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F R E E

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Issue 50 July - August 2012 www.familiesox.co.uk Great holiday activities and What’s On in Oxfordshire! Issue 50:July August.qxd 19/06/2012 22:19 Page 2 news & views Oxfordshire’s best festival From August 23–27 head along to the Towersey Festival in Thame. With five dedicated venues packed with things to do, the Festival really does have something for everyone. There are over 20 individually programmed sessions a day with opportunities to learn a dance, join a band or join in some crafts. Under 6s can join in with singing games, take part in a mini gym, enjoy some reflexology and even take their teddy or dolly to Teddies’ Hospital. There’s also a lot going on for older children, while in the evening there are lots of family shows to enjoy, including a production of the children’s book The Way Back Home (turn to page 17 to win tickets). The activities range from hundreds of gigs (over 50 artists a day), street theatre on the Showground, lantern making, loads of Ceilidh Dancing, world class cuisine to the International Market, craft and street fairs. Towersey is a wonderful way to finish your summer holidays and a very different day out. Children’s tickets start from £19. www.towerseyfestival.com for more info.

Childcare Vouchers to Pay for

Summer Holiday Camps As childcare vouchers are tax free and Summer camps are fun and exciting; national insurance exempt, parents using children can experience activities they would childcare vouchers, taking the full amount not usually experience. Camps are a great and depending on their salary, can save up tool to use if you are a working parent and to £933 per parent, per year on the cost of need childcare or to simply encourage your their childcare. The Busy Bees nursery in child to engage in more social activities. BIcseter is one of many childcare providers The cost of sending children to camps is an in Oxfordshire that accept childcare important factor. Did you know you can use vouchers. Busy Bees are campaigning to your childcare vouchers, taken as a salary raise the weekly childcare voucher cap from sacrifice via your employer, to pay for the £55 to £75 per week to help parents save cost of most summer camps? Be savvy, if more on the cost of childcare. If you want you intend to send your child to a camp in to support the campaign, you can sign the the following year you can save up childcare Busy Bees e-petition on their web site. vouchers to pay for the costs. www.busybeesbenefits.com

Headington Preparatory We have had an enormous School girls join in ‘The Big response to our Reader Dribble’ Survey. Thank you! All prize The whole of Headington Preparatory winners have been notified. School’s Lower II were lucky to take part in The Big Dribble at Oxford Brookes Sports Resolving The Working Centre in May. This is a GB Hockey flagship Mother’s Dilemma event involving a giant ball moving down Many of us find it hard to balance the the country. Oxford was one of the cities in needs of the family with our need to carry Summer reading challenge the UK to take part in this event. The girls on working and doing something we enjoy. Libraries across the UK are gearing up to all ‘dribbled’ a hockey ball around a 100m That was the dilemma Diana Page found introduce children to an imagination track to help GB herself in when she started her family 11 paradise that will keep them reading Hockey set a world years ago. “I knew that I wanted to be able throughout the school summer holidays. record for dribbling a to raise my children – but I also wanted to Story Lab, the 2012 Summer Reading ball 2012 km. They provide a good lifestyle and the right Challenge run by The Reading Agency, an also got the chance education options, whilst doing something I independent charity, aims to inspire to sign a giant enjoyed,” she says. children to read in their holidays. Children hockey ball and write can sign up at your local library from the a good luck message Diana is now working under the umbrella of end of June. There will be incentives and to the GB players. Forever, which she says is an amazing rewards, plus a certificate or medal if they The ball will be company, and earning a six figure income. complete the Challenge. “Pop down to presented to them at She’s able to attend all the various sports, your local library and find out more about the test event at the social and school events while developing a what's happening,” says Anne Sarrag, Olympic venue. The meaningful career. Summer Reading Challenge director, “and girls received a If you want to have your cake and eat it help your children discover a love of stories certificate to too, contact Diana, who is recruiting whilst they develop their reading skills over commemorate the working partners to work part-time from the summer holidays.” An interactive Story day. Despite the rain, home. You’ll get full hands-on training and Lab website www.story-lab.org.uk launches fun was had by all. support and follow a proven business this month, enabling children to talk about www.headington.org/prep 01865 759861 model. their favourite books, or follow the Summer www.yeshaveitall.com 01235 533362 Reading Challenge on Facebook. 2 JULY / AUGUST 2012 Issue 50:July August.qxd 19/06/2012 22:20 Page 3

FAMILIES JULY / AUGUST 2012

A fond farewell… and a warm welcome After eight fantastic years as editor of The reason I chose Ema as my successor is Families Oxfordshire, I am handing over the not only because she has all the credentials reins to a new editor. to be the editor of the magazine, but also In this issue: because of her commitment and wonderful Ema Murphy will be taking over the personality. I feel confident she will connect News & views 2-4 editorship of this much loved publication. with readers and advertisers alike and that She has many years experience in PR and Summer Holidays 6-9 the magazine will continue to be successful. journalism and has worked in local schools. Counselling your child 10-11 Perhaps more importantly, Ema is a local And so I leave Families Oxfordshire and you, Books 12 mum, which means she knows what’s loyal readers, in safe hands and thank you important to parents in Oxfordshire. all for the wonderful eight years. A big Career 13 thank you too to my own amazing family for Over fifty people responded when I their support, to all the contributors and in Education 14 advertised I wanted to hand over the particular the lovely ladies who distribute Parenting 15 magazine to a new editor. This wasn’t a WIN the magazine across Oxfordshire. surprise because I knew, from readers’ Back to School 16 Many of them have become dear friends. feedback and the response our advertisers What’s on 17-19 WIN Goodbye and farewell! get, how popular Families Oxfordshire is. Luca & Maya 20 Felice Vermeulen, Editor Wallingford is first choice for unique children’s drama school London based Perform Drama, Dance and PERFORM PLUS CLASSES in Wallingford will Outgoing Editor: Felice Vermeulen Contact: [email protected] Singing Workshops started a class in take place at 2.15 pm on Saturdays at January 2000 with 3 children. They now have Benson Youth Hall, Wallingford Next issue: 4000 children attending their workshops Oxford Road, Benson, Wallingford, OX10 6LX September / October 2012: Back to School across London and have chosen Wallngford All children are invited to a Free Trial Session. Copy deadline 10 AUG 2012 as their newest Perform Plus destination, To advertise in Families Oxfordshire contact opening in September 2012. www.perform.org.uk 0845 400 4000 Ema Murphy on: 01993 815966 or 07733 228 038 Perform is a new type of children’s drama email: [email protected] school. They use a unique mix of drama, dance and singing specially formulated to Circulation: We distribute free copies in hundreds of schools and nurseries throughout Oxfordshire. If your school, nursery bring out every child’s true potential. Classes or parent group would like copies of Families Oxfrdshire let are kept small to ensure lots of individual us know and we’ll sort things out. attention by their experienced Copyright: Families Oxfordshire July 2012 actor/teachers. They work exclusively with Disclaimer: Colour transparencies and any other original materials submitted for publication are sent at owner's own 8-12 year old children and their focus is risk and while every care is taken, neither Families nor its entirely on The 4 C’s. Confidence, agents accept liability for loss or damage. We take care in Communication, Co-ordination and preparing this magazine but publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor Concentration. They don’t send children to for the accuracy of the contents nor for any consequence. auditions or castings, but focus on helping Families Group: Families Oxfordshire is part of a group children develop their social skills whilst established in 1990 and headed by Families South West. having the best fun of the week. They are All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. also centrally run as opposed to being a Front cover franchised business. Photo: courtesy Richard Merrett. Principal Lucy Quick says: “We are incredibly Team Merrett - Many thanks to the excited about opening in Wallingford from Merrett family who have supported September. It’s an amazingly creative area, Families Oxfordshire since the start and we have already found some fantastic eight years ago. local people to lead the workshops.”

JULY / AUGUST 2012 3 Issue 50:July August.qxd 19/06/2012 22:20 Page 4 news & views Step inside a successful story Forget handbags and organic moisturisers, SCHOOLS’ OPEN DAYS hundreds of women are turning to children's books as a way to make a living RYE ST ANTONY OXFORD and involving their children in the process. Wed 19 Sep Open Day 01865 762802 www.ryestantony.co.uk A new army of creative entrepreuneurs, The Barefoot Ladies, are selling Oxford-based THE MANOR PREPARATORY SCHOOL Barefoot Books through an array of creative Sat 6 Oct 10.00am - 12.30pm and colourful channels, from music festivals, 01235 858462 www.manorprep.org arts and crafts fairs, story-telling festivals, ABINGDON PREPARATORY SCHOOL schools, fundraisers and home parties to Sat 13 Oct Open Morning make good money in the face of recession. 01865 392303 www.abingdon.org.uk/prep And their children are their most trusted OUR LADY’S ABINGDON advisors, reviewing books and helping out Sat 15 Oct Open Morning 10.00am -1.00pm at events. 01235 523147 (Junior School) www.olab.org.uk The new catalogue features travel books, books for creative kids, Barefoot classics for all ages and a new range of action and adventure books for independent children.

