breaking the shell. They have explored acids and bases and made their own rain gauges, to find out if this half-term was wetter or drier than average!

The children’s responses have been very positive. “It’s made me like science”, “It helps you learn in a fun way”, and “we do exciting experiments”. So far the club has been a great success and the children’s enthusiastic approach has been delightful.

Science really can be fun!

Parents of two and three-year olds will be pleased to hear that The King’s School is offering free taster sessions at its outstanding Pre-School over the summer months.

Any parents interested in finding out more about the very youngest year group at the

Principal of the Infant & Junior Division, Mrs Hulme, says: “We know from independent research that the quality of the Pre-School environment can affect a child’s academic attainment right through to GCSE level. We provide a fun, but purposeful learning environment in which the children thrive and lay down solid foundations for a successful learning journey. We also

leading independent school can book a place at one of the free sessions on Monday 20 May, Thursday 6 and 27 June, 9.30 – 10.30. The sessions will allow children to get involved with some fun activities, whilst parents can meet staff, look around the impressive facilities and also chat to some other parents over a coffee.

offer either part-time or full-time places, plus wraparound care so I would encourage parents to come along to a taster session and experience the Pre-School on a normal day, to see how engaged the children are and to chat to staff about what we offer that is unique to King’s.”

To book a taster session, please call 01625 260000. www.kingsmac.co.uk

King’s Pre-School taster sessions

Five talented hockey players from Terra Nova School have been selected to play at Cheshire East Junior Academy Centres (JAC). Only the very best players achieve selection to JAC, after demonstrating athleticism and skill during the rigorous selection process.

Sean Neary, Alastair Harris, Amy Lewin and Georgia Turner from Year 8 and Hugo Bardsley from Year 7 have been recognised for their talent and commitment, and join other former Terra Nova pupils in flying the sporting flag for the School, and continuing the tradition of excellence in sport.

Headmaster, Andrew Lewin, adds, “This is a great achievement for the boys and girls and really demonstrates their potential. It is perhaps particularly pleasing at a time that Terra Nova has invested in a brand new floodlit, all-weather hockey pitch. It is a fantastic opportunity for us to really develop

School news

Dosh for Downs at Great Budworth

The children at Stockport Grammar School Nursery spent the morning learning about fire safety when they were visited by the local Fire Service.

They were also able to climb aboard the Fire Engine and look around the cabin, before having the opportunity to squirt the hose across the school fields. The children learnt some important lessons as well as having lots of fun!

As part of the Cheshire Down’s Syndrome Support Group “Dosh for Downs” day, pupils at Great Budworth Cof E Primary School wore odd socks to school recently.

The School Council, which is made up of pupils, decided that it would be a fun thing to do after a suggestion to raise funds for this charity was made by Year 4 pupil Izzy, whose baby sister Darcey was recently born with Down’s Syndrome.

Pictured in their odd socks are Class 3, with Izzy in the centre front.

Fire! Fire!

Schools across Cheshire got into the spirit of World Book Day in March, with imaginative costumes and fun events helping to create a real buzz about books.

At Great Budworth Cof E Primary School, the children held a parade where everyone could try and guess who was who, and also had a book exchange to encourage sharing and recycling of old books.

In Poynton, the children at Vernon Primary School explored new texts and took part in a range of fun, hands-on activities. Some of them were mad scientists completing mind blowing experiments, others were acting as weather reporters and there were even mountaineers who relayed fascinating tales of their travels. A whole school assembly finished the day and the children had the chance to share their work with each other.

World Book Day fun across Cheshire

Following last year’s success on World Book Day, Year 6 children also organised another ‘Bring and Buy’ sale which ran throughout the day, giving everyone the chance to buy some new and exciting fiction and non-fiction texts at bargain prices, raising £124, which will be used to buy new books for the classrooms.

And in Chester, two prestigious authors inspired girls in a visit to The Queen’s School. Esteemed US children’s novelist CJ Daugherty visited and told tales from her professional life as a writer, and Former Queen’s girl Sue Flood, formerly an acclaimed BBC Natural History Unit filmmaker, and now a professional and travel photographer based in Rossett, also gave an inspirational talk to students about her adventures in the Arctic and Antarctic, and warmer climes too.

Class 2 pupils at Great Budworth Children from Vernon Primary

US author CJ Daugherty with The Queen’s School Year 8 pupils

Sue Flood talked to girls about her wildlife photography and documentary work



Dear parents of year 5 and 6 children, This article has been written for you to share with your child as they approach their exams. I am sure they will be looking to do their best, not only for them-selves but also for you. There’s always a considerable amount of playground ‘chat’ about these exams, especially the 11-plus, and this tends to make children more anxious than might have been the case. This article explains that getting ‘stressed’ is normal and provides some ideas to help.

So, I guess by now you have heard lots about the 11-plus exam and maybe you have discussed with your parents whether or not you will take this exam. Or if you are taking SATs this summer, you might have been practising at school or have heard people saying it’s important to do well so you are in the right streams at secondary school.

Some children can be worried about these exams. This might be for lots of reasons. Maybe you’re worried about messing it up, or worried that you won’t understand the questions. This is fine and quite natural.

In fact getting ‘stressed’ or anxious

1. Look after yourself • Make sure you get lots of sleep. Stop

homework or playing on computer games at least one hour before going to bed.

• Exercise helps release tension in your body and boosts your mood. Build it into your timetable each day – perhaps walking around the block, or bouncing on a trampoline.

• Your brain needs a steady stream of energy, and the right vitamins and minerals to work properly. Try and eat lots of healthy food. A good breakfast on the day of any exams is important too.

2. Use coping techniques • Talk to your parents or someone else

you know well. It’s really important that you don’t suffer alone. Sharing a problem can sometimes make you feel that a burden has been lifted. Others may have experienced the same sorts of feelings.

• When you’re stressed, do some relaxing and enjoyable things. This calms your nervous system, stops the release of adrenalin and gives your body a rest. It creates ‘feel good’ chemicals in your body which help you relax. It’s especially important to do this in the evenings as this will help you sleep well.

3. Keep things in perspective • Try to challenge any panicky thoughts

like ‘If I don’t pass, my world is over.’ Of course it means a lot to you and your family to do well, however, many people don’t pass exams and life will go on.

• Challenge any ‘negative’ thoughts you’re having which seem to make you stressed. Thoughts are not always true. Work out what your worrying thoughts are and then check out whether they are true or not by chatting to your parents or a friend.

Thanks for reading this article, we hope you found it useful.

Helping your child cope with the stress of examsBy Dr Lucy Russell, Everlief Child Psychology

when you’re faced with exams, is very common. Leading up to an exam, your body gets pumped with two substances called adrenalin and cortisol, which can actually help you focus.

This ‘stress response’ was helpful when we were cavemen and needed to run away from wild animals…

But too much stress is not healthy and has a negative impact on your body and mind.

See how you react when stressed by completing the checklist opposite.

Now that you understand stress and the impact it has on you, we can look at what you can do to help yourself cope with it.


Education

How do I feel when I am stressed?

Jumpy

Can’t sit still

Fast breathing

Shaky hands

Cold hands

Heart pounding and beating fast

Tight feelings in chest

Getting angry easily

Worried or afraid over little things

Feeling like crying

Dry mouth

Muscles feel tense

Upset stomach

Sweating

Hard time falling asleep

Other...

Yes, it’s that time of year again. 2013’s Walk To School Week runs from 20 - 24 May, bringing together nearly one million schoolchildren, teachers and parents and promising to be the biggest and best yet!

As part of National Walking Month, the campaign aims to teach children about the benefits of walking, with each day focussing on a different aspect of walking including safety, discovery, healthy, eco-friendly and social time. Take part in Strider’s 5-Day Walking Challenge and reinforce the benefits of walking, plus download puzzles, pledges and challenges at www.livingstreets.org.uk/walk-with-us/walk-to-school/walk-to-school-week.

Get walking

Header

The traditional partyWhat is it? An at-home for the birthday child and friends, with traditional games like pass the parcel (always a winner), pin the tail on the donkey, and musical bumps.Who’s it suitable for? Great for nursery and reception age children, but don’t neglect its values for older kids, especially girls of eight or nine who often enjoy nothing more than inviting their friends back to their house and having a girly timeThe pros: It’s cheap (or at least, it certainly can be); other parents often stay to help you out, keep you company, especially if you promise a glass of prosecco to help everyone throughThe cons: You may need to redecorate afterwards; you’ll certainly need to do a major tidy up. It can be difficult to keep your birthday child’s siblings out of the way, which could lead to conflict.

Top tips to make it work: 1. Agree ground rules with the birthday

child beforehand about which rooms are in and out of bounds.

2. Have a timetable for what’s happening when.

3. Think about a project, e.g. build a bear kits, jewellery-making, pirate games.

4. Give them chance to let off steam in the garden.

5. For tea, spread a huge paper tablecloth on the floor and get them to sit around the edges of it. At the end, simply fold it up with all the rubbish inside and bin.

