Families Oxfordshire Issue 50 July-August 2012

Great holiday activities and What’s On in Oxfordshire!

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Issue 50July - August 2012www.familiesox.co.uk

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news & views

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Oxfordshire’s best festivalFrom August 23–27 head along to the Towersey Festival in Thame. With fivededicated venues packed with things to do, the Festival really does havesomething for everyone. There are over 20 individually programmed sessions aday with opportunities to learn a dance, join a band or join in some crafts. Under6s can join in with singing games, take part in a mini gym, enjoy somereflexology and even take their teddy or dolly to Teddies’ Hospital. There’s also alot going on for older children, while in the evening there are lots of family showsto enjoy, including a production of the children’s book The Way Back Home (turn topage 17 to win tickets). The activities range from hundreds of gigs (over 50 artistsa day), street theatre on the Showground, lantern making, loads of CeilidhDancing, world class cuisine to the International Market, craft and street fairs.Towersey is a wonderful way to finish your summer holidays and a very differentday out. Children’s tickets start from £19. www.towerseyfestival.com for more info.

Childcare Vouchers to Pay forSummer Holiday CampsSummer camps are fun and exciting;children can experience activities they wouldnot usually experience. Camps are a greattool to use if you are a working parent andneed childcare or to simply encourage yourchild to engage in more social activities.

The cost of sending children to camps is animportant factor. Did you know you can useyour childcare vouchers, taken as a salarysacrifice via your employer, to pay for thecost of most summer camps? Be savvy, ifyou intend to send your child to a camp inthe following year you can save up childcarevouchers to pay for the costs.

As childcare vouchers are tax free andnational insurance exempt, parents usingchildcare vouchers, taking the full amountand depending on their salary, can save upto £933 per parent, per year on the cost oftheir childcare. The Busy Bees nursery inBIcseter is one of many childcare providersin Oxfordshire that accept childcarevouchers. Busy Bees are campaigning toraise the weekly childcare voucher cap from£55 to £75 per week to help parents savemore on the cost of childcare. If you wantto support the campaign, you can sign theBusy Bees e-petition on their web site.www.busybeesbenefits.com

Summer reading challengeLibraries across the UK are gearing up tointroduce children to an imaginationparadise that will keep them readingthroughout the school summer holidays.Story Lab, the 2012 Summer ReadingChallenge run by The Reading Agency, anindependent charity, aims to inspirechildren to read in their holidays. Childrencan sign up at your local library from theend of June. There will be incentives andrewards, plus a certificate or medal if theycomplete the Challenge. “Pop down toyour local library and find out more aboutwhat's happening,” says Anne Sarrag,Summer Reading Challenge director, “andhelp your children discover a love of storieswhilst they develop their reading skills overthe summer holidays.” An interactive StoryLab website www.story-lab.org.uk launchesthis month, enabling children to talk abouttheir favourite books, or follow the SummerReading Challenge on Facebook.

Headington PreparatorySchool girls join in ‘The BigDribble’The whole of Headington PreparatorySchool’s Lower II were lucky to take part inThe Big Dribble at Oxford Brookes SportsCentre in May. This is a GB Hockey flagshipevent involving a giant ball moving downthe country. Oxford was one of the cities inthe UK to take part in this event. The girlsall ‘dribbled’ a hockey ball around a 100m

track to help GBHockey set a worldrecord for dribbling aball 2012 km. Theyalso got the chanceto sign a gianthockey ball and writea good luck messageto the GB players.The ball will bepresented to them atthe test event at theOlympic venue. Thegirls received acertificate tocommemorate theday. Despite the rain,fun was had by all.

www.headington.org/prep 01865 759861

Resolving The WorkingMother’s DilemmaMany of us find it hard to balance theneeds of the family with our need to carryon working and doing something we enjoy.That was the dilemma Diana Page foundherself in when she started her family 11years ago. “I knew that I wanted to be ableto raise my children – but I also wanted toprovide a good lifestyle and the righteducation options, whilst doing something Ienjoyed,” she says.

Diana is now working under the umbrella ofForever, which she says is an amazingcompany, and earning a six figure income.She’s able to attend all the various sports,social and school events while developing ameaningful career.

If you want to have your cake and eat ittoo, contact Diana, who is recruitingworking partners to work part-time fromhome. You’ll get full hands-on training andsupport and follow a proven businessmodel.www.yeshaveitall.com 01235 533362

We have had an enormousresponse to our Reader

Survey. Thank you! All prizewinners have been notified.


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In this issue:

News & views 2-4

Summer Holidays 6-9Counselling your child 10-11

Books 12

Career 13Education 14

Back to School 16What’s on 17-19

Outgoing Editor: Felice VermeulenContact: [email protected]

Next issue:September / October 2012: Back to SchoolCopy deadline 10 AUG 2012

To advertise in Families Oxfordshire contactEma Murphy on: 01993 815966 or 07733 228 038email: [email protected]

Circulation: We distribute free copies in hundreds of schoolsand nurseries throughout Oxfordshire. If your school, nurseryor parent group would like copies of Families Oxfrdshire letus know and we’ll sort things out.

Copyright: Families Oxfordshire July 2012Disclaimer: Colour transparencies and any other originalmaterials submitted for publication are sent at owner's ownrisk and while every care is taken, neither Families nor itsagents accept liability for loss or damage. We take care inpreparing this magazine but publishers and distributorscannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers norfor the accuracy of the contents nor for any consequence.

Families Group: Families Oxfordshire is part of a groupestablished in 1990 and headed by Families South West.

All franchised magazines in the group areindependently owned and operated under licence.

Front cover

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FAMILIES JULY / AUGUST 2012

After eight fantastic years as editor ofFamilies Oxfordshire, I am handing over thereins to a new editor.

Ema Murphy will be taking over theeditorship of this much loved publication.She has many years experience in PR andjournalism and has worked in local schools.Perhaps more importantly, Ema is a localmum, which means she knows what’simportant to parents in Oxfordshire.

Over fifty people responded when Iadvertised I wanted to hand over themagazine to a new editor. This wasn’t asurprise because I knew, from readers’feedback and the response our advertisersget, how popular Families Oxfordshire is.

The reason I chose Ema as my successor isnot only because she has all the credentialsto be the editor of the magazine, but alsobecause of her commitment and wonderfulpersonality. I feel confident she will connectwith readers and advertisers alike and thatthe magazine will continue to be successful.

And so I leave Families Oxfordshire and you,loyal readers, in safe hands and thank youall for the wonderful eight years. A bigthank you too to my own amazing family fortheir support, to all the contributors and inparticular the lovely ladies who distributethe magazine across Oxfordshire. Many of them have become dear friends.Goodbye and farewell!

Felice Vermeulen, Editor

A fond farewell… and a warm welcome

London based Perform Drama, Dance andSinging Workshops started a class inJanuary 2000 with 3 children. They now have4000 children attending their workshopsacross London and have chosen Wallngfordas their newest Perform Plus destination,opening in September 2012.

Perform is a new type of children’s dramaschool. They use a unique mix of drama,dance and singing specially formulated tobring out every child’s true potential. Classesare kept small to ensure lots of individualattention by their experiencedactor/teachers. They work exclusively with8-12 year old children and their focus isentirely on The 4 C’s. Confidence,Communication, Co-ordination andConcentration. They don’t send children toauditions or castings, but focus on helpingchildren develop their social skills whilsthaving the best fun of the week. They arealso centrally run as opposed to being afranchised business.

Principal Lucy Quick says: “We are incrediblyexcited about opening in Wallingford fromSeptember. It’s an amazingly creative area,and we have already found some fantasticlocal people to lead the workshops.”

PERFORM PLUS CLASSES in Wallingford willtake place at 2.15 pm on Saturdays atBenson Youth Hall, WallingfordOxford Road, Benson, Wallingford, OX10 6LXAll children are invited to a Free Trial Session.

www.perform.org.uk 0845 400 4000

Wallingford is first choice for unique children’s drama school

Photo: courtesy Richard Merrett.Team Merrett - Many thanks to theMerrett family who have supportedFamilies Oxfordshire since the starteight years ago.


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news & views

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Become an ARCh volunteerAssisted Reading for Children (ARCh) is aregistered charity which recruits, trains andsupports volunteers who work on a one toone basis with children in primary schoolsacross Oxfordshire.

Schools select children for ARCh support forvarious reasons and the aim of the charity isto provide them with a love of readingwhich will last a lifetime.

There are currently around 200 volunteersworking in over 100 schools, supportingmore than 600 children.

However the charity is looking to recruitmore volunteers to help more children,particularly in Oxford City, Bicester, Banbury,Thame, Abingdon and Berinsfield.

After successfully completing the application,checking and training process, ARChvolunteers are assigned to a local primaryschool, which they visit twice a week duringthe school day. Three children are chosen foreach helper and volunteers commit tocontinue to work with them for the entireacademic year.

