Primary Times Leicestershire October 2018

52,000 COPIES FOR FAMILIES 

OF PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN 

www.primarytimes.co.uk 

Leicestershire 

DAYS OUT • EDUCATION • COMPETITIONS • FAMILY FUN 

OCT/NOV 2018 

8 OCT – 25 NOV

Contents 

4 News 

6 WOW: Family events 

8 Family Fun This Autumn 

11 Half-Term Howls 

18 Box Office 

21 Panto Guide 

22 Competitions 

Dear Readers, 

Welcome to the first half-term edition of the school year! We 

hope that now your little ones have had some time to settle in, 

they are enjoying the new experiences and positive challenges 

that this academic year has brought. Plus, now that the weather 

is cooling down we can start looking forward to firework 

displays, wrapping up in cosy jumpers, and lovely warm mugs 

of hot chocolate. 

There are so many events and activities on offer over the 

next few weeks; we hope that everyone will be able to find 

something that they’ll enjoy. We’ve got everything from Diwali 

to Halloween, and Bonfire Nights to the Pantomime season - 

make sure you check out Box Office so you don’t miss out! In 

the meantime, there are lots dates for your diaries in WOW! 

Our next magazine will be out well in time for the Christmas 

holidays, so until then we hope you have a lovely half-term 

break full of fun and exciting activities for the whole family! 

With very best wishes, 

The Primary Times Team 

OCTOBER 

NOVEMBER 2018 

Publishing Director: 

Nuria Macdonald 

nuria.macdonald@ 

primarytimes.co.uk 

Sales: Helen Pattinson: 

helen.pattinson@ 


Tel: 01491 411848 

Production: Niki Ince-Green 

niki.ince.green@ 


WELCOME 

Design: Owen Mooney 

Primary Times is independently published and distributed free through national primary schools in Leicestershire & 

Rutland. It aims to inform families and children about current educational issues, forthcoming events, courses, attractions 

and to give teachers, pupils and parents the opportunity to participate in the magazine by adding to its contents or by 

joining in the competitions. It is NOT our intention to publish any racist, sexist or politically based material whatsoever. 

We also undertake not to carry any advertising which we would consider to be offensive to young families or harmful to 

the best interests of young children. Primary Times would like to thank all the schools in Birmingham & Black Country for 

their assistance in distributing the magazine and for their contributions to its contents. We would also like to thank all the 

advertisers who have supported this publication and therefore made it possible. Please support their endeavours when 

and where you can. The copyright on all written material, logos and advertising artwork produced by our studio remains 

with Primary Times or with the relevant contributor. Primary Times is currently publishing over 2 million copies per issue 

under franchise licences throughout Britain. 

Primary Times in Leicestershire & Rutland is 

published by: Schools Publishing Limited 

Unit 1A, Thamesview Industrial Estate, 

Newtown Road, Henley on Thames 

RG9 1HG Telephone: 01491 411848 

www.primarytimes.co.uk/leicestershire 

The UK’s biggest free ‘what’s on’ 

magazine for parents! Primary 

Times in Leicestershire and Rutland 

distributes 52,000 copies seven 

times a year, and is part of a 

national network distributing more 

than 2.7 million copies in 

59 regions across the UK 

and Ireland 

www.primarytimes.co.uk/Leicestershire | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018 3

NEWS 

Primary Times Leicestershire 

leicestershire 

NEWS 

Do 

you have news to celebrate? We’d love to hear! 

Email helen.pattinson@primarytimes.co.uk 

www.primarytimes.co.uk/leicestershire 

Loogabarooga is back! 

Now in its fourth year the 

Loogabarooga Festival of Incredible 

Illustrations and Brilliant Books 

Festival returns with a whole host 

of new friends and beloved classics 

in venues across Loughborough 

between 18th - 23rd October. Come 

and celebrate the Beano turn 80, 

with a free exhibition of comic art at 

Charnwood Museum plus workshops 

including Beano cartoonist Laura 

Howell and John Kirk's animated 

storytelling, bringing a Beano 

adventure to life! 

As well as our Beano celebrations, 

there's a drawing and sparkly crafts 

session with the Isadora Moon 

creator Harriet Muncaster and 

Claire Elsom with be joining us for a 

Sport Spectacular with Horace and 

Harriet. Author John Hegley along 

with illustrator Neal Layton will be 

presenting the story of Stanley Stick 

and there's a day of Street Art which 

includes graffiti illustration workshops 

for children of all ages. 

And of course our fabulous Ladybird 

book benches return to the streets of 

Loughborough. 

To find out more visit 

www.loogabarooga.com and follow 

on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. 

