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March 2015 Volume 20 Issue 3

Win ★A family break in Cornwall★Voucher for Lilly and Sid clothing

★Convertible tractor

Happy Mother’s Day

to highlight the benefits that the natural world brings to our health and wellbeing.

Somerset’s Curious Coast events● Join Somerset Wildlife Trust for some fun on the beach at our rock pool rambles and discover more about the wildlife of Somerset’s Curious Coast. See crunchy crabs, tiny topshells, stunning starfish, squidgy sea-anemones and loads and loads of slippery seaweed.● Bring the kids and get curious with our rock pool experts.Lowest tide in 200-years special event: Saturday March 21, 11am at Minehead. Meet at eastern end of seafront esplanade.● Lowest tide in 200-years special event: Sunday March 22, 12noon at Watchet. Meet at Market Street car park to explore West Beach.

All events are free but please book in advance education@somersetwildlife.org or 01823 652400

Over the weekend of March 21 and 22, Somerset will experience the lowest tides it has seen in 200-years.

These super low tides will give us a once in a life-time chance to see some of Somerset’s most hidden wildlife and learn more about what lies beneath.

Marine species that are usually out of our reach, and living below the average low tide line, will be exposed to human eyes for the first time in two centuries.

Common and Bloody Henry Starfish, the Common Sunstar, Pipefish (which are closely related to seahorses) Cuttlefish and Squid are amongst the weird and wonderful sounding creatures to be seen.

As well as the wildlife on offer it’s also a great chance to unearth Somerset’s social and geological history including ancient fishing techniques and underwater forests.

At Minehead the super low tides will reveal the remains of a submerged forest from 10,000 years ago. Also to be seen is the complex network of historical fish weirs (or traps), that have been used for at least 1,000 years, to catch fish.

To help local families enjoy and experience this amazing coastal phenomenon

FAMILY FAMILY FAMILY2 Parent Talk March 2015

Somerset seas lowest tide in 200-years

Somerset Wildlife Trust have organised two family-friendly events with experts on-hand to lead rock pool rambles and help identify what we find.

The events are part of the Trust’s developing Living Coast programme which is linking with local communities, industry, business and tourism sectors to raise the profile of the wealth of natural assets found along this stretch of coastline, and

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More than half of us don’t realise how many families are struggling to cope with multiple pressures such as bereavement, disability, unemployment and poor housing, recent research shows.

A survey by YouGov for family support charity Home-Start suggests the public are underestimating how many families are struggling with multiple challenges. Home-Start believes this may be because families are putting on a ‘brave face’ and trying to keep problems behind closed doors.

Releasing the new research to tie in with its Snowflake Appeal for Vulnerable Children, Home-Start urged families overwhelmed by hardship and tragedy to reach out for support; because when parents are overwhelmed, they struggle to provide the love and routine that is so crucial to their children’s well being.

Rob Parkinson, chief executive of Home-Start UK, said: “We know that at any time, one in four families has to cope with multiple pressures – everything from mental health difficulties to bereavement. But when we asked the British public, more than half (55%) thought the figure was much lower, with 38% choosing one-in-10 and 17% thinking it was one in 20.

“It may be that people don’t see the full extent of the problems facing families because of parents’ desire to mask them. This may be a result of cultural factors, like the British ‘stiff upper lip’, feelings of shame or inadequacy, or just becoming overwhelmed by the situation.”

A previous study by Home-Start UK and YouGov showed that around two-thirds of

More than half underestimate number of families struggling with multiple pressures

parents believed being perceived as a ‘bad parent’ was the worst criticism a mother or father could imagine receiving, raising concerns that families may not seek outside support for fear of being judged.

Rob continued: “While most of the families we work with are referred to us by professionals in health, schools or social services, we are happy for families to refer themselves. We regularly see incredible parents who are struggling with really difficult circumstances. Often it just takes a little support to help families through a difficult time, so parents should never be afraid to ask for support when they need it.

“Our services are confidential and non-judgemental, and our volunteers, all of whom have parenting experience, work directly in the home. Making sure we can reach all the families and support vulnerable children is why our Snowflake Appeal is so important.”

Home-Start supports 32,000 families a year in 300 local communities across the UK, and relies on outside funding to maintain and improve their reach.

To support The Snowflake Appeal for Vulnerable Children, go to www.snowflake.org.uk.

The charity is also appealing for more people with parenting experience to volunteer to support families in their local communities. People interested in volunteering for Home-Start can find out more at www.home-start.org.uk/volunteer.

About Home-Start in the UK:● Home-Start is a national charity that supports parents and families in times of difficulty. Home-Start supports more than 32,000 families a year from across the UK and with families in British Forces bases in Cyprus and Germany. ● Home-Start helps families with young children deal with whatever life throws at them – supporting parents as they learn to cope, improve their confidence and build better lives for their children. ● Home-Start volunteers visit the family’s home for a couple of hours every week, tailoring their support to the needs of the parents and children. ● Home-Start also runs family groups and social events for families in order to give children the best possible start in life.

Children and young people aged four to 18 years are being challenged to make their own picture book on and around World Book Day with the launch of the ReadingZone WBD Picture Book Competition 2015. The competition is running in schools and libraries until Friday 24th April 2015. Winners will be announced in June.

Author and illustrator David Melling (creator of Hugless Douglas and The Kiss that Missed) will select the winning entries across three Categories. These include: Young Creators (ages four to six

The Reading Zone WBD Picture Book Competition

years); Primary (ages seven years plus) and Secondary (ages 11 years plus).

There is an additional Achievement Award for the most enthusiastic ‘behind the scenes’ activities that have gone into making picture book entries, such as the whole school getting involved.

Picture books entered for the award can be made by individuals, groups or whole classes and any media can be used. Each picture book can be up to 24 A4 pages in portrait

style rather than landscape.Each winning school or

library will receive 50 printed copies of their picture book; a selection of picture books or fiction titles, and a free author / illustrator visit for the overall winner.

Visit www.readingzone.com (schools) for further tips, guidelines and entry details.

The results of the biggest annual study of its kind into British children’s reading habits, What Kids Are Reading reveal a striking contrast between the books that children read the most and those they vote for as their favourites.

While the ‘most read’ charts are dominated by Roald Dahl and Jeff Kinney (eight Dahl titles make the most read charts, and 16 Kinney books take top spots), when it comes to children’s favourite books the results are very different. The overwhelming favourite book for primary school children was Demon Dentist by David Walliams, while secondary aged pupils voted The Fault in our Stars by

John Green as their favourite. With the largest response

to date, over 9 million comprehension quizzes on fiction and non-fiction titles were taken by British school children in the last academic year, confirming their own choice of favourite books and authors. This year’s report by Renaissance Learning looks in detail at the reading habits of 580,309 children in 2,757 UK schools.

The influence of media and culture is strongly evident in children’s favourite books. Whereas time honoured classics feature heavily in the ‘most read’ charts, the ‘most popular’ lists are dominated by celebrity culture, with the majority of the ‘favourite’ books

appearing on our screens as blockbuster films, either written by or starring famous names. Celebrity authors like David Walliams feature heavily, with The Harry Potter, Hunger Games and Divergent series dominating the lists. Without exception, the top 20 primary and secondary choices are either anti-hero comedies or epic fantasies.

The ‘most read’ books indicated the amount of times a book was read in school, while the favourite charts gives a greater insight into what children actually enjoyed reading the most. To access the 2015 report, visit www.whatkidsarereading.co.uk

Latest report reveals what UK children really love to read

FAMILY FAMILY FAMILY

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Editor Tamsin Humphreys Advertising Juliet YoungProduction Sarah HarmerApril deadline 11th March 2015To guarantee receiving your copy of Parent Talk every month why not take out a subscription for just £17 a year and it will be sent to your door?

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Family Pages p2-4Out & About p5-6Book Bag News p7-10Education, Information p11-14Book Review p14Classified p15

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MORE COPIES?

Kozi KidzRachel King, Taunton

Springtime birdsMrs Claire Cole, BridgwaterEmma Reardon, Weston super MareLouise Moon, GlastonburyAnne-Marie Large, CheddarMrs Rachael Smith, Weston super Mare

Welcome back and every month there seems to be something to look forward to with March being no exception. There’s World Book Day, Red Nose Day, Shakespeare Week, Science Week and my personal favourite, Mother’s Day! I’m hoping this year that it’ll be a major deal in our household having recently muttered under breath on monotonous loop ‘you have no idea how tough it can be as a mum’. It may fall on deaf, teenage ears BUT I feel all the better for saying it. So we’ve done the soggy cornflakes tipped over bed in their younger years and await with baited breath for mother’s day 2015! Happy Reading,

Tamsin Editor

Vodafone announces the launch of a nationwide schools project designed to help 17,000 primary schools across the UK engage parents in the new computing curriculum.

Supported by the Vodafone Foundation and co-created with schools in partnership with The Parent Zone, My Tech Family is an exciting new initiative aimed to encourage children and their families to share digital activities; helping to bridge the growing digital divide in UK homes.

A recent study from Vodafone conducted by The Parent Zone revealed that a third of parents wish they had more experience of using technology to join in with their child’s digital life. Of the 1000 parents surveyed, 63 per cent also stated that the rate at which technology is developing is widening the generation gap and changing the way their children communicate with them.

The study also revealed that while children are increasingly engaging with the digital world today, parents are not always sharing in this experience with them. While children are spending more time using technology on their own, only a fifth of parents share something on a digital device with their child once a week.

The My Tech Family initiative provides resources for primary schools that are designed to extend beyond the classroom, allowing parents and children to explore their shared digital world at home. To help teachers introduce My Tech Family into lessons for all primary school classes from Year 3 to Year 8, there are free, downloadable resources available – including a Digital Style Quiz, presentations, lesson plans and a workbook.

