Small Talk_MarchApril 2015

TALKsmallMAGAZINE FOR NEW PARENTS IN KENT

Latest high streetFASHION

CELEBRITY

baby news

Disposable ’v’ cloth nappies, newborn knowhowfussy eating advice and more...

ISSUE MARCH/APRIL 2015

FREE

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Getting DadINVOLVED WITH FEEDING

Getting DadINVOLVED WITH FEEDING

Please mention SMALL TALK when contacting advertisers2

Award Winning Musical Playtime classes for babies and toddlers are held in Maidstone and Medway. Established in Maidstone in 2001, the classes have gone

from strength to strength giving many children a great introduction to music.

Paula Ray owner of Musical Playtime says “Music provides many benefits for your child. As well as helping

them to learn through musical fun and activities, the classes are a great way for grown ups to interact with their children

and make new friends themselves”

These pay as you go classes offer flexibility for the busy parent with no commitment to sign up for a whole term and no hidden

extra costs. The mixed age classes give parents of two or more children the option of coming along as a family and there are

discounts for siblings.

They also provide music on a regular basis to local preschools and nurseries at very competitive rates.

Musical Learning & Fun for the Under 5’s

Day & Time VenueMondays 9.45am Beechwood Hall, BarmingTuesdays 9.45am St Paul’s Church, Parkwood, Rainham

*NEW CLASS*Thursdays 9.45am and 10.45am

Grove Green Community Centre

Fridays 10am St Nicholas Church Hall AllingtonNote: Classes run in term time

Birthday parties

for under 5s from

just £60!

For more details please contact Paula on

07901712510 or email [email protected]

Or visit our website at www.musicalplaytime.co.uk


E. [email protected] W. smalltalk-publishing.co.uk3 E. [email protected] W. smalltalk-publishing.co.uk3

Welcome to the latest editi on of Small Talk.

With Spring fi nally here and Easter being the next big event in most parents diaries, Small Talk looks at what is on off er to keep the kids entertained during the holidays.

The birth of a child can be a life changing experience for new dads, as well as mothers. Small Talk takes a look at how you can get dads more involved in feeding your new baby.

This issue, we also take a look at the pro’s and con’s of cloth nappies versus disposables.

We are also lucky to be able to work along side Newborn Knowhow, a local company run by two highly trained Norland Maternity Nurses, both with over nine years experience working with babies and children, off ering advice and step-by-step guidance to new parents and parents-to-be.

Nutriti onal expert, Julie Clark off ers advice on toddlers fussy eati ng issues and we look at the benefi ts of both walking and swimming in this issue.

Good luck to everyone who enters the fantasti c FREE prize draws featured. You have the chance to win a Silver Cross cot mobile (p.6) and DD cream for mum too! (p.19).

Happy reading, from the Small Talk team.

The legal bit:Published by Small Talk Publishing

Email [email protected] Website www.smalltalk-publishing.co.ukFacebook www.facebook.com/small.talk.kent Twitt er www.twitt er.com/smalltalkkent

Copyright 2014 © Small Talk Publishing. All rights reserved. Copyright of arti cles and photographs remain with the individual contributors and may not be reproduced without permission. Other material may be reproduced, but only with prior permission of Small Talk Publishing. Whilst we make every eff ort

that everything published in Small Talk is factually correct, we cannot be held responsible if factual errors occur.Company Address: 50 Ott eridge Road, Bearsted, Maidstone ME14 4JR.

TALKsmallMAGAZINE FOR NEW PARENTS IN KENT

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The legal bit:

WIN!Silver Cross cot mobile

on p6 and Green People

organic moisturising

products on

p19...

E. [email protected] W. smalltalk-publishing.co.uk4

Royal baby celebrationsWith the pending birth of the next Royal baby, Small Talk has found the perfect commemorative gifts for your little prince or princess...

Snoopy, Paddington & Peppa Pig pictures,

from £30.00 eachwww.artyougrewupwith.com

Celebrity baby news

Small Talk would like to say congratulations to these celebrity new parents and mums to be...

Liv Tyler is a mum for the second

time! The actress and her boyfriend, sports agent David Gardner, welcomed a baby boy recently, saying, “He’s healthy and everyone is very happy.”