The Barefoot Books studio in north Oxford stocks these titles but also offers arts and crafts and story-telling sessions, music The Bare Facts …about Spray workshops, yoga and pilates as well as Tanning gourmet organic food.

There’s no doubt about it, having a tan www.barefootbooks.com 08003282640 makes us look and feel better. But The people behind ARCh acquiring that sun-kissed glow is not always so easy and can be costly, both in terms of Become an ARCh volunteer money and our health. A natural tan Assisted Reading for Children (ARCh) is a After successfully completing the application, inevitably requires at least one trip abroad, registered charity which recruits, trains and checking and training process, ARCh while a sun-bed version involves repeated supports volunteers who work on a one to volunteers are assigned to a local primary treatments, and both are associated with one basis with children in primary schools school, which they visit twice a week during risks of skin damage from ultraviolet across Oxfordshire. the school day. Three children are chosen for radiation. There is a solution to this each helper and volunteers commit to conundrum - spray tanning. It can be the Schools select children for ARCh support for continue to work with them for the entire solution for those who are browned off various reasons and the aim of the charity is academic year. with both sunburn and the solarium. Julie to provide them with a love of reading Mutton of Bare UK says: “The good news is which will last a lifetime. You don’t need any particular qualifications that spray tan products are safe and natural There are currently around 200 volunteers or experience to be a volunteer. All you and offer a real benefit, since they allow working in over 100 schools, supporting need is to be patient, enjoy reading and you all the pleasure of a lovely even all- more than 600 children. have the appropriate interpersonal skills to over bronzing, without the worry about sun help children and liaise with school staff. However the charity is looking to recruit protection, peeling and sunburn, or the ARCh provides full training and ongoing more volunteers to help more children, long-term harmful effects of the sun or sun support. beds.” particularly in Oxford City, Bicester, Banbury, www.bareUK.co.uk 07773 764817 Thame, Abingdon and Berinsfield. www.archoxfordshire.org.uk 01869 320380

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FAMILIES JULY / AUGUST 2012

JULY / AUGUST 2012 5 Issue 50:July August.qxd 19/06/2012 22:21 Page 6 SUMMER HOLIDAYS

Fly a kite Take the family challenge Every family has a kite or three, usually given as birthday or Christmas presents and with fiendishly difficult-looking instructions. We sometimes thought about taking our children to fly them, but something always held us back – usually doubts about how to do it, and whether the area we were planning to kite-fly in photo Mark Parker Kitevibe .com Tree Top Adventure ! was actually big enough. But a lesson from Kevin Baker of Southern Breeze, a kite- flying operation based at Baiter Park on

photo Go Ape Poole harbour, set us straight: Kevin showed us how to make sure we were in a suitable kite-flying area (you need to use Summer 2012 is going to be all about active fun and your thumb to check the height of the surrounding obstacles, to make sure they’re getting out and about in the UK, which, for all of us far enough away), and you need to give the kite a forceful yank to get it into the cash-strapped families, is a lot cheaper than going sky. More adventurous families can abroad. So what are the best activities to enjoy en progress to kite-buggying and kite- boarding, in which you use the power of famille? Joanna Moorhead investigates. an airborne kite to propel yourself along on a vehicle on the ground. Swing through the forest Take an underground walk For more information on Kevin Baker see www.sbkites.co.uk or for the British Kite A tree-top adventure makes for an There’s something strangely thrilling about Flying Association www.bkfa.org.uk adrenalin-charged day out with the taking a walk through a cave, into the very children – and while you’re up there, you inside of the earth – the atmosphere is STAY LOCAL! get some brilliant views as well! quite different from anywhere else you’ll The White Horse Kite Flyers club is based Personally, I’ve never been so happy to be ever go,and the memories of what you see near Swindon, www.whkf.org.uk back on solid ground as when I got down and experience stay with you for a long from the terrifying heights of the forest time. And, of course, every child needs to Climb the rocks course I tried out with my kids...but on the understand the difference between those upside, at least I did make it down, and stalactites and stalagmites. Some of the Rock-climbing is apparently one of the relying on them to help me through the best caves in the country are at Cheddar fastest-growing sports in Britain, and giving most white-knuckle parts of the course Gorge in Somerset, the White Scar Cave at it a try makes for a great family day out. went a long way in terms of family Ingleton in Yorkshire, where you can take Like all the best family challenges it’s about bonding! an 80-minute tour through some of the supporting one another, learning new skills, Until recently Go Ape! had been restricted country’s most awesome subterranean rock encouraging people when they need it, to over-10s, but there’s now a new course formations, and Wookey Hole near Wells in and celebrating new-found abilities and at two of the company’s 27 centres Somerset, home (apparently) to the Witch courage! Family climbing courses abound – nationwide – Thetford near Brandon, and of Wookey. Not suitable, though, for a google to find one in your area – and most Moors Valley Country Park near buggy or a wheelchair. are for complete beginners and take Bournemouth. It’s designed for children as For more information on the caves children from about eight (although some young as four, although they also need to mentioned here see specialise in working with younger be at least a metre tall, and it’s an hour- www.whitescarcave.co.uk children). Look for a course where you long course which, like the over-10s Go www.cheddargorge.co.uk have a dedicated instructor: you’ll learn Ape! courses, takes children (and their www.wookey.co.uk (amongst other things) how to belay (ie parents) through a network of looping hold the ropes safely) and how to make obstacles five metres above the forest the most of the rock’s features for your floor, including the spider’s web, log hands and feet. If you’re looking for a balance and jungle crossing, before family challenge in a rainy period, look up finishing on a tree-to-tree zipwire. climbing walls in your area and see if you www.goape.co.uk can hire an instructor for a family session there instead. STAY LOCAL! High Ropes Oxford offers recreational STAY LOCAL! sessions for individuals, families and other The Rock Solid Climbing Wall at Oxford groups, such as children’s birthday parties, Brookes University offers casual climbing at Culham Adventure Park, Furze Brake on weekdays and at weekends. (woodland rear of Culham No 1 Site) off Special Kids Open Sessions on Mondays for the A415, OX14 3DA. Minimum age 10 yrs, ages7+, and the Rock Stars Kids Club on minimum height 140cm. Sunday morning for age groups 7-9yrs, 01865 727378 www.highropesoxford 10-13yrs, 14-17yrs. photo Urban Ascent www.urbanascent.co.uk 01865 484373 www.brookes.ac.uk/sport/facilities/climb

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Find a geocache photo Derek Hayward Geocaching is one of those things that sounds totally perplexing to anyone who’s never tried it, but is a huge hit with almost everyone who has. The idea is to find some ‘treasure’ – treasure that’s hidden in a box, and is findable using a hand-held satnav system (any will do). The treasure in question usually consists of a plastic box like a lunchbox with a whole host of miscellaneous bits and pieces in it – things like small toys, CDs, pens, anything. The Ride the tracks rule is that when you find your treasure For a family with people who can’t get you’re allowed to take one thing out, and around very easily – elderly grandparents, you must put one thing in – and sign the for example, or other people with special log book of course. The treasure is hidden needs – you can’t beat a trip on a steam everywhere and anywhere – in cities, in railway. Most of these railways, preserved the countryside, even underwater. from Victorian times, are in areas of For more information see breathtaking natural beauty – the glorious www.geocaching.com Sussex countryside whisks by if you take the Bluebell Railway, for example, or if STAY LOCAL! you’re in Yorkshire try the Embsay, which From 24 July to 2 September the University still runs from its original 1888 station near of Oxford Harcourt Arboretum in Nuneham Skipton in Yorkshire through some of the Courtenay offers family friendly geo- most glorious Dales countryside. caching treasure hunts. GPS units can be For more information on the lines borrowed for a £40 deposit. mentioned here see 01865 341576 www.harcourt- www.bluebell-railway.co.uk and arboretum.ox.ac.uk www.embsayboltonabbeyrailway.org.uk, or see www.steamrailwaylines.co.uk for the lines across the UK .