The activities will help children discover their digital learning style by taking a simple quiz, and by encouraging other family members to take it too, help children explore the online world safely with their families while learning and enjoying a range of digital activities together. From making a movie, to building a game, the resources for parents and teachers highlight a wide range of fun and creative digital activities for families to try. For more information on the My Tech Family initiative and how schools and families can get involved please go to: www.vodafone.com/parents/mytechfamily.

Ed Vaizey, Digital Economy Minister, Department for Culture, Media and Sport said: “I am pleased to see that Vodafone and The Parent Zone are continuing their great work to help schools and families keep children safe online. The “My Tech Family” initiative not only helps to close the generational digital divide

that exists in many families, it can also be a valuable tool in promoting online safety. I hope it will be a tremendous success.”

Emer Boulter, Head of Sustainability, Vodafone UK said: “When children are growing up in a world where people spend more time on digital activities than they do sleeping, we want technology to enhance the time families spend together. With today’s emphasis in the new school curriculum for children to acquire skills that prepare them for life in a digital world, ‘My Tech Family’ supports families in developing the right skills, beyond the classroom.

Crossing the digital divide is more than just teaching coding in schools, but needs to tackle the growing gap between the digital engagement of children and their parents. By encouraging families to share their online experiences we hope to create opportunities for families to discuss what children do online, to help them find safe things to do online, and to build digitally confident families.”

The initiative follows the completion of a successful pilot in four schools across the UK during Dec 2014 – Jan 2015. These included schools from north and south London and schools from rural Wiltshire

and the town of Rugby. Some of the examples of how

children shared technology with their families during the schools pilot include:● A child showed her grandparents how to watch a live feed from CCTV cameras on the family farm so they could watch cows being milked● A child taught her aunt, who lives some distance from the family, to do FaceTime successfully● A child downloaded a recipe with his mother and tried cooking with her

Vicki Shotbolt, CEO, The Parent Zone said: “From the work we’ve already done with Vodafone and schools on Digital Parenting we know that schools are crying out for more support to help them deliver the skills in the new computing curriculum. Engaging parents and families in the new computing curriculum is essential to helping schools share the opportunities of a digital age whilst delivering real safety benefits. We already know that hundreds of schools are interested in doing the My Tech Family programme this year.”

Join in the online conversation on Vodafone’s My Tech Family initiative using #MyTechFamily on Twitter or Facebook.

competition WIN

Remember those times spending your holidays as a couple, relaxing with a book, enjoying a spa treatment or a romantic dinner?

At Sands Resort Hotel in Cornwall you can have a great family holiday as well as time for yourself.

Spacious 2-room family suites with sea view, lots of activities, play areas and an indoor and outdoor pool ensure that the whole family can relax and have fun. The hotel is only a short walk from the beach and you can hire buckets and spades, body boards and wetsuits at no extra charge.

The Ofsted approved Kids’ Clubs and free baby listening

Win a Family Break in Cornwall

Situated along the beautiful north coast of Cornwall between the towns of …… and ………, our hotel

enjoys beautiful ocean views

Terms & Conditions:The prize is a 2 night stay in a family suite including breakfast for up to 2 adults and two children, 14 years or under. Excludes Easter, Whitsun and Summer Holidays. Prize must be redeemed by 1st

service allow parents to enjoy some time to get pampered at the spa or relax in the steam room. In the evening you can take advantage of the the early kids’ tea and dine as a couple

once your children are in bed. Sounds good? You can

now win a 2-night family break for up to 2 adults and 2 children under 14 including breakfast!

For your chance to win, complete the gaps in the sentence below, taken from Sands Resort website

www.sandsresort.co.uk and visit www.parenttalk.org.uk to enter by the closing date of 31st March 2015.

November 2015. Subject to availability. No prize or part of a prize is exchangeable for cash or other services than accommodation at Sands Resort Hotel. The competition will end on 31st March 2015.

Vodafone delivers Nationwide Schools Project to bridge digital divide

Dear Readers...

FAMILY FAMILY FAMILY4 Parent Talk March 2015

Family Farm HolidaysIn Glorious Devon

welcoming comfortable cottagesin an idylic setting

Join us on the farm, watch and help feed the animals. Large gardens, play room, games room. Lots of play space.

Outdoor heated swimming pool.

Providing very special child friendly relaxing holidays for over 25 years. Highly recommended. ‘VisitBritain 3 & 4 star’

Torridge House CottagesLittle Torrington, Devon

01805 622542 www.torridgehouse.co.uk

the car for the fun stuff and take advantage of the complimentary highchairs, stair gates, bed guards and standard travel cots, as well as a superb selection of toys, DVD’s and books to borrow from reception or whilst dining in the stylish yet child-friendly restaurant, Café Azur.

If you want to be truly indulgent, Café Azur’s delicious menu can be enjoyed in the comfort and privacy of your own cottage; perfect for those evenings when you are tired from family days out exploring Cornwall’s many attractions. Alternatively you can arrange for one of The Valley’s qualified babysitters to take charge of your little ones and grab a grown-up night out in one of the superb restaurants in nearby Truro or Falmouth.

Hidden away behind secure entrance gates lies thirteen acres of gardens and woodland in the heart of Cornwall. This oasis of serenity features a unique collection of luxury self-catering holiday cottages offering the perfect family escape at any time of the year.

Only a few miles from the city of Truro and the bustling port town of Falmouth The Valley provides the ideal base to explore the best of Cornwall, with heritage sites, outdoor activities, and stunning beaches all within a 30 minute drive.

The exclusive leisure facilities include indoor and outdoor heated swimming pools, a separate games room, fitness suite, tennis and squash courts. There are play areas with swings for children of all ages.

Leave more room in

Everything for the perfect family holiday at The Valley in the heart of Cornwall

NEW Pot Doodles TAKEAWAY AND CREATE-AWAY Service. Choose the bisque-ware pottery from the takeaway menu displayed on the website. Pot Doodles will loan out a selection of coloured glazes, paintbrushes, palettes and other materials. Collect the takeaway and create-away order. Paint and decorate the pottery in the comfort of your home. Return the painted pottery and other loaned items. The pottery is kiln-fired and ready to collect within 2 weeks. A wonderful

Gifts for Mother’s Day and Easter home activity and a great way

to make personalised pottery gifts for Mother’s Day and Easter. Visit www.potdoodles.co.uk or call 01935 475299 or email info@potdoodles.co.ukPot Doodles Pottery Painting Parties Pot Doodles is also a mobile paint your own pottery business. We come to your home, or other party venue, and set up a pottery painting party. Happy, friendly staff, instruct and demonstrate how to transfer, doodle or dab whatever design onto, bisque-ware pottery. The pottery is taken away and kiln-fired, then wrapped and ready to collect within 2 weeks. The kiln-fired pottery is dishwasher and

microwave proof. A Party costs £14.50 per head. A minimum of 8 painters is required. A non-refundable

deposit of £50 is taken on booking. Pot Doodles to create and keep.

If you are honest and ethical and want to earn between £200-£2000 a month part time

HELP Our health product company is exploding

or follow us on

Facebook

contact Nicola now on 07776 301955 nicolalaing@flp.com www.facebook.com/lighterandleaner

Comfortable and delightful cottages with everything you need for a relaxing family holiday. Torridge House on the edge of a small Devon village has 9 cottages in a garden setting in an easy-going rural environment just a couple of miles from the market town of Torrington.

Truly family friendly, Torridge House Cottages has plenty to interest the children – pets, farm animals, games and play rooms, a library of books, dvds and games, gardens with toys, an outdoor heated swimming pool and lots of space to play.

At feeding time everyone

When asked what having her own Business with Forever Living had given Somerset Mum Nicola, she explained that it comes down to two main things.

“Firstly it has set me up financially for life with income I would have never achieved in my food background job. This means that I can buy the coffees and lunches when we go out as a family, I can buy what the kids need without my heart sinking at the price tag, I have yearly memberships for all the attractions like Longleat, Somerset Railway, Haynes Motor Museum and this gives me the choices needed to make great memories for the family at the drop of a hat”.

“Secondly I must be honest and say that it is not always about the children and for me being able to pay for what I want and need is very important. For example having 1:1 fitness training sessions, buying new clothes for a special night out, having my hair done and being the best I can be without

Somerset Mum finds work/life balance with Home Based Business

having to worry about the cost means that I am a strong and balanced person whom my children will benefit from far more than if I had no purpose outside being a mum”.

What do you think is needed for someone to have a successful business with Forever Living?

“I love my business and for the most part it is very simple. I would say, that the most challenging part is developing the right mind set, so people I work with tend to be really looking for a new opportunity, they are ready to get trained, they want to be part of a dynamic team and at the end of the day are really excited about how if they work hard, in part time hours, they can create a wonderful tapestry of life for themselves. I once heard a very wise man say that you can ‘weave a tapestry’ for your life and I fully believe that. What my team within Forever gives is the support and guidance to do this in safe and fun territory”.

Text, call or follow us on FB for more information on having a home business with Forever Living. 07776 301955,

nicolalaing@flp.com or follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/lighterandleaner

A Holiday in Glorious Devon Countryside

can get involved with helping feed and care for the animals and pets – pigs, hens, ducks, rabbits, cats, mice and guinea pigs and their babies.

The surrounding area has many excellent attractions, beaches, seaside and fishing villages, pubs, gardens and good local food, as well as opportunities for cycling, walking, riding and relaxing.

The environment at Torridge House is inspiring, delighting both grown ups and children of all ages.

For more information see www.torridgehouse.co.uk or call 01805 622 542.

follow us on twitter @parenttalksw visit us at www.parenttalk.org.uk

Parent Talk March 2015 5 OUT & ABOUT OUT & ABOUT OUT & ABOUT

CHILDREN from Somerset are invited to a garden centre in the county this month to have a go at making their mums a special present for Mothering Sunday.

Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre is hosting the planting workshops for youngsters to plant up primrose baskets on Saturday, March 14 from 11am until 1pm and from 2pm until 4pm.

Andrew Pitman, Store Manager at the award-winning, independent, family-run garden centre at Monkton Heathfield near Taunton, said: “It’s always nice for mums to receive a special gift from their sons or daughters on Mother’s Day so we thought we would offer children the opportunity to plant up primrose baskets for their mums.

“The workshops will take place in our seasonal plant hall and all of the materials will be provided, including an array of locally-grown primroses that children can choose from.”

People are welcome to drop in to either workshop on the day, no booking is necessary. The workshops will cost £2.99 per child and all children will need to be accompanied by an adult.

Andrew added: “As well as making a lovely gift, the

Let it be known that Nobles and smallfolk alike are invited to the beautiful Glastonbury Abbey, during the Easter Celebrations in the year of our Lord 2015. There will displays of Knightly jousting, Marksmanship in archery tournaments, one to one combat trials and the tumultuous clash of the Battle. Our Falconer will enthral you with his majestic Birds of Prey. With by far too much to see and do the whole family will find a never-ending supply of Artisans touting their

Glastonbury Medieval Fayre

wares or demonstrating daily life in the middle ages.

This will be our 5th anniversary and with our Illustrious Hosts we continue to grow year on year, bringing to you a fine balance of History, Education, Fun and Entertainment. This year we have sought to bring in more for the public to get hands on experience from the Dynamics of Sword School (free to under 12’s) to the awesome range of the Trebuchet, the finesse of Archery and the fun of the catapults.

So this Easter bring the whole family for a day out that satisfies all the senses from our very loud Cannon (dog owners beware) to the mouth-watering smells and tastes of the food court; not forgetting the warming sweet pleasure of a goblet of mead, this year provided by the Stagger Inn, to the gentle caress of the fletching leaving your ear, and the sights that only an Abbey as majestic as Glastonbury can provide, coupled with the superb horsemanship of The Knights of the Damned

Youngsters can plant up a primrose basket for Mum

workshops are a great way to get children interested in gardening and learning how to plant something up.

“It looks set to be a fun day and our expert staff members, Catherine Johnson and Sue Bown, will be on hand to guide

and help youngsters through the process.”

The planting workshops will take place in the seasonal plant hall at Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre on Saturday, March 14 from 11am until 1pm and from 2pm until 4pm.

To find out more, please visit Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre, which is located just off the A38 at Monkton Heathfield near

Taunton, call Andrew Pitman on 01823 412381 or email a.pitman@monkton-elm.co.uk. Alternatively, please visit

www.monktonelmgardencentre.co.uk.

Catherine Johnson, Senior Plant Advisor and Sue Bown, Bedding Plant Advisor at Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre, get ready for the primrose basket workshops.

A Holiday in Glorious Devon Countryside

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6th-7th March: Two Four Six Eight. the egg, Theatre Royal Bath. Craig has been invited to his best friend’s Birthday Party. There is an invitation to read, presents to wrap and cakes to buy. Who will explain the rules of Musical Chairs? Will there be enough balloons? A delightful show using music, balloons and too much wrapping paper, Shoofly Theatre shows how much fun numbers can be with your friends. Age: 4+. 01225 4488447th March: Pop. Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre. With his faithful teddy bear and magical basket, Christian is set for a lovely day at the seaside, when the day takes a turn and things don’t quite work out as planned. Enter a magical world of mayhem

with award-winning performer Christian Lee, full of audience participation, massive bubbles, floating snowflakes and a giant balloon! This is a show full of magical delight to keep both young, and young at heart, enthralled. 01823 414141/3363448th March: Choral Evensong with Wells Cathedral Choristers. St John’s Church, Park Street, Taunton. 3pm. 01823 32106914th March: Sammy and the Snow Leopard. The egg, Theatre Royal Bath. A high-energy solo show involving stuffed animals, evil neighbours, school projects and limes. Sammy is 9 years old and likes animals. No…he LOVES animals. The problem is his Mum won’t let him have any pets. But when his

best friend Hokey Pokey tells him about the ‘Adopt a Snow Leopard’ programme, Sammy reckons he’s found a way to have a pet that doesn’t actually come to the house. Pefect! But then Sammy gets an unexpected gift – and finds himself on an adventure that quickly spirals out of control. Age: 6+. 01225 44884414th March: Children’s Workshop at Montkon Elm Garden & Pet Centre, Monkton Heathfield. Plant a Mother’s Day primrose gift basket. See p5 for details. 01823 41238116th March: The Wind in the Willows St Mary’s School Calne production at the egg, Theatre Royal Bath. Alan Bennett’s adaption of Kenneth Grahame’s much loved work. 01225 448844

17th March: Dinkies Storytime. the egg, Theatre Royal Bath. Join Jackie and Pooja at the ever popular Dinkies group as they bring your favourite stories to life in this fun storytelling session for pre-schoolers and their parents. Age: 2½ -4. 01225 44884417th March: The Royal Ballet – Swan Lake (Live) from the Royal Opera House. Odeon cinema, Taunton. 0871 224 400719th March: Seussical the Musical. Crispin School production. Strode Theatre, Street. Join the Cat in the Hat as he takes you on a journey into the fantastical, bombastical and songtastical world of Dr Seuss. In this family-friendly musical about the power of imagination and

Easter at Wincanton Sports Centre

To book call 01963 824400or email mhenley@ledleisure.co.uk visit www.wincantonsports.co.uk

This Easter our Holiday activities include:

Nerf Wars, Bouncy Castle and soft play, badminton, rounders, cricket,

football, mini tennis, table tennis, uni hockey plus loads more fun activities

Now is the time to Spring into your garden! At Willowbrook Nursery and Garden Centre we have lots of fresh plants waiting to get into your garden. We have a choice of seed potatoes that are ready to be planted and it is something that all the family can join in with. If you are feeling more adventurous we have a large range of seeds so that you can start from scratch.

We also have a range of children’s tools and welly boots to get you ready for the garden. If you fancy having a bit more colour then we have a selection of spring bulbs, primroses and violas.

belief in yourself Seussical weaves together the Dr’s most famous tales and characters. 01458 44284619th-21st March: Whatever the Weather. the egg, Theatre Royal Bath. M6 Theatre’s imaginative new production for the very young is set in the charming world of a traditional Alpine Weather House. This quaint ornament tells us what weather to expect today. When the little woman comes out it’s going to be sunny! When the little man comes out it’s going to rain! The two characters couldn’t be more different. But what happens when the winds of change blow? Blow so hard that everything becomes topsy-turvy? What will our lovable pair learn in their new and unfamiliar conditions? It might rain, it might get a bit windy, but the show must go on whatever the weather! Age: 3+. 01225 44884426th March-3rd April: Little Sureshot. the egg, Theatre Royal Bath. Meet Annie Oakley, the ‘Little Sure Shot’ of the Wild West. Little Sure Shot will explore the extraordinary hardships that befell Annie at such a young age and the great sense of human endeavour associated with her childhood. A new play told with wit, magic, death defying shoot-outs, live Country and Western, blues and ballads, with theatrical flair in a Wild West escapade for all the family. Age: 7+. 01225 44884428th March: Woodland Easter egg hunt. 10am-4pm. Quants Nature Reserve, Blackdown Hills, ST 189 176, close to Churchstanton. Join the fun and hunt for Easter eggs in the woodland.

Children can follow in the steps of the Easter bunny on the chocolate egg trail, taking part in activities along the way. Find out about the wildlife living in the woods, with Somerset Wildlife Trust reserve staff on hand to send you off on a circular wild walk. Tea, cake and refreshments available for a small charge. Entry to trail £2.50. 28th-29th March: The Rural Living Spring Show. Taunton Racecourse. The show will host a wide range of the fabulous crafts and innovations available in the South West, demonstrations, garden stands and Food Hall with its own exciting café. Classic Car day on Sunday and Charity Fun Run. A fantastic family day out. 01823 32336330th March: Under 10’s Hullabaloo. Hestercombe House, Cheddon Fitzpaine, Nr Taunton. 10am-1pm. Good old fashioned outdoor fun…this is going to be messy and one you won’t want to miss! Especially designed for children aged 5 to 10 years with learning difficulties and disabilities. Cost: £10. 01823 410126/23630th March: Military Mission Holiday Outdoor Adventure programme for children from 7 to 14 years. 9.30am-3.30pm. Hestercombe House, Cheddon Fitzpaine, Nr Taunton. Cost: £23. 01823 410126/23630th March: Awesome Adventure Challenge. Holiday Outdoor Adventure programme for children from 7 to 14 years. 9.30am-3.30pm. Hestercombe House, Cheddon Fitzpaine, Nr Taunton. Cost: £23. 01823 410126/236

Spring into your garden

The Café & Tea-room are open all day for a full ‘Meaty’ breakfast, healthy salad or a tempting piece of cake and a cup of tea. We have cream teas available throughout the Spring and Summer with our popular home-made scones - so why not treat yourself.

We also have a Pet-shop, Richards Aquatic Centre, Winesolution wine shop and H2O Canine Hydrotherapy. Why not come and pay us a visit, our friendly and helpful staff look forward to seeing you! We are situated on the main A38 between Taunton and Wellington in Somerset, not far from Junction 26 of the M5.

Wincanton Sports Centre boasts an impressive range of facilities including a 25 metre four lane pool with a variable depth floor and a 31 station gym fully equipped with the latest Matrix fitness equipment.

A big purpose built exercise studio and a 4 court sports hall catering for all your sporting needs, we have a range of activities including swimming

Wincanton Sports Centre

lessons from baby to adult and a massive group exercise programme including, studio cycling, pilates and yoga. We also offer Holiday activities and birthday parties. Our prices are very competitive and we offer monthly memberships with no long term contracts or tie ins! Visit www.wincantonsports.co.uk or give us a call on 01963 824400 to see how we can best help you.