Parties

The action partyWhat is it? Paintballing, go-karting, swimming, Go Ape etcWho’s it suitable for? Older children (seven plus); kids with lots of energy who enjoy racing aroundThe pros: Your house remains intact; the kids have something to focus on, and lots of opportunities to let off steam; many children end up covered in bruises from paintballing (though they don’t seem to mind!)The cons: It can be very expensive; although some options, eg a swimming pool party, trip to an adventure playground, can be good value

Top tips to make it work:1. If the activity is long and energetic it

might be best to postpone a winter birthday party to the spring (the kids might get wet and cold as they’ll be outside for ages).

2. Take plenty of water, squash, snacks including fruit – they’ll need plenty of energy for all that running around.

3. Make ABSOLUTELY sure you’ve checked all restrictions, e.g. height restrictions, beforehand – there’s nothing worse than finding out on the day that one of your guests is too small to participate.

4. Make sure you get parental consent forms signed well in advance – the venue will require you to do this before they allow you in.

5. Ensure the kids wear any safety equipment at all times.

The church hall partyWhat is it? An indoor party in a hired venueWho’s it suitable for? Children of five plus, who are confident about being left somewhere they don’t knowThe pros: A lot more space than they’d have if you were at homeThe cons: You’ll have to leave the place spotless afterwards, and pay for any damage

Top tips to make it work:1. Try to find somewhere with outdoor space as well in case it’s a lovely day.2. Ask if you can borrow/use playgroup play equipment.3. Have lots of help, and have tea reasonably early in the afternoon so you can get it tidied away before the end.4. If you’ve got the budget, consider hiring an entertainer – the extra space will make it a lot more fun.5. Musical games, dancing, discos etc. are great fun in church halls.

The restaurant partyWhat is it? A meal-based party in e.g. a pizza restaurant, where the kids are allowed to help or watch in the food preparationWho’s it suitable for? Older kids of eight-12; children who enjoy the chance to meet and chat more than the chance to run aroundThe pros: At its best, it’s very civilised; you can even have a second table in the restaurant and invite some other parents along, so it’s a meal out for you as well. Children enjoy sense of being ‘grown up’ and eating out with friends.The cons: It’s expensive; raucous behaviour will upset other diners

Top tips to make it work :1. Make sure you’re booked for a time

when the restaurant won’t be busy.2. A restaurant near a park, where kids can run

off a bit of energy afterwards, is a good idea.3. Don’t rely on the pizza-making/

chef-watching for absolutely all the entertainment. Bring e.g. colouring packs or check the restaurant will provide them, and think of some easy games to play round the table, e.g. I-Spy, in case things flag.

4. Make sure you sort out the cake arrangements beforehand; most restaurants allow you to bring your own (don’t forget the candles and matches).

5. Don’t limit yourself to chain restaurants – your local eaterie may well be prepared to accommodate your party, and may be more flexible than bigger establishments.

And finally...whatever sort of party you’re having don’t neglect the party bags! Every kid, at every party, is secretly (or not so secretly!) longing for a party bag – and part of the excitement for your child is helping to put the bags together. Have a budget and stick to it – party bags can add hugely to the cost of a party – but try and limit the wasteful plastic toys that get thrown away immediately.

It’s party time!By Joanna Moorhead

A birthday party is the highpoint of the year for most kids – so the pressure is on to get it right. The secret, as ever, is in the planning. But how do you find out which party is right for your child? We guide you through the options.

8 low cost party bags ideas: 1. Brown paper bags with the child’s name in big writing and decorated with stickers are

very effective.2. Bake cookies or other treats and package them in cellophane tied with ribbon.3. Let the birthday person create their own toys using clay, paint, beads and buttons.4. Get cardboard picture frames and slip in a note about where the party pictures have

been uploaded online.5. Do something arty during the party and let the guests take their handiwork home

- cheap plates or bowls can be decorated with ceramic paint, a strip of wood decorated with their initial, etc.

6. Give out seeds to plant in the garden or a cookie cutter that’s related to the party theme.7. Buy enough bouncy balls for each guest, scatter them about your lawn before the party.

The balls are a great decoration and each guest gets to take one home.8. Print off free colouring sheets of favourite characters from the internet, and burn a CD of

the birthday person’s favourite songs.



Parties at Bollington

01625 574 774 www.bollingtonleisure.co.uk

Soft play parties take place at weekends or other days upon request.

£35 for 2 hours, for under 5 yrs.

Soft, safe play room overlooked by parents.


Parties

Scrumptious specialises in producing party food that both you and your child will love.

It’s healthy. It’s homemade. It’s tasty and looks good too! So, bin the cocktail sausages and forget the soggy sandwiches – let Scrumptious provide you with an original, imaginative spread of delicious food that you’ll want your child to eat. Whether choosing

from one of the set menus or the ‘create your own’ menu, you will receive a professional service with a personal touch. Scrumptious also provides gorgeous party bags. The bags contain a personalised gingerbread man, or lady, for each party guest, a marshmallow twizzler or a trendy cake pop – all beautifully wrapped – along with a tasteful gift. There is even a nibbles menu for the adults who accompany their children to the party – ensuring that the children get to eat the food that you have ordered for them without their parents picking at it over their shoulder! Call Niki at Scrumptious on 01829 759287 or 07785 393094 to find out about the sort of food your child could be eating at their next party!

www.scrumptiouspartyfood.co.uk

Simply Scrumptious!

The plans for Lily’s 7th birthday party started with a request for no party at all. This soon changed when I proposed a ‘Disco Diva’ party at children’s salon Little Big Heads in Wilmslow. Just a small, intimate affair with her closest friends, being made to look gorgeous and have a giggle, perfect!

We took along 8 girls with ages ranging from 4 – 9 years old. Each was treated to a fabulous up-do, complete with glitter spray and clip in beads. Nails were painted; funky face art and temporary tattoos applied and the girls were ready to disco!

Little Big Heads has a fab party set up, with the main salon for glamming up the girls, and housing a craft table for them to make bracelets and necklaces at between treatments; then they have a funky back

room complete with disco lights and dressing up kit. The girls had an amazing time in there learning dance routines and playing party games before heading back to the table in the salon for a traditional party tea of sandwiches, nibbles and cupcakes.

What really made the party extra special was the staff; a group of lovely, bubbly young girls worked away to make the birthday girl and her guests feel special and look amazing. They all chatted away and had the girls laughing. The party hosts even joined in with the singing and dancing for the disco!

As the party drew to a close everyone was given a marvellous party bag filled with sweets and hair accessories. As the birthday girl, Lily got a special gift, a set of pampering treats, plus a framed photo of her and her friends posing with their glam new styles.

All the girls had a wonderful time and quite a few commented that they would like to go back for their own parties.

For more information on party options from princesses to divas please call the salon on 01625 548326 / www.littlebigheads.co.uk

Little Big Heads Disco Diva


Contact: Ranger Dan Coates | 07765 890385 [email protected] | www.rangerdan.co.uk

HeaderParties

If you want your child to have an outdoor party with a difference look no further than Ranger Dan.

Offering fun filled exciting woodland

parties for children of all ages, the focus is on good old fun activities like den building, hide and seek, exploring, bug hunting and woodland crafts.

Older children can learn survival skills like fire lighting, making Hazel bows and arrows and carving.

Only the finest campfire cooked food is provided at the parties, like Ranger Dan’s wood cooked pizza, which is enjoyed around an open campfire. And of course, no party would be complete without toasting marshmallows over the fire too.

So if you think children should be free to enjoy the natural world through play and experience, maybe a Ranger Dan party is just what you’re looking for. For more information go to www.rangerdan.co.uk

Ranger Dan’s woodland parties

My Little Pony Parties in Adlington has introduced a new option to their range of fabulous parties.

Their ‘mini’ party is for groups of up to 5 children and lasts 75 minutes rather than the full 2 hours of the main ‘Ribbons & Bows’ party. All the fun and activities are still included, just scaled down slightly for a smaller group at a smaller price. Kids have fun playing with adorable mini ponies, painting hooves, plaiting manes; then there is the chance to take the ponies for a walk around the farm,

maybe even over a small obstacle course. After all the activity children then have a party tea and birthday cake.

Alongside the parties there are other activities available for pony mad children; one of the latest is Mini Pony Club which runs in the school holidays and is a day filled with pony related activities.

For more information visit www.mylittleponyparty.weebly.com or call Sarah-Jane Slater on 01625 820 431.

Mini parties with mini ponies


Whatever the reason for your visit to Cheshire Pony Parties (located between Chester, Northwich and Tarporley), you’ll be greeted with a warm welcome and receive personal attention. Not only does Amanda create unforgettable pony parties for children aged 2–13, her tiny, gentle ponies also provide wonderful hour long pony experiences and entertain children during the school holidays.“A friend told me you’re wonderful with children”“It was the most stress-free party I’ve done”“Can I come back every day?” are just some of the comments they’ve received.

Children are treated as individuals and either

encouraged or challenged appropriately, including children with special requirements, with the emphasis on fun, confidence building and informal learning.

The ponies will also be on hand during the May half term to entertain your children. Go along to the pony open afternoon (call for date details), or book a private pony experience on a date to suit you (90 minutes of fun). You can learn loads of facts about ponies – find out what’s special about their teeth! Adults go free.

For a truly enchanting experience visit www.CheshirePonyParties.co.uk or ring 01829 219106.