You don’t need any particular qualificationsor experience to be a volunteer. All youneed is to be patient, enjoy reading andhave the appropriate interpersonal skills tohelp children and liaise with school staff.ARCh provides full training and ongoingsupport.

www.archoxfordshire.org.uk 01869 320380

There’s no doubt about it, having a tanmakes us look and feel better. Butacquiring that sun-kissed glow is not alwaysso easy and can be costly, both in terms ofmoney and our health. A natural taninevitably requires at least one trip abroad,while a sun-bed version involves repeatedtreatments, and both are associated withrisks of skin damage from ultravioletradiation. There is a solution to thisconundrum - spray tanning. It can be thesolution for those who are browned offwith both sunburn and the solarium. JulieMutton of Bare UK says: “The good news isthat spray tan products are safe and naturaland offer a real benefit, since they allowyou all the pleasure of a lovely even all-over bronzing, without the worry about sunprotection, peeling and sunburn, or thelong-term harmful effects of the sun or sunbeds.”www.bareUK.co.uk 07773 764817

The Bare Facts …about SprayTanning

Step inside a successful storyForget handbags and organic moisturisers,hundreds of women are turning tochildren's books as a way to make a livingand involving their children in the process.

A new army of creative entrepreuneurs, TheBarefoot Ladies, are selling Oxford-basedBarefoot Books through an array of creativeand colourful channels, from music festivals,arts and crafts fairs, story-telling festivals,schools, fundraisers and home parties tomake good money in the face of recession.And their children are their most trustedadvisors, reviewing books and helping outat events.

The new catalogue features travel books,books for creative kids, Barefoot classics forall ages and a new range of action andadventure books for independent children.

The Barefoot Books studio in north Oxfordstocks these titles but also offers arts andcrafts and story-telling sessions, musicworkshops, yoga and pilates as well asgourmet organic food.

www.barefootbooks.com 08003282640

SCHOOLS’ OPEN DAYS

RYE ST ANTONY OXFORDWed 19 Sep Open Day01865 762802 www.ryestantony.co.uk

THE MANOR PREPARATORY SCHOOLSat 6 Oct 10.00am - 12.30pm01235 858462 www.manorprep.org

ABINGDON PREPARATORY SCHOOLSat 13 Oct Open Morning01865 392303 www.abingdon.org.uk/prepOUR LADY’S ABINGDONSat 15 Oct Open Morning 10.00am -1.00pm01235 523147 (Junior School)www.olab.org.uk

The people behind ARCh


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FAMILIES JULY / AUGUST 2012


JULY / AUGUST 2012

SUMMER HOLIDAYS

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A tree-top adventure makes for anadrenalin-charged day out with thechildren – and while you’re up there, youget some brilliant views as well!Personally, I’ve never been so happy to beback on solid ground as when I got downfrom the terrifying heights of the forestcourse I tried out with my kids...but on theupside, at least I did make it down, andrelying on them to help me through themost white-knuckle parts of the coursewent a long way in terms of familybonding! Until recently Go Ape! had been restrictedto over-10s, but there’s now a new courseat two of the company’s 27 centresnationwide – Thetford near Brandon, andMoors Valley Country Park nearBournemouth. It’s designed for children asyoung as four, although they also need tobe at least a metre tall, and it’s an hour-long course which, like the over-10s GoApe! courses, takes children (and theirparents) through a network of loopingobstacles five metres above the forestfloor, including the spider’s web, logbalance and jungle crossing, beforefinishing on a tree-to-tree zipwire. www.goape.co.uk

STAY LOCAL!High Ropes Oxford offers recreationalsessions for individuals, families and othergroups, such as children’s birthday parties,at Culham Adventure Park, Furze Brake(woodland rear of Culham No 1 Site) offthe A415, OX14 3DA. Minimum age 10 yrs,minimum height 140cm. 01865 727378 www.highropesoxford

Swing through the forest

Rock-climbing is apparently one of thefastest-growing sports in Britain, and givingit a try makes for a great family day out.Like all the best family challenges it’s aboutsupporting one another, learning new skills,encouraging people when they need it,and celebrating new-found abilities andcourage! Family climbing courses abound –google to find one in your area – and mostare for complete beginners and takechildren from about eight (although somespecialise in working with youngerchildren). Look for a course where youhave a dedicated instructor: you’ll learn(amongst other things) how to belay (iehold the ropes safely) and how to makethe most of the rock’s features for yourhands and feet. If you’re looking for afamily challenge in a rainy period, look upclimbing walls in your area and see if youcan hire an instructor for a family sessionthere instead.

STAY LOCAL!The Rock Solid Climbing Wall at OxfordBrookes University offers casual climbingon weekdays and at weekends. Special Kids Open Sessions on Mondays forages7+, and the Rock Stars Kids Club onSunday morning for age groups 7-9yrs,10-13yrs, 14-17yrs. 01865 484373www.brookes.ac.uk/sport/facilities/climb

Climb the rocks

There’s something strangely thrilling abouttaking a walk through a cave, into the veryinside of the earth – the atmosphere isquite different from anywhere else you’llever go,and the memories of what you seeand experience stay with you for a longtime. And, of course, every child needs tounderstand the difference between thosestalactites and stalagmites. Some of thebest caves in the country are at CheddarGorge in Somerset, the White Scar Cave atIngleton in Yorkshire, where you can takean 80-minute tour through some of thecountry’s most awesome subterranean rockformations, and Wookey Hole near Wells inSomerset, home (apparently) to the Witchof Wookey. Not suitable, though, for abuggy or a wheelchair. For more information on the cavesmentioned here seewww.whitescarcave.co.ukwww.cheddargorge.co.ukwww.wookey.co.uk

Take an underground walk

Every family has a kite or three, usuallygiven as birthday or Christmas presentsand with fiendishly difficult-lookinginstructions. We sometimes thought abouttaking our children to fly them, butsomething always held us back – usuallydoubts about how to do it, and whetherthe area we were planning to kite-fly inwas actually big enough. But a lesson fromKevin Baker of Southern Breeze, a kite-flying operation based at Baiter Park onPoole harbour, set us straight: Kevinshowed us how to make sure we were in asuitable kite-flying area (you need to useyour thumb to check the height of thesurrounding obstacles, to make sure they’refar enough away), and you need to givethe kite a forceful yank to get it into thesky. More adventurous families canprogress to kite-buggying and kite-boarding, in which you use the power ofan airborne kite to propel yourself along ona vehicle on the ground. For more information on Kevin Baker seewww.sbkites.co.uk or for the British KiteFlying Association www.bkfa.org.uk

STAY LOCAL!The White Horse Kite Flyers club is basednear Swindon, www.whkf.org.uk

Fly a kite

photo Urban Ascent www.urbanascent.co.uk

Summer 2012 is going to be all about active fun andgetting out and about in the UK, which, for all of uscash-strapped families, is a lot cheaper than goingabroad. So what are the best activities to enjoy enfamille? Joanna Moorhead investigates.

Take the family challenge

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For a family with people who can’t getaround very easily – elderly grandparents,for example, or other people with specialneeds – you can’t beat a trip on a steamrailway. Most of these railways, preservedfrom Victorian times, are in areas ofbreathtaking natural beauty – the gloriousSussex countryside whisks by if you takethe Bluebell Railway, for example, or ifyou’re in Yorkshire try the Embsay, whichstill runs from its original 1888 station nearSkipton in Yorkshire through some of themost glorious Dales countryside. For more information on the linesmentioned here seewww.bluebell-railway.co.uk andwww.embsayboltonabbeyrailway.org.uk,or see www.steamrailwaylines.co.uk forthe lines across the UK .

Ride the tracks

Geocaching is one of those things thatsounds totally perplexing to anyone who’snever tried it, but is a huge hit with almosteveryone who has. The idea is to findsome ‘treasure’ – treasure that’s hidden ina box, and is findable using a hand-heldsatnav system (any will do). The treasurein question usually consists of a plastic boxlike a lunchbox with a whole host ofmiscellaneous bits and pieces in it – thingslike small toys, CDs, pens, anything. Therule is that when you find your treasureyou’re allowed to take one thing out, andyou must put one thing in – and sign thelog book of course. The treasure is hiddeneverywhere and anywhere – in cities, inthe countryside, even underwater. For more information seewww.geocaching.com

STAY LOCAL!From 24 July to 2 September the Universityof Oxford Harcourt Arboretum in NunehamCourtenay offers family friendly geo-caching treasure hunts. GPS units can beborrowed for a £40 deposit. 01865 341576 www.harcourt-arboretum.ox.ac.uk

Find a geocache

Canoeing centres up and down the country offer equipment hireand instruction for families who want to dip their toes in thewater. Your instructor will help you learn how to paddle, how toturn and how to negotiate rapids – and he or she will also ensurethat you’re canoeing in a suitable place, and in suitable weather,for the age of your children (which is crucial, because accidentscan happen quickly in canoes). What’s especially lovely aboutcanoeing is that you can also have a day out that’s close towildlife – look out for fish, water birds and dragonflies. If you’relucky you might even spot an otter or a water vole. Hiring acanoe and instructor costs around £150 for half a day. For moreinformation see www.canoe- england.org.uk/go-canoeing orBritish Canoe Union (BCU) www.bcu.org.uk

STAY LOCAL!Isis Source is a club-within-a-club at Isis Canoe Club in Oxford,specially for families with older children aged 10+.www.isiscanoecluboxford.co.ukCherwell Canoe Club runs courses every summer in Banbury.Participants must be aged 8+.www.cherwellcc.org.uk/Courses

Go canoeing

photo Derek Hayward


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SUMMER HOLIDAYS

JULY / AUGUST 2012

‘Hoodie’ Holiday fun forage 4-10 at Stagecoach Children love putting on a show in the livingroom – but imagine how they would feelputting on a show in a real theatre,complete with all the lights and costumes ofa show! This summer, treat them to 5 daysrehearsing ‘Little Red Hoodie’ a showwritten specifically for four to 10 year oldsand staged at The Theatre at Headington,Oxford. Aside from having the time of their lives, allthe children will have fun creating, exploringand the performing this quirky version of a

classic tale. “It’s a great performanceopportunity” says principal Maya Sprigg fromStagecoach Oxford. “Plus, it’s great fun andamazing what they can learn in just aweek”. There are a few places left for the 5day courses at the end of July and beginningof August. The advanced showcase for olderchildren, Hairspray, has been amazinglypopular.Many Stagecoach centres run courses duringthe holidays. Look out for StagecoachAbingdon’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and‘Phantom of the Theatre’, as well asBanbury’s ‘Allsorts’. All offer quality learningand performing experiences.