Go canoeing Canoeing centres up and down the country offer equipment hire and instruction for families who want to dip their toes in the water. Your instructor will help you learn how to paddle, how to turn and how to negotiate rapids – and he or she will also ensure that you’re canoeing in a suitable place, and in suitable weather, for the age of your children (which is crucial, because accidents can happen quickly in canoes). What’s especially lovely about canoeing is that you can also have a day out that’s close to wildlife – look out for fish, water birds and dragonflies. If you’re lucky you might even spot an otter or a water vole. Hiring a canoe and instructor costs around £150 for half a day. For more information see www.canoe- england.org.uk/go-canoeing or British Canoe Union (BCU) www.bcu.org.uk STAY LOCAL! Isis Source is a club-within-a-club at Isis Canoe Club in Oxford, specially for families with older children aged 10+. www.isiscanoecluboxford.co.uk Cherwell Canoe Club runs courses every summer in Banbury. Participants must be aged 8+. www.cherwellcc.org.uk/Courses

JULY / AUGUST 2012 7 Issue 50:July August.qxd 19/06/2012 22:21 Page 8 SUMMER HOLIDAYS Here comes summer classic tale. “It’s a great performance An active summer at the opportunity” says principal Maya Sprigg from Lighthouse Stagecoach Oxford. “Plus, it’s great fun and The Lighthouse provides a caring amazing what they can learn in just a environment in which children can develop week”. There are a few places left for the 5 and learn. It is a happy place to be in the day courses at the end of July and beginning rain and sunshine because of the outdoor of August. The advanced showcase for older classrooms on the decking and the large children, Hairspray, has been amazingly field with plenty of opportunity for active popular. and imaginative play. The gardens grow Many Stagecoach centres run courses during beans, peas, lettuce and tomatoes, which the holidays. Look out for Stagecoach have enjoyed the rain, Abingdon’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and ‘Hoodie’ Holiday fun for and sunflowers and ‘Phantom of the Theatre’, as well as strawberries which age 4-10 at Stagecoach Banbury’s ‘Allsorts’. All offer quality learning are looking forward to Children love putting on a show in the living and performing experiences. room – but imagine how they would feel the sun. putting on a show in a real theatre, For more details, contact your local The nursery is open complete with all the lights and costumes of Stagecoach principal. a show! This summer, treat them to 5 days from 23 July to 31 August for children rehearsing ‘Little Red Hoodie’ a show Oxford – Maya Sprigg 01869 278600 up to the age of 8. written specifically for four to 10 year olds Abingdon – Julia Howson 0845 113 0320 The Seagulls theme and staged at The Theatre at Headington, Bicester – Jenna McKee 07983 378 883 ‘Oceans Around the Oxford. Banbury – Melissa Allen 01869 249318 World’ will give them Aside from having the time of their lives, all Thame – Nicky Goodwin 01865 763767 the opportunity to the children will have fun creating, exploring www.stagecoach.co.uk explore the coasts,

Photo: Monty Smith, a scene from Stagecoach Oxford’s production of Arabian Nights last Summer and the performing this quirky version of a under the ocean and sailing the high seas. At the end of August the Lighthouse will programme of activities Watch out! Coyotes pack transform the field into the seaside village developed by the of 'Newington on Sea’. On Thursday takes over Oxford!! Communicate Project. 30 August there will be a Seaside Charity Coyotes is a new, fun, innovative, exciting The Communicate Project is Afternoon for CLICSargent and and engaging Spanish course for children planning some fantastic Csytic Fibrosis. aged 7-11. The first “litter” of Coyotes is workshops for children this about to complete their first year of Spanish summer, and organising September will bring a change as an learning in July, achieving level 1.1, and will CommuniKids Puppet & Drama “Extended Day” starting at 8.00 am will be celebrate with a great evening at the Old Group to start in September. The lessons and provided to allow parents to drop off Fire Station Theatre in Oxford. There will be workshops run during term time and in the children at The Lighthouse and get to work songs and a short play in Spanish, together summer in Oxford. with an animation-fashion show, and the on time. www.lighthousenurseryschool.co.uk children will be the protagonists of the www.spanishcoyotes.co.uk 01865 891712 event. The Spanish lessons are part of the www.communicateproject.com

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Summer Adventures bridges, Tarzan swings, zip slides and then Explore Learning Summer is here and Lasergaming & High the final Jungle Commando test, the 45ft The summer holidays are fast approaching, Ropes Oxford brings you one the best Drop Zone Parachute Descender. Earn your and children across Oxford will be hanging summer holiday adventure days Oxfordshire wings, after climbing 13m on to your Launch up their schoolbags until September. has to offer. Platform, you will then prepare for your However with research showing that many decent. Will you make the Jump? children fall behind over the summer Be a commando for the day with holidays, many parents are keen for their Lasergaming adventure days for children Of course if you would like the ultimate children not to neglect learning completely. aged 8+, this summer. Lasergaming is a live outdoor adventure then check out the Camp This is one of the reasons why July is the combat entertainment experience using Commando Black Ops course, which lasts most popular time of year for new infra-red gaming guns. Inspired by popular two days and one night. For children 10+. members to join Explore Learning. The video games such as Halo2, Call of Duty, ethos of these fun and interactive tuition outdoor Lasergaming is just like a computer www.outdoorlaser.com 01865 727378. centres is to complement the school game but real. If you play the XBox, Wii, experience, combining learning with a PLAYSTATION you will love this. The gaming vibrant environment that children love. guns use a harmless infra-red beam, similar Going to Explore just once or twice a week to a TV remote, that tags sensors worn by over the summer will help children retain each player. all the skills they have been working to master in school and even build up more Or why not be a Jungle commando V.I.P on a for the new term ahead. Free trials are multi activity day that combines available at the Heyford Hill Oxford Centre. Lasergaming with High Ropes. Conquer the www.explorelearning.co.uk 01865 595509 elements, negotiate the balance beams, suspended tunnel, cargo nets, burma Summer Splashing Tips Staying Safe The summer holidays are a great Be safety conscious at the pool side or sea opportunity to practice all the great skills side. Check where the rescue equipment you’ve learned so far at your Water Babies and first aid kit are and whether there are classes. Waterbabies have very kindly any lifeguards on duty. provided the following health and safety tips that you need to keep in mind when Flotation devices are not life preservers. swimming or around water with your little They are not a substitution for supervision. ones this summer. If you haven’t tried If you use a flotation device ensure that it Waterbabies yet, they have free taster fits the size and age of the child. MAD Academy ‘Summer of sessions running during July. Always actively supervise your children Sport’ holiday classes Keeping Warm in Water while they are in, on or near the water. It is MAD Academy will be helping to keep Be very aware of the temperature of the vitally important that any adult nominated children entertained this summer with pool you are swimming to watch the child is able to swim and is not classes in Oxford and Bicester over the in. Limit the time in the afraid to jump in. summer holidays. The holiday classes will pool to what your baby have a special sports theme to help young is comfortable If you must leave, even for the shortest children celebrate the amazing summer of with. Use a wetsuit to time, take your child with you or designate a sport. MAD Academy’s holiday classes are give them that extra bit known adult to supervise. packed full of fun games and activities of warmth. inspired by the sporting events and of Watch their lips – any Never leave an older sibling to watch course lots of music and dancing! change in colour is a sign younger children. www.madacademy.com 01869 369502 their core body temperature is dropping. www.waterbabies.co.uk 01869 325499

JULY / AUGUST 2012 9 Issue 50:July August.qxd 19/06/2012 22:22 Page 10 COUNSELLING YOUR CHILD The Story behind ‘The Copper Tree’ Three years ago Families Leeds editor Sarah Butters had to tell her then 5 year old daughter about the death of a young relative. She searched for a book to help her. Three years on, she’s found that book and has been along to chat to its author, Hilary Robinson.

personalities and their own memories of determined to make the card herself but Miss Evans. One child remembers how her her fine motor skills had started to go and teacher had taught her to share, another so the writing was shaky.” remembers she’d taught him about how However sad the theme, this isn’t a sad plants grow. Each child chooses words that book. It is a story about loss, but it’s also a are then inscribed on copper leaves which eath. It’s a topic no one wants to story about the gifts we give each day to will hang on a Copper Tree made by the think about but almost all families each other. It’s written from the point of school caretaker. Dwill have to deal with at some point. view of Olivia, one of the children, so there For most, it’s the passing of an elderly “The idea for the tree came from the Tree are places where the narrator’s mind relative, but for some it’s the loss of of Life at St Gemma’s Hospice in Leeds,” wanders - to observe a three legged dog someone much younger. It’s not a topic says Hilary. “It’s a beautiful copper tree and winning a race at Sports Day, or a traditionally tackled in children’s fiction, bereaved relatives can hang a leaf inscribed classmate’s obsession with bats. until now. with the name of the loved one they lost. The beautiful illustrations and simple story I’ve always thought that it’s a really The Copper Tree is the story of a class of disguise a book that’s been well researched wonderful idea.” children who learn how to cope with the and given the support of experts in the field death of their teacher, Miss Evans. We The book was inspired by Hilary’s own loss. of child bereavement. Hilary was keen to witness the youngsters finding out she’s Seven years ago her sister in law Caroline make sure she handled the delicate subject unwell, her final visit to the school and how lost her battle with breast cancer. Caroline matter with sensitivity and responsibility they deal with the news of her death. had been head teacher at Cross Hall Infant and as a result, she’s won the support of School in Morley. As Hilary reads through leading charities and hospices around the “The aim of the book is to celebrate the life The Copper Tree explaining various pictures country. lost and find a way to continue the and references, it’s clear this book is a very memory,” explains Hilary. “Experts call this “There were three main considerations,” personal tribute to a very brave lady. There’s Continuing Bonds Theory. The children in explains the author. “Firstly the importance a part where the children receive a letter Miss Evans’ class are encouraged to of using real people, not animals. Secondly, from Miss Evans “in shaky writing” which is remember the character and qualities she you’ve got to avoid euphemisms. If you tell a reference to one of Hilary’s own imparted and to pass them on. It means the a 5 year old they’ve ‘lost’ someone, they’ll memories of Caroline. person who has died, lives on in a sense.” think you’ll eventually find them. Finally “I remember my daughters getting an The children in the class all have their own there should be no whimsical notions of Easter card written by Caroline. She’d been heaven. What do we really know? It’s up to parents and teachers to explain as they feel fit.” Hilary would like The Copper Tree to be used as a resource in schools and shared in classrooms across the country as a way of encouraging children to communicate. The message the book gives is that a life lived is to be celebrated and those touched by that life should pass on what they’ve learnt. To Hilary and her family, the publication of The Copper Tree is a celebration of the short but full life her sister in law Caroline lived. Her spirit, courage and memory will now live on in the pages of this amazing book and in the hearts of those who read it. The Copper Tree is available through the official website www.thecoppertree.org or in book shops. 10 JULY / AUGUST 2012 Issue 50:July August.qxd 19/06/2012 22:23 Page 11

Newcastle and some self defence classes. However one of the most poignant Helping children through grief exercises is ‘A Day to Remember’.