A personal pony experience

As well as their classes, diddi dance also offer fantastic fun parties at your choice of location for children aged 2–7 years.

Party guests enjoy an hour of dancing games, dance routines and lots of fun props such as pom poms, dance ribbons and hoops. Parties can be themed to fit with the theme of the Birthday party. For more information contact Emma on 07792 500981 or [email protected] and for previous customer reviews, please see their listings on the Netmums Shropshire or Cheshire party pages.

www.diddidance.com

Diddi Dance fun

Petite Pamper Parties offer beautiful fairy & princess parties for age 4+, with bespoke packages available to make a truly magical party for any little princess and her friends. But, not only do they cater for little girls, they also offer ‘Yummy Mummy’ pamper parties. A lovely idea for the school mums, antenatal group pals or perhaps as a baby shower. These parties are a fab way for busy mums to relax

and enjoy a little pamper such as a manicure, pedicure, Shellac nails, or perhaps even a spray tan! Everyone is even given a goody bag of treats to take away and enjoy at home.

You can find Petite Pamper Parties on Facebook, email [email protected] or call 07980 284411.

Petite Pampering – also for the Yummy Mummy

Craftybaloo is a vibrant arts and crafts studio located upstairs in Hullabaloo Toys, Wilmslow.

This fun and funky studio/cafe area is a brilliant location for a party if your child is crazy about crafts. There are a range of party packages suitable from age 2 upwards. Prices range from £7.50 – £15 per head depending on the activity chosen and the length of the party (between 1 & 2 hours are available) There is no minimum number of guests and Craftybaloo can accommodate up to 22 children in the studio. Craft options include creations from felt, pipe cleaners, glitter and sand; plus painting an MDF or cardboard shape for the younger ones. Or for age 4 upwards there are various options for

painting ceramic items or trying paper mache or decopatch.

The party starts with the chosen craft and is followed by ice cream or cake and juice from the café. There is the option to bring your own full party tea if you like. Fabulous Craftybaloo party invitations are supplied at no additional cost.

The Craftybaloo website is packed with information – please visit www.craftybaloo.co.uk/parties, phone 01625 525382 or email [email protected].

Crazy about Craft!

Parties

The Mulberry Bush Café provides traditional chil-dren’s birthday parties, with full and exclusive use of the children’s play area.

Their party package includes 2 hours private hire of the upstairs room and main play area, traditional party games, home-cooked party food, fresh juice, decorations and a mini disco. You can substitute the party games for cookie decorating or pizza making parties for no extra cost! Prices start from £7.95 per child. Adult catering options also available.

01625 400122 / www.themulberrybushcafe.co.uk

New party venue in Wilmslow

Advertise in Families CheshireCall Jayne on: 01625 801801 or [email protected]


Diddi Dance fun

Families Cheshire | www.familiescheshire.co.uk

HeaderParty DirectoryANIMALS

Animal MagicAn affordable children’s animal party, event or show with a difference!

Over 30 species of exotic and domestic animals provide educational entertainment for children and adults. Enjoy animal displays, talks, handling, feeding and photo opportunities. Two presenters means twice as much supervised handling time for you, providing a unique, memorable and fascinating experience for all. 01298 77412 / www.animalmagic-parties.co.uk

Blaze Farm, WildboarcloughFeed the chickens, watch the cows being milked,go on the slide, wander the nature trails and enjoy your birthday tea with ice cream.01260 227229 / www.blazefarm.com

Cheshire Pony PartiesStress free, enchanting parties for ages 2 – 12 in a beautiful orchard

setting and decorated party stable near Chester or at your home. 01829 741919 / www.cheshireponyparties.co.uk

My Little Pony PartiesAmerican miniature horses with the perfect temperament for

children’s parties. Indoor and outdoor options available. 01625 820431 / 07832 127433 / www.mylittleponyparties.com

The Creepy Crawly Show A wild and exciting animalroad show presented in

a fun way by comical rangers. 01244 646 045 /www.thecreepycrawlyshow.co.uk

BOUNCY CASTLES & PARTY TENTSBounceabout01978 810730 / www.bounceaboutcastlehire.co.ukBouncetastic0151 353 7475 / www.bouncetasticuk.co.uk

Funstuff for partiesBouncy castle, obstaclecourse and party tents, party bags and

pre-made pass the parcel. 01625 614803 / 07958 429478 / www.funstuff-for-parties.co.uk

The Little Tent Company01925 487511 / www.thelittletentcompany.co.ukThe Spotty Pig, Chester01244 311318 / www.thespottypig.com

CLIMBING CENTRES & INDOOR ADVENTUREAudley Climbing Centre, Audley01782 722226 / www.peakpursuits.co.ukAwesome Walls, Stockport, Stoke on Trent & Liverpool. www.awesomewalls.co.ukChill Factore, Urmston0161 749 2222 / www.chillfactore.com

Manchester Climbing Centre, Manchester0161 2307006 / www.manchesterclimbingcentre.comRockover Climbing, Manchester0161 288 1218 / www.rockoverclimbing.comRope Race, Stockport0161 426 0226 / www.roperace.co.ukSilver Blades Ice Rink, Altrincham08700 85 29 29 / www.altrinchamicedome.co.uk

FOOD, CAKES, PARTY BAGS AND SUPPLIESAlice Rose Cakes & Cookies01457 238013 / www.alice-rose.co.ukCheshire Cupcakes0161 264 7074 / www.cheshirecupcakes.co.uk

Cupcake Boutique ofPrestburyBeautifully designed cupcakes & celebration

cakes, and outside catering for any occasion. Private party room for cupcake decorating parties also available. 01625 827641 / www.cupcake-boutique.co.uk

Little GastronomesGood, healthy, home made party food.01244 336 808 / www.littlegastronomes.co.ukLittle Treasures Party BagsParty bags, fillers and personalised chocolate bars for all occasions. 01606 77900 /www.littletreasurespartybags.co.ukParties ‘n thingsThemed, Co-ordinated party supplies all in one place – direct to your door. www.partiesnthings.co.ukParty Sashes GalorePersonalised sashes, banners and ribbons forevery occasion. 0161 798 6245 /www.partysashesgalore.co.uk

Scrumptious Party FoodHealthy, homemade, imaginative party food - set menu or create

your own. Party bags too. 01829 759287 / 07785393094 / www.scrumptiouspartyfood.co.uk

ENTERTAINMENTA-Star SportsSporty party entertainment in Chester & surroundsincluding ‘playground games’ for younger children,other sports for ages 7+. 01352 770668 / www.a-starsports.co.uk

Battlefield Live, Knutsford Do you want an action packed party with a difference?

Become a Marine for the day and challenge your friends to the ultimate battle. Playing in exclusive woodland and using the very latest infra-red gaming guns as used by the Military for Combat Training. You will fight alongside your team in defeating the enemy and winning the Battle. Will you be the hottest Sniper in your Squadron? Ideal for Birthday Parties of all ages from 7 upwards. www.battlefieldliveknutsford.co.uk

Brookside PotteryThe Potter’s Wheel experience offers pottery painting and a train ride

on the miniature railway. You supply the food, they supply the rest. 07946 637499 / www.brooksidepottery.com

Caterpillar MusicA combination of simple birthday party games, action songs, instruments and amazing puppets.01925 860459 / www.caterpillarmusic.comCheshire Cats Face Painting Co01606 333184 / www.cheshire-cats.co.ukThe Cheshire Balloon Lady01477 535163 / www.cheshireentertainer.com

Diddy DanceFun, affordable parties for tots (2 – 4) at yourchoice of location –

dancing games, action songs,hoops, dance ribbons, bubbles, balloons, bells and lots of fun!!Chester & Surrounds – Danielle: 07870 664734South Cheshire & Surrounds – Emma: 07792 500981www.diddidance.com

Fizz KidsDance and cheerleading parties for ages 5+ in Cheshire and Manchester.07870 139361 / www.fizzkidsparties.co.uk

Forest SkillsBushcraft and Forest School parties - educational and fun.