Primary School Admissions 

Parents and carers of children turning 

five from September 2019 can start 

to apply for a school place from 1st 

June 2018, to the closing date of 15th 

January 2019. In addition, if your child 

is transferring from Infant to Junior 

School you can start to apply for a 

school place from 1st September 2018 

to the closing date of 15th January 

2019. You must apply for a school 

place through the home Local Authority 

that you live in, and the best way 

to apply if you live in Leicestershire 

is through our online system. Before 

applying I would encourage that you 

read the publication entitled “Your 

Guide to Education” as it will guide 

you through the process as well as 

advise you on related matters. 

This can be found by following the link 

www.leicestershire.gov.uk/education-and-children/schools-colleges-and-academies/school-admissions/your-guide-to-education 

Secondary School Admissions 

Parents and carers of children in Year 

6 of primary schools from September 

2018 can start to apply from 1st 

September 2018 to the closing date 

of 31st October 2018 for a secondary 

school place. You must apply for a 

school place through the home Local 

Authority that you live in, and the best 

way to apply if you live in Leicestershire, 

is through our online system. 

Before applying I would encourage 

that you read the publication entitled 

“Your Guide to Education” as it will 

guide you through the process as well 

as advise you on related matters. 

This can be found by following the link 

www.leicestershire.gov.uk/education-and-children/schools-colleges-and-academies/school-admissions/your-guide-to-education 

Stay safe this Autumn half-term 

Here is some advice from Leicestershire 

Fire and Rescue Service to help 

you and your family celebrate Halloween 

and Bonfire Night safely. 

Always make sure fancy dress 

costumes and masks are labelled as 

flame-resistant. Don’t use flammable 

materials to make home-made 

costumes, and be especially careful 

about using bin liners as capes. 

Capes, loose clothing and dangling 

sleeves can make the risk of catching 

fire greater, and they are also a trip 

hazard! Keep children away from 

naked flames and don’t let them 

carry lit candles or lanterns with a real 

candle in them. To limit the fire risk, 

use flickering LED candles rather than 

real candles in pumpkins, so children 

aren’t exposed to naked flames. If 

you must use candles, make sure 

they are securely placed in a correct 

holder away from curtains, cushions 

and draughts, and in a place where 

they aren’t likely to be knocked over. 

Always put them out properly when 

you go to bed. If you are using decorative 

lights in your home, ensure that 

electricity sockets are not overloaded, 

and that you switch them off at the 

socket at night. 

Ensure your wheelie bin is off the 

street after collection day, and make 

sure it is secure. Never build bonfires 

close to trees, hedges, fences or 

buildings. Keep everyone a safe distance 

from fireworks and bonfires. 

Only buy fireworks from a legitimate 

retailer - check that they are suitable 

for the size of garden, and conform to 

British Standard (BS 7114). Store them 

in a metal box, which is kept closed 

between use. Never put fireworks in 

your pocket, or hold a lit firework, and 

always wear gloves when holding a 

sparkler. Don’t set off fireworks in the 

street or busy places; it’s not funny. 

You could seriously hurt yourself or 

somebody else, and frighten pets, 

elderly people or young children. 

4 

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018 | www.primarytimes.co.uk/Leicestershire

Primary Schools 

Cross Country 

Join in with the UKs biggest 

mass participation event for 

primary schools children! 

3RD NOVEMBER 

1ST DECEMBER 

Now in its eighth year at Prestwold 

Hall the event has grown and 

grown with almost 150 schools 

taking part in 2017. 

If you haven't taken part as a school 

before, or perhaps have not been for 

a few years please contact the event 

organiser John Skevington. He will be 

able to answer all of your queries and 

hopefully help you to get as many of 

your budding young runners to the 

2018 events and beyond! 

www.lrsport.org/events/2018/09/leicestershire-primary-schools-cross-country 

Beat the 

winter bugs! 

With children learning and playing 

in close proximity, schools can be 

a breeding ground for illnesses like 

colds, flu and the winter vomiting 

bug Norovirus. Luckily there are 

some simple steps you can take 

to reduce the risk of your child 

becoming poorly, and of spreading 

infection to others. 

1. Model good handwashing using 

soap and warm water, and remind 

children to wash their hands 

regularly, especially after using 

the toilet and before eating – 

make handwashing 

part of your normal mealtime 

routine. 

2. Encourage children to use 

tissues to trap germs when they 

cough or sneeze, and bin used 

tissues as quickly as possible – 

germs can live on surfaces for 24 

hours, sometimes longer. 

3. Take advantage of the 

opportunity for your child to have 

the nasal flu vaccination in school 

- it’s quick and painless! 


NEWS 

The 

Reading 

Shop 

If children do come down with 

the Norovirus sickness bug, 

they should stay at home for 48 

hours after the last episode of 

vomiting/ diarrhoea. Make sure 

they drink plenty of water, and 

give liquid paracetamol for fever 

aches and pains. They do not need 

to go to the GP or to Accident & 

Emergency. However, if symptoms 

last longer than a few days, 

contact your GP or call NHS111. 