Seaton Tramway, the unique visitor attraction along the beautiful River Axe, is offering every Mum who travels with a member of her family a £5.00 Seaton Tramway Gift Voucher on Mother’s Day, Sunday, 15th March.

This is your Mum’s special day, so why not treat her to a delicious roast Sunday lunch at the Tramstop Café at Colyton station? Ride there by tram from Seaton or park your car at Colyton and after lunch take the tram to Seaton for a walk by the sea and the amazing Jurassic Coast. On returning to Colyton, you could continue the treat with a Devon Cream Tea in the Tramstop Café to complete the day. The options are entirely yours!

All visitors now receive ‘Explorer’ tickets, which provide all day unlimited travel. Visitors can make as many journeys as they wish, with the bonus of being able to hop on and hop off at any station and ride on any number of fascinating trams

from the oldest to the newest.Adults pay £10 for an

Explorer ticket, but don’t forget that children under three accompanied by an adult travel free, and children under sixteen accompanied by an adult pay just £6.50 each.

What better way to spend Mother’s Day then to explore the Jurassic Coast at Seaton and the townships of Colyford and Colyton, as well as the River Axe Estuary and Axe Estuary Wetlands with all the amazing wildlife to be seen.Tickets can be purchased at the Seaton Terminus and Colyton Station ticket offices or on line at: www.tram.co.uk

Mum’s The Word - Mother’s Day Treat at Seaton Tramway

Book Bag NEWSNEWS section

bringing you competitions, job tasters, boredom busters, interesting facts and everything topical...

to your welcome

www.shakespeareweek.org.uk

Above: Pupils taking part in a ‘Tudors Alive!’ educational session at Mary Arden’s Farm. Photo by Amy Murrell 2012

16-22 MARCH 2015

People liked their larder to be on the north side of the house because….

Some food was hung up in the larder so that ….

People hung fish in the smoke over the fire so that…

Salt was very important because…

People ate salted red meat and fish in the winter but…

Salt was kept in a box near the fire so that…

People killed the pigs in the autumn so that…

Everyone drank beer because… A meal that everybody ate, which was cooked in a pot hanging over the fire,

Most of the food eaten by William Shakespeare and his family would have been cooked over an open fire at home.

Food might be roasted on a spit, or boiled over the fire, or cooked more slowly in a cooking pot on the hearth.

The fire was covered at night-time so that it did not set the house alight!

A meal that everybody ate, which was cooked in a pot hanging over the fire, was called pottage. Vegetables grown in the back garden went into this thick soup, and sometimes it had meat in it too, as many Tudors kept animals and hens in their back yard for food. William didn’t always know what he would find in the pottage, so he took pot luck!

The pottage would have been made with whatever vegetables were in season. However, dried vegetables such as peas and beans were often served in Lent, by which time the winter food stocks were very low. This helped people survive until early spring produce began to grow. As well as being seasonal, nearly all the food was locally produced. In Tudor times it was considered that the thicker the soup the better the quality of the pottage.

Pottage would have been eaten with bread.

In Tudor times the main meal of the day was at 11 o’clock in the morning. William’s parents sat one at either end of the table. William and his brothers and sisters sat along the sides of the table, or stood if there were not enough seats. Children had to sit where they were told – they would not be allowed to choose!

When William was a boy, the kitchen was in a room separated from the rest of the house. William’s house also had a store-room in the corner of the kitchen that was called the buttery but this does not mean that it was for storing butter! In Tudor times many foods were stored in barrels, or butts, and that is why the room where they were kept was called the buttery. Foods that could be preserved were kept in the buttery.

The Tudors liked their buttery, or larder, to be on the north side of houses because it was cooler here, and helped keep the food in good condition.

Food the family did not grow themselves was bought from the market.

WHAT DID SHAKESPEARE EAT?

Can you finish these sentences about food in William Shakespeare’s time?

It made them thirsty.

they did not have to feed them in the winter.

it could be used to preserve food for the winter.

was called pottage.

the water, which came from a well in the back yard, would have made them very ill.

it was too high for dogs, and rats, to reach (and eat) it!

it could be kept to eat in the winter when the river was frozen.

it was cooler here, and helped keep the food in good condition.

it was kept nice and dry.

www.britishscienceweek.org

Book Bag NEWS

British Science Week (BSW) is a ten-day programme of science, technology, engineering and maths events and activities across the UK for people of all ages.

Anyone can organise an event or activity, and the British Science Association helps organisers plan by providing free activity and support resources. It welcomes and supports any type of

organiser, from schools to community groups, from parents to large organisations. The resulting programme of events is a hugely varied and eclectic mix.

BSW 2015 will take place 13 - 22 March

it’s British Science Week 2015

MAKE A RAINBOW FISHYou will need:coffee filter paperred cabbagewaterlemon juice or vinegarbicarbonate of sodapaintbrushwiggly or paper eyessilver foil

What you do✱ Prepare some red cabbage water by breaking up the cabbage leaves into small pieces. Pour hot water over the cabbage and leave for half an hour or until the water turns dark purple. Once cool, remove all the chunks of cabbage, soak the filter papers in the cabbage water and leave to dry.✱ Next, flatten out coffee filter on a plate and cut out a fish shape from it. Dip the paintbrush in lemon juice or vinegar and paint onto the fish. See the colour change? Make up some bicarbonate of soda solution by putting a couple of teaspoons of powder into a little water and mixing it up. Dip in the paintbrush and paint the fish. See the colour change again?✱ Once the fish is dry, glue on some small strips and triangles of silver foil, glue on a wiggly eye and draw on a mouth and you have your rainbow fish!

What’s happening?These colour changes are all due to acid-base chemistry. The cabbage water is purple initially. When you add an alkali, such as bicarbonate of soda, it will turn blue. Adding an acid, such as vinegar, will turn it red. Red cabbage contains the pigment anthocyanin and the structure of the molecules of anthocyanin changes depending on whether it is in an acid or an alkali solution. This change in structure means that the pigment can actually change colour from bright red in acid to deep blue in alkali.

Red cabbage water is a good simple indicator and can be used to tell you whether something is acidic or alkali but it cannot tell you how acidic or how alkali. For that you need a more sensitive indicator such as universal indicator or methyl orange indicator.

CATCH A RAINBOWYou will need:milkwashing up liquidshallow bowlred, yellow and blue food colouring

What you do✱ Pour a cup of milk into the bowl and carefully put three drops of red colouring into one side.✱ About a third of the way around put three drops of blue food colouring and another third of the way around put three drops of yellow food colouring. Do this very carefully, without moving the bowl, so that the three colours do not mix. Next squeeze a drop of washing up liquid into the centre of the bowl and record what you see.

What’s happening?The washing up liquid will not mix with the milk. Instead it floats and spreads across the surface. As it spreads out it picks up the food colouring with it. Where the primary colours, (red, yellow and blue) meet, they combine to form new secondary colours – purple, orange and green.

CLOUD GENERATOR

We Brits do like to talk about the weather,

don’t we?So it’s no surprise that the first person

to name clouds was British. Luke

Howard, an amateur meteorologist,

described different cloud formations in a

presentation in 1802. His “nomenclature

system” (in other words, his set of names

for clouds) is still used today.

Your challengeBuild a cloud generator to make

clouds in a bottle.

You will needFor the simple version:

A two litre plasticbottle, matches and some water.

For the harder version:

A two litre plasticbottle, a bike pump, scissors, glue, metal

skewer and an old bike inner tube valve.

What you doFor the simple version:

✱ Place about fivecaps of water in the

bottom of an emptytwo litre plastic

bottle. Screw the top onand give it a

quick shake.✱ Strike a match and blow it out. Open

thebottle and put the smoking match to

theneck of the bottle. Squeeze the bottle

andrelease to force the smoke in.

✱ Screw the cap back onto the bottle.

✱ To generate a cloud, squeeze and

release thebottle.

For the harder version:

✱ Use the skewer to

pierce a hole in the lid of the bottle – you

will need to widen it to the size of the valve

on the bike inner tube. Cut out the valve

from the old bike inner tube. Glue the valve

into the cap and let it dry – this is so that

the bike pump can be attached when it is

screwed onto the bottle, so be careful to

glue it to the correct side.

✱ Once the glue is dry, pour five caps of

water into the bottom of the bottle. Screw

the cap on and attach the bike pump.

Pump two or three times on the bike pump

– but don’t do it too much.

✱ To generate a cloud, carefully unscrew the

cap. Watch the cloud form instantly as the

air rushes out.

What is happening?

The clouds that form in the bottle are

made because squeezing the bottle and

releasing it increases and decreases the

pressure of the water vapour in the air,

which helps the water reach its dew point.

The smoke provides a site for the water to

form into a droplet, which we can see, and

not remain as a gas. The formation of a

real cloud is caused by a combination of

the atmospheric pressure changing (mainly

due to temperatures dropping) and the

saturation of water in the air.

You could tryYou could try making clouds in a terrarium.

This is an ecosystem set up with plants and

soil in an enclosed glass bottle. If you get

the balance of soil, water and plants right,

then you should see a self-sustaining system. COOKING IN THE SUNIt seems to rain all the time in Britain but actually, in the last 30 years, there were only about 150 rainy days a year. And there was an average of more than 1,300 hours of sunshine.Energy from the Sun (also known as solar energy) is renewable, so scientists are always thinking of ways to use it. One way is to use light from the Sun for cooking.

Your challengeBuild a solar oven to melt chocolate and marshmallows into a biscuit sandwich.

You will needA shoebox with lid, aluminium foil, a stick (about 30 cm long), scissors, black paint, oven-safe cling film, glue, sticky tape, a small baking tin, and some biscuits, chocolate and marshmallows.

What you do✱ Glue or tape aluminium foil on the inside of the lid and the side walls of the box. This will reflect the light into the bottom of the box. Paint the bottom of the box black – this willhelp to absorb heat.