07702 343248 / www.forestskillsltd.co.uk

Gigglepop Art, themed or traditional parties in your home or choice of venue hosted by professional

party leaders. 07779 935638 / www.gigglepop.co.uk

Go Kiddy Karts, Didsbury & UrmstonIndoor parties for boys and girls aged 4 – 9.07956 557653 / www.go-kiddy-karts.co.ukHullabaloo KidsFace painting for children and adults.07973 479471 / www.hullabalookids.netJabberjacksPlaymates parties for children aged 2 – 4, Juniorparties for ages 5 – 7. Wilmslow, Macclesfield & Knutsford – Sue: 01625 540999Chester, Northwich & Winsford – Wendy:07519 238263Nantwich, Crewe & Sandbach – Rachel:07501 365537South Manchester – Clare: 07587 186284www.jabberjacks.co.ukJo Jingles, Music, singing and movementparties for children up to 5 years.North East Cheshire: Laura: 0161 4310674Mid Cheshire – Eve: 01928 739966South Manchester – Jacqui: 01925 269136www.jojingles.comKerry’s Fun Faces, Face painting, glitter tattoos, balloon modelling.07813 297520 / www.kerrysfunfaces.co.ukKiddy CookCooking parties exclusively designed for ages4 – 11, with options to suit everyone.07976 619648 / www.kiddycook.co.uk

Families Cheshire | www.familiescheshire.co.uk16

Little Superstars, Multi-sports parties across Cheshire. 07904 311552 / www.littlesuperstars.co.ukLucia the entertainer, Comedy led professional offering traditional party entertainment with a unique twist. Balloon Modelling, Ventriloquism, Face painting and magic also available.0161 483 4363 / www.luciaparties.comMAD Academy, High energy music, singing and dance parties for young children (3 months – 5 years) using pom poms, parachutes, ribbons and instruments. 01270 876628 / www.madacademy.comMake A Wish Entertainment, Make your wish for a perfect party come true. 0113 322 7988 /www.makeawishentertainment.co.ukMother Hen Creative, Tailor made parties for ages 4 – 8. Interactive storytelling revolvingaround the birthday child – a jam packed fun filled magical, personal experience.07587 191394 / www.motherhencreative.comMy Babytime, Parties for babies with music, movement and dancing, percussion, parachute games and puppets. 07590 025253 / www.mybabytime.co.uk

Oliver’s Chocolate Parties A unique ‘chocolatey’ experience in your home or venue

of choice. For ages 2+. 07540 615966 / www.olichocparty.co.uk

Orchard Studios, Crewe Pop Star Parties in professional studios for ages 10-16. 01270 877208 / www.orchard-studios.co.ukParty Dance Party dancing, party games, with special prizes and invitations – for ages 2 – 4, and 5+. Available across Cheshire. 01244 400238 / 07580 247105 / www.funforlittlefeet.comPremier FC parties, The ultimate kid’s football party for children of all ages and abilities.01625 415151 / www.premierfc.com

Petite Pamper PartiesTruly magical fairy & princess parties for age 4+. Party bags

included. 07980 284411 / [email protected]

Ranger DanWoodland birthday parties with Cheshire’s favourite ranger. A range

of fun outdoor activities and games, with food cooked over an open fire.07765 890385 / www.rangerdan.co.uk

Rollers Club, Rollerskating /rollerblading party for any occasion, for up to 100 children/adults. 07904 341348 / www.rollersclub.co.ukScalextric Children’s Parties. You hire the venue, we supply the Scalextric Party experience.01928 732717 / www.scalextricchildrensparties.co.ukSensory StarsSensory parties for ages 1 – 3 at a venue of yourchoice. Craft, Messy Play or Glow & Light parties also available.07506789603 / www.sensorystars.co.uk

To be included in this directory, call 01625 801801 or email [email protected]


Header


Funky Monkey Café, Nantwich Great craft or cupcake decorating parties with lots of play and fabulous food. Homemade food also available for parties in your home/venue of choice. 07846 296882 Funkytown, Chester Indoor Adventure Play & Party Centre with a Sensory Room based right in the heart of Chester. Various party options available to suit all budgets. 01244 377229 / www.funkytownplay.co.ukFunsters, Crewe. Indoor play centre for children up to age 12 with standard or Gokart parties available 7 days a week. A variety of balloons also available for sale.01270 500525 / www.funstersplaycentres.co.ukThe Ice Cream Farm, Tattenhall. The Ice Cave, private party rooms, outdoor activities (week days only) and playbarn. The Loft - state of the art games room for older children. Party food available or bring your own. 07570 774 491 / www.cheshirefarmicecream.co.ukLegoland Discovery Centre, ManchesterFull use of all activities as well as a privateparty room, food and cake. 0844 844 8181 /www.legolanddiscoverycentre.co.uk

Little Big Heads, Wilmslow Fairy Tea Party, Belle of the Ball, Princess&Pirates or

Disco Diva options hosted by friendly staff. Party bags and a special gift for the birthday girl.01625 548326 / www.littlebigheads.co.uk

Playfactore, Trafford. A choice of parties in ahuge indoor playcentre with a personal partyhost and contemporary party rooms.0844 824 6030 / www.playfactore.comPlayworld, Shavington. 01270 665669 / www.playworldlimited.co.ukPirates Paradise, Holmes Chapel. Indoor pirate-themed play centre with lazer quest and themed parties avaible.01477 549008 / www.piratesplaycentre.co.ukPolar Palace, Winsford. 5 party options that can be themed, with an additional option of a visit from your child’s favourite Character.01606 863623 / www.polarpalace.co.ukThe 2 Gyms, Winsford. Indoor adventureplayground offering parties with a party host,food and party bags. 01606 558600 / www.the2gyms-cheshire.co.uk

The Mulberry Bush Cafe, WilmslowPrivate party room hire, party food, fresh juice

and water for the children, traditional party games, decorations and a mini disco. Cookie decorating, pizza-making and parties for Grown-ups available too! 01625 400122 / www.themulberrybushcafe.co.uk

The Spotty Pig Craft Café, Chester. Ceramic painting, cupcake decorating, decopatch or Wild Wood parties. Exclusive party room for 10+ guests. 01244 311318 / www.thespottypig.comTotal Fitness Altrincham, Chester, Crewe and Wilmslow. Studio (ages 4 – 11) and pool parties (ages 8+) www.totalfitness.co.ukWacky Warehouse, Congleton, Crewe and Northwich. 2 hour party packages with optional helium balloons, character visits or exclusive venue hire. 01260 217 859 /www.wackywarehouse.co.uk

Speckled Hen Children’s Parties, Holmes Chapel. Baking or sewing parties

including a traditional party tea or lunch.01477 537583 / www.speckledhenparties.co.uk

Splat Creative Crafts (messy or not) and games galore parties across the North West.01477 532119 / www.splatcreative.co.uk

Totally intoart Creative art workshops and parties for children aged from 2 – 11 years in Chester and the Cheshire area. 07774 060405 / www.totallyintoart.co.ukTricky the entertainer For magic, fun, music and games. 0800 135 7911 /www.cheshirechildrensentertainer.co.uk

PARTY PLANNINGCheshire Cat Events Prestige children’s party planning for any age. 01625 460195 / www.cheshirecatevents.comLittle Tinkers Party Planners and EntertainersOptions for big or small budgets.01244 379294 / www.littletinkers.comPink Spaghetti Efficient, affordable and approachable party planning services.0844 504 7465 / www.pink-spaghetti.co.uk

VENUES

Barnaby’s Playbarn, Northwich A stimulating environment where children can burn off all

that energy! A range of party options available.01606 301321 / www.barnabys-playbarn.com

Bollington Health & Leisure Soft play parties for under 3s, Swimming parties for all ages.

01625 574 774 / www.bollingtonleisure.co.uk

Brio Leisure, West Cheshire, Swimming, bouncy castle, football, multi-sports and dance mat parties at various venues.www.brioleisure.org

Craftybaloo, WilmslowFun & funky studio/cafe offering parties

for age 2+. Age appropriate craft options, ceramic painting, decopatch and paper mache. 01625 525382 / www.craftybaloo.co.uk

Cheshire Craft Workshops, NorthwichPaint-a-pot, candle dipping and badge making. 01606 301269 / www.cheshirecraftworkshop.com

Fun4All, Chester &MacclesfieldA variety of party options in a spacious indoor

venue. Laser, Bear making, Sports, Karaoke, Dance, Themed and VIP parties available.Chester: 01244 379458Macclesfield: 01625 440044www.fun4all.co.uk


HeaderParents’ place

A few years ago, psychologist Steve Biddulph was advising parents of boys on how to raise them to avoid a battery of difficulties. Now he’s back with a formula for how to raise girls. Joanna Moorhead, a mother of four daughters, asked him what matters most.

The day after I gave birth to our fourth daughter, my husband was involved in a puzzling exchange with our neighbour. The baby had been born at home overnight, so the neighbour was keen to hear the news over the garden fence. “It’s another girl,” announced my husband excitedly. “Oh,” said the neighbour, looking downcast. “And are you very disappointed?”

Gary and I enjoyed telling the story, and we enjoy telling it to this day, because disappointment was truly the very last emotion we felt when our lovely little Catriona arrived to join her big sisters Rosie, Elinor and Miranda. Raising boys may, for all I know, be every bit as

exciting and fun-filled as raising girls; but the truth is, I know nothing about it. I’m sure it’s similar, but I’m sure there are also ways in which it’s different: and the point is that, by the time Catriona was born, I was already quite certain that bringing up girls was a fabulous task to be taking centre-stage in my life. So, from the moment the line went blue on my pregnancy test, I was secretly hoping for another daughter. And when she finally landed, Gary and I couldn’t have been more thrilled.

Fast-forward ten years, and it’s still every bit as wonderful now as it was back then. But the last few years have brought a few scary moments – and, explains psychologist Steve Biddulph, I’m certainly not the only parent of daughters to have discovered that. Fifteen years ago, Biddulph leapt to fame when his ground-breaking book ‘Raising Boys’ tackled the difficulties that were making life tough for parents

of boys – rising rates of ADHD, aggressive behaviour, teenage drinking. Back then, he says, “girls were doing just fine”. But no longer. “It all started to change about five years ago. We began to see a sudden and marked plunge in girls’ mental health. Problems such as eating disorders and self-harm, which once had been extremely rare, were now happening in every classroom and every street. And more than this, the average girl was stressed and depressed in a way she hadn’t been before.”

