FREEtake me home! RECRUITING NOW Successful ‘business mum’ is seeking 5 working partners to work part-time from home, alongside IN THIS ISSUE and without compromising family commitments or current career. Education focus If you have a supervisory, managerial, sales, marketing, recruitment or self-employed What’s on in background, or you wish to develop September & an extraordinary lifestyle please call Katie Bridge October 07909 681884 Helping children believe they can do anything Singing, dancing and acting classes for 4 - 18 year-olds CHEAM & WORCESTER PARK SUTTON stagecoach.co.uk/ stagecoach.co.uk/sutton cheamandworcesterpark SHIRLEY COULSDON & CATERHAM stagecoach.co.uk/shirley stagecoach.co.uk/coulsdon CROYDON stagecoach.co.uk/croydon EPSOM stagecoach.co.uk/epsom Stagecoach Performing Arts is the trading name of Stagecoach Theatre Arts Limited. Stagecoach Theatre Arts schools are operated under franchise and are independently owned by their Principals. Stagecoach and Creative Courage For Life are registered trademarks of Stagecoach Theatre Arts Limited. Issuefamiliesonline.co.uk 88 September/October 2019 familiesonline.co.ukFamilies London Surrey Borders Call us on 01737 355332 Banstead Opening Autumn 2019 For viewings and enquiries contact us now! Spacious, bright environment with an indoor soft play area and fully enclosed garden For job opportunities contact [email protected] Epsom Banstead Reigate 21 West Street, KT18 7RL 28a High Street, SM7 2LJ 11 Lynn Walk, RH2 7NZ 01372 877863 01737 355332 01737 221441 2www.shapesdaynursery.co.ukFamilies London Surrey Borders familiesonline.co.uk Call us on 01737 355332 Welcome to issue 88 Adventure time! The start of a new academic year, and the kaleidoscopic cycle of nature as she turns from bright sunshine to the warm colours of autumn. This issue we bring you a plethora of events and activities to enjoy over September and October, and a selection on Bonfire Night activities. Before the winter arrives, get out and enjoy the last of London Surrey Borders the autumn warmth. Wishing all your little one’s huge amounts of happiness, as they set out into a new academic year. Editor Tamar Pearson Happy reading! [email protected] Tamar Design Rebecca Carr xx [email protected] Printer Print Mates In this issue 3. News & Views Banstead 21,000 copies printed 42,000 readers per issue 4. Local news Next issue November/December 5. Clubs & classes news Booking deadline 4 October 8. Eduation news Cover Image Depositphotos Opening Autumn 2019 12. Education feature Follow us on Facebook for all the 13. Independent school open days latest news and events happening your local area 14. What’s on www.facebook.com/FamiliesLSBMag 19. What’s on at the theatre DO YOU WANT TO PROMOTE YOUR Hear echoes of the For viewings and enquiries BUSINESS TO 40,000+ past at Polesden Voices PARENTS? Exhibition contact us now! Families LSB Magazine can help promote your business to over 40,000 Polesden Lacey is known as the weekend parents in the local area. party house of Dame Margaret Greville, the The booking deadline for our Nov/ indomitable Edwardian socialite who used it Dec issue is 4 October. To be included to entertain royalty and high society, including contact: Winston Churchill, Beverly Nichols and Queen Ena of Spain. Tamar on Spacious, bright environment 07947 535986 or email: The research team at Polesden Lacey have conducted hundreds of interviews over the [email protected] years with people, and the families of people who lived and worked at Polesden Lacey during Mrs Greville’s time. These recollections have been painstakingly compiled and are now brought to life in this new exhibition, telling the stories of the men and women with an indoor soft play area Families London Surrey Borders is part of Families Print Ltd, a franchise company. All franchised magazines in the who lived, worked, and made their own special memories at Polesden Lacey over the last group are independently owned and operated under licence. century. Families is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd, Remenham and fully enclosed garden House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of Families London Surrey Borders Step inside one of the parties that Mrs Greville held for the village children each summer, are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or learn about estate manager Mr Hepburn and his prize-winning turkeys and even discover photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families London Surrey Borders. Every care is who found love at Polesden Lacey. taken in the preparation of this magazine, but Families London Surrey Borders; our distributors, the franchise company, Echoes of the Past runs from Mon 9 September – Thursday 14 November. Usual admission Families Print Ltd, and Lifecycle Marketing cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy applies; admission is free to National Trust members. of the contents, or any consequence thereof. For job opportunities contact More info: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/polesden-lacey [email