✱ Allow the glue and paint to dry. You now have a simple solar oven. Place the baking tin into your “oven” with your biscuit, chocolate and marshmallow sandwiches. Cover the top opening with cling film. This allows the light to pass into the box but traps the heat inside.✱ Place the “oven” in a sunny place. Use the stick to prop open the lid of the box so light reflects onto the baking tin through the cling film.

✱ Let your biscuit sandwich cook until the chocolate and marshmallows are a bit melted. This should take about 60 minutes, depending on how sunny it is.What is happening?The aluminium foil reflects and focuses the sunlight onto a small area. The cling film traps the heat – like in a greenhouse. This makes the temperature rise.

You could tryYou could try designing and building a better solar oven which will melt the chocolate and marshmallow faster. Experiment with different sizes of boxes, different reflection angles, different reflective materials and different foods.

Be careful when trying to make the hole; you may need to use a drill bit or metal skewer.

www.britishscienceweek.org

Book Bag NEWS

it’s British Science Week 2015

ANSWERS

4. Which of these materials: wood, plastic, glass, metal, water, rock, would you choose to make a:a) Tableb) Windowc) Waterproof coat5. The force needed to break three materials was tested and the results collected:Material Force (newtons)A 3B 2C 6Which material is the strongest?Bonus question: how much stronger is it compared to the weakest One

ROUND 2: PHYSICS AND SPACE

1. Which force keeps your feet on the ground and brings you back down when you jump up?2. Which two of the following are types of energy?a) Frictionb) Heatc) Gravityd) Light3. Which two of the following are not planets:a) Earthb) Plutoc) Jupiterd) Uranuse) The Sunf) Mercury

4. Which is the coldest planet in the Solar System? Bonus question: why is it the coldest?5. If a car moves at three metres every second how far will it have moved in ten seconds?Bonus question: how far will it have moved in one minute?6. How many seasons are there and what are they called?

ROUND 4 : MATERIALS

1. Name one substance that is a good conductor of electricity.2. What instrument do we use to measure the temperature of something?Bonus question: at what temperature does water freeze?3. What is the hot liquid rock inside a volcano called?Bonus question: what is the same hot liquid rock called when it erupts out of a volcano?4. What is a fossil?

5. Rocks and stones on a beach that have fallen off cliffs often look round and smooth. How did they become rounded and smooth?6. How can you turn a solid into a liquid?Bonus question: can you give a common example of this?

ROUND 6: SCIENCE IN THE NEWS

1. The space probe Rosetta landed a probe on what, last year?a) The Sunb) A cometc) The Moon2. What is the British engineer James Dyson famous for inventing?3. Virgin Galactic will be the first craft to take passengers where?4. In which continent was there a deadly virus outbreak last year?Bonus question: what is the name of the virus?

5. At 9:45am on 20 March 2015 there will be a partial solar eclipse in the UK. What happens during a solar eclipse?6. In May 2014 the remains of a very large animal were dug up in Argentina. The thigh bone (the big bone at the top of your leg) was the height of an adult. What do you think they had found?

ROUND 1: INVENTIONS AND DISCOVERIES

1. What medicine that comes from a mould, did the Scottish biologist Alexander Fleming discover in 1928?a) Penicillin (antibiotics)b) Plastersc) Soap2. What did the Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei use to see mountains and craters on the Moon in 1609?

3. When was the first moving TV picture sent by the Scottish inventor John Logie Baird?a) 1590b) 1890c) 20904. Thomas Edison invented the first electric light bulb in 1879. How many years ago was this?5. On the 12 April 1981 NASA launched the first of a fleet of reusable space craft called...a) The shuttleb) Space busc) Space taxi

ROUND 5: BIOLOGY

1. What happens to a deciduous tree in winter?2. Name a common carnivore and herbivore.3. Name two things plants need to grow.4. This animal is covered in scales; it has gills, and fins and lives in water all the time. Which group of animals does this belong to?

5. A plant grows 3cm taller every two days. How tall is it after eight days?Bonus question: How tall is it after 2 weeks?6. Name two adaptations that help polar bears survive in the freezing cold of the Arctic.

You can find all of the answers on our website www.parenttalk.org.uk

ROUND 3: ENGINEERING

1. Give one reason why metal is good for making cars.2. Name one material that is good at conducting heat.3. What shapes are these?: Draw lines to connect the number to the correct letter or write the number followed by the letter e.g. 2B

1. It has got one side that curves 2. It has got three sides 3. It has got four sides

A. Rectangle or square and no edges anywhereB. CircleC. Triangle

British Science Week Quiz 2015

Book Bag NEWS

WIN

This multi-functional book folds out into an illustrated story route and play mat, then folds up into a fun tractor to sit in.

Convertible Tractor’s features are guaranteed to encourage preschool

children to read. With simple text that is easy to follow and an illustrated route

that guides them through the story, kids can absorb new ideas and spark their

independent curiosities.The concertina layout adds fun to reading

time by allowing them to use their own toys to act out the story on a large play

mat and the book’s exciting transformation into a tractor helps build confidence through role play. Children will enjoy

taking on the role of a farmer and learning about all their important responsibilities.Other popular books in this interactive

range include Convertible Train, Convertible Spaceship and

Convertible Fire Engine. Find them all at www.mileskelly.net.

Parent Talk have 2 Convertible Tractors to give away. For your chance to win,

rearrange the word below and visit www.parenttalk.org.uk to enter by the

closing date of 11 March 2015.

Educational, affordable and fun –

Convertible Tractor is a3-in-1 book, play mat

and sit-in toy!

O T A R T C R

Parent Talk have 2 Convertible Tractors to give away

Convertible Tractor is the ultimate interactive book for kids aged 3+. My Mother 

My Mother, my friend so dearthroughout my life you’re always near.

A tender smile to guide my wayYou’re the sunshine to light my day. 

Only One MotherHundreds of stars in the pretty sky,

Hundreds of shells on the shore together,Hundreds of birds that go singing by,

Hundreds of lambs in the sunny weather.Hundreds of dewdrops to greet the dawn,

Hundreds of bees in the purple clover,Hundreds of butterflies on the lawn,

But only one mother the world wide over. Mother... 

You filled my days with rainbow lights,Fairytales and sweet dream nights,

A kiss to wipe away my tears,Gingerbread to ease my fears. You gave the gift of life to me

And then in love, you set me free.I thank you for your tender care,

For deep warm hugs and being there. I hope that when you think of me

A part of youYou’ll always see. To My Mother 

For all the times you gently picked me up,When I fell down,

For all the times you tied my shoesAnd tucked me into bed,

Or needed somethingBut put me first instead.

For everything we shared,The dreams, the laughter,

And the tears,I love you with a “Special Love”

That deepens every year. 

∂ ∂ ∂Riddles and tongue twisters2 Ys U R.2 Ys U B.I C U R.

2 Ys 4 me!

11 was a racehorse,22 was 12,

1111 race,22112.

She sees cheese

What noise annoys an oyster most?A noisy noise annoys an oyster most.

Blue glue gun, green glue gun

If two witches would watch two watches, which witch

would watch which watch?

Mothering Sunday March 15th

redmaids.co.uk

For more information please contact: Senior School, Mrs Liz Bamber 0117 989 8252Junior School, Mrs Lynn McCabe 0117 962 9451

Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol BS9

@RedMaidsSchool

/redmaidsschool

Visiting Mornings:l Senior School

Thursday 30 Aprill Junior School

Wednesday 20 May

Clifton life with bleed_Layout 1 02/02/2015 15:24 Page 1

EDUCATION INFORMATION EDUCATION Parent Talk March 2015 11

follow us on twitter @parenttalksw visit us at www.parenttalk.org.uk

Tap, Ballet & Performing Arts in one weekly class and an annual show

Dance classes at Strode Theatre for children aged 3-18years

Tap, Ballet & Performing Arts in one weekly class and an annual show

Contact Gemma Benham 07974179152 gemmabenham@yahoo.co.uk

www.benhamacademy.com

Dance classes at Strode Theatre for children aged 3-18years

Contact Gemma Benham gemmabenham@yahoo.co.uk www.benhamacademy.com 07974 179152

MILLFIELD HOLIDAY COURSESEASTER HOLIDAY COURSES:

Multi-Activity 5-14 yrs Football 5-14 yrs Cricket 7-14 yrs Netball 7-14 yrs

SUMMER HOLIDAY COURSES:Mini-Multis 2-4 yrs Multi-Activity 5-14 yrs Football 5-14 yrs

Cricket 7-14 yrs Hockey from 7-14 yrs (three courses available, ages vary) Netball 7-14 yrs Tennis 8-14 yrs Rugby 8-14 yrs Athletics 8-16 yrs Badminton 8-16 yrs

MAKING HOLIDAYS FUN!

01458 444 320www.millfieldenterprises.com

Benham Academy, originally The Joy of Dance, was established in 1978 by Joy Tinney and taken over by Gemma Benham in 2004. Based at Strode Theatre in Street, Somerset the dance school teaches tap, ballet and performing arts classes to nearly 200 pupils aged 3-18 years that benefit from the chance to shine on stage and showcase their talents at the annual musical.

The dance school produces a show every year that all pupils are included in. Older pupils can audition for parts if they have a passion for drama and singing. The show gives pupils the experience of performing on stage at a great venue and is an enjoyable experience for all involved.

If your child has a passion for dance or is a little star in the making contact Gemma Benham 07974179152 or visit our website www.benhamacademy.com

This year’s show is The Wizard of Oz! Tickets are selling fast for the show which will be at Strode Theatre April 9th-11th.

Tickets available from Strode Theatre 01458 442846 www.strodetheatre.org.uk

The Millfield Holiday Courses welcome children to come together for an exciting mix of fun, laughter and new experiences. There are a variety of courses on offer at Millfield this Easter and summer which are sure to keep your children entertained.