So now Biddulph is back with a new book aimed at parents with girls. And the message he wants to give us is that, from their earliest times, we need to bomb-proof them from what he calls “a world that seems bent on poisoning their confidence and trashing their lives”.

What the onslaught is all about, says Biddulph, is the fact that advertisers have fixed their beady eyes on our pre-teen daughters: they’ve realised that little girls are extremely malleable from a marketing point of view, and they’ve gone all-out to sell them not only pink-clad dolls and sex-typed toys, but also sexualised clothes (long, long before any little girl should be thinking about looking attractive to the opposite sex) and pre-adolescent make-up.

Biddulph’s advice is simple.Avoid all sex-stereotyped toys and

products like the plague. From her earliest days, think not about what material possessions you are giving your daughter: instead, concentrate on how you’re making her feel. From birth to two, he explains, all that really matters to a baby girl is that she feels safe and loved. In a

Getting girls back on track

world where the arrival of a little girl is often seen as an invitation to start showering her with possessions – cute outfits, a pretty bedroom – he advocates forgetting all about what she has (especially if it’s of the ‘girly’ variety) and concentrating entirely on how welcome, and wanted, and loved she is in your life. The deep-rooted confidence that brings will, he promises, be something she carries with her right through her life.

From two to five, a little girl starts feeling interested in the world around her: now, she needs to be introduced to the world as an exciting and fascinating place, a place full of adventures. From five to ten it’s all about people skills – what she most needs to discover, says Biddulph, is that while her feelings are very important indeed, other people’s feelings matter too.

With the coming of puberty, a girl’s thoughts shift towards what Biddulph calls ‘finding her soul’: if she is helped and encouraged to find what he calls her ‘spark’, some passion or interest that she cares deeply about and is willing to invest her time in, that will help her to find fulfilment through her entire life. It’s an empowering message: best of all, for parents like me, is Biddulph’s conviction that the family and the adults surrounding a girl are the most important elements in helping light the fire that will burn through all her days. If girlhood has sometimes seemed scary, Biddulph reminds us that it’s exciting and enriching – and guides us through the skills that will help us help our daughters, time after time.

Steve Biddulph’s Raising Girls is published by HarperCollins, £12.99

18


Header

Child Safety Week (24 – 30 June) is the flagship community education campaign run by the Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT), raising awareness of the accidents that seriously injure or kill children and how to prevent them.

You don’t have to be superhuman to be a safety hero. The small things that you do, day in and day out, are the

Universal Credit is a new type of financial support for people in work and out of work, which is being introduced gradually from April 2013. It replaces a number of current benefits and credits including Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Employment and Support Allowance, Housing Benefit and Tax Credits.

You’ll claim Universal Credit online and it’s paid monthly to a household. Start planning for it now using the Personal Planner (https://secureonline.dwp.gov.uk/universal-credit-preparation), which takes 5-10 minutes to complete. By answering a few simple questions you can find out

how prepared you are for the changes Universal Credit will bring and what you can do now to get ready for them.

People who are newly unemployed will be the first to claim Universal Credit. Other people, such as those on existing benefits, will gradually move onto the new benefit over the following four years. Universal Credit will make it easier for you to start a new job or work more hours – it reduces gradually as you start to earn more in work.

More information is available at www.gov.uk/universal-credit

Prepare now for Universal Credit with the online planner

Be a Safety Hero in 2013!things that can prevent your child suffering serious harm.

Think of a few simple changes that you can make, like moving your cleaning products to prevent poisoning or moving your hot drink to prevent serious burns, and see how quickly they become everyday habits that take no time at all.

For more information, go to www.childsafetyweek.org.uk.

Parents’ place

20

What’s onUntil Sun 1 SeptTatton Park, KnutsfordMansion Exhibition: Beatrix Potter’s lifeNormal mansion opening times and charges apply.01625 374400 / www.tattonpark.org.uk

Daily during May & JuneBramall Hall and ParkGeocachingFree, Suitable for all ages, takes place during daylight hours. Go to www.geocaching.com to find the co-ordinates and clues, then come and find the caches which contain information about the park, as devised by our Youth Forum.0161 474 2020 / www.stockport.gov.uk/bramallhall

Sat 4 MayTarporley Food Craft & Gift FairTarporley Community Centre10am – 2pm, Free entry. A great chance to have a browse around over 25 different food and craft stalls.

Glossop Central Methodist Church SK13 8ATNCT Nearly New Sale11am – 12.30pm, Entrance £1.5008442436137 / [email protected] Knutsford“Royal” May Day Parade & Craft FairA procession through the town (starts Marshall’s Yard at 2pm), culminating with dancing on the Heath followed by the crowning of the May Day Queen.www.knutsford-royal-mayday.co.uk

Sat 4 – Mon 6 MayCapesthorne Hall, SiddingtonCraft, Gift and Food Fair10am – 5pm. Wide selection of handmade crafts, gifts from around the world and speciality food stalls. Craft Fair Admission £3 with access to the gardens & chapel (all accompanied children under 16 free) Hall open from 12 noon – admission £2 (all accompanied children under 16 free).01744 750606 / www.capesthorne.com www.creativecrafts-online.co.uk

Tatton Park, KnutsfordThe Spring Gift Fair10.30am - 5pm, Free entry to fair, but normal park entry charge applies. Quality and value gifts, crafts, art, home décor and food. 01530 834056 / www.countrywide-events.co.uk

Sun 5 MayThe Victoria Club, Holmes ChapelHolmes Chapel Village Fair12 noon – 5pm, Free admission. Fairground Rides and Stalls, Battle of Britain RAF Hurricane Flypast, Bouncy Castle, Punch & Judy, Dancers, Craft Stalls, Gymnastics, Food, Animals, Plants, and a Licenced Bar.01477 5322321 / www.thevicclub.co.uk

Honford Hall, HandforthHandforth Craft FairAmazing stalls and fun activities, bouncy castle, tombola’s, flower pot/finger ring decorating plus a chance to win a car or £10,000!www.facebook.com/handforthcraftfair

Mon 6 MayTatton Park, KnutsfordAdopt A Farm Animal DayMeet the rare breed animals at the Farm which are up for adoption. Normal park and farm entry charges apply.01625 374400 / www.tattonpark.org.uk

Gawsworth HallClassic Car Show10.30am – 4pm. Adults £6, Under 16s £3. Veteran, vintage and classic cars together with more exotic modern vehicles, mtorcycles, military vehicles and historic tractors. 01260 223456 / www.gawsworthhall.com

Quarry Bank Mill, StyalA Victorian May Day11am – 4pm. Celebrate May Day at the Mill with entertainment and music including a Punch and Judy and traditional games. Normal admission applies.01625 527468 / www.nationaltrust.org.uk/quarry-bank-mill

Bramall HallBramall Activity Day11am – 4pm, All ages, Adults £5.50, Children £4.25Step back in time and join in lots of hands on activities. Dancing, toys and games. Make your own wattle and daub, learn to write with a quill pen. A great family day out!0161 474 2020 / www.stockport.gov.uk/bramallhall

Delamere ForestBarmy Army Assault Course & Den Building and fire toasting marshmallows10.30am-12.30pm (5-7 year olds) & 2 – 4pm (8-12 year olds). In partnership with Delamere Outdoor Fitness. Booking essential.07808 506308 / www.forest-explorers.co.uk

Blakemere Village, NorthwichFree Circus Workshop in the courtyard Have a go at juggling, diablo, plate spinning and more with assistance from our hands on workshop team.01606 883261 / www.visitblakemere.co.uk

Mon 6 & Mon 27 MayHat Works, StockportPaper Hat Making11am – 4pm, all ages, Free, drop in. Get the chance to decorate your very own hat. Pick up your pack of craft materials from reception, then make and decorate your paper hat on the gallery floor!0161 474 2399 / www.stockport.gov.uk/hatworks

Sat 11 MayNether Alderley Primary SchoolNational Festival Circus 10am, 2.30pm & 4pm, Adult £6, Child £5A magical mix of laughter & excitement. Drinks, popcorn, sweets and BBQ food on sale. Tickets limited – email to book. [email protected]

Stretton Water MillFamily Day1 – 5pm. National Mills Weekend offers you the chance to find out about stone dressing, milling and engineering.01244 972066 / www.strettonwatermill.org.uk

The world’s only live production of the CBeebies top-rated show, In The Night Garden LIVE is an amazing musical theatre experience for all the family.

Children’s favourite CBeebies’ stars – Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy, Makka Pakka and friends – are all brought beautifully to life on stage using full-size costumes, magical puppets, enchanting music and breath-taking projections.

The show takes place in its own all-weather, purpose-built inflatable

showdome with many family-friendly facilities. This site-specific structure is a huge hit with children and parents and its immersive theatrical experience makes audiences feel they are actually entering the magical world of the TV show In the Night Garden.

Booking is now open for the performance which will run at The Trafford Centre from Thurs 15 August – Sun 1 September – get your tickets now!

Box office 0333 300 0023 / www.NightGardenLive.com

In The Night Garden LIVE returns to Manchester

ARE YOU FEELING LUCKY?Here’s your chance to win a family ticket to see Mickey Mouse live on stage!!