protected] Epsom Banstead Reigate 21 West Street, KT18 7RL 28a High Street, SM7 2LJ 11 Lynn Walk, RH2 7NZ 01372 877863 01737 355332 01737 221441 www.shapesdaynursery.co.uk familiesonline.co.uk Families London Surrey Borders 3 News & Reviews Croydon crowned with London’s seconded largest National Nature Visit the Family Reserve Learning South London Downs, London’s third National Nature Reserve Festival (NNR) has recently opened to the public in Croydon. The Family Learning Festival which runs from 19 October Bordering Croydon and Surrey, the 417-hectare reserve is to 3 November is a national surrounded with stunning views across south London. celebration to inspire a love of learning in family life. Marian Spain, interim Chief Executive of Natural England, said: “I am delighted that we can now formally declare the South Organisations across the UK, including schools, libraries, museums, London Downs as London’s third National Nature Reserve. The children centres and galleries will be staging a range of FREE new NNR will make a huge difference to South London’s wildlife creative family learning activities. and the lives of Londoners by giving them access to some of the country’s very best wildlife in beautiful open spaces right on This year’s Festival theme is ‘Future Families’ and organisers will be their doorsteps, demonstrating why London is indeed a National holding activities to encourage families to become earthy explorers, Park City. digital discoverers or wellbeing warriors! “This site will be celebrated for years to come as an iconic Organisers of the festival, the lifelong learning charity, Campaign for natural sanctuary in South London, a haven for wildlife and a Learning, believes learning that takes place in the family and home centre for learning. should be valued as much as learning that takes place in school classrooms and formal education. The family is where we learn More info: www.croydon.gov.uk important life skills and positive attitudes to learning, which enable us to become confident, motivated lifelong learners. To find a local event, visit www.familylearningfestival.com Free Family Fun with Heritage Active Girls are Open Days Happy Girls This year, Heritage Open Days is celebrating its 25th A new report has found that anniversary and will be the girls that are physically active biggest and most diverse to are happier and more resilient date. than those who are not. Running from 13 to 22 September, this The findings are drawn from of annual celebration of England’s history a survey from more than 25,700 and culture, allows visitors’ FREE primary and secondary aged children by the national children’s access to historical landmarks that are charity, the Youth Sport Trust. either not usually open to the public, or would normally charge an entrance fee. More active girls showed higher levels of the qualities associated with wellbeing which are self-belief, confidence, resilience, Nationwide there will be hundreds happiness and empathy. The largest difference was seen in girls’ of FREE interactive activities for children, including dressing up, resilience. 77% of more active girls said they were resilient crafting, woodland walks and railway rides. compared to 46% of less active girls. It also found that more active girls were happier with 75% stating so compared to 55% With a theme of ‘People Power,’ this year’s festival will offer visitors of less active girls. more opportunities than ever to discover the secret history of their towns, villages and countryside. Ali Oliver, the Chief Executive of the Youth Sport Trust says: “We owe every girl the opportunity to become a confident mover, find Co-ordinated nationally by the National Trust with support from a sport or activity that she enjoys, and through that experience the People’s Postcode Lottery, the celebration brings together improved physical health and emotional wellbeing.” thousands of organisations and properties across England. More info: www.youthsporttrust.org/girls-active For local events visit, www.heritageopendays.org.uk Promote your business in our next issue Education I Tuition I What’s on... plus Where is Santa? Pantomimes and family shows Christmas events & activities Book today! Call 07947 535986 I [email protected] 4 Families London Surrey Borders familiesonline.co.uk Clubs & classes news Improving your Child’s Concentration Perform and parenting expert and child psychologist, Dr Claire Halsey offer their tips. Concentration is a vital life skill which develops from birth. Linked closely to brain development, it improves alongside a child’s memory and ability to organise their thoughts. Set Up for Success - Reduce big distractions: television, music and screen time make it difficult to listen and concentrate, so limit these to set times. Make it Fun - Make activities fun as your child is more likely to pay attention eg tidying up A Confident Start with toys is less of a chore when you offer a tickle to the child who finishes first! Jigsaw Performing Arts Keep Practising - Games and activities can build concentration.