Issue 3 - April 2009 Family Magazine Making life better for children, carers and communities Easter Special Issue Easter Recipe INSIDE BREAKFAST FOR DADS AND CHILDREN The past three months have been full of excitement at the children’s centre, as we have started a Dad’s Group. It runs from 10.30am to 12.30pm every other Saturday at the Gill Blowers Leabank site. The group is for dads of children under five years old, but their older siblings are also welcome. The group is becoming increasingly popular, we have had good feedback from the dads that have attended and they really seem to enjoy the group. There are lots of things for children and dads; the table football has proved to be a favourite as well as Breda’s breakfast! There is great camaraderie amongst the dads, which we believe is what makes this group a great place to be! We are planning walks, talks and visits for the future, so why don’t you come and see what this is all about! If you would like more information please call Pauline or Bhav on 01582 55 66 61. We look forward to seeing you! Welcome to this issue of your Family Magazine. Turn the page to find out how you can benefit from visiting Sure Start Children’s Centre. Please telephone or call at the centre EVENTS 2009 for our weekly activities timetable

Monday 30th Saturday 7th and 21st Thursday 5th Family Voices MARCH Scarecrow Festival 3.30 – Breakfast for Dads Market Stall, International Women’s Day Congratulations 5.30pm 10.30am – 12.30pm Congratulations to the ten parents Wednesday 15th APRIL Trip To Woodside Farm that completed the Child Behaviour The Disability Resource Centre Course last December. The parents (DRC) provides a range of Friday 15th May – 16th June Wednesday 27th were very committed, shared loads MAY National Smile Month Trip to Stockwood Park 11am – 3 pm information services to of fantastic ideas with each other give people with disabilities, Monday 22nd – 28th Wednesday 24th and made the group interesting their families, carers and JUNE Child Safety Week Picnic in the Park and fun. From left to right Ana, professionals the knowledge Friday 17th Kevan, Philomena, Xola, Eunice to make informed choices. JULY Sunflowers Measuring Day (Family Voices) and Shafy. Saturday 8th Saturday 22nd Saturday 1st Wednesday 12th AUGUST Summer Trip Summer Trip to Summer Party Family Trip (tbc) to Southend Clacton On Sea We are a newly established project set up for Marsh SEPTEMBER Farm residents. We are funded by New Deal for Communities (NDC). We are designed to be an OCTOBER Breast Cancer Awareness Month extension of the DRC, with one to one support if required. We are here to promote independent living Saturday 28th for those who are carers, young carers, older people, NOVEMBER Christmas Fayre those with learning disabilities and those with physical disabilities. Tuesday 1st Wednesday 2nd Also last December two groups of parents and DECEMBER “ Empowering people through support, World Aids Day Christmas Tree Lighting Event babies completed the Baby Massage course. Many information and choice.” congratulations to: Kelly and Shannon, Kara and Tivohn, Kellie and Finley, Michelle and Ryan, Nicola and Millie, We can answer queries on: Dawn and Lily, Alex and Jamie, Karen and Evan, Tracey • Where to obtain a Radar key or Blue Badge and Charlie and Jannet and Megan. Here are some • Mobile hairdressers and dentists available locally pictures of the groups in action: • Qualifying for a cinema ticket concession • Local walks suitable for a wheelchair • Home Help Agencies …and much more