Hit the road with Mickey Mouse and your favourite Disney friends for an hilarious talent search in the all-new Disney Live! Mickey’s Rockin’ Road Show! at The Lowry, Salford Quays. Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy set out on a zany road trip where audiences join in and help find the coolest acts around. Along the way, hit a high note with Cinderella; get your bounce on with Tigger; and shout out your loudest “yee-haw” at a hoedown with Woody, Jessie and Buzz Lightyear from Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story! Grab your family for a fun-filled getaway at this live, show-stopping adventure jam-packed with unexpected twists, turns and hijinks!

The show runs from Thurs 25 – Sat 27 July, and we’ve got a family ticket for 4 people for the performance on Thurs 25 July at 4.30pm to give away. To enter, go to www.familiescheshire.co.uk and answer the following question:

What is the name of Buzz Lightyear and Woody’s owner in Toy Story?Entries close Sun 30 June.


These listings are for guidance only – please check before you goTo include your upcoming event in our listings, email [email protected]


What’s onTeggs Nose Country Park Forest Fairies10am – 1pm, £3, age 4 - 11. Follow the fairy trail, build a beautiful fairy house, make a fairy wand, fairy wings and a beautiful woodland crown to wear as we discover the magical world of the little people that live in the forests. Booking and payment in advance essential. 01625 573086 / www.wackywoods.co.uk

Thurs 9 – Sun 12 MayCivic Way Car Park & Market Field, MiddlewichFun Fair & Community Day5.30 – 9.30 Thurs/Fri. 1 – 9.30pm Sat1 – 7pm Sun. Rides and stalls for all ages.www.middlewich.org.uk

Sun 12 MayTatton ParkCyclettaBike ride for women of all ages and abilities, starting from Tatton Park and taking in the quiet and beautiful roads around East Cheshire. Great fun and a good way to raise money for charity. www.humanrace.co.uk/events/cycletta

Tues 14 MayNantwich Town Geology Trail Guided walk6.15 – 8.15pm , Age 8+, Adults £3, Children £1 (book and pay in advance). A slow, fascinating guided walk around the beautiful town of Nantwich. Booking and payment in advance essential. 01625 383777 / www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/rangers

Manchester MuseumBaby ExplorersFree, booking essential (1 week before). Sensory play and interactive story sessions for babies who aren’t walking yet.0161 275 2648 / www.manchester.ac.uk/museum

Fri 17 MayBrereton School HallBear Fest 2013 – Bear Drive by the Youth Forum6.30pmwww.mybrereton.com

Staircase House, StockportMuseums at Night – Supper at Staircase HouseTravel through Staircase House and discover what people ate and drank in the past. There will be opportunities to sample some unusual dishes from a variety of historical recipes. Booking essential. 7.30pm & 8.30pm, Age 12+, Adults £5.950161 474 4444 / www.stockport.gov.uk/staircasehouse

Fri 17 – Sun 19 MayTatton Park, KnutsfordFoodies Festival11am – 7pm. £12 Adults, children under 12 free. Normal park entry charge applies. The UK’s largest celebration of food and drink, and a great family day out. Spectacular Bake and Cake Theatre incorporating a ‘bake-along’ with members of the audience invited to participate. 0844 995 1111 / www.foodiesfestival.com

Sat 18 MayDunham Massey Village Hall45th Rose Queen Festival12.15pm, Adults £1, children free. Procession starts at Dunham Massey Hall. Crowning Ceremony, Maypole Dancing, Morris Dancers, Band, Traditional Games, Refreshments, Local Produce, Fancy Dress and more.

The Park, Alderley EdgeAlderley Edge May Fair11am – 5pm, free. Fun Dog Show, parade, fairground ride, fancy dress, birds of prey and loads more.www.alderleyedgefair.com

The Village Hall, Mottram St AndrewCheshire Tortoise DayAdults £2, Children free. Live species of chelonia and other species on display. For children there are competitions, plus the tombola, raffle and new features for 2013 including a Galapagos/Darwin display. Light refreshments will be available.01260 270 307 / www.slowcoach.org.uk

Tegg’s Nose Country ParkWatery Worlds10am – 12pm, £2pp, booking essential. A chance to investigate the hidden world of the rocky streams looking for insect larvae and other minibeasts. 01625 383777 / www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/rangers

Wilmslow United Reformed Church SK9 1PR East Cheshire NCT Nearly New Sale11am – 1pm, Entrance £1. Clothes, toys, books and nursery equipment, refreshments with hot and cold drinks and homemade cakes. No shopping bags, prams or buggies.0844 2436115 / [email protected]

Sat 18 & Sun 19 MayWater Tower and King Charles Tower, City Walls, ChesterDiscover Chester’s Medieval Towers11am – 4pm, Free, drop in. Discover the Water Tower, which once stood in the medieval port of Chester but now sits on dry land, along with the medieval Phoenix Tower, which was re-named after King Charles I after he stood here to watch skirmishes from the battle at Rowton Moor in 1645.01244 972197 / www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/visiting

Sun 19 MayDragonfly Day and Hungi (Earth Oven) FeastNew Pool Wood, Norley2 – 5pm, £10pp A relaxing afternoon for the whole family to discover our beautiful dragonflies flying around our lovely woodland & to create dragonflies. Enjoy a delicious roast filled bap & a lovely cup of tea.www.naturefun.co.uk

The Wingate Centre, Nantwich to Marbury Village HallSponsored Charity WalkStarts 10am for serious walkers, 1pm for family groups, £5 registration. Refreshments available01270 780456 / www.thewingatecentre.co.uk

Marbury Country ParkPets in the Park Lots to do for all the family including fun dog show, have a go agility, stalls, displays, meet the pet professionals etc. Bring the family (free entry) and bring your dog for a great day out. 07974 929 668 / www.northwichwoodlands.org.uk

Eaton Primary School, TarporleyMay Fair 11am – 3pm, Adults £1.50, Children freeIndependent craft stalls, homemade refreshments and loads of entertainment for the kids.www.eaton.cheshire.sch.uk

Blakemere Village, NorthwichTable top sale 10am – 2pm. Free entry .01606 883261 / www.visitblakemere.co.uk

Prestbury Tennis ClubOpen Day1 – 5pm. Come and have a go.07792 776878 / www.prestburytennis.org

Tegg’s Nose Country ParkCome and Try It Day 10am – 4pm, £10pp, booking and payment in advance essential. Try a number of exciting and varied activities including Climbing, Abseiling, Archery and a variety of Bushcraft activities. Minimum age for Abseiling is 6. Children must be accompanied. 01625 383777 / www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/rangers

Winnington Park Recreation Club CW8 4EBNorthwich & District NCT Nearly New Sale1.30 – 3pm, Entrance £1. Quality, used Spring/Summer children’s (0-11 years) and babies’ clothes, toys, books, CDs, DVDs, cots, prams/pushchairs and nursery equipment.0844 243 6207 / [email protected]

Thurs 23 – Mon 27 MayAudlemAudlem FestivalMusic and arts to suit all tastes, exhibitions, poetry events and a carnival.www.audlemfestival.com

Fri 24 MayMuseum of Science & Industry (MOSI)Experitots - Things That Fly£3 for 1 adult & 1 child, each additional child/adult £2. Fun, creative activities, puppets and storytelling for under 5s. Booking recommended.0161 833 0027 / www.mosi.org.uk

Sat 25 MayChester RacecourseMatthew Clark Roman DayRoman Day will bring history alive with a celebration of the City of Chester’s Roman past. There will be a host of free children’s activities on the Open Course as well as entertainment in the paddocks. www.chester-races.co.uk

Manchester MuseumBig Saturday: Warriors of the Plains11am – 4pm, Free, drop-in, all ages. Explore the newly opened Warriors of the Plains: 200 years of Native North American honour and ritual exhibition. Discover more about dress, customs and ceremonial life. 0161 275 2648 / www.manchester.ac.uk/museum

Sat 25 & Sun 26 MayTatton Park, KnutsfordSheep Shearing at the Farm12 noon – 5pm. The farm staff will be shearing daily from 1.30pm, so don’t miss this opportunity to see them shed their woolly coats. Normal park and farm entry charges apply.01625 374400 / www.tattonpark.org.uk

Etihad Stadium, ManchesterRugby League Magic Weekend 2013All 14 Super League clubs will again be in action, entertainment on the pitch and outside the stadium with lots of fun activities for families to enjoy between matches. 0844 856 1113 / www.rugbyleaguetickets.co.uk

Hat Works, StockportChildren’s Tours2.30 – 3.30pm, Age 5 – 11, Adult £1.50, Child £2.50. Step back in time to learn how hats were made and experience what it was like to be a hatter’s apprentice! Booking essential.0161 474 2399 / www.stockport.gov.uk/hatworks

Sat 25 – Mon 27 MayGawsworth HallBank Holiday Weekend Craft & Gift Fairs10am – 5pm, Adults £3, under 16 Free. Crafts, giftware, speciality food and drink, activities and displays.01260 223456 / www.gawsworthhall.com

Sat 25 May – Sun 2 JuneQuarry Bank Mill, StyalScarecrow Festival11am – 4pm, 50p per trail. Get set for some super scarecrows taking over the estate! Follow the scarecrow trail through the gardens, grounds and village. Normal admission applies.01625 527468 / www.nationaltrust.org.uk/quarry-bank-mill

Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI)May Half term programmeA packed programme of free activities, workshops and storytelling sessions for a family audience. Find out more about the Museum in the Revolution Manchester Show, then head to the Power Hall to compete in teh Rainhill Trials Railway Race Game, enjoy hte stories at Pable Fanque’s Circus of Dreams, or just relax on the steam train.0161 832 2244 / www.mosi.org.uk

Mon 27 MayEtihad Stadium, ManchesterBupa Junior & Mini Great Manchester RunJoin over 2,000 children for the North West’s biggest and most popular junior running event. A 1.5km Mini event suitable for ages 3-8 years and a 2.3km Junior event for age 9-15. More than twenty ‘Come and Try It’ activities on offer throughout the day giving children the chance to sample new sports.www.greatrun.org

Grosvenor Museum, Newstead GalleryMake a Medieval Pilgrim Badge2 – 4pm, Free drop in. Create your own pilgrim badge as a souvenir of your visit to the medieval Chester exhibition.01244 972197 / www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/visiting

Tabley Park, KnutsfordWarrington Horse Show9am, £20 per car. A celebration of all things equestrian, with fun entertainment for a great family day out.www.warringtonhorseshow.co.uk

Blakemere Village, NorthwichCar Rally Triumph Sports Six Club Manchester will be displaying their vehicles on the events field. Free entry.01606 883261 / www.visitblakemere.co.uk

Mon 27 – Fri 31 MayManchester MuseumMay half term: Nature’s Library 11am – 4pm, Free, drop in, all ages. Make marvellous mobiles inspired by the gallery. 0161 275 2648 / www.manchester.ac.uk/museum

Tues 28 MayGrosvenor Museum, Newstead Gallery2 – 4pm, Free drop inCreate your own medieval pouch or purse to keep your money safe and secure.01244 972197 / www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/visiting

Tatton Park, KnutsfordThe Magic of Beatrix Potter Morning10.30am – 12pm, Ages 4 – 8, £7.50. Explore the wonderful world of Beatrix Potter’s stories out in Tatton’s stunning gardens. An interactive journey of discovery with tales of some of Beatrix’s best loved characters. 01625 374428 / www.tattonpark.org.uk

Bramall HallWho Ate All the Porridge?10.30 – 11.30am, Age 3 – 6, £3 per child (one accompanying adult free per child). Help us tell

the story of Goldilocks and the three bears as we look for all the characters around the Hall – but be quiet in case you wake up Goldilocks! Booking essential.0161 474 2020 / www.stockport.gov.uk/bramallhall

Tues 28 & Thurs 30 MayQuarry Bank Mill, StyalMini Scarecrow workshops12.30pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm, £3 (booking essential)Make your own mini scarecrow at one of our popular workshops. Normal admission applies.01625 527468 / www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ quarry-bank-mill

Tues 28 – Thurs 30 MayHat Works, StockportMake a Monster!10.30am – 12 noon and 1 – 2.30pm, Age 5 – 11, £3.50. Let your little monsters design and make a monster of their very own. Booking essential.0161 474 2399 / www.stockport.gov.uk/hatworks

Tues 28 – Fri 31 MayQuarry Bank Mill, StyalRecycling machines12 – 4pm. Inspired by the ‘Beastly Machines’ exhibition, why not see what you can recycle and turn into a knitting nancy ‘machine’? Normal admission applies. 01625 527468 / www.nationaltrust.org.uk/quarry-bank-mill

Wed 29 MayTatton Park, KnutsfordViking Morning10am – 12.30pm, Ages 8 – 12, £9. Beware all who enter the Old Hall, for who will you discover at the Viking settlement? Includes outdoor cooking, storytelling, shelter building and animal tracking. Booking essential.01625 374428 / www.tattonpark.org.uk

Grosvenor Museum, Newstead GalleryDiscover Medieval Chester11am – 4pm, Free drop in. Meet some colourful characters and learn more about life in medieval Chester. 01244 972197 / www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/visiting

Thurs 30 May Macclesfield Silk MuseumTeenage Art Workshop - ‘Glass Painting and Scraffito Technique’12.30 – 3.30pm, £6, ages 12 - 16. Scraffito is the process of scratching a design into a painted surface with contrasting paint to create a lively piece of art. Teenagers can then explore glass painting, taking inspiration from different pieces and creating their own style. Booking essential.01625 612045 / www.silkmacclesfield.org.uk

Grosvenor Museum, Newstead GalleryTry some Medieval Writing2 – 4pm, Free drop in. Use a quill and ink and try your hand at a calligraphy letter.01244 972197 / www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/visiting

Delamere ForestMini beast hunting10 – 11am, 12 – 1pm, 2 – 3pm. Booking essential.07808 506308 / www.forest-explorers.co.uk

Thurs 30 May – Thurs 6 JuneBolesworth Castle, TattenhallBolesworth ClassicIn addition to the fantastic equestrian competition there are numerous other attractions for all of the family to enjoy including: a vintage funfair, vintage car displays, climbing calls, mini quad biking, a bunjee trampoline, zorbing of all varieties as well as a number of displays including The Pony Club, Lancashire rescue bears and the ever popular birds of prey.01829 782210 / www.bolesworthclassic.co.uk

Thurs 30 & Fri 31 MayMacclesfield Silk MuseumChildrens Craft Club - ‘Vivacious Vegetables’10am – 12 noon, £6, ages 6 – 11. This Craft Club will delight parents by getting children excited about Vegetables! They will be making wax models of their favourite veg and creating colourful vegetable themed mobiles. Booking essential.01625 612045 / www.silkmacclesfield.org.uk

Delamere ForestDen Building10.30am – 12pm or 1.30 – 3pm. Booking essential.07808 506308 / www.forest-explorers.co.uk

Fri 31 MayTatton Park, KnutsfordBeatrix Potter Dance, Drama and Song Workshop10am – 2.15pm, £23. Using the magical tales of Beatrix Potter as inspiration, professional drama and dance tutors will lead a fun and creative day of dance, drama and singing. Adults are invited to a performance to finish the day.01625 374428 / www.tattonpark.org.uk

Grosvenor Museum, Newstead GalleryDecorate a Tile Medieval Style!2 – 4pm, Free drop in. Decorate a tile with medieval designs. 01244 972197 / www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/visiting

Manchester MuseumMagic Carpet: Warriors of the Plains10.30 – 11.30am, 11.30am – 12.30pm, Free, booking essential (1 week before)Storytelling and activity session for under 5s and their families/carers. 0161 275 2648 / www.manchester.ac.uk/museum

Delamere ForestBushcraft10am – 12pm or 1.30 – 3.30pm. Booking essential.07808 506308 / www.forest-explorers.co.uk

Sat 1 JuneAstbury Mere Country ParkRSPCA Fundraising Walk and Fun Day. A fun filled afternoon to raise money for your local RSPCA. Ideal for families, dog owners and wildlife lovers alike. 01625 383777 / www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/rangers

Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI)The Wonderful World of WormsCome and see the good, the bad and the downright ugliness of these parasites up close and personal. 0161 832 2244 / www.mosi.org.uk

Sat 1 – Sun 16 JuneChester Town Hall & CathedralMBNA Chester Music FestivalClassical music festival with 25 concerts at lunchtime and in the evening. Under 12s free when accompanied by a full-price paying adult.www.chestermusicfestival.co.uk

Sat 1 & Sun 2 JuneTatton Park, KnutsfordPigling Bland Weekend at the FarmJoin us in celebrating the 100 year anniversary of The Tale of Pigling Bland. Meet the new piglets, listen to piggy tales and follow the Pigland Bland quiz. Normal park and farm entry charges apply.01625 374400 / www.tattonpark.org.uk

Classic and Performance Car Spectacular9am – 4pm. Adults £7.50, Children (10 – 15) £5, Under 10 Free. Around 2,000 classic, vintage and performance cars are on show. General trade stands, children’s rides and refreshments. Normal park entry charges apply. 01565 723 863 / www.cheshireautopromotions.co.uk

Overwater MarinaAudlem Narrow Boat FestivalHog roast, music and entertainment.www.audlem.org

Tues 4 JuneAlderley EdgeDown the Mines!7 – 9.30pm, Age 6+, £7, booking and payment in advance essential. Join Derbyshire Caving Club for a trip down the old copper mines of Alderley Edge.01625 383777 / www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/rangers

Tues 4 – Thurs 6 JuneHat Works, StockportBee Creative10.30am – 12 noon and 1 – 2.30pm, Age 5 – 11, £3.50. Use all your creative juices to make a summer insect at this fun crafts workshop.0161 474 2399 / www.stockport.gov.uk/hatworks

Wed 5 JuneStockport Air Raid SheltersExplorer Tours7pm Age 8+ (must be accompanied) £6.10 (under 16s £5.10). Take an evening tour around the shelters including areas not seen on the standard tour. You will be given the opportunity to see the full extent of Stockport’s air raid preparations. Booking essential.0161 474 1940 / www.stockport.gov.uk/airraidshelters