Jaime King is expecting her second child! The model and Hart of Dixie star shared the exciting

news on Instagram recently, with an adorable photo of her one-year-old son, James Knight. The little one held a sign that read, “I’m gonna be a big brother!” and Jaime added the caption, “So excited to announce THE SEQUEL coming later this year!! ... “

Shakira has become a mum for the second time. “We are happy to

announce the birth of Sasha Piqué Mebarak. The name Sasha is of Greek and Russian descent and means ‘defender of mankind’ and ‘warrior.’”

Benedict Cumberbatch and

Sophie Hunter have announced that they’re expecting their first child and are said to be “over the moon”.

Mark-Paul Gosselaar is a proud father of four! The Saved By The

Bell star and his wife Catriona McGinn welcomed a new addition to their family, a baby girl named Lachlyn Hope. “So in love with our new baby girl,” Mark, 40, tweeted recently.

Please mention SMALL TALK when contacting advertisers 5

Competition winner

We recently run a competition via our

Twitter and Facebook pages, for the next face of Small Talk...

Following literally hundreds of entries, we shortlisted them down to just five cute kids, twins Emily and Tom Wotton, Evie Sharman, Eliza Steer and our winner, two year old Holly Burgess from Folkestone.

Holly, who’s favorite toy is ‘Oliver Bear’ (Oliver Bear was given to Holly by a nurse for being brave at the hospital), and her mum Louise, “are thrilled that Holly has won the competition! Thank you Small Talk!”.

Limited edition Silver Cross prin-cess dolls pram,

£400.00

Crown trollbeads, from £60.00www.trollbeads.com


CompetitionWin! A Luxury Musical Cot Mobile - worth £40.00 by Silver Cross!

A deluxe fabric mobile which gently rotates whilst playing

a soothing Brahms lullaby. Featuring a pleated cott on sateen canopy and soft padded shapes with delicate embroidery detail. Complete with an easy to assemble white plasti c arm which att aches to most cots. Suitable from birth to approximately 5 months.

Please mention SMALL TALK when contacting advertisers

which att aches to most

rotates whilst playing

Win! A Luxury Musical Cot Mobile - worth

To enter: Send us an email at competi ti [email protected] putti ng MOBILE in the subject line along with your name, address and tel number so that we can contact the winner, and don’t forget to LIKE our FB page www.facebook.com/small.talk.kent

T&C’s: Our competi ti ons are free to enter. Closing date for entries 17/04/15. No responsibility can be accepted for entries not received for whatever reason. The promoter reserves the right to cancel or amend the competi ti on and these terms and conditi ons without noti ce. The promoter is not responsible for inaccurate prize details supplied to any entrant by any third party connected with competi ti ons. No cash alternati ve to the prizes will be off ered. Winners will be picked at random and will be noti fi ed by email within 28 days of the closing date. Email details are not shared with others.

E. [email protected] W. smalltalk-publishing.co.uk 7

1Next comic print sleepsuit (part of set) £16.00

2M&S dress and cardigan set £24.00,

pram shoes £10.00

3Next blue check shirt £8.00, soft denim

trousers £10.50

4M&S floral border dress £20.00

5Next grey ‘n’ cap £6.00

6Debenhams J by Jasper Conran dress £23.00

7M&S bunny cap from £6.00

8M&S t-shirt from £7.00, hoodie from

£12.00, shorts from £12.00 (pack of 2), shoes from £7.00

9M&S leather Chelsea boots from £26.00

10Next mix print dress £22.00

Baby & toddler winter fashion

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Latest pram trendsGone are the days when parents look for innovation

for innovations sake when investing in a pushchair. Research and recommendation enables new parents to prioritise features that are important to them in one of the largest purchases they will make for their new baby, even before entering a shop. Pram makers are sitting up and listening.

The majority of parents look for a pushchair that fulfills their needs, matches their budget and has good reviews. Key factors often include: size, weight, durability, how compact it is when folded, suitability for the area they live in (urban or country), if it is suitable from birth and how long it will last.

Today’s trend is a pushchair that is stylish and ergonomic. Safety and comfort are paramount, whilst surplus gadgets are no longer a selling point. Consumers may also be influenced by fashion trends in their colour and fabric choice.

“Fashion trends do not dictate our designs, but are certainly a source of inspiration for every Silver Cross collection. As an example Silver Cross Eton Grey, launching in spring 2015, is a fabric development drawn from British high street trends. Eton Grey is a woven fabric with texture; it has a real richness and depth of character to its touch, it is iconically British and is influenced by luxury suiting fabrics. In 2015, grey will continue to be seen in fashion, home wares and baby goods.