Tel: 01582 470900 Method [email protected] 1. For almond paste you need 1lb of Marzipan. Roll out Poynters House Poynters Road Beds LU5 4TP Simnel Cake a third of the almond paste to make a circle 18cm/7in Registered Charity No. 1041712 in diameter and reserve the remainder for topping of the cake. Simnel cake is actually a tradition of Mothering Sunday rather than Easter. In the late 17th century, girls in 2. Preheat oven to 140C/275F/ Gas 1. To make the Graco Twin stroller service brought a rich fruit cake called simnel cake cake:cream the butter and sugar together until home to their mothers on the fourth Sunday of Lent. pale and fluffy. Gradually beat in the eggs until well The cake was enriched with marzipan and decorated incorporated and then sift in the flour, salt and spice (if with 11 marzipan balls representing the 12 apostles using) a little at a time. Finally, add the dried fruit, peel minus Judas, who betrayed Christ. and grated lemon rind and mix into the mixture well. Preparation time less than 30 mins 3. Put half the mixture in a greased and lined 18cm/7in Cooking time 1 to 2 hours cake tin. Smooth the top and cover with the circle of almond paste. Add the rest of the cake mixture and Ingredients smooth the top leaving a slight dip in the centre to 110g/4oz butter or margarine allow for the cake to rise. Bake in the preheated oven 110g/4oz soft brown sugar for 1_ hours. Once baked, remove from the oven and 3 eggs, beaten leave to cool. 150g/5oz plain flour 4. When you are ready to decorate the cake, preheat pinch of salt the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 3. Brush the top of This stroller is in very good condition, 1/2 tsp ground mixed spice (optional) the cooled cake with the apricot jam. Divide the 350g/12oz mixed raisins, currants remainder of the almond paste into two; roll out a complete with changing bag and rain cover and sultanas circle to cover the top of the cake with one half and 55g/2oz chopped mixed peel form 11 small balls with the other half. £80.00 ONO 1/2 lemon, grated rind only 5. Place the circle of paste on the jam and set the balls 1-2 tbsp apricot jam round the edge. Brush all the top with a little beaten egg. If interested contact Iva or Bhav on 1 egg, beaten for glazing For more information about these courses and other 1lb Marzipan 6. Return the cake to the preheated oven for about 10 01582 556661for further details. minutes or long enough for the almond paste to brown. services phone the Children’s Centre on 01582 55 66 61 “Every day brings new challenges. No two days are the same! My duties are meeting and greeting families & visitors to our centre, or looking for information on the services we have to offer”

What have you found the most Imagine you had a magic wand challenging experience so far? and could change something “Every day is just so varied! That is why I love my job! It about your job, what would it be? is very challenging, I enjoy getting involved and having “The Pay! Anything else? I wouldn’t change a thing!” a ‘hands on’ experience at events that we have from time to time, especially the Christmas Fayre or the Dads As a receptionist do you get “hands Breakfast events” on” in any activities Marsh Farm Children’s Centre gets organised? What do you find the most enjoyable about your day to day job? “As a receptionist I get involved in as much as I possibly can, whether it is helping at our events or helping mums “I like meeting different people every day & like to make with their children at the centre. The positive feedback is everyone feel welcome. I personally think that being really appreciated!” friendly and helpful breaks down barriers and enables people to approach you with confidence”

CONGRATULATIONS Announcement to our winner Michelle Pam Brown Pam Brown, member of the Marsh Farm Briggs on winning a family Children’s Centre Management Board, ticket to see "The Tiger Who and Chair person of The Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership, died Came to Tea" at Milton suddenly on 15th February 2009.

Keynes Theatre on Thursday Pam was an enthusiastic and committed supporter of Children’s Centres across Luton, 12th March 2009. and in particular the Marsh Farm Centre.

We will miss her greatly and send our condolences to her family.

WHITEHORSE VALE

NORTHWELL DRIVE

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GREAT WOOD

LEA MANOR RECREATION CENTRE

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PURLEY CENTRE MARSH FARM SURE START CHILDRENʼS CENTRE

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MARSH FARM LIBRARY BRAMINGHAM ROAD WAY Contact the Centre LYGETUN DRIVE Marsh Farm Sure Start Children’s Centre Redgrave Gardens HIGH RISE FLATS Marsh Farm SURE START GILL BLOWERS CENTRE LEABANK Luton LU3 3QN Tel: 01582 556661 Fax: 01582 515717 Email: [email protected]