“It’s a very direct look at a child’s grief, but done in a fun way,” says Dan. “It’s a day of arts and crafts focused around the person who has died. It allows the children to process the memories, and not just the good ones. It’s about remembering the whole person.”

Art is a big part of the therapy at St Gemma’s and Dan uses drawing with the children. When the words run out, drawing a picture can be a way of communicating feelings. The walls of the art room are covered with work from both those being treated here and the children they leave behind.

“A useful exercise to do with a child is to divide a piece of paper into three sections,” explains Dan. “This is before, during and the future. Get the child to draw a picture in t’s a sad fact, but at some point in their but most of the children Dan works with each area. It helps to start a conversation, young life, your child will lose a loved say they prefer to know what’s going on. It acknowledge what’s happened but one. How do you help them process their gives them the chance to ask questions, I importantly to see there’s a future. This can grief and when do children need and gives parents the chance to explain take some children 10 minutes and others professional support? Sarah Butters talked things. Open and honest language is also much longer.” with Dan Bordoley, Children and Young vital. People’s Worker. Dan will see about 100 children this year “Be clear with the words you use. Don’t be aged between 5 and 16 years old. He The branches of the Tree of Life at afraid to say ‘death’ and ‘dying’ otherwise describes his job as a privilege. The children St Gemma’s Hospice are filled with delicate the child will be confused,” Dan explains. “If he’s supported over his 5 years here have copper leaves inscribed with the names of you say you’ve ‘lost’ someone, a child taught him a positive and important lesson those who have died here. Each of these thinks they can be found. If you say about the human spirit that can give every leaves represents a life lost, a family someone has ‘fallen asleep’ a child thinks grieving family hope in their darkest hour. bereaved. Dan Bordoley has supported they can be woken, or they can be scared hundreds of children from those families to go to sleep themselves.” “Most children are OK. Yes, they will be through their grief. The smiling faces changed. Yes, the experience will stay with looking out of the latest newsletter from his Dan’s work combines individual and family them for life. But they’ll be OK.” department reveal that he’s doing vital counselling with group workshops. Those work. workshops use art, drama, dance and sport Sarah Butters is editor of Families Leeds. to either focus the children’s mind on Dan Bordoley is based at St Gemma’s Dan supports children dealing with the very working through their grief, or providing a Hospice in Leeds. worst sort of loss – often a parent - and positive distraction with young people [email protected] says there are as many different ways of going through the same experiences. At the 0113 218 5500 grieving as there are children. moment Dan’s planning a sailing trip in

“Everyone grieves in their own way, at their own pace,” explains Dan. “Most model their parents, especially younger children. Very young children tend not to understand and so don’t accept the person has gone. They think they’re coming back. Death doesn’t mean the same to a young child as it does to you and me. That changes when they get to about 6 years old. Then they begin to understand the person who has died, isn’t coming back. They will have feelings but at that age, can struggle with verbalizing them.”

Honesty and direct, real language are the key to communicating with children. There’s a natural instinct as a parent to want to protect your child from sadness and loss,

JULY / AUGUST 2012 11 Issue 50:July August.qxd 19/06/2012 22:23 Page 12 BOOKSDANCE Waterstones selection of this summer’s best holiday reading for children All books are available from your local Waterstones bookshop and online at www.waterstones.com My First Justin’s Jokes Goldilocks and Just The One The Great Dog Disaster Justin Fletcher, Faber £4.99 Bear Katie Davies, Simon & Schuster £5.99 Hands up if you like laughing! Children's TV by Leigh Hodgkinson, Nosy Crow £6.99 Suzanne's Great-Great-Aunt Deidra has left superstar Justin Fletcher shares Many years have her dog to Suzanne's Mum in her will. his favourite jokes for young passed since Suzanne is over-the-moon fans in "My First Justin's Jokes". Goldilocks caused about having a dog again, after Giggle-tastic, full-colour spreads chaos at the Bears' her old dog Barney was 'sent include hilarious scenes on the house in the woods, away to a farm' by her Dad. But farm, at a festival and going to but what happens when Beatrice the bed - perfect for ages 2+. when Little Bear Newfoundland arrives, she is a Warning! This book will make wanders out of his BIG disappointment. She's smelly and old and miserable you laugh out loud. fairytale and into the big city where and doesn't like walks, or Hugless Douglas and the Goldilocks now lives? catching sticks, or any of the Big Sleep Goldilocks is now things that dogs are meant to like. So Anna and Suzanne devise a plan to David Melling, Hodder £10.99 grown up with a family and a rather smart apartment, so how will she react to coming turn Beatrice into a proper dog - but if they Douglas is very excited about Rabbit's home and finding that a very lost bear has don't pull it off soon, Suzanne's Dad will sleepover, but he collects so many friends been scoffing porridge, breaking chairs and send Beatrice away too. along the way that soon it's a big squash in sleeping in beds? Will she be cross, or is Rabbit's small burrow! Can Douglas think of finally time to make amends? a way for them all to get some The Sleeping Army sleep? David Melling 's third Mystery Horse Francesca Simon, Profile £6.99 book about Douglas the brown Jane Smiley, Faber Freya is an ordinary girl living in modern bear combines brilliantly £6.99 Britain, but with a twist: people still imaginative illustrations with an worship the Viking gods. One evening, endearing sense of what it is When Abby Lovitt gets to work at her family's stuck with her dad on his night shift at the like to be a small child learning British Museum, she is drawn to the Lewis about the world. ranch, she can hardly believe her luck. True Chessmen and Heimdall's Horn. Unable to Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Blue is a beauty, a dapple resist, she blows the horn, waking three Flies Again grey, and he needs a new chess pieces from their enchantment; the slaves Roskva and Alfi, and Snot the Frank Cottrell Boyce, Macmillan £6.99 home - his owner was Berserk. They are all summoned to When the Tooting family find tragically killed in a car Asgard, land of the Viking gods, a vast abandoned engine crash, and no one has claimed him. Her and told they must go on a perilous and fit it to their camper van, father is wary, as always. But Abby is journey to restore the gods to they have no idea of the smitten. True Blue is a sweetheart, and youth. If Freya refuses she will be adventure that lies ahead. whenever Abby calls out, "Blue, Blue, how turned into an ivory chess piece The engine used to belong to are you?" he whinnies back. But but, if she accepts her destiny and an extraordinary flying car sometimes True Blue seems, well fails, the same terrible fate awaits and it wants to be back on ...spooked. Abby starts to wonder about her. the road again ...fast! True Blue's previous owner.

12 JULY / AUGUST 2012 Issue 50:July August.qxd 19/06/2012 22:23 Page 13 CAREER Birth and Beyond Get ready for a new career in a booming business with the NCT and the University of Worcester’s new certificate of higher education

f you’re looking for a rewarding job you One NCT antenatal teacher, Fiona, said: “For can fit around your family, or are thinking me, my NCT work fits around the needs of about returning to study or work after my teenage boys. The training is very having a baby, a change of career to comprehensive, diverse and interesting and become an NCT practitioner could be just of a very high standard. I also love getting what you need. together with other practitioners and sharing ideas. I have a job I can do around NCT, the UK’s largest charity for parents, and my family and earn a decent hourly wage.” the University of Worcester have joined The new Certificate of Higher Education – forces to provide university-accredited Birth and Beyond Practitioner, completed training for those wanting to support over one or two years, is the only parents on their journey from pregnancy to university-accredited qualification for parenthood by becoming an NCT parenting education. Qualifying students practitioner. can then begin a year of probationary practice, delivering innovative Preparation NCT College admissions are open for for Birth and Beyond (PBB) courses based courses beginning in September 2012. on the Department of Health’s new There’s no better training if you want to framework. So, you can start earning an build up a rewarding and enjoyable career income from your new knowledge and working with parents at a unique and skills right away. important time in their lives. Students can choose from a range of NCT is well-known for the information and modules from the Foundation Degree support its practitioners provide through course. Will you train as an antenatal antenatal courses, breastfeeding counselling teacher, breastfeeding counsellor, postnatal and facilitated postnatal groups, enabling leader or NCT Doula? Or perhaps you’d be parents to feel more confident and more interested in running NCT Yoga for prepared for their new role. Pregnancy classes. In the climate of an ever-increasing birth The courses allow students to learn through rate and overstretched maternity services, a mixture of tutorials, one-to-one time with there could not be a better time to build a tutors and online learning. With tutorials run fulfilling career as an NCT practitioner across the UK and study days hosted working alongside midwives and other regionally, students can complete the health professionals to support new and majority of their studies without the need expectant parents. As one of the UK’s to travel to Worcester. This flexibility is ideal largest network of practitioners working if you’re looking for a career you can juggle with new and expectant parents, students around a young family, and the varied are supported to find work quickly and syllabus offers plenty of choice depending easily through the charity’s national on your interests and aspirations. operation. If you are interested in finding out more visit www.nct.org.uk/nct-college JULY / AUGUST 2012 13 Issue 50:July August.qxd 19/06/2012 22:23 Page 14 EDUCATION From primary to secondary Making the transition to secondary school. How much should you help and how much should you let go? Margaret Ansell has supported large numbers of children and parents through this transition and this is what she has learnt. After the transition