Nick Paxton, CEO Silver Cross

Silver Cross’s Eton Grey range from £650.00

Mountain Buggy Urban Jungle luxury collection buggy - nautical & pepita, £549.00

Hauck Twister Trio Set – available in chocolate, cime and sand, £499.95

Phil & Teds Vibe range from £549.00


Getting dad involved in feeding

There are lots of ways dads can feel more involved with looking after their baby and

gain confidence as a parent. And of course sharing the responsibilities helps you out too.

Here are a few ideas that you may find useful:

For breast-fed babies: In the early days, breastfeeding can go on for hours at a time and your partner might feel that he cannot play a part in this role. However, becoming a breastfeeding partner can be just as important... support your babies mother with plenty of snacks and drinks, and something to read. He could even download a selection of her favourite TV series or movies for her to work her way through.

Once breastfeeding is well established, he can give your baby a bottle of expressed milk. It will give him some quality bonding time, and you, the babies sleep-deprived mother will be eternally grateful.

For bottle-fed babies:Letting dad prepare bottle feeds will give you more time for the million-and-one other things you have to do.

Take it in turns on night duty; a good night’s sleep will do you the world of good. Or try splitting the night up – one of you gets up from bedtime ‘til 3am, and the other does the 3-8am shift.

Why not let dad handle some of the bottlefeeding during daytime? It’ll help them to bond with baby and give you time to rest, do other things or just have some ‘me’ time. Just keep in mind that your baby may take time to adjust to this new way of feeding, so make sure your partner keeps on trying!

It’s a fact! Researchers have found it’s not just mum who experiences a surge in bonding hormones when a baby is born. Dad gets it too! Studies also show that children whose fathers bonded with them early on are academically more successful and emotionally more secure later.

After the initial excitement of discovering that you’re

going to be a parent, expectant fathers may find themselves feeling

a little aimless... Expectant mothers simply have an inherent, physical connection

to their unborn child that fathers do not; this may make pregnancy and fatherhood seem frustratingly abstract.

However, once born, it is important to allow a little ‘daddy time’...


Newborn Knowhow

At Newborn Knowhow we believe that doing your research into caring for babies is fab, however nothing can beat the hands on approach!

Are you worried you won’t know how much to feed your baby or even how to

fit a car seat or which car seat you need? Well we are here to help!

The one-to-one session covers everything you would wish to know including:

• Feeding bottle or breast • Bathing • Car seat fitting • Getting into a routine • The basic 1st aid essentials! • Nappies • And a lot more!

Newborn Knowhow has been set up by two highly trained Norland Maternity Nurses both with over nine years experience working with babies and children, but not only are they professionally trained in all things baby, they are also mummies themselves so understand all the emotions and pressures of being a first time parent or carer.

Hollie and Fiona hope that by having children themselves you will feel more at ease talking to them about any worries, or concerns you have.

By coming to your house, we can help show you ways of having your nursery and house set up that will make your life easier when you bring your little one home, we can help guide you on equipment you will need and the pro’s and con’s of different brands.

If you need more reassurance once your little bundle has arrived, we can do mini post baby visit too, we can do courses to suit your needs e.g if you and a friend are both expecting then we can do a course with both of you!

Want to feel calm & confident before your

new baby arrives?

Then we’re here to help!

Newborn Knowhow is a personal one to one service brought to the comfort of

your own home. We aim to give you the practical preparation you need in order to help the transition from pregnancy to

motherhood run smoothly

Each session is tailored to your individual needs, covering a vast amount of

topics including:• Feeding – breast and bottle

• Bathing• Top and Tailing• Car seat fitting

• 1st Aid• Routines

• Sudden infant death syndrome& many more

SPECIAL OFFER FOR SMALL TALK READERS! TODAY

You can enjoy one of our sessions for just £149!! Usual price £175

NEWBORN KNOWHOW – BRINGING YOUR MANUAL TO LIFE

www.newbornknowhow.com



Nutrition - fussy little eaters!

Help! My child is a fussy eater, what should I do?