For more details, contact your localStagecoach principal.

Oxford – Maya Sprigg 01869 278600Abingdon – Julia Howson 0845 113 0320Bicester – Jenna McKee 07983 378 883Banbury – Melissa Allen 01869 249318Thame – Nicky Goodwin 01865 763767www.stagecoach.co.uk

An active summer at theLighthouseThe Lighthouse provides a caringenvironment in which children can developand learn. It is a happy place to be in therain and sunshine because of the outdoorclassrooms on the decking and the largefield with plenty of opportunity for activeand imaginative play. The gardens growbeans, peas, lettuce and tomatoes, whichhave enjoyed the rain,and sunflowers andstrawberries whichare looking forward tothe sun.

The nursery is openfrom 23 July to31 August for childrenup to the age of 8.The Seagulls theme‘Oceans Around theWorld’ will give themthe opportunity toexplore the coasts,under the ocean andsailing the high seas.At the end of August the Lighthouse willtransform the field into the seaside villageof 'Newington on Sea’. On Thursday30 August there will be a Seaside CharityAfternoon for CLICSargent andCsytic Fibrosis.

September will bring a change as an“Extended Day” starting at 8.00 am will beprovided to allow parents to drop offchildren at The Lighthouse and get to workon time.www.lighthousenurseryschool.co.uk01865 891712

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Watch out! Coyotes packtakes over Oxford!!Coyotes is a new, fun, innovative, excitingand engaging Spanish course for childrenaged 7-11. The first “litter” of Coyotes isabout to complete their first year of Spanishlearning in July, achieving level 1.1, and willcelebrate with a great evening at the OldFire Station Theatre in Oxford. There will besongs and a short play in Spanish, togetherwith an animation-fashion show, and thechildren will be the protagonists of theevent. The Spanish lessons are part of the

programme of activitiesdeveloped by theCommunicate Project.The Communicate Project isplanning some fantasticworkshops for children thissummer, and organisingCommuniKids Puppet & DramaGroup to start in September. The lessons andworkshops run during term time and in thesummer in Oxford.

www.spanishcoyotes.co.ukwww.communicateproject.com

Here comes summer


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Explore LearningThe summer holidays are fast approaching,and children across Oxford will be hangingup their schoolbags until September.However with research showing that manychildren fall behind over the summerholidays, many parents are keen for theirchildren not to neglect learning completely.This is one of the reasons why July is themost popular time of year for newmembers to join Explore Learning. Theethos of these fun and interactive tuitioncentres is to complement the schoolexperience, combining learning with avibrant environment that children love.Going to Explore just once or twice a weekover the summer will help children retainall the skills they have been working tomaster in school and even build up morefor the new term ahead. Free trials areavailable at the Heyford Hill Oxford Centre.www.explorelearning.co.uk 01865 595509

MAD Academy ‘Summer ofSport’ holiday classesMAD Academy will be helping to keepchildren entertained this summer withclasses in Oxford and Bicester over thesummer holidays. The holiday classes willhave a special sports theme to help youngchildren celebrate the amazing summer ofsport. MAD Academy’s holiday classes arepacked full of fun games and activitiesinspired by the sporting events and ofcourse lots of music and dancing! www.madacademy.com 01869 369502

Summer Splashing TipsThe summer holidays are a greatopportunity to practice all the great skillsyou’ve learned so far at your Water Babiesclasses. Waterbabies have very kindlyprovided the following health and safety tipsthat you need to keep in mind whenswimming or around water with your littleones this summer. If you haven’t triedWaterbabies yet, they have free tastersessions running during July.

Keeping Warm in WaterBe very aware of the temperature of the

pool you are swimmingin. Limit the time in thepool to what your babyis comfortablewith. Use a wetsuit togive them that extra bitof warmth.Watch their lips – anychange in colour is a sign

their core body temperature is dropping.

Staying SafeBe safety conscious at the pool side or seaside. Check where the rescue equipmentand first aid kit are and whether there areany lifeguards on duty.

Flotation devices are not life preservers.They are not a substitution for supervision.If you use a flotation device ensure that itfits the size and age of the child.

Always actively supervise your childrenwhile they are in, on or near the water. It isvitally important that any adult nominatedto watch the child is able to swim and is notafraid to jump in.

If you must leave, even for the shortesttime, take your child with you or designate aknown adult to supervise.

Never leave an older sibling to watchyounger children.www.waterbabies.co.uk 01869 325499

Summer AdventuresSummer is here and Lasergaming & HighRopes Oxford brings you one the bestsummer holiday adventure days Oxfordshirehas to offer.

Be a commando for the day withLasergaming adventure days for childrenaged 8+, this summer. Lasergaming is a livecombat entertainment experience usinginfra-red gaming guns. Inspired by popularvideo games such as Halo2, Call of Duty,outdoor Lasergaming is just like a computergame but real. If you play the XBox, Wii,PLAYSTATION you will love this. The gamingguns use a harmless infra-red beam, similarto a TV remote, that tags sensors worn byeach player.

Or why not be a Jungle commando V.I.P on amulti activity day that combinesLasergaming with High Ropes. Conquer theelements, negotiate the balance beams,suspended tunnel, cargo nets, burma

bridges, Tarzan swings, zip slides and thenthe final Jungle Commando test, the 45ftDrop Zone Parachute Descender. Earn yourwings, after climbing 13m on to your LaunchPlatform, you will then prepare for yourdecent. Will you make the Jump?

Of course if you would like the ultimateoutdoor adventure then check out the CampCommando Black Ops course, which laststwo days and one night. For children 10+.

www.outdoorlaser.com 01865 727378.


COUNSELLING YOUR CHILD

JULY / AUGUST 201210

Three years ago Families Leeds editor Sarah Butters hadto tell her then 5 year old daughter about the death ofa young relative. She searched for a book to help her.Three years on, she’s found that book and has beenalong to chat to its author, Hilary Robinson.

Death. It’s a topic no one wants tothink about but almost all familieswill have to deal with at some point.

For most, it’s the passing of an elderlyrelative, but for some it’s the loss ofsomeone much younger. It’s not a topictraditionally tackled in children’s fiction,until now.

The Copper Tree is the story of a class ofchildren who learn how to cope with thedeath of their teacher, Miss Evans. Wewitness the youngsters finding out she’sunwell, her final visit to the school and howthey deal with the news of her death.

“The aim of the book is to celebrate the lifelost and find a way to continue thememory,” explains Hilary. “Experts call thisContinuing Bonds Theory. The children inMiss Evans’ class are encouraged toremember the character and qualities sheimparted and to pass them on. It means theperson who has died, lives on in a sense.”The children in the class all have their own

personalities and their own memories ofMiss Evans. One child remembers how herteacher had taught her to share, anotherremembers she’d taught him about howplants grow. Each child chooses words thatare then inscribed on copper leaves whichwill hang on a Copper Tree made by theschool caretaker.

“The idea for the tree came from the Treeof Life at St Gemma’s Hospice in Leeds,”says Hilary. “It’s a beautiful copper tree andbereaved relatives can hang a leaf inscribedwith the name of the loved one they lost.I’ve always thought that it’s a reallywonderful idea.”

The book was inspired by Hilary’s own loss.Seven years ago her sister in law Carolinelost her battle with breast cancer. Carolinehad been head teacher at Cross Hall InfantSchool in Morley. As Hilary reads throughThe Copper Tree explaining various picturesand references, it’s clear this book is a verypersonal tribute to a very brave lady. There’sa part where the children receive a letterfrom Miss Evans “in shaky writing” which isa reference to one of Hilary’s ownmemories of Caroline.“I remember my daughters getting anEaster card written by Caroline. She’d been

The Story behind‘The Copper Tree’

determined to make the card herself buther fine motor skills had started to go andso the writing was shaky.”

However sad the theme, this isn’t a sadbook. It is a story about loss, but it’s also astory about the gifts we give each day toeach other. It’s written from the point ofview of Olivia, one of the children, so thereare places where the narrator’s mindwanders - to observe a three legged dogwinning a race at Sports Day, or aclassmate’s obsession with bats.

The beautiful illustrations and simple storydisguise a book that’s been well researchedand given the support of experts in the fieldof child bereavement. Hilary was keen tomake sure she handled the delicate subjectmatter with sensitivity and responsibilityand as a result, she’s won the support ofleading charities and hospices around thecountry.