BE THERE Make sure a parent or trusted carer is available before and after school to provide food, notice if your child comes in late, listen to their successes and concerns and be aware of subtle changes in mood; Watch and listen, help out if asked but don’t take over. Become an Enabler rather than a Fixer. SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF FRIENDSHIPS It is of great importance to older children that they mix socially and establish secure friendships. They need to do this whilst still young enough to turn to you for support when they make mistakes. Gradually they will learn to make informed choices about friends. It’s appropriate for this age group to have access to a basic mobile phone and computer but the dangers of social networking should be discussed and boundaries agreed upon. SUPPORT ORGANISATION AND ROUTINES. he transition from Primary to Before the transition Create “To Do Lists” or “Timetables” for the Secondary School is an anxious fridge, agree places to keep bags, kit, and time for parents. During the books. Label uniform and valuables. T Establish routines so they can get to school primary school years, it is fairly SHIELD YOUR CHILD FROM YOUR ANXIETY punctually. Don’t expect too much too soon, easy to support your child at school. They can make this transition. Critically, many won’t crack this for years! they need to know that you believe in You will probably know his teacher, UNDERSTAND WHAT HOMEWORK THEY HAVE them and their ability to deal with other members of staff and Agree a routine that will help your child to difficulties and challenges. parents, as well as being familiar complete and hand in all homework on time, without devoting too much time to with school policies and routines. RELAX THE ORGANISATION Towards the end one piece and little or nothing to others. The thought of losing the control of year 6, step back from the organisation However, remember it is their homework of your child’s school life e.g. packing school this familiarity offers is as daunting not yours; help, encourage, motivate but bags etc. You may secretly want to savour for parents as it is for children and accept their best. these last few months of dependency but you may well wonder how best to your child needs a taste of independence. If SCHEDULE TIME TO RELAX. Your child will be continue to support your child. they are slow to take up the reins, don’t exhausted by the effort of holding it all take over and don’t despair, they will get together. Tears are likely over the most You may also worry specifically there eventually. trivial things and they may regress and demand more care. Trust that they can about your child’s ability to cope PRACTICE THE NEW JOURNEY If your child cope and make sure there is time for sleep, with the new environment and will walk to school or travel independently friends, homework, more sleep, watching crucially, whether he or she will on public transport, start by travelling TV, playing computer games and yet more make friends. together but without interaction. Then sleep! Avoid weekend breaks and reduce move to simply following behind your child. extra-curricular commitments to the Your anxieties may be eased by Finally, let him do it alone and meet him minimum. there. Travel at busy times. Allow your child adopting strategies that help with And lastly, schedule time to relax yourself! to make mistakes and find solutions. This the transition. All will eventually be well. equips them with the skills to handle the In the following columns you will unexpected like bus detours and road Margaret Ansell owns and runs The Study closures. Zone in Twickenham and provides study find some tips and tools, which support, holiday activities and childcare for should help you prepare for and children age 8 to 16. manage the early months. www.thestudyzone.co.uk 020 8894 1154

14 JULY / AUGUST 2012 Issue 50:July August.qxd 19/06/2012 22:23 Page 15 PARENTING

Coping with failureBy Melissa Hood t is a certainty that we all experience Give meaningful and descriptive praise for failure from time to time and therefore effort, strategies, attitudes and small Ineed to be able to cope with it. There improvements, rather than results, to are (at least) two ways of responding to develop a growth mindset in children. “You failure: one is to be beaten down by it and kept on trying with these sums even to feel hopeless and discouraged and though you didn’t find it easy. That’s perhaps give up; the other is to accept that persevering. Your efforts have paid off – five this time things didn’t go so well and out of six are correct.” determine to keep trying until you do better and hopefully learn something from the Look behind children’s behaviour and experience. Edison found many ways not to acknowledge their emotions to help them invent the light bulb before he discovered manage their feelings. Children who the way that worked. “I have not failed. I've develop emotional intelligence are more just found 10,000 ways that won't work…” resilient and pick themselves up again after set backs. How do we respond to failure Encourage independence, especially in thinking, to build self trust. Invite and listen Then ask them to find something to Perhaps education systems and modern to kids’ ideas. “I know we did too much for improve, routinely. methods of parenting don’t equip our our youngest son around his A levels children well for responding to failure because we felt it was so important that he It is a difficult task for parents but we need positively. Across the world education get the grades he needed for the next step to allow our children to have an systems with their interest in standardising in his education, his passport to successful unpressured childhood not just for the sake and measuring have put much emphasis on adult life. But when he feels his parents are of their present happiness but also to create tests, results, scores and achievements with there to catch him he doesn’t put so much a future generation of people who can the result that sometimes there has been effort in himself. When we do too much of think and are willing to embrace new ideas. not enough attention paid to the process of his thinking/planning/ organising he learning, creating happy, creative and doesn’t do it himself.” Mother of 18 year www.theparentpractice.com thoughtful problem solvers. So much old. attention has been paid to achievements that to fail is no longer an option. Model how to handle failure well. When you Anything wrong with positive get something wrong parenting? don’t beat yourself up about it but Parents have praised their children for acknowledge the doing well. The focus remains on results mistake and explain rather than on creative thinking or new why it was a mistake. tactics tried. This creates a lot of pressure Take steps to remedy it for kids –they know that winning is what - make amends. counts and it makes it hard for them to fail. Articulate what you are This creates a culture of risk adversity in learning, show that academics, sport and the arts and pits you are not diminished children against each other rather than by your failures but can encouraging collaboration –who dares to fail profit from them. or even to take another path if it is so important to win and there is a set way to Respond encouragingly do it? to their mistakes around school work or Parents can influence matters music practice or sport as follows: We can influence matters considerably by what we pay attention to and how we talk Find something about success and failure. If we pay positive to comment attention only to achievements children on first. Make sure learn results-based success is all that you’re acknowledging counts. When they do not achieve the result good qualities or hoped for, are our children not worthwhile? behavioural traits such When your daughter comes home from a as commitment and netball match don’t let your first question creativity as well as be ‘did you win?’, but ‘Did you enjoy the being able to spell well game? Did you play your best? Were you or do fractions or able to set up some goals? How did the dribble a ball well or team play together? play a piece fluently.

JULY / AUGUST 2012 15 Issue 50:July August.qxd 19/06/2012 22:23 Page 16 BACK TO SCHOOL Buying a family computer by Simon Ellis

Compatibility

It is important that the home computer can run software common to home, school and office. Microsoft offers its Office package for students and their families at a hugely discounted price for both Windows and Mac.

For a few years now, Macs have also been able to run any Windows software by using the built-in Bootcamp feature or by using extra software such as Parallels for Desktop.