My daughter Amelia often flatly refuses to try any

of the foods I offer and has a problem with textures. Mealtimes usually result in tears and I’m racked with guilt and afraid that I will give her a food complex! I am constantly worrying about her repetitive food intake, if she is getting enough variety and definitely stress a lot about mealtimes, whether it be eating at home or going to a restaurant. I desperately want mealtimes to be relaxed and enjoyable, instead of turning into a bribe or a battle.“

The Mum who wrote this contacted me a few months ago, she was at her wits end and if you have a fussy eater you will know exactly how she feels. It is a very common story and one that I hear time and time again.

Fussy eating often starts around the age of 18 months and is in fact very common. A child’s growth rate slows down from 12 months old and as part of their survival instincts they tend to prefer certain trusted foods. This process can happen gradually and before you realise what’s going on you find yourself cooking separate meals, trying bribing techniques and giving your child food you know, they will at least attempt.

It’s a disaster that results in a very stressful situation.

There is however some light at the end of the tunnel. After completing my four-week Fussy Little Eaters course Amelia’s Mum wrote this statement:

“Thanks to the alleviation of my stress and anxiety levels, Amelia seems more relaxed around food and willing to try new things. I am more relaxed and can see that everyone else is relaxing around me. We still have hurdles to jump but they don’t seem so high now!”

For more information about this course, visit www.spring-nutrition.co.uk

“


Choosing the right nappy

Disposable versus reusable nappies - with so many on the market, choosing the right one for you has never been

more complicated. Small Talk looks at the pro’s and con’s of both disposable and cloth nappies...

Choosing between reusable and disposable nappies can be a tricky decision. In a

survey conducted of 1,448 UK parents (March 2013), it found that many parents wanted or planned to use reusable nappies but were

ultimately conflicted about which to use.

One parent commented: “I want to use reusable nappies, but I am nervous of trying them after having become used to disposables... I feel guilty about using disposables because of the environmental issues.”

Credit: http://www.which.co.uk

Choosing the right nappy


Here we outline a few of the issues you might want to consider...

Environmentally friendly nappiesMaking an environmentally friendly decision isn’t quite as simple as choosing between ‘easy but polluting’ disposable nappies and ‘inconvenient but worthy’ reusable nappies - you have to wash reusable nappies, which can add to your carbon footprint.

Try nappies before you buyAs sizes and how babies take to nappies varies, before you spend money on reusable nappies or bulk buy disposable ones, we suggest trying out a few types and brands to see what best suits your baby.

Take into account the various types, sizes and factors to consider when deciding, as well as any free vouchers and schemes available to help with the cost.

Speak to other parentsTalk to fellow parents about their experiences before committing to either disposable or reusable nappies, or ask your midwife or health visitor for advice - the survey found mixed opinions among parents. Popular forums such as Mumsnet

and Netmums are good online resources to help gauge opinion from other mums and dads already using different types of nappies.

Storing and soaking reusable nappiesThere’s no need to soak modern reusable nappies. In fact, the Go Real nappy information service says

doing so can damage Velcro and other modern fabrics - but you may wish to do so in the case of traditional terry nappies. Either way, you’ll need somewhere to store and/or soak your nappies - a nappy bucket if you choose to go for reusables.

Best of both worldsThere is no reason why you can’t use both types of nappy for different situations. Some parents end up using both reusable nappies and disposable nappies so they gain some of the advantages of both – perhaps using disposable nappies when going out for the day or on holiday and washable nappies at other times.

Whatever you decide, there are lots on the market and it is well worth shopping around for the best price, style and supplier, albeit disposables or cloth nappies which you choose to use for your baby - or both!

Credit: http://www.which.co.uk


Easter - eggs & other gift ideas

Easter eggs shown available from Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda and other leading supermarkets

NEW soft ‘n safe busy builder wagon, £29.99

Arriving in stores May 2015

Robot lunch box, £15.00www.sciencemuseumshop.co.uk

3 piece melanine breakfast set in gift book box, £18.00National Railway Museum Shopwww.nrmshop.org.uk

Animal pop-up books, £9.99British Library Shop

www.shop.bl.uk

Bubble train, £15.00National Railway Museum Shop

www.nrmshop.co.uk

Bigjigs Princess Train, £14.00, National Railway Museum Shopwww.nrmshop.co.uk


Family fitness

The hardest part as a new mum, is to find the time to exercise! You may also feel

drained of energy due to lack of sleep and breast-feeding your baby. However, gentle exercise will help your body recover from pregnancy and will also help you feel better about yourself and lift your mood.

Walking is a perfect exercise for new mums. Its free and better still, you do not need to find a baby sitter to do it!