“There were three main considerations,”explains the author. “Firstly the importanceof using real people, not animals. Secondly,you’ve got to avoid euphemisms. If you tella 5 year old they’ve ‘lost’ someone, they’llthink you’ll eventually find them. Finallythere should be no whimsical notions ofheaven. What do we really know? It’s up toparents and teachers to explain as they feelfit.”

Hilary would like The Copper Tree to beused as a resource in schools and shared inclassrooms across the country as a way ofencouraging children to communicate. Themessage the book gives is that a life livedis to be celebrated and those touched bythat life should pass on what they’ve learnt.To Hilary and her family, the publication ofThe Copper Tree is a celebration of the shortbut full life her sister in law Caroline lived.Her spirit, courage and memory will nowlive on in the pages of this amazing bookand in the hearts of those who read it.

The Copper Tree is available through theofficial website www.thecoppertree.org orin book shops.


11JULY / AUGUST 2012

Helping children through grief

It’s a sad fact, but at some point in theiryoung life, your child will lose a lovedone. How do you help them process their

grief and when do children needprofessional support? Sarah Butters talkedwith Dan Bordoley, Children and YoungPeople’s Worker.

The branches of the Tree of Life at St Gemma’s Hospice are filled with delicatecopper leaves inscribed with the names ofthose who have died here. Each of theseleaves represents a life lost, a familybereaved. Dan Bordoley has supportedhundreds of children from those familiesthrough their grief. The smiling faceslooking out of the latest newsletter from hisdepartment reveal that he’s doing vitalwork.

Dan supports children dealing with the veryworst sort of loss – often a parent - andsays there are as many different ways ofgrieving as there are children.

“Everyone grieves in their own way, at theirown pace,” explains Dan. “Most model theirparents, especially younger children. Veryyoung children tend not to understand andso don’t accept the person has gone. Theythink they’re coming back. Death doesn’tmean the same to a young child as it doesto you and me. That changes when theyget to about 6 years old. Then they begin tounderstand the person who has died, isn’tcoming back. They will have feelings but atthat age, can struggle with verbalizingthem.”

Honesty and direct, real language are thekey to communicating with children. There’sa natural instinct as a parent to want toprotect your child from sadness and loss,

but most of the children Dan works withsay they prefer to know what’s going on. Itgives them the chance to ask questions,and gives parents the chance to explainthings. Open and honest language is alsovital.

“Be clear with the words you use. Don’t beafraid to say ‘death’ and ‘dying’ otherwisethe child will be confused,” Dan explains. “Ifyou say you’ve ‘lost’ someone, a childthinks they can be found. If you saysomeone has ‘fallen asleep’ a child thinksthey can be woken, or they can be scaredto go to sleep themselves.”

Dan’s work combines individual and familycounselling with group workshops. Thoseworkshops use art, drama, dance and sportto either focus the children’s mind onworking through their grief, or providing apositive distraction with young peoplegoing through the same experiences. At themoment Dan’s planning a sailing trip in

Newcastle and some self defence classes.However one of the most poignantexercises is ‘A Day to Remember’.

“It’s a very direct look at a child’s grief, butdone in a fun way,” says Dan. “It’s a day ofarts and crafts focused around the personwho has died. It allows the children toprocess the memories, and not just thegood ones. It’s about remembering thewhole person.”

Art is a big part of the therapy atSt Gemma’s and Dan uses drawing with thechildren. When the words run out, drawinga picture can be a way of communicatingfeelings. The walls of the art room arecovered with work from both those beingtreated here and the children they leavebehind.

“A useful exercise to do with a child is todivide a piece of paper into three sections,”explains Dan. “This is before, during and thefuture. Get the child to draw a picture ineach area. It helps to start a conversation,acknowledge what’s happened butimportantly to see there’s a future. This cantake some children 10 minutes and othersmuch longer.”

Dan will see about 100 children this yearaged between 5 and 16 years old. Hedescribes his job as a privilege. The childrenhe’s supported over his 5 years here havetaught him a positive and important lessonabout the human spirit that can give everygrieving family hope in their darkest hour.

“Most children are OK. Yes, they will bechanged. Yes, the experience will stay withthem for life. But they’ll be OK.”

Sarah Butters is editor of Families Leeds.Dan Bordoley is based at St Gemma’sHospice in Leeds. [email protected] 218 5500


DANCEBOOKS

JULY / AUGUST 2012JULY / AUGUST 201212

Goldilocks and Just The OneBearby Leigh Hodgkinson, Nosy Crow £6.99

Many years havepassed sinceGoldilocks causedchaos at the Bears'house in the woods,but what happenswhen Little Bearwanders out of hisfairytale and into thebig city whereGoldilocks now lives?Goldilocks is now

grown up with a family and a rather smartapartment, so how will she react to cominghome and finding that a very lost bear hasbeen scoffing porridge, breaking chairs andsleeping in beds? Will she be cross, or isfinally time to make amends?

The Great Dog DisasterKatie Davies, Simon & Schuster £5.99Suzanne's Great-Great-Aunt Deidra has lefther dog to Suzanne's Mum in her will.Suzanne is over-the-moonabout having a dog again, afterher old dog Barney was 'sentaway to a farm' by her Dad. Butwhen Beatrice theNewfoundland arrives, she is aBIG disappointment. She'ssmelly and old and miserableand doesn't like walks, orcatching sticks, or any of thethings that dogs are meant tolike. So Anna and Suzanne devise a plan toturn Beatrice into a proper dog - but if theydon't pull it off soon, Suzanne's Dad will

send Beatrice away too.

The Sleeping ArmyFrancesca Simon, Profile £6.99Freya is an ordinary girl living in modernBritain, but with a twist: people stillworship the Viking gods. One evening,stuck with her dad on his night shift at theBritish Museum, she is drawn to the LewisChessmen and Heimdall's Horn. Unable toresist, she blows the horn, waking threechess pieces from their enchantment; theslaves Roskva and Alfi, and Snot theBerserk. They are all summoned toAsgard, land of the Viking gods,and told they must go on a perilousjourney to restore the gods toyouth. If Freya refuses she will beturned into an ivory chess piecebut, if she accepts her destiny andfails, the same terrible fate awaitsher.

Mystery HorseJane Smiley, Faber

£6.99When Abby Lovitt gets towork at her family'sranch, she can hardlybelieve her luck. TrueBlue is a beauty, a dapplegrey, and he needs a newhome - his owner wastragically killed in a carcrash, and no one has claimed him. Herfather is wary, as always. But Abby issmitten. True Blue is a sweetheart, andwhenever Abby calls out, "Blue, Blue, howare you?" he whinnies back. Butsometimes True Blue seems, well...spooked. Abby starts to wonder aboutTrue Blue's previous owner.

Waterstones selection of this summer’s bestholiday reading for children

Chitty Chitty Bang BangFlies AgainFrank Cottrell Boyce, Macmillan £6.99When the Tooting family finda vast abandoned engineand fit it to their camper van,they have no idea of theadventure that lies ahead.The engine used to belong toan extraordinary flying carand it wants to be back onthe road again ...fast!

My First Justin’s JokesJustin Fletcher, Faber £4.99Hands up if you like laughing! Children's TV

superstar Justin Fletcher shareshis favourite jokes for youngfans in "My First Justin's Jokes".Giggle-tastic, full-colour spreadsinclude hilarious scenes on thefarm, at a festival and going tobed - perfect for ages 2+.Warning! This book will make

you laugh out loud.

Hugless Douglas and theBig SleepDavid Melling, Hodder £10.99Douglas is very excited about Rabbit'ssleepover, but he collects so many friendsalong the way that soon it's a big squash inRabbit's small burrow! Can Douglas think of

a way for them all to get somesleep? David Melling 's thirdbook about Douglas the brownbear combines brilliantlyimaginative illustrations with anendearing sense of what it islike to be a small child learningabout the world.

All books are available from your local Waterstones bookshop and online at www.waterstones.com


13JULY / AUGUST 2012

CAREERBirth and Beyond

f you’re looking for a rewarding job youcan fit around your family, or are thinkingabout returning to study or work after

having a baby, a change of career tobecome an NCT practitioner could be justwhat you need.

NCT, the UK’s largest charity for parents, andthe University of Worcester have joinedforces to provide university-accreditedtraining for those wanting to supportparents on their journey from pregnancy toparenthood by becoming an NCTpractitioner.

NCT College admissions are open forcourses beginning in September 2012.There’s no better training if you want tobuild up a rewarding and enjoyable careerworking with parents at a unique andimportant time in their lives.

NCT is well-known for the information andsupport its practitioners provide throughantenatal courses, breastfeeding counsellingand facilitated postnatal groups, enablingparents to feel more confident andprepared for their new role.

The courses allow students to learn througha mixture of tutorials, one-to-one time withtutors and online learning. With tutorials runacross the UK and study days hostedregionally, students can complete themajority of their studies without the needto travel to Worcester. This flexibility is idealif you’re looking for a career you can jugglearound a young family, and the variedsyllabus offers plenty of choice dependingon your interests and aspirations.

One NCT antenatal teacher, Fiona, said: “Forme, my NCT work fits around the needs ofmy teenage boys. The training is verycomprehensive, diverse and interesting andof a very high standard. I also love gettingtogether with other practitioners andsharing ideas. I have a job I can do aroundmy family and earn a decent hourly wage.”