Planning ahead

With judicious purchasing and a bit of forward thinking, a new computer can easily last 4-5 years. Make sure the processor (the brains of the computer) can one are the days when computers in cope with the tasks you want to do now Easy2Name schools were consigned to dusty, and for a few years in the future - an Intel Gdark rooms, and reserved for special i3 or i5 would be best. Check that the hard lessons. Nowadays, with computers disk can be easily upgraded and ask about Off to School set permeating all areas and levels of the the total memory the computer can hold - It’s that time of year again! Once you’ve curriculum, having one at home has 4-8 GB of RAM is ideal. got the kids kitted out for the new school become all but essential for even the term, it’s time to stick the labels on to keep youngest of schoolchildren. Expert advice all those newly purchased items safe for another year. The decision on what computer to buy will depend on how you plan to use it. In Simon Ellis has 15 years of professional IT We have 5 Easy2Name Off to School sets particular, you should consider: experience. He and his wife, Emily, to give away. Each set is worth £18.90 and launched Bridus Computing in Blewbury, contains 30 waterproof stickers, 30 iron on Size South Oxfordshire a year ago. Since then, name tapes, 1 set of shoe covers, they have helped numerous families with 1 bag tag and 1 shoe bag. The size of the device is of crucial all manner of computing needs – from importance. If you have a dedicated space complete novices buying their first To enter the draw simply send an email to and don't need to move the computer computer, to experienced users with tricky [email protected] or a postcard to around, a desktop PC offers the best value problems. One of the most popular services Families Oxfordshire P.O. Box 167 and options for expansion in the future. Bridus Computing offers is a comprehensive Wantage OX12 8 ZJ computer buying and setting up package. Thin lightweight laptops such as the new IMPORTANT! ultrabooks are wonderfully portable but For help with any computing issues, call Don’t forget to add your full address and they are costly and their screen size Simon on 07818 411267 telephone number. (around 13") can limit working space for Please state clearly the name of your child documents. Netbooks are cheap but have www.BridusComputing.com and whether you require the shoe bag and even smaller screens, typically only 10" and labels in red, pink or blue. many don't have the necessary computing power for even everyday tasks. Large Closing date 10 Aug 2012. screen laptops (15-17") are quite a bit The full Easy2Name range heavier and so tend to act as replacements can be seen at for desktops - ideal if you need a big screen www.easy2name.com but need to pack it away or transfer it between children's bedrooms. Tablet Winners agree to the possibility of their name being published in the Sep-Oct ’12 computers such as the iPad are great for issue of Families Oxfordshire and on the portability but are hampered by the lack of Families website. No correspondence will a proper keyboard, which makes creating be entered into. Entries open to long documents a hassle. Oxfordshire residents only. Your details will not be used for any purpose other than this draw.

16 JULY / AUGUST 2012 Issue 50:July August.qxd 19/06/2012 22:23 Page 17 WHAT’S ON JULY JULY JULY 10 - 14 Jul THE END OF THE RAINBOW 18 Jul – 16 Sep 10am – 6pm daily MILLETS MAIZE 21 Jul – 31 Aug ANGLO-SAXON & MEDIEVAL Pegasus Youth Theatre and guest community groups Get lost in a 10 acre Maize Maze themed ‘The Animal ACTIVITIES Celebrate the British Festival of present sports themed performances. Games’. Split into 3 individual mazes and all with Archaeology. Tours, story-telling and discovery For all ages. different games to play, there is a level suitable for all throughout the day. Pegasus Theatre, Oxford ages. Or test your navigational skills by moonlight on Ashmolean Museum special ‘Torchlight Nights’, run on selected evenings www.pegasustheatre.org.uk 01865 812150 www.ashmolean.org 01865 27800 11 Jul 10am & 11.30am TWO FOUR SIX EIGHT! throughout the Summer. Don’t forget your torch! 21 Jul – 31 Aug SUMMER HOLIDAY ENTERTAINMENT A funny and charming show about numbers, using Millets Farm Living history interpretation with daily costumed music, balloons and far too much wrapping paper. www.milletsfarmcentre.com 07826 132416 entertainment. Ages 4 – 7. 19 Jul 2 – 4pm BIG DIG Search the sandpit to uncover From 28 Jul - 12 Aug a ‘Big Screen’ will be showing this summer’s sports events in London with hospitality in the North Wall Arts Centre, Oxford different textures and materials. For under 5s. www.thenorthwall.com 01865 319 450 Pleasure Gardens during the day and evenings. Ashmolean Museum 12 Jul 9pm-11pm Blenheim Palace GUIDED WALK: BATS AT RIVERSIDE MEADOWS www.ashmolean.org 01865 278000 www.blenheimpalace.com 01993 811325 in Crowmarsh, nr Wallingford. For all the family. 20 Jul 7.45pm AN EVENING OF MAGIC, COMEDY 21 Jul – 27 Aug every weekend 10am-5.30pm Booking essential. AND VARIETY Fast-paced and engaging illusion show, OXFORD CASTLE THROUGHOUT THE AGES Earth Trust Centre, Little Wittenham, performed by double act “Young and Strange”. Witness Here’s your chance to experience a different time period Abingdon OX14 4QZ state-of-the-art stage illusions and intimatesleight-of- every weekend this summer. Complete a series of www.earthtrust.org.uk 01865 407792 hand magic effects. For all the family. activities, from re-enactments of historical events to a 13 Jul 7pm TWELFTH NIGHT Open air performance in Kenton Theatre, Henley-on-Thames chance to try out Knight School. front of the Manor House. 01491 575698 www.kentontheatre.co.uk Oxford Castle – Unlocked www.oxfordcastleunlocked.co.uk 01865 260666 Cogges Heritage Trust, Cogges, Witney 19 - 28 Jul MESH OXFORD YOUTH ARTS 21 Jul– 3 Sep OLYMPIC TRAIL Compete in the www.cogges.org.uk 01993 772602 INTERNATIONAL Mesh returns (following a successful Museums’ sporty games to gain points and a chance of 13 Jul & 14 Jul DANCE CONNECTION SUMMER inaugural year) featuring the energy, talent and earning your bronze, silver or gold place on the podium. SHOWCASE Over 100 of Dance Connection’s most creativity of teenagers from France, Germany, Russia, Oxford University Museum of Natural History talented children lead you on a wacky and wonderful Croatia, The Netherlands, Thailand and Iraq. The world 01865 272 950 www.oum.ox.ac.uk journey down their avenue of dance. comes to Oxford to present their own dance and drama 22 Jul 2pm THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO Cornerstone Arts Centre, Didcot shows. During the week an interactive Grand Debate on www.cornerstone-arts.org.uk 01235 515144 Human Rights and Young People’s mental health will be SWALLOWED A FLY Relive the delights of this most 14 Jul 1pm- 4pm FLOWER POWER headed by a panel of experts and young people. Mesh charming of tales, with a feast of first-class games, Discover the fascinating flowers and join in craft activity will end with a big finale event and street parade on the colourful animal characters and heart warming family to make a fabulous flower of your own. last day. Programme details on website. fun. Ages 4+ University of Oxford Harcourt Arboretum Pegasus Theatre Oxford Cornerstone Arts Centre, Didcot www.botanic-garden.ox.ac.uk 01865 286690 www.pegasustheatre.org.uk 01865 812150 www.cornerstone-arts.org.uk 01235 515144 14 Jul BATTLE PROMS Evening picnic concert for all the 21 Jul 11am, 2pm & 4pm FIDDLESTICKS Tap your feet 22 Jul 2pm - 4pm KIDS LEARN CHINESE IN OXFORD Open session: Mandarin learning via lively format and family. Breathtaking spitfire fly-over, boldcavalry and and listen to the beat. Fiddlesticks is the playful spirit of fun activities Free, but booking advised, email infantrymen, and of course the thunderous cannons and a violin who breaks free from his strings and leads us [email protected] fireworks! into a world of musical fantasy. A spellbinding tale of Blenheim Palace www.battleproms.com 01432 355416 West Oxford Community Centre Oxford rhythmical twists and turns, with a lively blend of www.woca.org.uk 01865-245761 14 & 15 Jul BUG HUNTING WEEKEND clowning, rod and shadow puppets, percussion and live Roves Farm www.rovesfarm.co.uk 01793 763939 23 - 27 Jul 10am - 4pm HAMLET: THE PLAY’S THE music. Ages 4+ 15 Jul 11am &12 noon U5s, 1.30pm ages 5-8 THING At Magdalen College School. Create your own Oxford Playhouse and Burton Taylor Studio, Oxford dynamic production of Shakespeare’s Hamlet in just one CUSHION CONCERT FOR LITTLE ONES www.oxfordplayhouse.com 01865 305305 week. Ages13 – 17 The harp's origins are said perhaps to be in the sound of 21 Jul - 1 Aug ROBIN HOOD ADVENTURE Oxford Playhouse, Oxford OX1 2LW a plucked hunter's bow-string or the strings of a loom. Help Robin and his Merry Men down in Roves Forest. www.oxfordplayhouse.com 01865 305305 Go with your children to find out more, play fun musical Make a special Robin Hood hat or hobby horse. 23 Jul - 30 Aug 10am - 4pm SUMMER ACTIVITY DAYS games, hear what the harp can do and listen to some Quads, MudBuggies, Archery, Art and more. beautiful music. Roves Farm www.rovesfarm.co.uk 01793 763939 Ages 8-18 Cornerstone Arts Centre, Didcot 21 Jul 2 - 4pm SEASIDE SCENES Spend some time TRAX Motor Project, Red Barn Farm Oxford OX2 8JR exploring the museum's seaside corner and make a www.cornerstone-arts.org.uk 01235 515144 01865 243077 bright, colourful and sparkly seaside picture to take home. Family drop - in. Ages 3+ Banbury Museum www.cherwell.gov.uk/banburymuseum 01295 753752 Continued on page 18 Win tickets to a family show at Towersey Festival WIN Towersey Festival in Thame (23–27 August) really is the best children’s festival on the scene – there’s lots for all ages to do, from painting, sticking and drawing, to singing, parachute games, baby reflexology, fun percussion and story-time sessions. There’s also great family theatre to enjoy, including a special family concert with nationally known performers Roy Bailey and John Kirkpatrick and a stunning dramatic show featuring storytelling and theatre from The Armagh Rhymers. On Friday 24 August, the family show is a production of The Way Back Home – based on the book by Oliver Jeffers.