At Easter we are offering the Multi-Activity course as well as sports courses in football, netball and cricket.

For summer we are offering a number of sports courses including football, badminton,

Millfield Holiday Courses Making Holidays Fun!

cricket, tennis, rugby, netball and athletics. We also have three fantastic hockey courses – a girls’ course, a boys’ course and a mixed junior course.

The Multi-Activity course is an excellent choice for children who want an all round experience of the activities Millfield has to offer. With use of the superb facilities, activities range from a variety of sporting and non-sporting activities which include arts and crafts, swimming, trampolining, t-shirt painting and many more.

Mini-Multis is a course for children aged 2 - 4 years, promoting fun and enjoyment in a safe environment. The

01458 444 320 info@millfieldenterprises.com www.millfieldenterprises.com

course is led by staff with experience specific to this age group and includes: Messy play; Musical activities; Forest School fun; Small world play; Painting; Dance; Songs; Stories, and more.

Easter courses: Multi-Activity (5-14), Cricket (7-14), Football (5-14), Netball (7-14)

Summer courses: Mini-Multis (2-4), Multi-Activity (5-14), Athletics (8-16), Badminton (8-16), Cricket (7-14), Football (5-14), Hockey Junior (7-10), Hockey Intermediate Girls (11-13), Hockey Senior Boys (11-14), Netball (7-14), Tennis (8-14), Rugby (8-14)

Such a lot has been happening at the Red Maids’ School in Bristol.

The girls have been leading the way in English and drama, sport, music, art, technology and even politics.

A group of Year 11 Red Maids won the Bristol One Act Award with their “mesmerising” performance of “Wild Ducks”. They will now represent Bristol in the Five Counties Festival.

In sport, the girls swam their way to numerous firsts in the Bristol Schools sprint gala; our under-12 and 14 A and B netball teams are unbeaten so far this season; and three under-16 fencers have made it to the national finals of the British Youth Championships.

Soon-to-retire Director of Music Stephen Brown has the pleasure of seeing three Year 8 girls winning coveted places with the National Youth Choir of Great Britain.

In art, Year 13 student Zoe Laurence has had a colourful study of flowers chosen as one of 10 finalists in this year’s Education Art Prize.

In a unique wearable technology competition, two Red Maids helped develop the winning design for a wristwatch

Aiming high at Red Maids’ School

to help people undergoing cognitive behaviour therapy - and met the President of Singapore in the process.

The icing on the cake came during the February half term holiday when two Red Maids – Neha Mehta and Daisy Newbold-Harrop – were selected to join Bristol’s youth parliament as Mayor and Chair of the Youth Council.

Mrs Tobias, headmistress of the Senior School, said: “It’s been an incredible year so far for the girls and I’m immensely proud.

“These successes reflect the wide range of activity and the high standard that our students regularly achieve through their own drive but also with the encouragement and support of their teachers.”

National Youth Choir members - Ruby, Alice and Emily, all Year 8 students.

Holiday Clubs, Parties and Adult Workshops

Children’s party: Tell us your theme; pirate, princess, cute animals, scary monsters, or a favourite colour! We theme the day to suit you. Any age or ability! £15 per head to include craft, party game, party meal and goody bags!

Having a Birthday? Bodley Craft Parties. No Stress, No Mess.

Easter Holiday Clubfor 8-12 year oldsTuesday 31st MarchWednesday 1st AprilThursday 2nd AprilFun packed days run from 9am-5pm£25 per day – discounts availableContact Sam for more information and to book

Bodley Craft: 07525 127878 sjr1509@yahoo.co.uk or follow us on Facebook

Leave the

party to us!

Shine on stage at Benham Academy

nurseryNURSERY DIRECTORY NURSERY12 Parent Talk March 2015

DIRECTORYAll Hallows Preparatory School Nursery ClassGive your 3 year old the best possible start within the environs of this renowned Prep School. Fantastic facilities and activities including Forest School, LTA Tennis Academy and Swimming Pool and access to specialist teaching staff for languages, Music, Art, Dance, Drama and Sport set this facility apart from other nurseries. Visit at any time: T 01749 881600 E admissions@allhallowsschool.co.ukBridgwater College Childcare Centre is open to the general public and children of students, for children from four months to five years. There is also a Holiday Play Scheme for children up to eight years old. It has a secure outdoor area boasting an ‘inspirational garden’, where children are encouraged to explore both indoor and outdoor learning. T: 01278 441270 or E: childcare@bridgwater.ac.uk www.bridgwaterchildcare.ac.ukCheekie Monkeys Ilminster A friendly, calm and nurturing setting offering full time day care (8am-6pm) for children aged 0-5. We have highly experienced staff and excellent facilities in our baby and pre-school rooms, plus an amazing garden. T: Lesley/Ali 01460 52457First Steps Day Nursery School (all year from 8am-6pm). For children from 3 months to 5 years. Offering a caring, educational and safe environment for your child. All fully qualified staff. T: Elaine Garland 01749 346733 E: fsdaynursery@btconnect.comHazlegrove Nursery and Pre-Prep Sparkford. Hazlegrove’s innovative Pre-Prep curriculum is outstandingly successful, evident in the increased confidence and ability levels as children move up to the Prep School. The children benefit from experienced staff, specialist teaching and

outstanding facilities including an indoor swimming pool and woods for Forest School. “Hazlegrove children are happy children” says Headmaster Richard Fenwick, “we simply want to provide the very best education we can for the pupils in our care”. For more information, contact Fiona O’Neill on 01963 442606Jabberwocky Childcare Centre where children “make excellent progress… in a calm & vibrant environment”, Ofsted 2012. We are a unique and fun, purpose built nursery in Street. We offer childcare from three months to school age, from 7.30am to 6pm, 5 days a week. Children can also take part in weekly yoga and football sessions and Forest School at the local arboretum and in our outdoor classroom. We also have a before and after school club, a holiday club for 5 – 11 year olds, and offer a walking bus to local schools.T: 01458 446999 E: alison@jabberwockynursery.com www.jabberwockynursery.com King’s Hall Nursery King’s Hall is a wonderfully traditional yet progressive school set in the rolling Somerset countryside just outside Taunton. Although the Nursery shares the Preparatory school’s superb facilities, it is self contained and operates in a secure and peaceful environment. Log cabin classrooms, vast on-site Forest School and highly experienced, dedicated staff make King’s Hall Nursery the natural choice for children 2 to 5 years. T: 01823 285921 www.kingshalltaunton.co.ukLadybirds Pre-school Lydeard St Lawrence. We are a small, friendly, rural pre-school overlooking the Quantock hills. We welcome children aged 2 onwards. Open term time only: Mon-Thurs 8.45am – 4.30pm. Toddler group Fri 9.30am-11.30am.T: Ali on 01984 667342

Leweston Nursery and Pre-Prep Sherborne. Excellent facilities and extensive grounds with space for adventure, discovery and freedom. On Thursday mornings Parent and Toddler Group. Excellent Ofsted Report. To find out more about our friendly atmosphere. T: 01963 211010Little Boots Day Nursery (Ages 2-5, 8am-6pm) Come and visit us on Pottery Farm! Our idyllic setting offers fantastic opportunities for enhanced outdoor learning; we work with a maximum of 16 children a day ensuring each child gets the individual attention they need. Contact Cleo Wilson for more information. T 07936 555 676 littlebootsdaynursery.co.ukwww.leweston.co.ukLittle PipsBaltonsborough preschool is now called ‘Little Pips’. We are open Monday to Friday from 8.45-3pm for children age 2 onwards. The children are able to access our extensive outdoor environment and a wide range of outdoor activities together with wonderful new early years resources. Our official opening ceremony is on Monday 2nd February at 1pm. If you wish to look around or book a place, please contact us on01458 850526.Little Steps Pre-school in North Newton village opens Mon, Tues & Thurs 9 – 3 and 9am – 12 on Wednesday. Our qualified staff ensures that every day is filled with fun, with children learning through play. For a visit Contact Helen Barham on 07745 229438Millfield Pre-Prep School (Ages 2 - 7), situated in the beautiful Prep campus in Glastonbury. Our aim is to encourage a love of learning through a combination of classroom and outdoor activities, using a wide range of exciting and stimulating teaching methods. Small class sizes and excellent

facilities, like our on–site Forest School and indoor swimming pool, support this. Over 20 free after school activities as well as an Early Birds and Late Club. To arrange a visit or a taster session please contact: Hannah Cox in Admissions on 01458 837524Miniatures Day NurseryOpen 50 weeks per year, we provide a safe, secure and stimulating environment for children aged 0-5 years. Open 8am-6pm, we provide home cooked food. Education grants accepted for 3 & 4 yr olds. Two minutes from A358. Church Rd, Ilton, Ilminster. T. Marion on 01460 55488 www.miniaturesdaynursery.co.ukPerrott Hill Montessori Nursery and Pre-Prep Given ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted, the Montessori Nursery is situated in the attractive, safe courtyard of the manor house. The Nursery children, aged 3-4 years, have the use of the extensive grounds and facilities of the school as well as having their own outdoor adventure play area. The staff are warm and friendly. Free after school care is available. T: 01460 72051www.perrotthill.com Pilton Preschool Encouraging Confidence, Creativity, Critical Thinking, Compassion, Character and Sense of Community. A long established village Pre-school offering fun and inspiring play based learning & education for children aged 2-5yrs. Monday – Friday 8.45am – 4pm term time, full or half days available. Sessions include Forest School, Yoga, Music and Movement, Woodwork, Sports and much much more...Please contact us on 01749 899147 preschool@piltonvillage.co.uk www.piltonvillage.co.uk/preschool for further info or to arrange a visit. T: 01749 899147 www.piltonpreschool.orginfo@piltonpreschool.orgQueen’s College offers individual learning. AN INDIVIDUAL focus on learning

is keeping Queen’s College Pre-Prep and Nursery at the top of the tree. With small class sizes of 12-16 children, specialist teachers can cater for each individual child’s needs. Rated as outstanding Queen’s College nursery and reception classes are not to be missed. To visit contact admissions@queenscollege.org.uk T: 01823 340830Smartees Day Care Nursery Offering professional, quality childcare with state of the art security system. Located just 5 minutes walking distance from Yeovil town centre, near Westlands and the Police Station. Open Monday to Friday 8am – 6pm for children aged 3 months – 5 years. 2 Beer Street, Yeovil. T. 01935 411777Taunton Nursery School for children from 0 years. Flexible Nursery Education, 8am - 5.45pm Highly qualified teachers. Spectacular grounds and facilities used by all. Children can attend a combination of morning, afternoon and late club sessions. T: 01823 703303 www.tauntonschool.co.ukWellington Prep School Nursery Attractive, well designed buildings. Talented teachers. Cheerful children. Proud parents. All this can be yours at Wellington Prep School