The new Certificate of Higher Education –Birth and Beyond Practitioner, completedover one or two years, is the onlyuniversity-accredited qualification forparenting education. Qualifying studentscan then begin a year of probationarypractice, delivering innovative Preparationfor Birth and Beyond (PBB) courses basedon the Department of Health’s newframework. So, you can start earning anincome from your new knowledge andskills right away.

Students can choose from a range ofmodules from the Foundation Degreecourse. Will you train as an antenatalteacher, breastfeeding counsellor, postnatalleader or NCT Doula? Or perhaps you’d bemore interested in running NCT Yoga forPregnancy classes.

In the climate of an ever-increasing birthrate and overstretched maternity services,there could not be a better time to build afulfilling career as an NCT practitionerworking alongside midwives and otherhealth professionals to support new andexpectant parents. As one of the UK’slargest network of practitioners workingwith new and expectant parents, studentsare supported to find work quickly andeasily through the charity’s nationaloperation.

If you are interested in finding out morevisit www.nct.org.uk/nct-college

Get ready for anew career in abooming businesswith the NCT andthe University ofWorcester’s newcertificate ofhigher education


14

EDUCATION

JULY / AUGUST 2012

The transition from Primary toSecondary School is an anxioustime for parents. During the

primary school years, it is fairlyeasy to support your child at school.You will probably know his teacher,other members of staff andparents, as well as being familiarwith school policies and routines.The thought of losing the controlthis familiarity offers is as dauntingfor parents as it is for children andyou may well wonder how best tocontinue to support your child.

You may also worry specificallyabout your child’s ability to copewith the new environment andcrucially, whether he or she willmake friends.

Your anxieties may be eased byadopting strategies that help withthe transition.

In the following columns you willfind some tips and tools, whichshould help you prepare for andmanage the early months.

SHIELD YOUR CHILD FROM YOUR ANXIETYThey can make this transition. Critically,they need to know that you believe inthem and their ability to deal withdifficulties and challenges.

RELAX THE ORGANISATION Towards the endof year 6, step back from the organisationof your child’s school life e.g. packing schoolbags etc. You may secretly want to savourthese last few months of dependency butyour child needs a taste of independence. Ifthey are slow to take up the reins, don’ttake over and don’t despair, they will getthere eventually.

PRACTICE THE NEW JOURNEY If your childwill walk to school or travel independentlyon public transport, start by travellingtogether but without interaction. Thenmove to simply following behind your child.Finally, let him do it alone and meet himthere. Travel at busy times. Allow your childto make mistakes and find solutions. Thisequips them with the skills to handle theunexpected like bus detours and roadclosures.

From primary to secondaryMaking the transition to secondary school. How much should you help and how much should you let go? Margaret Ansell has supported large numbers of children and parents through this transition and this is what she has learnt.

BE THERE Make sure a parent or trustedcarer is available before and after school toprovide food, notice if your child comes inlate, listen to their successes and concernsand be aware of subtle changes in mood;Watch and listen, help out if asked but don’ttake over. Become an Enabler rather than aFixer.

SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OFFRIENDSHIPS It is of great importance toolder children that they mix socially andestablish secure friendships. They need todo this whilst still young enough to turn toyou for support when they make mistakes.Gradually they will learn to make informedchoices about friends. It’s appropriate forthis age group to have access to a basicmobile phone and computer but thedangers of social networking should bediscussed and boundaries agreed upon.

SUPPORT ORGANISATION AND ROUTINES.Create “To Do Lists” or “Timetables” for thefridge, agree places to keep bags, kit, andbooks. Label uniform and valuables.Establish routines so they can get to schoolpunctually. Don’t expect too much too soon,many won’t crack this for years!

UNDERSTAND WHAT HOMEWORK THEY HAVEAgree a routine that will help your child tocomplete and hand in all homework ontime, without devoting too much time toone piece and little or nothing to others.However, remember it is their homeworknot yours; help, encourage, motivate butaccept their best.

SCHEDULE TIME TO RELAX. Your child will beexhausted by the effort of holding it alltogether. Tears are likely over the mosttrivial things and they may regress anddemand more care. Trust that they cancope and make sure there is time for sleep,friends, homework, more sleep, watchingTV, playing computer games and yet moresleep! Avoid weekend breaks and reduceextra-curricular commitments to theminimum.

And lastly, schedule time to relax yourself!All will eventually be well.

Margaret Ansell owns and runs The StudyZone in Twickenham and provides studysupport, holiday activities and childcare forchildren age 8 to 16.www.thestudyzone.co.uk 020 8894 1154

Before the transition

After the transition


PARENTING

JULY / AUGUST 2012

It is a certainty that we all experiencefailure from time to time and thereforeneed to be able to cope with it. There

are (at least) two ways of responding tofailure: one is to be beaten down by it andto feel hopeless and discouraged andperhaps give up; the other is to accept thatthis time things didn’t go so well anddetermine to keep trying until you do betterand hopefully learn something from theexperience. Edison found many ways not toinvent the light bulb before he discoveredthe way that worked. “I have not failed. I'vejust found 10,000 ways that won't work…”

Perhaps education systems and modernmethods of parenting don’t equip ourchildren well for responding to failurepositively. Across the world educationsystems with their interest in standardisingand measuring have put much emphasis ontests, results, scores and achievements withthe result that sometimes there has beennot enough attention paid to the process oflearning, creating happy, creative andthoughtful problem solvers. So muchattention has been paid to achievementsthat to fail is no longer an option.

Parents have praised their children fordoing well. The focus remains on resultsrather than on creative thinking or newtactics tried. This creates a lot of pressurefor kids –they know that winning is whatcounts and it makes it hard for them to fail.This creates a culture of risk adversity inacademics, sport and the arts and pitschildren against each other rather thanencouraging collaboration –who dares to failor even to take another path if it is soimportant to win and there is a set way todo it?

We can influence matters considerably bywhat we pay attention to and how we talkabout success and failure. If we payattention only to achievements childrenlearn results-based success is all thatcounts. When they do not achieve the resulthoped for, are our children not worthwhile?When your daughter comes home from anetball match don’t let your first questionbe ‘did you win?’, but ‘Did you enjoy thegame? Did you play your best? Were youable to set up some goals? How did theteam play together?

Give meaningful and descriptive praise foreffort, strategies, attitudes and smallimprovements, rather than results, todevelop a growth mindset in children. “Youkept on trying with these sums eventhough you didn’t find it easy. That’spersevering. Your efforts have paid off – fiveout of six are correct.”

Look behind children’s behaviour andacknowledge their emotions to help themmanage their feelings. Children whodevelop emotional intelligence are moreresilient and pick themselves up again afterset backs.

Encourage independence, especially inthinking, to build self trust. Invite and listento kids’ ideas. “I know we did too much forour youngest son around his A levelsbecause we felt it was so important that heget the grades he needed for the next stepin his education, his passport to successfuladult life. But when he feels his parents arethere to catch him he doesn’t put so mucheffort in himself. When we do too much ofhis thinking/planning/ organising hedoesn’t do it himself.” Mother of 18 yearold.

Model how to handlefailure well. When youget something wrongdon’t beat yourself upabout it butacknowledge themistake and explainwhy it was a mistake.Take steps to remedy it- make amends.Articulate what you arelearning, show thatyou are not diminishedby your failures but canprofit from them.

Respond encouraginglyto their mistakesaround school work ormusic practice or sportas follows:

Find somethingpositive to commenton first. Make sureyou’re acknowledginggood qualities orbehavioural traits suchas commitment andcreativity as well asbeing able to spell wellor do fractions ordribble a ball well orplay a piece fluently.

Then ask them to find something toimprove, routinely.

It is a difficult task for parents but we needto allow our children to have anunpressured childhood not just for the sakeof their present happiness but also to createa future generation of people who canthink and are willing to embrace new ideas.

www.theparentpractice.com

Coping with failure

How do we respond to failure

Anything wrong with positiveparenting?

Parents can influence matters

By Melissa Hood

15


BACK TO SCHOOL

16 JULY / AUGUST 2012

Buying a family computer

Gone are the days when computers inschools were consigned to dusty,dark rooms, and reserved for special

lessons. Nowadays, with computerspermeating all areas and levels of thecurriculum, having one at home hasbecome all but essential for even theyoungest of schoolchildren.

The decision on what computer to buy willdepend on how you plan to use it. Inparticular, you should consider:

The size of the device is of crucialimportance. If you have a dedicated spaceand don't need to move the computeraround, a desktop PC offers the best valueand options for expansion in the future.

Thin lightweight laptops such as the newultrabooks are wonderfully portable butthey are costly and their screen size(around 13") can limit working space fordocuments. Netbooks are cheap but haveeven smaller screens, typically only 10" andmany don't have the necessary computingpower for even everyday tasks. Largescreen laptops (15-17") are quite a bitheavier and so tend to act as replacementsfor desktops - ideal if you need a big screenbut need to pack it away or transfer itbetween children's bedrooms. Tabletcomputers such as the iPad are great forportability but are hampered by the lack ofa proper keyboard, which makes creatinglong documents a hassle.

It is important that the home computer canrun software common to home, school andoffice. Microsoft offers its Office package forstudents and their families at a hugelydiscounted price for both Windows andMac.

For a few years now, Macs have also beenable to run any Windows software by usingthe built-in Bootcamp feature or by usingextra software such as Parallels for Desktop.