As well as helping lift your mood, walking can help strengthen and shape your legs, giving great definition to calves, quads, hamstrings and lifting your glutes (bum muscles) – especially if you

add hills. But if you really pay attention to your posture as you walk, it can tone your abs and whittle your waist, too.

And not to mention a boost to your vitamin D levels! It’s a nutrient sought from daylight, that plays a big role in everything from bone health to immunity. Although do not forget, sun safety is still very important - especially to your babies sensitive new skin.

In addition to this, walking boosts circulation, can reduce dementia risk, strengthens bones and helps to maintain healthy joints. It gives you one-to-one time to bond with your baby and gets them out in the fresh air too!

In short, walking is the perfect start to any new mum’s postnatal exercise routine.

At diddi dance we are the only pre-school dance class to explore 14 different styles of dance, from Bollywood to Hip Hop, Country to Charleston! Learn co-ordination and rhythm to funky pop songs, lots of social skills and boost confidence. Classes are structured but relaxed

and all about having loads of fun! Check diddidance.com for latest information. Mondays 10.30am - Langton Green TN3 and

Maidstone ME14Mondays 2pm - Hawkhurst TN18

Tuesdays 10.30am - Tunbridge Wells TN1 Thursdays 9.30am Crowborough TN6

and Biddenden TN27Thursdays 11.15am - Maidstone ME14

Fridays 9.30am/10.30am - Langton Green TN3

It’s hard to exercise as a new mum. Why should I bother?

““


Swimming for the family

Get ready for swimming... ...with a splashing bath

Boosting your baby’s confidence in the water is great preparation for their first visit to

the pool. What better way than a lovely splash in the bath?

Create the right atmosphere at bath time for fun and relaxation with a lovely warm InfaCare bubble bath and use all the long lasting bubbles to encourage lots of splashing.

InfaCare is a super gentle formulation – clinically tested, non-irritating, pH balanced - so whether you’re using the Ultra Mild Baby Bath or the Night Time Baby Bath it will gently clean and care for your baby’s skin, even the most sensitive of skins.

Learn to Swim Swimming tuition for all the family

angelasswimschool.co.uk

[email protected]

PLACES LIMITED CALL TODAY

07703 185837

Angela’s Swim School™ is a long established family run business headed up by former international swimmer Angela Wilson. Our fully trained instructors help pupils become confident swimmers by using proven methods and keeping class sizes small.

Northfleet, Cobham, Otford, Sevenoaks, Maidstone, Ashford,

Orpington.Franchise options available!

FIRST LESSON FREE*

*FREE lesson subject to course booking

Top tips for making your baby’s first swim experience a happy one...

Spend time on the side of the pool so baby gets used to the noises, colours, splashing.

Baby will need to wear a suitable nappy – a disposable nappy and a re-usable swim nappy.

Make it fun with lots of eye contact, smiles and talk to your baby.

Combine holding them close for skin-to- skin contact, and at arms’ length so they can move freely.

Swimming can be tiring for little ones, so 20 minutes is probably long enough in the water – they may well sleep afterwards.

Consider joining a baby swim class – it’s a great way to meet other parents.


Product news - highchairs

Competition

Being a busy mum means you don’t have the same amount of ti me to dedicate to your morning beauty routi ne. With all that a busy family morning

entails having a great multi -tasking beauty tool to hand is invaluable. NEW to the Age Defy+ range from Green People is the Tinted DD Moisturiser SPF15, an exciti ng new arrival that will Instantly revive ti red skin, cover blemishes and off er a complete anti -ageing soluti on.

This is the fi rst certi fi ed organic DD cream in the UK and has a unique skin-kind formula which is bursti ng with 35 beauty-boosti ng acti ves. This lightweight cream will feel beauti fully comfortable on your skin, whilst reducing redness and balancing your complexion without blocking pores. Perfect easy-wear coverage

for skin that looks hydrated and illuminated giving you a fl awless complexion and gives you natural SPF defence, keeping your skin protected wherever the day takes you.