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

For more information, visit www.towerseyfestival.com

We have made every effort to ensure our listings are accurate and up-to-date. However, please call venues to confirm. 17 Issue 50:July August.qxd 19/06/2012 22:23 Page 18 WHAT’S ON

JULY JULY AUGUST 24 Jul – 29 Aug 2pm-4pm every Tue & Wed 30 Jul - 3 Aug SUMMER VILLAGE TASTER 6 Aug -10 Aug SUMMER VILLAGE MUSICAL THEATRE AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES: BAGS OF FUN! WORKSHOPS Pick and mix what and how much you - WONKA Here’s your chance to create a unique Borrow a backpack full of games, puzzles, and real do. Every day you can choose between two and four musical based on “Willy Wonka and The Chocolate museum objects, and become a family of museum different arts activities from craft and street dance to Factory”. Family and friends get to see the show. Course explorers! drama and puppetry. Book for a morning, an afternoon, runs from 10am to 4pm daily (until 5pm Thu) Oxford University Museum of Natural History and a whole day or a week. Ages 6-12. Ages 11-19 PITT RIVERS MUSEUM, Oxford Pegasus Theatre, Oxford Pegasus Theatre, Oxford www.oum.ox.ac.uk 01865 272 950 www.pegasustheatre.org.uk 01865 812150 www.pegasustheatre.org.uk 01865 812150 24 Jul – 31 Aug 12 noon – 4pm ARTSPACE 30 Jul 10am-3pm STOPMOGO ANIMATION 6 Aug - 10 Aug 10am - 4pm SOMEWHERE OUT THERE Drop-in activities based on the Flight and the Artistic WORKSHOP Three day sports-themed workshops to Through drama games, improvisation and imagination, Imagination exhibition. Make your own wings, a Jacob’s create gold medal winning stop-motion films. 8 - 15yrs we’ll travel to the planets of the solar system and ladder toy, and draw your own flying machine. St Margaret's Institute Oxford. dream up different worlds in galaxies far, far away. Compton Verney www.smi-oxford.org.uk 01865 559882 Ages 8 – 12 www.comptonverney.org.uk 01926 645500 31 Jul – 3 Aug SUMMER YOUTH DANCE SCHOOL Oxford Playhouse, Oxford 24 Jul & 2 Aug 10am-4pm SUPERHEROES Learn various styles of dance, leading to a www.oxfordplayhouse.com 01865 305 305 Become a superhero for the day and save the Galaxy in choreographed performance on 3 Aug. Four days. 7 Aug 1pm - 4pm THE GIANTS Find out about the this fast moving energetic physical workshop. For age groups 5-7 & 8-16 world's biggest trees by making a scale model. 24 Jul Ages 5-7 & 2 Aug Ages 8-12 Cornerstone Arts Centre, Didcot University of Oxford Harcourt Arboretum Mill Arts Centre, Banbury 01235 515144 www.cornerstone-arts.org.uk www.botanic-garden.ox.ac.uk 01865 286690 www.themillartscentre.co.uk 01295 252050 31 Jul - 2 Aug SUMMER SCI-ART SCHOOL Discover the 8 Aug 10.30am - 4.30pm AMAZING ANIMATION Play 24 Jul - 12 Aug 10am - 4pm MARVELLOUS MEDALS chemistry of colour mixing, the geometry of illustration, with plasticine or paper in this animation workshop to Mould and make your own uniquely shaped medal to the physics of rainbows, the biology of different create a short film. Ages 9-13 keep and wear with pride. All ages. animals,all while painting, sculpting and drawing. Three Cornerstone Arts Centre Didcot Cornerstone Arts Centre Didcot days. Age groups 5-7 & 8-14 www.cornerstone-arts.org.uk 01235 515144 www.cornerstone-arts.org.uk 01235 515144 Cornerstone Arts Centre, Didcot 9 Aug 2pm THE WIZARD OF CASTLE MAGIC Things 24 Jul & 26 Jul 2pm-4pm VICTORIAN SEASIDE 01235 515144 www.cornerstone-arts.org.uk will never be the same again when the Wizard’s ACTIVITIES Inspired by a trip to the seaside in Victorian nephew, Mickey, and an invisible cat called Catastrophe, times. arrive at Castle Magic. (Workshop for ages 7-12 at The Oxfordshire Museum, Woodstock 11am) Ages 5 - 11 www.museumsocc.org.uk 01993 811456 AUG UST Mill Arts Centre Banbury 26 Jul 11.30am & 2pm THE SNAIL AND THE WHALE www.themillartscentre.co.uk 01295 252050 A tiny snail longs to see the world, so she hitches a lift 1 Aug 11.30am THE THREE BILLY GOATS GRUFF 13 Aug -15 Aug WHEELS ON THE BUS Climb aboard on the tail of a huge humpback whale. Together they go Children enter the world of the story from the start as Buster the big red bus and meet all of his friends as on an amazing journey, experiencing sharks and they sit either side of the stream and are involved in the they embark on a magical, fun-packed adventure. penguins, icebergs and volcanoes. Ages 4+ action throughout. Ages 3 - 6 Various show times. Mill Arts Centre Banbury Mill Arts Centre, Banbury Oxford Playhouse, Oxford www.themillartscentre.co.uk 01295 252050 www.themillartscentre.co.uk 01295 252050 www.oxfordplayhouse.com 01865 305305 27 Jul 12noon & 2pm ROCKET BLAST OFF Be a rocket 1 Aug 2pm FIDDLESTICKS Meet a violin with legs, one 13 – 17 Aug 10am-5pm ATOMISED – THE THEATRE OF scientist for the day. Design, make and launch your own foot bare, one in a boot and tuning keys for toes. It’s a EVERYTHING! at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory and violin with eyes that follow you around the room, a rocket at this hands-on session. Ages 6+ Science Oxford Live. An exciting week of discovery and fingerboard that curls above its head and a smile as Science Oxford Live theatre making at ISIS, Oxfordshire’s internationally wide as its body. Ages 4+ www.scienceoxford.com 01865 728953 renowned particle science research centre. Ages 15-19 Mill Arts Centre, Banbury 28 & 29 Jul BIRDS OF PREY SEE A VARIETY OF BIRDS Oxford Playhouse, Oxford www.themillartscentre.co.uk 01295 252050 OF PREY all of which are free flying. Cotswold Falconry www.oxfordplayhouse.com/#participation 3, 10, 17, 24 Aug 1pm-3pm MODERN ART TROLLEY: will show you vultures, owls, falcons, eagles. 01865 305 305 Cotswold Wildlife Park SUMMER HOLIDAY SPECIAL Free, just drop in. Children Science Oxford Live www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk 01993 823006 must be accompanied by an adult. www.scienceoxford.com 01865 728953 30 Jul & 31 Jul 9am 4pm SUMMER CLUMPS CLUB Modern Art Oxford 13 - 17 Aug CARRY ON LAUGHING What is it that Otdoor adventures and play. Have a go at shelter www.modernartoxford.org.uk 01865 722733 makes people laugh? A week long exploration of building, wild art, drama and games. Booking essential. 3 – 5 Aug BLENHEIM PALACE JOUSTING comedy; combining storytelling, pratfalls and a healthy Ages 8-12 Earth Trust Centre, Little Wittenham, TOURNAMENT Brave knights meet on the South Lawn amount of good old monkeying around. Ages 11-15 Abingdon OX14 4QZ and visitors can enjoy their exploits along with activities Oxford Playhouse, Oxford www.earthtrust.org.uk 01865 407792 including archery and falconry displays. www.oxfordplayhouse.com 01865 305305 Blenheim Palace 13 Aug 10.30am - 12.30pm POTTERY DECORATING www.blenheimpalace.com 01993 811325 WORKSHOP A favourite play or character will be the 4 Aug 2pm THE ORCHESTRA OF ST JOHN'S BRASS inspiration for decorating an item of pottery. Ages 5 – 7 QUINTET The fabulous brass quintet from the Orchestra The Theatre, Chipping Norton of St John's will create a wonderful concert in the town www.chippingnortontheatre.co.uk 01608 642350 square outside Cornerstone for all to enjoy. 14 Aug 10am-3.30pm INSPIRING DRAMA SUMMER Cornerstone Arts Centre, Didcot FILM Ages 8-18 www.cornerstone-arts.org.uk 01235 515144 St Michael & All Angels Church Hall, Oxford and in 4 & 11 Aug WILD NIGHTS AT THE PARK Talks by the Woodstock from 20-24 Aug. animal keepers and feeding of some of the animals. Inspiring Drama 01865 596780 Watch the sunset with the rhinos. Children must be 14 Aug – 17 Aug YOUNGSTAR TV HOLIDAY FILM accompanied by an adult. COURSE Have fun, act in a film, attend a 'Hollywood' Cotswold Wildlife Park premiere at a local cinema. Course starting in Abingdon www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk 01993 823006 and across Oxfordshire. Ages 8-18 4 Aug 2pm WHAT IS AN ASTROLABE? Discover the Youngstar TV Acting Schools beauty of the astrolabe, make one and find out how it 07967 968826 or 023 80 477717 works and what it was used for. Ages 9+. 14 Aug 1pm - 4pm IS SPEED IMPORTANT? Find the Museum of the History of Science Arboretum's fastest and slowest growers and see how www.mhs.ox.ac.uk 01865 277280 you measure up. 6 Aug - 10 Aug 10am - 5pm ATOMISED – THE University of Oxford Harcourt Arboretum THEATRE OF EVERYTHING! at Rutherford Appleton www.botanic-garden.ox.ac.uk 01865 286690 Laboratory and Science Oxford Live. An exciting week of 14 Aug 10.30am - 1pm JAZZ MUSIC WORKSHOP Join discovery and theatre making at ISIS, Oxfordshire’s Mr Myles for a Jazzy session of songs, movement and internationally renowned particle science research more… At the end of the workshop, the children will centre. Ages 11 - 14. share their new-found musical expertise with family and Oxford Playhouse, Oxford friends. Ages 5 – 7 www.oxfordplayhouse.com/#participation The Theatre, Chipping Norton 01865 305 305 www.chippingnortontheatre.co.uk 01608 642350 Science Oxford Live www.scienceoxford.com 01865 728953