With judicious purchasing and a bit offorward thinking, a new computer caneasily last 4-5 years. Make sure theprocessor (the brains of the computer) cancope with the tasks you want to do nowand for a few years in the future - an Inteli3 or i5 would be best. Check that the harddisk can be easily upgraded and ask aboutthe total memory the computer can hold -4-8 GB of RAM is ideal.

Simon Ellis has 15 years of professional ITexperience. He and his wife, Emily,launched Bridus Computing in Blewbury,South Oxfordshire a year ago. Since then,they have helped numerous families withall manner of computing needs – fromcomplete novices buying their firstcomputer, to experienced users with trickyproblems. One of the most popular servicesBridus Computing offers is a comprehensivecomputer buying and setting up package.

For help with any computing issues, callSimon on 07818 411267

www.BridusComputing.com

Size

Compatibility

Easy2NameOff to School setIt’s that time of year again! Once you’vegot the kids kitted out for the new schoolterm, it’s time to stick the labels on to keepall those newly purchased items safe foranother year.

We have 5 Easy2Name Off to School setsto give away. Each set is worth £18.90 andcontains 30 waterproof stickers, 30 iron onname tapes, 1 set of shoe covers,1 bag tag and 1 shoe bag.

To enter the draw simply send an email [email protected] or a postcard toFamilies Oxfordshire P.O. Box 167Wantage OX12 8 ZJ

IMPORTANT!Don’t forget to add your full address andtelephone number.Please state clearly the name of your childand whether you require the shoe bag and

labels in red, pink or blue.

Closing date 10 Aug 2012.The full Easy2Name rangecan be seen atwww.easy2name.com

Winners agree to the possibility of their

name being published in the Sep-Oct ’12

issue of Families Oxfordshire and on the

Families website. No correspondence will

be entered into. Entries open to

Oxfordshire residents only. Your details

will not be used for any purpose other

than this draw.

Planning ahead

Expert advice

by Simon Ellis


Continued on page 18

17

WHAT’S ON

Win tickets to a family show atTowersey Festival

Towersey Festival in Thame (23–27 August) really is the best children’sfestival on the scene – there’s lots for all ages to do, from painting,sticking and drawing, to singing, parachute games, baby reflexology,fun percussion and story-time sessions. There’s also great familytheatre to enjoy, including a special family concert with nationallyknown performers Roy Bailey and John Kirkpatrick and a stunningdramatic show featuring storytelling and theatre from The ArmaghRhymers. On Friday 24 August, the family show is a production of The Way Back Home – based on the book by Oliver Jeffers.

We have a family ticket (2 adults and 2 children) to The WayBack Home to give away. To be in with a chance of winning,just tell us which town Towersey is one mile from, is it a)Thame, b) Oxford or c) Witney. Entries by 5 August please toFamilies Oxfordshire P.O. Box 167, Wantage OX12 8 ZJ

For more information, visit www.towerseyfestival.com

WIN

JULY JULY JULY10 - 14 Jul THE END OF THE RAINBOWPegasus Youth Theatre and guest community groupspresent sports themed performances.For all ages. Pegasus Theatre, Oxford www.pegasustheatre.org.uk 01865 812150

11 Jul 10am & 11.30am TWO FOUR SIX EIGHT!A funny and charming show about numbers, usingmusic, balloons and far too much wrapping paper. Ages 4 – 7.North Wall Arts Centre, Oxford www.thenorthwall.com 01865 319 450 12 Jul 9pm-11pmGUIDED WALK: BATS AT RIVERSIDE MEADOWSin Crowmarsh, nr Wallingford. For all the family.Booking essential. Earth Trust Centre, Little Wittenham,Abingdon OX14 4QZwww.earthtrust.org.uk 01865 40779213 Jul 7pm TWELFTH NIGHT Open air performance infront of the Manor House. Cogges Heritage Trust, Cogges, Witney www.cogges.org.uk 01993 77260213 Jul & 14 Jul DANCE CONNECTION SUMMERSHOWCASE Over 100 of Dance Connection’s mosttalented children lead you on a wacky and wonderfuljourney down their avenue of dance.Cornerstone Arts Centre, Didcot www.cornerstone-arts.org.uk 01235 51514414 Jul 1pm- 4pm FLOWER POWERDiscover the fascinating flowers and join in craft activityto make a fabulous flower of your own.University of Oxford Harcourt Arboretumwww.botanic-garden.ox.ac.uk 01865 28669014 Jul BATTLE PROMS Evening picnic concert for all thefamily. Breathtaking spitfire fly-over, boldcavalry andinfantrymen, and of course the thunderous cannons andfireworks!Blenheim Palace www.battleproms.com 01432 35541614 & 15 Jul BUG HUNTING WEEKENDRoves Farm www.rovesfarm.co.uk 01793 76393915 Jul 11am &12 noon U5s, 1.30pm ages 5-8

CUSHION CONCERT FOR LITTLE ONESThe harp's origins are said perhaps to be in the sound ofa plucked hunter's bow-string or the strings of a loom.Go with your children to find out more, play fun musicalgames, hear what the harp can do and listen to somebeautiful music.Cornerstone Arts Centre, Didcot www.cornerstone-arts.org.uk 01235 515144

18 Jul – 16 Sep 10am – 6pm daily MILLETS MAIZE Get lost in a 10 acre Maize Maze themed ‘The AnimalGames’. Split into 3 individual mazes and all withdifferent games to play, there is a level suitable for allages. Or test your navigational skills by moonlight onspecial ‘Torchlight Nights’, run on selected eveningsthroughout the Summer. Don’t forget your torch!

Millets Farmwww.milletsfarmcentre.com 07826 132416 19 Jul 2 – 4pm BIG DIG Search the sandpit to uncover

different textures and materials. For under 5s.Ashmolean Museum www.ashmolean.org 01865 278000

20 Jul 7.45pm AN EVENING OF MAGIC, COMEDYAND VARIETY Fast-paced and engaging illusion show,performed by double act “Young and Strange”. Witnessstate-of-the-art stage illusions and intimatesleight-of-hand magic effects. For all the family.Kenton Theatre, Henley-on-Thames 01491 575698 www.kentontheatre.co.uk

19 - 28 Jul MESH OXFORD YOUTH ARTSINTERNATIONAL Mesh returns (following a successfulinaugural year) featuring the energy, talent andcreativity of teenagers from France, Germany, Russia,Croatia, The Netherlands, Thailand and Iraq. The worldcomes to Oxford to present their own dance and dramashows. During the week an interactive Grand Debate onHuman Rights and Young People’s mental health will beheaded by a panel of experts and young people. Meshwill end with a big finale event and street parade on thelast day. Programme details on website.Pegasus Theatre Oxford www.pegasustheatre.org.uk 01865 81215021 Jul 11am, 2pm & 4pm FIDDLESTICKS Tap your feetand listen to the beat. Fiddlesticks is the playful spirit ofa violin who breaks free from his strings and leads usinto a world of musical fantasy. A spellbinding tale ofrhythmical twists and turns, with a lively blend ofclowning, rod and shadow puppets, percussion and livemusic. Ages 4+Oxford Playhouse and Burton Taylor Studio, Oxfordwww.oxfordplayhouse.com 01865 305305

21 Jul - 1 Aug ROBIN HOOD ADVENTUREHelp Robin and his Merry Men down in Roves Forest.Make a special Robin Hood hat or hobby horse.Roves Farm www.rovesfarm.co.uk 01793 763939

21 Jul 2 - 4pm SEASIDE SCENES Spend some timeexploring the museum's seaside corner and make abright, colourful and sparkly seaside picture to takehome. Family drop - in. Ages 3+ Banbury Museumwww.cherwell.gov.uk/banburymuseum 01295 753752

21 Jul – 31 Aug ANGLO-SAXON & MEDIEVALACTIVITIES Celebrate the British Festival ofArchaeology. Tours, story-telling and discoverythroughout the day. Ashmolean Museum www.ashmolean.org 01865 2780021 Jul – 31 Aug SUMMER HOLIDAY ENTERTAINMENTLiving history interpretation with daily costumedentertainment. From 28 Jul - 12 Aug a ‘Big Screen’ will be showing thissummer’s sports events in London with hospitality in thePleasure Gardens during the day and evenings.Blenheim Palacewww.blenheimpalace.com 01993 81132521 Jul – 27 Aug every weekend 10am-5.30pmOXFORD CASTLE THROUGHOUT THE AGESHere’s your chance to experience a different time periodevery weekend this summer. Complete a series ofactivities, from re-enactments of historical events to achance to try out Knight School.Oxford Castle – Unlockedwww.oxfordcastleunlocked.co.uk 01865 26066621 Jul– 3 Sep OLYMPIC TRAIL Compete in theMuseums’ sporty games to gain points and a chance ofearning your bronze, silver or gold place on the podium.Oxford University Museum of Natural History01865 272 950 www.oum.ox.ac.uk22 Jul 2pm THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHOSWALLOWED A FLY Relive the delights of this mostcharming of tales, with a feast of first-class games,colourful animal characters and heart warming familyfun. Ages 4+Cornerstone Arts Centre, Didcot www.cornerstone-arts.org.uk 01235 51514422 Jul 2pm - 4pm KIDS LEARN CHINESE IN OXFORD Open session: Mandarin learning via lively format andfun activities Free, but booking advised, [email protected] Oxford Community Centre Oxford www.woca.org.uk 01865-24576123 - 27 Jul 10am - 4pm HAMLET: THE PLAY’S THETHING At Magdalen College School. Create your owndynamic production of Shakespeare’s Hamlet in just oneweek. Ages13 – 17Oxford Playhouse, Oxford OX1 2LW www.oxfordplayhouse.com 01865 30530523 Jul - 30 Aug 10am - 4pm SUMMER ACTIVITY DAYSQuads, MudBuggies, Archery, Art and more.Ages 8-18TRAX Motor Project, Red Barn Farm Oxford OX2 8JR01865 243077

We have made every effort to ensure our listings are accurate and up-to-date. However, please call venues to confirm.