Being a busy mum means you don’t have the same amount of ti me to

�I��Win! NEW fuss-free skincare specifi cally designed for busy mums

To enter: Send us an email at competi ti [email protected] putti ng BEAUTY in the subject line along with your name, address and tel number so that we can contact the winner, and don’t forget to LIKE our FB page www.facebook.com/small.talk.kent

T&C’s: Our competi ti ons are free to enter. Closing date for entries 17/04/15. No responsibility can be accepted for entries not received for whatever reason. The promoter reserves the right to cancel or amend the competi ti on and these terms and conditi ons without noti ce. The promoter is not responsible for inaccurate prize details supplied to any entrant by any third party connected with competi ti ons. No cash alternati ve to the prizes will be off ered. Winners will be picked at random and will be noti fi ed by email within 28 days of the closing date. Email details are not shared with others.

Hauck Sit ‘n’ Relax – Practical Pre-School Silver Award Winner

‘Childcare Category’ –The Sit ‘n’ Relax is a very practical high chair combination with a baby

and a high chair attachment. This innovative combination product incorporates a baby rocker chair and highchair all in one unit. The Sit ‘n’ Relax is the ideal purchase as will care for baby from birth

through to weaning. It can be moved around by its two wheels or folded up to save space. The multifunctional starter set from birth onwards. £119.99

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Great family days out

Bugs and Grubs Weekend, Kent Life: March 7th and 8th

Pull on your wellies and get up close to nature as you join the bug-hunters to discover all the mini-beasts living at the award-winning attraction.

Spring into Easter, 28th March to 19th April:The farmyard will be buzzing with excitement with all the new arrivals - Help the farmer bottle feed the lambs and goat kids, design your own ceramic Easter egg in Paint-a-Pot, meet the animals in Cuddle Corner and more!

Meet Peppa Pig, 26th April:Peppa Pig will be visiting and she’s bringing her little brother George with her too! The cheeky little piggies will be making personal appearances at intervals throughout the day.

Kent Life is also a real working farm set in 28 acres of glorious countryside so there are plenty of animals to see including pigs, sheep, ducks, goats and alpacas.

Kids can get creative in the Paint-a-Pot Studio, meet some smaller furry friends in Cuddle Corner, whiz around the track on a quad bike, take part in animal feeding sessions, go wild in the large indoor soft play area and much more.

Wander through period dressed historic buildings in the charming Vintage Village; explore the gardens and orchard; and see the last remaining coal-fired oast house in Britain. There’s plenty to do whatever the weather!

www.kentlife.org.uk for prices and events.

2nd April to 19th April: The Hop Farm is open for Easter Fun at the Farm!

Open from 10am every day and with FREE ENTRY, Easter Fun at the Farm features our fabulous children’s attractions and rides including bumper boats, bouncy castles, Hopper’s Animal World and much more.

A number of the attractions are undercover, so whatever the weather, children and families will enjoy all the fun at the farm without getting cold or wet!

Look out for our timetable of daily events which include animal displays, crafts and fun indoor entertainment!

7th April 2015: One of the most spectacular displays of adrenaline-fuelled extreme sport

is coming to Kent.From monster trucks and motorbikes, to BMX and the freestyle sport of parkour, the Extreme Torque Show will have it all.

Monster trucks Extreme and Lil’ Devil will battle it out in the Monster Arena to prove they are the best car crushing monsters in Europe; while over in the Bike Arena, petrol heads will be showcasing incredible tricks including wheelies, burnouts and stoppies.

www.thehopfarm.co.uk for details.

Small Talk is always on the lookout for great family days out which are fun for all the family and great value for money. Here are some of our top attractions...


Great family days out

Leeds Castle offers something for everyone in 2015 with its 500 acres of beautiful

grounds and gardens set in the heart of the garden of England. There are many attractions for visitors to enjoy, which are included as part of the admission ticket, from walks with the Wildlife Warden to exploring the Maze and Grotto to the adventure playgrounds. Be entertained by birds of prey at the free flying falconry demonstrations, daily in school holidays and weekends during term time. Complete a full family day out with a visit to the Fairfax Restaurant and cafés, two gift shops and a ride on Elsie the Land Train (small additional charge applies).

Easter Trail: Thursday 2nd to Sunday 19th April Keep the children amused during the Easter school holidays with the Leeds Castle Easter Trail. Look for clues around the estate to earn a chocolate prize. Easter Trail is £1 per child.

Easter Family Fun: Friday 3rd - Monday 6th April Celebrate Easter with plenty of activities for the whole family from circus skills to juggling jester shows, have a go archery and mad-cap fun with courtly jesters. Explore the adventure playgrounds and beautiful gardens, get lost in the Maze and see the daily Falconry demonstration.

