January/February 2017 Issue 33 FREE! Take me home! ® warwickshire Age 3 - Adult 01789 731 000 [email protected] www.rnsd.co.uk The essential local magazine for parents www.familiesonline.co.uk Fixed In this issue fees e available DIVORCE 3 Snippets IS NEVER 4 New Year 6 Clubs and Classes 8 Education EASY e What's on But we try to make it easier. We are passionate about providing the very highest standards of client service and never lose sight of the fact that although Contact details WIN A FAMILY practical issues need to be resolved, feelings and emotions are Call: Claire Jones on 01926 335004 THEATRE TICKET just as important. E: [email protected] www.familiesonline.co.uk We can help with a wide variety of family law problems. Cover by Linda Scannell www.lindascannell.com Next issue: March/April 2017 Please contact Carline for free initial advice Design by www.peninsula-design.co.uk Deadline: Friday 3rd February 01926 491181 All content ©2017 Families Warwickshire Families Warwickshire is part of Families Magazines [email protected] Families Warwickshire is a bi-monthly magazine Ltd, a franchise company. All franchised magazines for parents, covering Stratford-on-Avon and in the group are independently owned and Warwick Districts with 21,500 copies. Towns operated under licence. Families® is a registered covered include Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick, trademark of Families Magazines Ltd, Remenham Moore & Tibbits Leamington Spa and Kenilworth, plus Studley, House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne Alcester, Bidford, Henley-in-Arden, Wellesbourne, End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of Families Solicitors Welford-on-Avon, Shipston-on-Stour, Southam Warwickshire are fully protected by copyright and a member of and lots of the smaller villages in between. none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of the publisher. We take every care preparing Advertise with us and reach www.qualitysolicitors.com/moore-tibbits this magazine but the publishers and distributors 40,000+ local parents and cannot be held responsible for the claims of 34 High Street, Warwick CV34 4BE advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents nor carers. for any consequence. Authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority No.563197 Introducing our front cover star Tyler By Andy Cove, Tyler’s dad To his family, his friends and anyone lucky enough to have Tyler in their lives, they see him as a typical, cheeky little boy with a smile that could melt even the hardest of hearts. That Tyler has Down Syndrome has almost become an afterthought and while it is always front and centre of our lives in many ways, those aspects are largely functional and logistical rather than any emotional baggage that we attach to our amazing little boy. Down Syndrome, an extra copy of the 21st chromosome, has been in the media recently with non-invasive testing threatening to reduce or even in a worst case scenario, wipe out Down Syndrome from the modern world. As Tyler’s parents, while we acknowledge the complexity of the argument, we prefer to tell Tyler’s story with all the ups and downs of a life with Down Syndrome rather than get weighed down in the politics of the argument. As such, we decided on Tyler’s 1st birthday to create a Twitter account @JustTylerCove to do just that. What started off simply as a way to post some fun pictures, or provide updates on Tyler’s health and personal development (mostly for our own benefit and the sense of marking milestones and moments) has developed into something far beyond our original expectations. In February 2016, we tweeted a picture of Tyler in his new football shirt and asked some of the players to retweet it to their larger number of followers. Shortly after, a player responded with at first a retweet (which in itself was enough!) and then later that day, a message saying he would like to send Tyler a signed shirt. The story and the relationship between Tyler and the footballer developed over the following few months culminating with Tyler - at the request of the player himself - becoming one of the youngest mascots ever to lead the team out on a glorious August day in front of 17,500 supporters all chanting his name. We saw the player again, at a slightly more low key engagement, and during cuddles and a few games, the player remarked (not for the first time) “It’s that smile. It gets me every time.” We agree. It most certainly does. @JustTylerCove 2 [email protected] T: 01926 335004 Issue 33 | January/February 2017 | Families Warwickshire Pupdate Not long after we start the New Year, Eddie will be turning 7 months old, which is when the puppy equivalent of the terrible twos can kick in! As with our