We have made every effort to ensure our listings are accurate and up-to-date. However, please call venues to confirm.

JULY

WHAT’S ON

18

JULY AUGUST30 Jul - 3 Aug SUMMER VILLAGE TASTERWORKSHOPS Pick and mix what and how much youdo. Every day you can choose between two and fourdifferent arts activities from craft and street dance todrama and puppetry. Book for a morning, an afternoon,a whole day or a week. Ages 6-12.Pegasus Theatre, Oxfordwww.pegasustheatre.org.uk 01865 812150 30 Jul 10am-3pm STOPMOGO ANIMATIONWORKSHOP Three day sports-themed workshops tocreate gold medal winning stop-motion films. 8 - 15yrsSt Margaret's Institute Oxford. www.smi-oxford.org.uk 01865 55988231 Jul – 3 Aug SUMMER YOUTH DANCE SCHOOLLearn various styles of dance, leading to achoreographed performance on 3 Aug. Four days.For age groups 5-7 & 8-16Cornerstone Arts Centre, Didcot 01235 515144 www.cornerstone-arts.org.uk31 Jul - 2 Aug SUMMER SCI-ART SCHOOL Discover thechemistry of colour mixing, the geometry of illustration,the physics of rainbows, the biology of differentanimals,all while painting, sculpting and drawing. Threedays. Age groups 5-7 & 8-14 Cornerstone Arts Centre, Didcot 01235 515144 www.cornerstone-arts.org.uk

AUGUST

6 Aug -10 Aug SUMMER VILLAGE MUSICAL THEATRE- WONKA Here’s your chance to create a uniquemusical based on “Willy Wonka and The ChocolateFactory”. Family and friends get to see the show. Courseruns from 10am to 4pm daily (until 5pm Thu)Ages 11-19Pegasus Theatre, Oxfordwww.pegasustheatre.org.uk 01865 812150 6 Aug - 10 Aug 10am - 4pm SOMEWHERE OUT THEREThrough drama games, improvisation and imagination,we’ll travel to the planets of the solar system anddream up different worlds in galaxies far, far away.Ages 8 – 12Oxford Playhouse, Oxford www.oxfordplayhouse.com 01865 305 3057 Aug 1pm - 4pm THE GIANTS Find out about theworld's biggest trees by making a scale model.University of Oxford Harcourt Arboretumwww.botanic-garden.ox.ac.uk 01865 2866908 Aug 10.30am - 4.30pm AMAZING ANIMATION Playwith plasticine or paper in this animation workshop tocreate a short film. Ages 9-13 Cornerstone Arts Centre Didcot www.cornerstone-arts.org.uk 01235 515144 9 Aug 2pm THE WIZARD OF CASTLE MAGIC Thingswill never be the same again when the Wizard’snephew, Mickey, and an invisible cat called Catastrophe,arrive at Castle Magic. (Workshop for ages 7-12 at11am) Ages 5 - 11 Mill Arts Centre Banbury www.themillartscentre.co.uk 01295 252050 13 Aug -15 Aug WHEELS ON THE BUS Climb aboardBuster the big red bus and meet all of his friends asthey embark on a magical, fun-packed adventure.Various show times.Oxford Playhouse, Oxford www.oxfordplayhouse.com 01865 305305 13 – 17 Aug 10am-5pm ATOMISED – THE THEATRE OFEVERYTHING! at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory andScience Oxford Live. An exciting week of discovery andtheatre making at ISIS, Oxfordshire’s internationallyrenowned particle science research centre. Ages 15-19 Oxford Playhouse, Oxfordwww.oxfordplayhouse.com/#participation01865 305 305Science Oxford Livewww.scienceoxford.com 01865 72895313 - 17 Aug CARRY ON LAUGHING What is it thatmakes people laugh? A week long exploration ofcomedy; combining storytelling, pratfalls and a healthyamount of good old monkeying around. Ages 11-15Oxford Playhouse, Oxford www.oxfordplayhouse.com 01865 305305 13 Aug 10.30am - 12.30pm POTTERY DECORATINGWORKSHOP A favourite play or character will be theinspiration for decorating an item of pottery. Ages 5 – 7The Theatre, Chipping Nortonwww.chippingnortontheatre.co.uk 01608 64235014 Aug 10am-3.30pm INSPIRING DRAMA SUMMERFILM Ages 8-18St Michael & All Angels Church Hall, Oxford and inWoodstock from 20-24 Aug.Inspiring Drama 01865 59678014 Aug – 17 Aug YOUNGSTAR TV HOLIDAY FILMCOURSE Have fun, act in a film, attend a 'Hollywood'premiere at a local cinema. Course starting in Abingdonand across Oxfordshire. Ages 8-18Youngstar TV Acting Schools07967 968826 or 023 80 477717 14 Aug 1pm - 4pm IS SPEED IMPORTANT? Find theArboretum's fastest and slowest growers and see howyou measure up.University of Oxford Harcourt Arboretumwww.botanic-garden.ox.ac.uk 01865 28669014 Aug 10.30am - 1pm JAZZ MUSIC WORKSHOP JoinMr Myles for a Jazzy session of songs, movement andmore… At the end of the workshop, the children willshare their new-found musical expertise with family andfriends. Ages 5 – 7The Theatre, Chipping Nortonwww.chippingnortontheatre.co.uk 01608 642350

24 Jul – 29 Aug 2pm-4pm every Tue & WedAFTERNOON ACTIVITIES: BAGS OF FUN!Borrow a backpack full of games, puzzles, and realmuseum objects, and become a family of museumexplorers! Oxford University Museum of Natural History and PITT RIVERS MUSEUM, Oxfordwww.oum.ox.ac.uk 01865 272 95024 Jul – 31 Aug 12 noon – 4pm ARTSPACEDrop-in activities based on the Flight and the ArtisticImagination exhibition. Make your own wings, a Jacob’sladder toy, and draw your own flying machine.Compton Verneywww.comptonverney.org.uk 01926 64550024 Jul & 2 Aug 10am-4pm SUPERHEROES Become a superhero for the day and save the Galaxy inthis fast moving energetic physical workshop. 24 Jul Ages 5-7 & 2 Aug Ages 8-12Mill Arts Centre, Banbury www.themillartscentre.co.uk 01295 25205024 Jul - 12 Aug 10am - 4pm MARVELLOUS MEDALSMould and make your own uniquely shaped medal tokeep and wear with pride. All ages.Cornerstone Arts Centre Didcot www.cornerstone-arts.org.uk 01235 515144 24 Jul & 26 Jul 2pm-4pm VICTORIAN SEASIDEACTIVITIES Inspired by a trip to the seaside in Victoriantimes.The Oxfordshire Museum, Woodstock www.museumsocc.org.uk 01993 811456 26 Jul 11.30am & 2pm THE SNAIL AND THE WHALEA tiny snail longs to see the world, so she hitches a lifton the tail of a huge humpback whale. Together they goon an amazing journey, experiencing sharks andpenguins, icebergs and volcanoes. Ages 4+Mill Arts Centre Banburywww.themillartscentre.co.uk 01295 252050 27 Jul 12noon & 2pm ROCKET BLAST OFF Be a rocketscientist for the day. Design, make and launch your ownrocket at this hands-on session. Ages 6+Science Oxford Livewww.scienceoxford.com 01865 72895328 & 29 Jul BIRDS OF PREY SEE A VARIETY OF BIRDSOF PREY all of which are free flying. Cotswold Falconrywill show you vultures, owls, falcons, eagles.Cotswold Wildlife Parkwww.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk 01993 82300630 Jul & 31 Jul 9am 4pm SUMMER CLUMPS CLUB Otdoor adventures and play. Have a go at shelterbuilding, wild art, drama and games. Booking essential.Ages 8-12 Earth Trust Centre, Little Wittenham,Abingdon OX14 4QZwww.earthtrust.org.uk 01865 407792