Thurs 6 JuneStockport Air Raid SheltersChildren’s Explorer Tours6.45 – 8pm, Age 7+, Adult £2, Child £3.95. Exciting children’s version of the ever popular explorer tours. Brave the darkened tunnels as you go back in time


What’s on These listings are for guidance only – please check before you goTo include your upcoming event in our listings, email [email protected]


What’s onand experience the life of a child during the war. Booking essential. 0161 474 1940 / www.stockport.gov.uk/airraidshelters

Sat 8 JuneTogether Trust Centre, Cheadle Cheadle Festival Family Fun Day 11am – 4.30pm. Stalls, arts and crafts, face painting, live music, funfair, food, licenced bar and Graham Fisher’s International It’s a Knockout. 0161 283 4822 / www.togethertrust.org.uk

Brereton SchoolBear Fest 20134.30pm. Games, barbecue, disco and much more with overnight camping and breakfast served by the Scouts!www.mybrereton.com

Sat 8 & Sun 9 JuneBakewellThe Bakewell Baking FestivalFestival Village with demonstrations, Vintage Market. A weekend celebration of baking with a dash of British eccentricity and family fun mixed in.www.bakewellbakingfestival.co.uk

Hat Works, StockportChildren’s Tours2.30 – 3.30pm, Age 5 – 11, Adult £1.50, Child £2.50. Step back in time to learn how hats were made and experience what it was like to be a hatter’s apprentice! Booking essential.0161 474 2399 / www.stockport.gov.uk/hatworks

Sun 9 JuneRiver Dee, ChesterDragon Boat Race10am. A fun race on the River Dee.www.chesterdragonboatfestival.co.uk

Fri 14 – Sun 16 JuneMiddlewich Town CentreMiddlewich Folk & Boat FestivalThis delightful festival is a medley of boats, folk music and entertainment with the stunning backdrop of the canal. Most of it is FREE!01606 833434 / www.midfest.org.uk

Cholmondeley SY14 8AHThe Cholmondeley Pageant of Power8am – 6.30pm daily. Motorsport Event including racing cards and bikes, F2 Power Boats, air displays, Miitary combat power, food and drink, shopping and children’s entertainment. 01829 772433 / www.cpop.co.uk

Fri 14 – Sun 30 JuneMacclesfieldBarnaby FestivalA festival of arts, culture and fun, with great things for the family to enjoy over the Barnaby Big Weekend (21-23 June).www.barnabyfestival.org.uk

Sat 15 JuneTatton Park, KnutsfordPeter’s Tea Party10 am – 12pm, Max age 12, £20. Join our guide in the Mansion kitchens for baking

activities and storytelling inspired by Beatrix Potter’s tales. Adults are invited to a tea party from 11.30am to sample the morning’s creations. Maximum age 12.01625 374428 / www.tattonpark.org.uk

The River Dee, Regatta Ground, ChesterChester Regatta 20139am – 6pm. A great spectacle for all the family.www.chesterregatta.org

St John’s Church, Chester (next to the amphitheatre)Minstrels’ Court10.30am – 5pm, Free drop in. Discover an ancient tradition, where the minstrels of Cheshire were given their licenses to play for the year ahead; with music, dance, storytelling and lots of characters bringing medieval Chester to life.Merrie Musicke with the Minstrels. 7.30 – 9.30pm, £5, payable on the door, or reserve a place by emailing [email protected].

Join Piva, Chester’s own Time Bandits, and many other musicians for lively music from medieval times performed on a range of period instruments in the atmospheric setting of Chester’s oldest church.01244 972197 / www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/visiting

Poynton ParkParty in the ParkMusical charity event for the whole family.www.poyntonrotary.co.uk

Fenton Manor Sports Complex, Stoke-on-TrentStaffordshire Bump2Fives10am – 4pm, Adults £5, under 12s free. Hundreds of innovative and beautiful products that will see you through from bump to beyond. Activities for all, from fairy workshops to circus skills.www.staffordshirebump2fives.co.uk

Sun 16 JuneCongleton Town CentreCongleton Food & Drink Festival 201310.30am – 4.30pm. A fantastic range of global street food and all set to a back drop of music, dance, stilt walkers, cooking demonstrations and other street entertainment. A great community event with free entry for everyone to come along and have a great day.01260 291156 / www.foodanddrinkfestival.net

New Pool Wood, NorleyFather’s Day2 – 5pm, Dads £20, Child £2.50. A wonderful opportunity for all dads to come along and pretend they are Bear Grylls or Ray Mears. An exciting afternoon full of bushcraft activities including open fire cooking. The 10th confirmed booking will receive a bushcraft tool. www.naturefun.co.uk

Advertise in FamiliesCheshire

Call Jayne on: 01625 801801 or [email protected]


What’s onTues 18 JuneBrereton Heath Visitor Centre Orienteering for All6 – 7.15pm (Registration from 5.30pm), Adults £4, Children £2. Courses suitable for everyone from beginners to experienced orienteers. Families and groups welcome. Instruction available. 0161 445 0902 / [email protected]

Tues 18 & Wed 19 JuneCheshire Showground, KnutsfordCheshire County ShowThe largest 2-day county show in the Northwest. Large equestrian section, farm livestock classes, dog shows, flowers, a superb food hall, cheese, crafts, shoppers mews and country pursuits.01565 650200 / www.cheshirecountyshow.org.uk

Wed 19 JuneHaslington Midsummer Evening Walk6.30 – 8.30pm. A circular walk of about 6km (4 miles). Ideal for families (children must be accompanied). Time: 6.30pm to 8.30pm01270 588292 / www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/rangers

Thurs 20 – Sun 30 JuneLymmLymm FestivalAround 50 events taking place in the village of Lymm including dance, drama, music, comedy and literature, Open Gardens, FoodFest (20 June) and Lymm Fest (22 June).www.lymmfestival.org.uk

Fri 21 JuneWinsford Over AllotmentsChildren’s Open Daywww.winsford.gov.uk

Sat 22 JuneDelamere Street, WinsfordSt John’s Church 150th Anniversary and Delamere Street partywww.winsford.gov.uk

Duddon St Peter’s Primary SchoolSummer Fair3 – 6pm. Seaside themed Summer Fair including a modern Punch & Judy, sandcastle building, music, entertainment, BBQ, drinks, and more.07840 531 293 / www.dstp.cheshire.sch.uk

Sat 22 & Sun 23 JuneAstle Park, Chelford1000 Engine Rally10am – 5pm Adults £6, Children under 12 free.The largest stationary engine rally in Europe.www.1000engines.co.uk

Chester Town CentreMidsummer Watch Parade2pm. Chester’s colourful traditional parade dating back to Medieval times.www.midsummerwatch.co.uk

Little Moreton HallMidsummer Celebrations11am – 4pm, Normal admission applies. Get into the summer spirit by trying some Tudor dances, enjoying the live music from PIVA or making a

soap ball to take home. Look out for giants and hobbyhorses in the parade too.01260 272 018 / www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ little-moreton-hall

Sun 23 JuneTatton Park, KnutsfordThe Tales of Peter Rabbit and Friends Matinee Theatre Performance3pm, Adult £11, Child £7, Family £32 (2 adults, 2 children). A unique production perfect for the outdoor setting of Tatton Park’s Old Hall. Live music. Booking essential.01625 374400 / www.tattonpark.org.uk

Northwich WoodlandsFamily ramble2 mile walk for families with young children. Activities to interest children in their surroundings. Meet at the car park for Carey Park next to recycling site. Accompanying responsible adult essential. For more info call Christine Masson: 01565 633235 / 07828 942631www.northwichwoodlands.org.uk

Wed 26 June – Sat 13 JulyChester CathedralChester Mystery PlaysAn extraordinary community theatre only taking place every 5 years. Iconic Bible stories are transformed into a truly spectacular, dynamic theatrical experience through tales of ambition, intrigue, betrayal and passion. Guaranteed to enrapture, astound and delight!01244 500959 / www.chestermysteryplays.com

Fri 28 JuneMuseum of Science & Industry (MOSI)Experitots – Materials£3 for 1 adult & 1 child, each additional child/adult £2. Fun, creative activities, puppets and storytelling for under 5s. Booking recommended.0161 833 0027 / www.mosi.org.uk

Wed 3 JulyRudyard LakeFancy a Paddle?6.30 – 9pm, age 9+ (water confident), £12 (booking and advance payment essential). A chance to learn a little bit about kayaking and canoeing on the beautiful Rudyard Lake, Rudyard. The event is delivered by Moorland Adventure. Full instruction equipment and buoyancy aids will be provided.01625 383777 / www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/ rangers / www.moorlandadventure.co.uk

Sat 6 JulyTatton Park, KnutsfordPick your own for Peter 10am – 12pm, £20, Max age 12. Join our guide in the gardens for storytelling and pick your own fruit, vegetables and salad to create dishes inspired by Beatrix Potter’s tales to take home. Then cook your harvest in the Victorian Mansion.01625 374400 / www.tattonpark.org.uk

These listings are for guidance only – please check before you goTo include your upcoming event in our listings, email [email protected]

families cheshire issue 23 may-june 2013

Documents

families group

copies of families cheshire

families fold

families south west

summer issue

school news10

nether alderley primary

free copies