18 We have made every effort to ensure our listings are accurate and up-to-date. However, please call venues to confirm. Issue 50:July August.qxd 19/06/2012 22:24 Page 19 WHAT’S ON

AUGUST AUGUST 15 Aug 6pm THE SWORD IN THE STONE Take a merry 27 Aug 11am – 4pm ALL ABOARD! Make a boat that romp through the magical and mysterious world of floats and experience a Grand Tour-style shopping trip Merlin the Magician in a musical adaptation of ‘The around the galleries. Sword In The Stone’. Cambridge Touring Theatre make Ashmolean Museum their debut at Waterperry Gardens in a show which is www.ashmolean.org 01865 27800 suitable for families aged 3 to 93! No seating is 28 Aug 1pm - 4pm THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF provided so take your own picnic chairs or rugs. The TREES Discover the strange, the unique and the special: performance runs for about 2 hours including an interval could you design any better? and gates open at 5pm for picnics in the garden. University of Oxford Harcourt Arboretum Waterperry Gardens www.botanic-garden.ox.ac.uk 01865 286690 www.waterperrygardens.co.uk 01844 337264 28 Aug 10am - 4pm YOU SHALL GO TO THE BALL 16 Aug 10.30am to 3.30pm GAME ON! Everyone is A day of dynamic and creative dance, show off your welcome to join a fun-packed celebration of Oxford’s moves in this workshop. Ages 8-12 sporting history. Try on an unusual sporting outfit, listen Mill Arts Centre, Banbury to an intriguing sporting tale, create a simple sporting www.themillartscentre.co.uk 01295 252050 craft and maybe even learn how to fix your bike! 29 Aug - 1 Sep WEST SIDE STORY RicNic Oxford is a Museum of Oxford & Town Hall, Oxford unique social enterprise. The shows are directed, www.oxfordtownhall.co.uk produced and performed entirely by 16-19 year-olds. 01865 252819 or 01865 252118 Various show times. 16 Aug 10.30am - 3.30pm GLOBE MAKING Pegasus Theatre, Oxford WORKSHOP Decorate the sports-themed globe! Stick, www.pegasustheatre.org.uk 01865 812150 print and paint your own designs whilst you discover www.ricnic.org.uk Oxford’s sporting heroes.The globe will then go on 29 Aug 12noon & 2pm K’NEX MARS ROVERS display at a special exhibition at the Museum of the What would a rover need to explore the surface of History of Science in October. Part of Game On! Family Mars? Our friendly staff will guide you through the skills Day. needed to construct a Mars rover using the construction Museum of Oxford & Town Hall, Oxford toy K’Nex. Ages 8+ www.oxfordtownhall.co.uk Science Oxford Live 01865 252819 or 01865 252118 www.scienceoxford.com 01865 728953 16 Aug 2 - 4pm LITTLE RED TRACTOR Make a mini 30, 31 Aug & 1 Sep 2pm MADMAN MAGELLAN tractor and farm yard to drive it around in. Maps, globes, instruments and activities to discover The Oxfordshire Museum www.museumsocc.org.uk early voyages of exploration that influences 01993 811456 cosmographers. Ages 7-13. 18 & 19 Aug 10am-5pm HOUSE OF CARDS FAMILY Museum Of The History Of Science www.mhs.ox.ac EVENT A two day workshop inspired by the Christie’s 01865 2777280 House of Cards outdoor sculpture exhibition. 30 Aug 10am-4pm FOSSILS, ROCKS, MINERALS & You are invited to put on your creative hat and make DINOSAURS Meet The Oxford Geology Trust and enjoy something memorable. No need to book. a whole range of exciting dinosaur activities. Waddesdon Manor The Oxfordshire Museum www.waddesdon.org.uk 01296-653226. www.museumsocc.org.uk 01993 811456 18 & 19 Aug BIKE BLENHEIM PALACE A Festival of Cycling: including the Brompton World Championship, SEPTEMBER 20k Time Trial, 60/100mile Sportives, Pink Ribbonride 2 Sep FARINGDON FOLLY OPEN DAY and Family Rides. This unusual 100ft tower is Faringdon's icon and the last Blenheim Palace major folly to be built in England. It sits on Folly Hill, www.bikeblenheimpalace.com 0845 900 2189 within a charming 4 acre, circular woodland pine and 20 Aug 10am - 4pm YOU SHALL GO TO THE BALL broadleaf trees, some more than 200 years old. Check A day of dynamic and creative dance, show off your out the fantastic views over 5 counties. moves in this workshop. Ages 5-7 Faringdon Folly Tower Mill Arts Centre, Banbury www.faringdonfolly.org.uk Postcode SN7 7AQ House www.themillartscentre.co.uk 01295 252050 number 1 (for satnav users) 21 Aug 1pm - 4pm HIS-TREE Which trees live the 3 & 4 Sep (dates TBC) ST GILES FAIR Oxford's longest? Add to the timeline and see how your life traditional street fair Experience a wide variety of compares. attractions, some large, some small. University of Oxford Harcourt Arboretum Oxford City Council 01865 249811 www.botanic-garden.ox.ac.uk 01865 286690 8 & 9 Sep OPEN DOORS at Oxford A chance to discover 21 Aug 10am & 11am ORANGE HAT SUMMER and enjoy some of the city’s most interesting buildings ADVENTURE Enjoy the holidays with Peggotty the Hen and spaces, little known corners and unusual places. and her other puppet friends as they embark on an With over 125 venues taking part this year, many for the interactive performance. The workshop includes well- first time, there is something to interest and inspire known children’s songs for plenty of fun interaction, as everyone. well as originally composed action songs, puppetry and www.oxfordopendoors.org.uk stories. 6 months – 5 years 8 Sep OPEN DOORS BUS RIDES The Theatre, Chipping Norton Take a free bus ride through Oxford, stopping near some www.chippingnortontheatre.co.uk 01608 642350 of the participating attractions. For a timetable of 21 Aug10am - 4pm SHERLOCK WHO? A sense of services to be operated, visit this website nearer the mystery, imagination and fun! Enthusiasm is all you time. need to join in with this drama workshop. With Meg The Oxford Bus Museum Harper 8-12 years www.oxfordbusmuseum.org.uk 01993 883617 Mill Arts Centre, Banbury 9 Sep 2.30pm THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO www.themillartscentre.co.uk 01295 252050 SWALLOWED A FLY Relive the delights of this most 23 Aug – 24 Aug 1pm - 4pm SUMMER HOLIDAY charming of tales, with a feast of first-class games, ACTIVITIES: MUSEUM MASQUERADES Discover the colourful animal characters and heart warming family museum’s beautiful masks and become a Japanese Noh fun. Ages 4+ theatre performer or a Haida dancer. Mill Arts Centre Banbury Pitt Rivers Museum www.prm.ox.ac.uk 01865 270927 www.themillartscentre.co.uk 01295 252050 and OUMNH 25 - 27 Aug SCARECROW FESTIVAL Find out what our scarecrows have been up to and have a go at making your own bird scarer. Cogges Heritage Trust, Cogges, Witney www.cogges.org.uk 01993 772602

Send your diary dates for September - October by Friday 10 August 2012 to [email protected] 19 Issue 50:July August.qxd 19/06/2012 22:24 Page 20 LUCA & MAYA MAKE BOATS TO RACE

Copyright Families Oxfordshire July 2012. Colour transparencies and any other original materials submitted for publication are sent at owner's own risk and while every care is taken, neither Families nor its agents accept liability for loss or damage. Families Oxfordshire is part of a group established in 1990 and headed by Families South West. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. We take care in preparing this magazine but publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents nor for any consequence. 20 JULY / AUGUST 2012