toddlers, consistency, patience, positive correction (praise), love and the indispensable glass of wine will hopefully see us through this stage! New IVF Clinic and Services arrive in As I look back over the past few months, since Stratford-upon-Avon Eddie joined our family, I can honestly say that he blood tests, injections and ultrasound scans before has made a hugely positive impact on our lives and The Stratford Clinic has partnered with Oxford egg collection. Only egg collection and embryo we couldn’t imagine not having him here. Yes, it Fertility, part of one of the largest providers of transfer procedures will be conducted in Oxford, has been hard at times and my patience is tested fertility care in the UK, to open Warwickshire reducing disruption to a patient’s life. on a regular basis but he is a very friendly and Fertility. It brings world-leading fertility treatments sociable puppy and is continually heading in the previously unavailable across the West Midlands, By choosing Warwickshire Fertility at The right direction with regards to his behaviour and giving couples local access to world-leading IVF Stratford Clinic, patients are also supporting the training – let’s hope the terrible twos pass us by techniques for the first time. sustainability of local NHS services. The clinic with minimal fuss! is a social enterprise, wholly owned by South Alongside access to new treatments, seeing a team Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust, and all profits of experts close to home will remove an element of are reinvested back into the NHS. Warwickshire stress to the IVF process. Until now couples across Fertility is part of The Fertility Partnership, one of Warwickshire experiencing problems conceiving the largest providers of fertility treatment in the have had to travel outside the county to receive UK. IVF treatment. Warwickshire Fertility opening means people can now make the vast majority of www.thefertilitypartnership.com NSPCC’s Schools Service appointments in Stratford, including multiple www.thestratfordclinic.co.uk needs Warwickshire volunteers On Yer Bike for Brain A groundbreaking NSPCC school programme, Tumour Research which aims to protect a generation of children against abuse, is asking for people from across The national spinathon event is back on Warwickshire to help them in their mission. The Saturday 25 February and Brain Tumour Speak Out. Stay Safe project teaches children aged Research is looking for teams to take part. 4 to 11 how to recognise and understand abuse Gathering a group of friends, family or work while giving them the confidence to speak out and colleagues is the most fun and easy way of seek help. Thanks to the hard work of dedicated taking part and raising sponsorship. Take volunteers, Speak Out. Stay Safe’s vital messaging turns pedalling and help raise vital funds has managed to reach over 6,000 pupils in more and awareness for brain tumours. Events can than 70 schools across Warwickshire - but more take place at anytime, anywhere and for any help is needed. duration. You can host your spinathon in a gym Keep fit and have fun of your choice or even at home on an exercise Anna Eeles, the county’s NSPCC Schools bike. Coordinator explains: “Our fantastic volunteers Birmingham's first trampoline park is now open! deliver assemblies to both key stage one and two With 30,000 square feet of trampolines and extreme www.braintumourresearch.org/onyerbike children. Year 5 and 6 classes can also request a sports activities, Rush Birmingham is the perfect workshop visit. Our aim is to reach every primary place for bouncers of all ages. school child twice in their primary school life and to do so; we need to expand our volunteer base. Rush UK are passionate about health and fitness The NSPCC provide expert training and advice and are keen for you to achieve the perfect balance PetStay Warwickshire Branch and volunteers in schools always work in pairs. between keeping fit and having fun. Incorporating Supporting our volunteers is key to our work – a trampoline into your fitness regime allows you to “We Love Dogs here at PetStay” without them we cannot hope to protect and experience low-impact, healthy fun that combines Providing a loving, safe Home Dog empower children within our communities.” core exercises, strength and conditioning exercises Boarding service for your dog whilst you with high intensity interval training (HIIT). Just one are away. If you have the confidence to speak in front of a hour on the trampolines will help you burn up to Fully Licensed and Insured group of primary school children and can commit 1000 calories. If trampolines are just not for you, www.petstay.net 01789 608021 to two monthly visits during term time, you can traditional classes are offered in the studios.