1 Aug 11.30am THE THREE BILLY GOATS GRUFFChildren enter the world of the story from the start asthey sit either side of the stream and are involved in theaction throughout. Ages 3 - 6 Mill Arts Centre, Banbury www.themillartscentre.co.uk 01295 252050 1 Aug 2pm FIDDLESTICKS Meet a violin with legs, onefoot bare, one in a boot and tuning keys for toes. It’s aviolin with eyes that follow you around the room, afingerboard that curls above its head and a smile aswide as its body. Ages 4+ Mill Arts Centre, Banbury www.themillartscentre.co.uk 01295 252050 3, 10, 17, 24 Aug 1pm-3pm MODERN ART TROLLEY:SUMMER HOLIDAY SPECIAL Free, just drop in. Childrenmust be accompanied by an adult.Modern Art Oxford www.modernartoxford.org.uk 01865 7227333 – 5 Aug BLENHEIM PALACE JOUSTINGTOURNAMENT Brave knights meet on the South Lawnand visitors can enjoy their exploits along with activitiesincluding archery and falconry displays. Blenheim Palacewww.blenheimpalace.com 01993 8113254 Aug 2pm THE ORCHESTRA OF ST JOHN'S BRASSQUINTET The fabulous brass quintet from the Orchestraof St John's will create a wonderful concert in the townsquare outside Cornerstone for all to enjoy. Cornerstone Arts Centre, Didcot www.cornerstone-arts.org.uk 01235 515144 4 & 11 Aug WILD NIGHTS AT THE PARK Talks by theanimal keepers and feeding of some of the animals.Watch the sunset with the rhinos. Children must beaccompanied by an adult.Cotswold Wildlife Parkwww.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk 01993 8230064 Aug 2pm WHAT IS AN ASTROLABE? Discover thebeauty of the astrolabe, make one and find out how itworks and what it was used for. Ages 9+.Museum of the History of Science www.mhs.ox.ac.uk 01865 2772806 Aug - 10 Aug 10am - 5pm ATOMISED – THETHEATRE OF EVERYTHING! at Rutherford AppletonLaboratory and Science Oxford Live. An exciting week ofdiscovery and theatre making at ISIS, Oxfordshire’sinternationally renowned particle science researchcentre. Ages 11 - 14.Oxford Playhouse, Oxfordwww.oxfordplayhouse.com/#participation01865 305 305Science Oxford Livewww.scienceoxford.com 01865 728953


Send your diary dates for September - October by Friday 10 August 2012 to [email protected]

AUGUST

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WHAT’S ONAUGUST

15 Aug 6pm THE SWORD IN THE STONE Take a merryromp through the magical and mysterious world ofMerlin the Magician in a musical adaptation of ‘TheSword In The Stone’. Cambridge Touring Theatre maketheir debut at Waterperry Gardens in a show which issuitable for families aged 3 to 93! No seating isprovided so take your own picnic chairs or rugs. Theperformance runs for about 2 hours including an intervaland gates open at 5pm for picnics in the garden.Waterperry Gardenswww.waterperrygardens.co.uk 01844 33726416 Aug 10.30am to 3.30pm GAME ON! Everyone iswelcome to join a fun-packed celebration of Oxford’ssporting history. Try on an unusual sporting outfit, listento an intriguing sporting tale, create a simple sportingcraft and maybe even learn how to fix your bike! Museum of Oxford & Town Hall, Oxfordwww.oxfordtownhall.co.uk01865 252819 or 01865 25211816 Aug 10.30am - 3.30pm GLOBE MAKINGWORKSHOP Decorate the sports-themed globe! Stick,print and paint your own designs whilst you discoverOxford’s sporting heroes.The globe will then go ondisplay at a special exhibition at the Museum of theHistory of Science in October. Part of Game On! FamilyDay. Museum of Oxford & Town Hall, Oxfordwww.oxfordtownhall.co.uk01865 252819 or 01865 25211816 Aug 2 - 4pm LITTLE RED TRACTOR Make a minitractor and farm yard to drive it around in.The Oxfordshire Museum www.museumsocc.org.uk01993 81145618 & 19 Aug 10am-5pm HOUSE OF CARDS FAMILYEVENT A two day workshop inspired by the Christie’sHouse of Cards outdoor sculpture exhibition.You are invited to put on your creative hat and makesomething memorable. No need to book.Waddesdon Manorwww.waddesdon.org.uk 01296-653226.18 & 19 Aug BIKE BLENHEIM PALACE A Festival ofCycling: including the Brompton World Championship,20k Time Trial, 60/100mile Sportives, Pink Ribbonrideand Family Rides.Blenheim Palacewww.bikeblenheimpalace.com 0845 900 218920 Aug 10am - 4pm YOU SHALL GO TO THE BALL A day of dynamic and creative dance, show off yourmoves in this workshop. Ages 5-7 Mill Arts Centre, Banbury www.themillartscentre.co.uk 01295 25205021 Aug 1pm - 4pm HIS-TREE Which trees live thelongest? Add to the timeline and see how your lifecompares.University of Oxford Harcourt Arboretumwww.botanic-garden.ox.ac.uk 01865 28669021 Aug 10am & 11am ORANGE HAT SUMMERADVENTURE Enjoy the holidays with Peggotty the Henand her other puppet friends as they embark on aninteractive performance. The workshop includes well-known children’s songs for plenty of fun interaction, aswell as originally composed action songs, puppetry andstories. 6 months – 5 yearsThe Theatre, Chipping Nortonwww.chippingnortontheatre.co.uk 01608 64235021 Aug10am - 4pm SHERLOCK WHO? A sense ofmystery, imagination and fun! Enthusiasm is all youneed to join in with this drama workshop. With MegHarper 8-12 yearsMill Arts Centre, Banbury www.themillartscentre.co.uk 01295 25205023 Aug – 24 Aug 1pm - 4pm SUMMER HOLIDAYACTIVITIES: MUSEUM MASQUERADES Discover themuseum’s beautiful masks and become a Japanese Nohtheatre performer or a Haida dancer. Pitt Rivers Museum www.prm.ox.ac.uk 01865 270927and OUMNH25 - 27 Aug SCARECROW FESTIVAL Find out what ourscarecrows have been up to and have a go at makingyour own bird scarer.Cogges Heritage Trust, Cogges, Witneywww.cogges.org.uk 01993 772602

27 Aug 11am – 4pm ALL ABOARD! Make a boat thatfloats and experience a Grand Tour-style shopping triparound the galleries. Ashmolean Museum www.ashmolean.org 01865 2780028 Aug 1pm - 4pm THE WONDERFUL WORLD OFTREES Discover the strange, the unique and the special:could you design any better?University of Oxford Harcourt Arboretumwww.botanic-garden.ox.ac.uk 01865 28669028 Aug 10am - 4pm YOU SHALL GO TO THE BALLA day of dynamic and creative dance, show off yourmoves in this workshop. Ages 8-12 Mill Arts Centre, Banburywww.themillartscentre.co.uk 01295 25205029 Aug - 1 Sep WEST SIDE STORY RicNic Oxford is aunique social enterprise. The shows are directed,produced and performed entirely by 16-19 year-olds.Various show times.Pegasus Theatre, Oxfordwww.pegasustheatre.org.uk 01865 812150www.ricnic.org.uk29 Aug 12noon & 2pm K’NEX MARS ROVERSWhat would a rover need to explore the surface ofMars? Our friendly staff will guide you through the skillsneeded to construct a Mars rover using the constructiontoy K’Nex. Ages 8+Science Oxford Livewww.scienceoxford.com 01865 72895330, 31 Aug & 1 Sep 2pm MADMAN MAGELLAN Maps, globes, instruments and activities to discoverearly voyages of exploration that influencescosmographers. Ages 7-13.Museum Of The History Of Science www.mhs.ox.ac01865 277728030 Aug 10am-4pm FOSSILS, ROCKS, MINERALS &DINOSAURS Meet The Oxford Geology Trust and enjoya whole range of exciting dinosaur activities.The Oxfordshire Museum www.museumsocc.org.uk 01993 811456

2 Sep FARINGDON FOLLY OPEN DAYThis unusual 100ft tower is Faringdon's icon and the lastmajor folly to be built in England. It sits on Folly Hill,within a charming 4 acre, circular woodland pine andbroadleaf trees, some more than 200 years old. Checkout the fantastic views over 5 counties. Faringdon Folly Towerwww.faringdonfolly.org.uk Postcode SN7 7AQ Housenumber 1 (for satnav users) 3 & 4 Sep (dates TBC) ST GILES FAIR Oxford'straditional street fair Experience a wide variety ofattractions, some large, some small.Oxford City Council 01865 2498118 & 9 Sep OPEN DOORS at Oxford A chance to discoverand enjoy some of the city’s most interesting buildingsand spaces, little known corners and unusual places.With over 125 venues taking part this year, many for thefirst time, there is something to interest and inspireeveryone. www.oxfordopendoors.org.uk8 Sep OPEN DOORS BUS RIDESTake a free bus ride through Oxford, stopping near someof the participating attractions. For a timetable ofservices to be operated, visit this website nearer thetime. The Oxford Bus Museumwww.oxfordbusmuseum.org.uk 01993 8836179 Sep 2.30pm THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHOSWALLOWED A FLY Relive the delights of this mostcharming of tales, with a feast of first-class games,colourful animal characters and heart warming familyfun. Ages 4+Mill Arts Centre Banbury www.themillartscentre.co.uk 01295 252050

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20 JULY / AUGUST 2012

Copyright Families Oxfordshire July 2012. Colour transparencies and any other original materials submitted for publication are sent at owner's own risk and while every care is taken, neither Familiesnor its agents accept liability for loss or damage. Families Oxfordshire is part of a group established in 1990 and headed by Families South West. All franchised magazines in the group are independentlyowned and operated under licence. We take care in preparing this magazine but publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of thecontents nor for any consequence.

LUCA & MAYA MAKE BOATS TO RACE


Documents

Families Oxfordshire Issue 50 July-August 2012