Wrapped in historic

significance, Headcorn Aerodrome played an important part in the Second World War as a base for fighter planes until 1945.

Today, the aerodrome is available for the public to enjoy, and unbelievably, it is one of the few places in Kent, which can provide a great family day out FREE OF CHARGE!

Kids love the fact that you can park just feet from the runway and watch the numerous aeroplanes taking off and landing throughout the day, from modern pleasure planes to wartime Spitfires.

There are parachutists jumping throughout the day and weather dependent, you can even experience the sights of the odd stunt, wing-walker or hot air-balloon!

Take a picnic or grab a hot drink or ice-cream in the on-site coffee shop, or why not enjoy a relaxing pint of beer whilst watching the skies from the Wings Bar and top it off with a delicious pub meal – housed in a former wartime building with a very unique and friendly atmosphere.

There is also a museum on-site, showcasing a wealth of memorabilia and artefacts, along with a small gift shop.

See website for opening times and days of the week: www.lashendenairwarfaremuseum.co.uk

With a regular events calendar throughout the year, including military events, model shows, air displays and boot fairs, Headcorn Aerodrome really does provide a great day out for all the family to enjoy.


Family home improvements

So you’re looking for a new kitchen or bathroom? The

fi rst place you visit is one of the local diy giants. The service isn’t great, you get a Saturday boy who has never held a screwdriver in his life and the prices and off ers are confusing – but there is an easier way… Pop along to MBK Design Studio in Coxheath, Maidstone, where you will receive the expert knowledge of Stewart and his team. You will get genuine soluti ons from an honest company.

But independent retailers are more expensive! WRONG, Small Talk knows from personal experience that Stewart and his team are able to off er higher quality products at a fracti on of the price that the diy giants are selling for!!!

As a repeat customer, Small Talk is able to 100%

recommend MBK to families in Kent. You will be met with a warm welcome, an excellent array of products on display, literally hundreds of opti ons to choose from and fantasti c prices too.

So who is MBK Design Studio? Based at Clock House Farm, Heath Road, Coxheath, MBK opened its doors in 1987 with a view of providing a quality home improvement service to the local community of Maidstone and the surrounding villages. In that ti me they have successfully completed over 6,000 projects from small ti ling jobs to complete house renovati ons, including projects in Japan, Scotland, Ireland, London and many towns in southern England. Their aim is to provide clients with complete sati sfacti on and reduce the stress that is associated with home improvements.

They are members of Checkatrade, the only trade associati on that was considered good enough for Kent County Council’s Trading Standards department to form a partnership with and they are proud to be an acreditated KCC Trading Standards approved trader.

MBK can provide a full range of products from many manufacturers including Crown Imperial kitchens, bedrooms and home studies, Laufen Bathrooms, Bella Kitchens, Stori Kitchens, RAK Ceramics, Pura Bathrooms, UK Bathroom brands, Aqualisa Showers, Bosch, Siemens and Neff Appliances to name just a few.

So if you’re thinking of starti ng any home improvements in the near future, make MBK a place that you will visit fi rst.Find them at www.m-b-k.co.uk

Personal recommendati on and word of mouth is the best way of fi nding a local trader and MBK Design Studio is one of those companies worthy of being recommended. Small Talk explains why…


• KITCHENS • BATHROOMS • BEDROOMS • PLAYROOMS • WET ROOMS •

YOUR LOCAL

SPECIALIST

• FANTASTIC QUALITY • AFFORDABLE PRICES • LARGE SHOWROOM •

Contact us today on 01622 616149 or visit www.m-b-k.co.uk


Razz ToTs TonbRidgeRazz ToTs TonbRidgeEvery child deserves the best possible start in life and the support that enables them to fulfil their potential. Children develop quickly in the early years and a child’s experiences between birth and age five have a major impact on their future life chances. Good parenting and high quality early learning together provide the foundation children need to make the most of their abilities and talents as they grow up.

That’s why Razzamataz has designed Razz Tots for ages 2-3 years, an exciting journey through the jungle, to space, under the sea and much more! Razzamataz hope to aid parents to ensure that their children can develop and achieve their full potential in a safe and enabling environment.

FREE TASTER SESSIONS

SATURDAYS at Hayesbrook School, Brook Street, Tonbridge

To book please email [email protected] or call Dave on 01732 364859

www.razzamataz.co.uk

Documents

Small Talk_MarchApril 2015