Nursery and Pre-Nursery. EYFS can be redeemed against our fees. We would love to have your children from 3 years upwards. Please enjoy our website www.wellington-school.org.uk or call Maria Kerr to arrange a visit.T: 01823 668700Little Wellies Term Time Toddler group. Open to all pre-school children every Thursday morning 9.15-11.15 am, Wellington Prep School Hall. £3 per child and £1 per additional child weekly charge. Contact Maria Kerr for more details – 01823 668700 prep@wellington-school.org.ukWoodlands Pre-school Ruishton, Taunton. At Woodlands we offer a wide range of indoor & outdoor activities including a Forest School Curriculum. We accept children from 2 years old. Our purpose built setting enables and nurtures children, encouraging them to grow and experience life with confidence. For more information T: 01823 444302

Move over Simon Cowell the only talent contest worth entering is Razz’s Got Talent, and what’s more there will be no Mr. Nasty, just a fantastic prize of a scholarship to attend Razzamataz Yeovil free of charge for a whole year.

Supporting local talent and giving back to the community to help young people with their performing arts training is high on the agenda for the theatre school, which is backed by Dragons’ Den’s Duncan Bannatyne.

“Razz’s Got Talent is a really fun way for children to enter

Yeovil’s search for a star with talent contest for local youngsters

01458 250461To book our Nursery Directory, please call

a talent contest in a safe and caring environment,” says Claire Walford, Principal of Razzamataz Yeovil. “We only give really constructive and positive feedback because we know it takes a lot of courage and determination to enter such a competition.”

Razz’s Got Talent is open to all children and young people living in and around the Yeovil area from the age of 6 to 16.

Before entry, you must complete a registration form with Razzamataz Yeovil that can be obtained by calling Claire on 01935 411128 or emailing yeovil@razzamataz.

co.uk. The closing date is Friday 20th March 2015, and the competition will be held on Saturday 28th March in Yeovil.

There is also currently the opportunity to book a FREE trial session on a strictly first come first served basis.

As one of the fastest growing part-time theatre schools in the UK, Razzamataz offers a wide range of performing arts styles for children age 2-18. Razzamataz classes consist of dance, drama and singing and the curriculum covers both classic West End musical theatre, street dance and pop singing.

EDUCATION INFORMATION EDUCATION Parent Talk March 2015 13

Come and feel the magicContact us to arrange a personal visit

T: 01749 881600 E: admissions@allhallowsschool.co.uk

All Hallows Preparatory School

www.allhallowsschool.co.uk

IN ALL AREAS

Enabling Excellence in English and Maths We deliver exciting English, Maths and Digital Literacy tuition and extension programmes which enable children to achieve outstanding results across the curriculum. Call for a free Learning Consultation www.explorium.co.uk 01458 274050

Creative Learning Centre

Explorium, the innovative Creative Learning Centre near Street, is able to offer a unique opportunity for children to investigate the science, engineering and technology behind converting wave power into energy.

This project is sponsored by Wavepower, who is investing in and helping develop the wave energy industry from wave energy converters (WEC) to wave projects, including enabling technologies and pioneering research. “At Wavepower we are very pleased to have the opportunity to support Explorium in their exciting new project. We firmly believe in seeking to motivate and enhance the scientific understanding of children as early as possible in their development.”

Wavepower’s sponsorship enables Explorium to immerse children in activities to develop a really deep understanding of the science behind energy, electricity and wave energy technology. “We will be able to buy in scientific equipment that can help us look at energy conversion and hope as the weather gets warmer to have a big inflatable pool so we can test our own design ideas. Everyone should bring along their swimming costumes or wet suits and be prepared to get very wet!” says Julia Black.

All Hallows came alive as Year 6 performed the acclaimed Queen Musical ‘We Will Rock You’ under the direction of Sophie Ball and Matthew Redman.

The show is set in the future where mainstream commercial conformity reigns under the power of the Mega Corporation Globalsoft, a small group of ‘Bohemians’ struggle to restore the free exchange of fashion, thoughts and live music. The stage came alive with some unbelievable acting, singing and dancing performances and it was hard

Definitely a ‘Kinda Magic’ – All Hallows children perform ‘We Will Rock You’

Creating waves in the Educational Landscape

“We hope that parents and schools in the area will see this as an incredible opportunity to get their children interested in science, technology and renewable energy.”

Children can get involved

in Explorium’s wave power project through our daytime, after school or holiday sessions between now and the end of Summer. To find out more phone Julia on 01458 274050.

to believe the cast were only 11 years old. The show also had a West End standard lighting rig and incredible special effects courtesy of a parent who works on shows such as the X Factor. This really allowed the children to take their performance skills to a new level and to develop an understanding of the more technical aspects of performing. The live band and the audience ‘rocked’ and a great night was had by all. See more at www.allhallowsschool.co.uk

All Hallows places great

emphasis on performance opportunities as Director, Sophie Ball explained:

“The children learn so much from these Creative opportunities – not simply about performing but also some invaluable life lessons in mutual support, teamwork, resilience and the correlation between effort and results. It is a genuine pleasure to share in their achievements and to watch them grow and mature through the experience. The memories associated with this high energy show will stay with them for many years.”

The Diary of Dennis the Menace: Bash Street BanditBy Steven ButlerPublished by PuffinBecoming a master of menace is not easy. The Diary of Dennis the Menace series gives readers inside information on every cheeky trick and prank played by The Beano’s iconic characters. In the fourth book in the bestselling series, Bash Street Bandit, Dennis has the ultimate incentive to pull off some of his most outrageous menacing yet….

Editor’s choiceBeautiful Birds By Jean Roussen & Emmanuelle WalkerPublished by Flying Eye BooksA stunning book that will teach young children about the world’s most captivating birds and will also be appreciated by bird enthusiasts of all ages. In its large hardback format, Beautiful Birds is an alphabet book that serves as a lyrical introduction to a rainbow of plumages from the Bird Kingdom. From Warblers to Blue-tits and Kakpos to Owls, Roussen’s playful poem is complemented beautifully by Walker’s delicate illustrations.

The King and the Sea by Heinz Janisch, illustrated by Wolf Erlbruch Published by Gecko PressInternat ional ly award-winning writer Heinz Janisch and c e l e b r a t e d illustrator Wolf Erlbrouch, bring

you extremely short stories of a little king in a big world. This brand new picture book for older children contains stunningly illustrated, ultra-short stories that are seemingly simple but ultimately profound tales. Perfect for fans of The Little Prince and The Day No One was Angry, The King and the Sea is the beautiful gift for children and adults.

BOOK REVIEW BOOK 14 Parent Talk March 2015

British kidswear brand Lilly + Sid was launched in 2009 to bridge the gap between traditional and contemporary, and provide the kind of clothes we could not find for our own three children. Building on our core values of quality, value and style, we are now one of the best selling kidswear brands in the UK, with many awards wins including the prestigious Loved by Parents awards for which we won Gold!

Our new collection is titled ‘English Country Garden’ and the cute characters, on-trend silhouettes and fun prints are inspired by our local heritage. From girls dresses to baby gifts, our products

competition

Our sunsafe suits are based around animal shapes. What animal goes by the name of Fred?

For your chance to win a £100 voucher to spend on-line, visit www.lillyandsid.com and answer the question below.

Then enter the competition at www.parenttalk.org.uk by the closing date

of 18th March 2015.

WIN £100 voucher

are designed with adventure loving kids in mind. As parents ourselves, we understand that a design led collection needs to wash well too, and every item in our range is fully machine washable (yes, even the toys!) and is created to last.

This season sees the launch of our swimwear for older boys and girls. Following on from the success of our award winning baby Sunsafe Suits, these new additions also have the UPV50+ rating, meaning they block out more than 97.5% of the suns UV rays - perfect for summer fun days!

WIN

Mollie Cinnamon is Not a CupcakeBy Sarah WebbPublished by Walker BooksA heart-warming new series about friendship and family. Mollie Cinnamon is stuck on a tiny island with her great-grandmother while her mum travels the world filming her new TV series. Mollie is so bored and lonely until she makes friends with Sunny and Alanna at the Songbird Café. Disaster strikes, though, when the café is threatened with closure. Can the new friends work together to save it?

A Spot of BotherBy Jonathan Emmett, illustrated by Vanessa CabbanPublished by Walker BooksPig is very proud of his neat appearance, so he’s horrified to discover a spot of squashed cherry on his side. But when his farmyard friends try to help–with disastrous results–the spot of bother soon becomes a truly calamitous catastrophe! Children will love following the exploits of Cow, Goat, Sheep and Pig in this hilarious pig-ture book romp.

Granny By Anthony HorowitzPublished by Walker BooksTwelve-year old Joe has an unbelievably evil Granny. Not only is Granny physically repulsive and horribly mean, but she also has the look in her eye of a predatory crocodile. Soon Joe starts to suspect that she has unpleasant designs on him. But what are they and how can he foil them?

Frida and BearBy Anthony Browne & Hanne BartholinPublished by Walker BooksAnthony Browne and Hanne Bartholin celebrate the power of imagination and the importance of creativity in this delightful picture book that invites the reader to join in and play the shape game with them.

Creative Craft with KidsBy Jane FosterPublished by Pavilion BooksJoin designer Jane Foster on an inspiring crafting journey and discover fun paper and fabric projects to make with and for children.

Art Camp: ARTrageous!By Jennifer McCullyPublished by Walter FosterARTrageous! is the first title in Art Camp, an exciting new series designed to introduce young artists to a variety of art techniques in fun, fresh, and inviting new ways. This colourful and quirky book teaches budding artists the basics of drawing, painting, and mixed media art through the talents of artist Jennifer McCully, who takes readers on an exciting artistic journey through more than 25 dynamic step-by-step projects, including canvas paintings, collages, doodled drawings, and more.

100 Family AdventuresBy Tim, Kerry and Ella MeekPublished by Frances Lincoln100 tried and tested outdoor activities to enjoy with children, swapping screen time for green time. The Meek family show how any family, anywhere in the country, can enjoy time together outdoors all the year round.

The Five O’Clock ApronBy Claire ThomsonPublished by Ebury PressClaire Thomson is a chef, with a busy restaurant in Bristol. However her biggest challenge is not hungry customers, but hungry children. Claire’s fresh, exciting meals are versatile and flavourful enough to please everyone around the table, encouraging parents to view food differently, to refresh their culinary imaginations and find real joy in cooking for their children. ‘The 5 O’’Clock Apron’ is not just a recipe book, but a way of thinking about how to shop, cook, eat and celebrate as a family.

Parent Talk March 2015 15 CLASSIFIEDS CLASSIFIEDS CLASSIFIEDS

follow us on twitter @parenttalksw visit us at www.parenttalk.org.uk

A detached Grade II Listed 16th Century character cottage on the edge of Long Load village. Entrance Hall, Sitting Room with Inglenook Fireplace & Flagstone floors, Dining Room, Kitchen/Breakfast Room, Rear Hall, Bathroom, 3 bedrooms, Enclosed walled garden, Parking & Garage. The house has been well maintained throughout and has gas-fired central heating. Good primary schools at Long Sutton and Ash and Secondary School at Huish Academy.

No onward chain.

BEAUTIFUL FAMILY HOME FOR SALE

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Humberts Yeovil - 01935 595034

APRIL issue copy deadline

11th MARCH 2015 Call 01458 250461

For tailor-made Magic Shows,

Mini Discos, Games and Balloon TwistingFamily Fun For Everyone!!

Ideal For Any Party,Large or Small, Indoors or Out

07770 227812catherine@magicentertainment.co.uk

[c/w enhanced DBS for added peace of mind]

CATHERINE’SMAGIC ENTERTAINMENT

Experienced registered childminder in idyllic rural location 5 mins from A303 has vacancy

Melanie Tuffill 01460 234325

Quirky handmade cushions find us at the Arts Centre Ilminster

Wed/Thurs/Fri 8.15am-5.45pm

Lights, Camera… Action! New ‘Bring your Bear’ schools pack includes Paddington™ Movie Stickers

Paddington Bear™ has been at the heart of fundraising for Action Medical Research ever since his creator, Michael Bond, met the charity’s founder, Duncan Guthrie, in 1976 and this year he’s been starring in the first ever live action film inspired by Michael Bond’s best-selling books.

Following Paddington Bear’s™ screen debut, Action Medical Research’s 2015 ‘Bring your Bear’ schools pack now has new-look artwork, posters and Paddington movie stickers!

Nurseries and schools across the UK who take part in ‘Bring your Bear day’ will receive both this FREE fundraising pack and access to an online kit full of useful materials to help raise vital funds for Paddington’s favourite charity.

The idea is that children bring in their favourite bear for a day, along with a £2 donation. Many ‘Bring your Bear’ participants also organise a whole day of fun activities, such as reading Paddington stories, baking teddy bear biscuits or holding a teddy bears’ picnic.

Gina Campbell, event organiser at Action Medical

Research, said, “ Bring your Bear is always a popular event amongst school children up and down the country but the success of the Paddington Movie has led to even more interest. We hope that

children will enjoy our new movie stickers and updated poster designs and have a really enjoyable day!”

Money raised will help fund medical research into conditions affecting babies and children. Medical research can save and change children’s lives. Yet surprisingly, medical research into conditions that devastate children’s lives is poorly funded. Action Medical Research is currently supporting work around stillbirth, epilepsy, meningitis, cerebral palsy and brain cancer, as well as some rare and distressing conditions that severely affect children.

To register and to receive your free fundraising kit visit action.org.uk/events/bringyourbear

Action Medical Research is a UK-wide charity saving and changing children’s lives through medical research.

MARCH is-sue copy deadline

19th Febru-ary 2014 Book your space now! Call 01458 241318

Keith’s Magical entertainMent

Children’s parties a speciality. Magic, Puppets,

Comedy. Terrific entertainment.

Police checked and insured.

01935 822135www.keithsmagic.co.uk

PROFESSOR POPCORN

The Magical Clown. Magic, Music, Laughter

& Fun for children and their

grown-ups. 01823 270847

www.profpopcorn.co.ukDBS checked and with

Public Liability Insurance

“DAVE” THE MAGICIAN & BALLOONATIC

available for birthday parties, playgroups, schools, fetes,

promotions etc DBS Checked & fully insured

01823 288644

MAGIC & BALLOONS Malcolm the Magician

Magic and balloon modelling for Schools,

Playgroups and Birthday Parties.

Tel: 01823 412750 Mob: 07989 585979

www.malcolm-the-magician.co.uk (insured and police checked)

UNCLE RON’S MAGIC SHOW

Birthday parties, Playgroups, Functions, Live magic rabbit,

Balloon animals

01935 476586

A million people can make their mums smile this Mother’s Day by ordering a free personalised picture card.

Simply log on to the Truprint website, choose a design and personalise it with your photos, names and messages. Your bespoke card will arrive within five days.

With hundreds of different designs ranging from fun, to chic or arty, there is something to make mothers and grandmothers all over the UK feel extra special. After creating your bespoke design online, complete your card with a handwritten message.

“Millions of UK mums will open a Mother’s Day card this March, so we have set ourselves the ambitious target of making a million of these mums even happier,” said Carolyn Dawkins of Truprint. “Receiving a card

Truprint to offer a million photo cards for free this Mother’s Day

Million-card Mother’s Day giveaway

with a thoughtful message is lovely, but getting one that children or grandchildren have gone to the trouble of designing themselves is priceless.”

With Mothering Sunday on the 15th of March 2015, the last date to redeem this offer is Monday 9th March.

All cards available are 7 x 5” and come with their own envelope. 99p postage and packaging charge will apply. See site for full terms.

To redeem this offer while stocks are available, visit www.truprint.co.uk/millionmums and enter the code MUMINAMILLION

Truprint has been trusted with people’s most precious photographs for more than 30 years. Photos can be uploaded from cameras, computers, mobile devices, Facebook or Flickr. If you want to know more you can email us at digital.service@truprint.co.uk or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Ahead of Mother’s Day, 15 March 2015, Just a Drop has launched a unique set of Mums Army gift vouchers. The vouchers are on sale on the Just a Drop Mums Army website mumsarmy.org/get-involved/

Doting sons and daughters will be able to give a truly altruistic gift to their mothers whilst simultaneously making another mother’s day, by giving another mum in a developing country the gift of clean water. Buyers can be safe in the knowledge that the profits from this special gift voucher will go towards the Mums Army campaign, to fund water and sanitation projects for mothers and their families in some of the poorest communities across the globe.

Just a Drop – an international water aid charity whose mission is to

Give ‘Just a Drop’ of Water this Mother’s Day

provide clean, safe water in developing countries – will officially launch its Mums Army campaign on Mother’s Day 2015. Over the past 17 years, Just a Drop has reached almost 1.5 million people across 31 countries and delivered over 150 projects. This campaign, backed by Just a Drop patron

and TV presenter Alexander Armstrong, hopes to enlist and encourage mums across the UK to join Mums Army and form fundraising brigades to help other mums across the world. The campaign will run for a year

For more information or to buy vouchers visit mumsarmy.org/get-involved/

and culminate on Mother’s Day 2016, with the aim of raising £250,000. The gift vouchers are available in denominations of £10, £20, £25, £50 and £100 and will kick-start fundraising for the campaign.

RED NOSE DAY FRIDAY 13 MARCH

Pay £1 to come to school

in my favourite colour – red!

Prove your higher intelligence with our nine Nose suduko. £1 a go. rednoseday.com/schoolssudoku

Do a super-human sponsored challenge.

Use your brains, hold a quiz and pay to

enter. rednoseday.com/schoolsquiz

Make a splash and gunge a teacher.

£1 a throw.

Pay £1 to see how far you can karate kick a

Red Nose.

MAKE CAKE. MAKE CAKE. SELL CAKE.

Defy gravity and see how many Noses you can balance. £1 a go.

Disguise yourself as your favourite

Nose for a small fee.

SnoutDracula

Snortel

Supernose

Karate Konk

Astrosnort

Stripey

Nosebot

ProfessorSnotty

Snorbit

For more quick and easy fundraising ideas foryour Red Nose Day, head to rednoseday.com

Red Nose Day is back on Friday13th March and once again, the nation is gearing up to put on their Noses, pull out all the stops, and get fundraising. Whether it’s at work, at school or at home, the money raised for Red Nose Day is spent by Comic Relief

to transform the lives of millions of people, both at home in the UK and across Africa.By fundraising in your school, you’ll be helping 300,000 children across Africa into education and learning.

And best of all, the UK government is going to double the money raised by UK schools.

Having fun and changing lives