Check out more germ-busting tips 

and the Flu Heroes animation on 

our Health for Kids website: 

www.healthforkids.co.u 



WHAT’S ON WHERE 

WOW! 

what’s on where 

25 Sep - 31 Oct 

Comic Art 

Charnwood Museum Gallery 

Loughborough, LE11 3DU 

www.charnwood.gov.uk/pages/charnwood_museum 

Comic Art celebrates the most popular 

characters in the longest-running British 

children’s comic, including Dennis the 

Menace, the Bash Street Kids and Minnie 

the Minx – who have been familiar to generations 

of British schoolkids and continue 

to fascinate children today. 

8 Oct - 17 Nov 

The Virtual Orchestra 

Iskcon Centre Leicester, LE1 6EJ 

www.philharmonia.co.uk 

FREE! Come together with family and 

friends to explore a symphony orchestra 

from the inside. Journey through a 10-room 

installation; play along with the orchestra in 

the percussion room; and sit on stage with 

the orchestra in 360 degree virtual reality. 

No booking required, just turn up and enjoy! 

13 Oct 

Fabulous Fungi Foray! 

Attenborough Arboretum 

Leicester LE2 3PF 

www.lrwt.org.uk 

FREE! Join us in the wood to explore the 

magical kingdom of mushrooms and toadstools! 

Wildlife Watch groups are suitable 

for children aged 5 -12 years. Children aged 

under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. 

Please wear suitable clothing for being 

outdoors in all weathers. Booking essential. 

Big Day Out at LOROS 

LOROS Leicester, LE3 9QE 

www.loros.co.uk 

Join us once again for our free, annual, 

family-friendly event. This year’s event will 

have activities for all the family. There will 

be street food vendors, live entertainment, 

food and craft market offering local produce 

and handmade crafts, a raffle, movie 

characters meet and greet, children’s activities 

and lots more! 


Go 7! Apollo 

National Space Centre 

Leicester, LE4 5NS 

www.spacecentre.co.uk 

Mission Commanders will be taking you on 

a journey that will eventually land humans 

on the Moon. Discover what they ate, how 

they trained, who they were and the all 

important one (our most asked question 

from visitors) how they went to the toilet 

in space! 

Ancient Craft for Kids 

Nottingham Lakeside Arts 

Nottingham, NG7 2RD 

www.lakesidearts.org.uk 

Learn about the pottery of the Early Anglo 

Saxon period while creating your own replica 

pot. Specialist in ancient pottery making 

technology, Graham Taylor, will guide you 

through the process of making and decorating 

your replica using authentic tools and 

materials. A hands-on-history experience. 

13 Oct 

Lantern Walk 

Oakham Castle LE15 6DR 

www.dovecottage.org 

Dove Cottage presents an exciting new 

event held in Oakham, starting at the historic 

castle in the centre. Join Dove Cottage 

for a 3 mile sponsored walk and help raise 

funds for your local hospice. All lanterns 

used will have an LED tea light included 

and no real flames will be used. 

13 Oct - 14 Oct 

Steam Gala 

The Battlefield Line 

Shackerstone, CV13 6NW 

www.battlefieldline.co.uk 

13 Oct 

Orienteering Challenge 

Western Park Leicester LE3 0WD 

www.lrsport.org 

Introductory orienteering race for beginners 

of all ages. Families welcome. Free badges 

for those finding enough checkpoints in 

within the time limit. Take the challenge: 

Walk, jog or run, how many checkpoints can 

you find in the park? All specialist equipment 

will be provided. 

14 Oct 

Wildlife Watch 

Anglian Water Birdwatching Centre 

Oakham, LE15 8BT 

www.rutlandwater.org.uk 

Join us for a walk around the reserve 

spotting signs of autumn. Create your own 

autumn art. Wildlife Watch groups are 

free to join and welcome new members. 

They are organised by trained volunteer 

Leaders and Helpers who know about the 

local wildlife and wild places. Meetings are 

suitable for children aged 5 – 12. Children 

under 8 must be accompanied by a parent/ 

carer throughout the activity. 

14 Oct 

Gala Open Day 

Rutland Railway Museum LE15 7FF 

www.rocks-by-rail.org 

6 



14 Oct 

Apple Day 

Woolsthorpe Manor nr 

Grantham, NG33 5PD 

www.nationaltrust.org.uk 

Join our traditional Apple Day celebration 

with lots of hands-on crafts, activities and 

science stuff with an apple twist, alongside 

our regular craft fair. There may be some 

small charges for children’s craft activities. 

14 Oct 

Leicester Marathon 

and Half Marathon 

Victoria Park Leicester LE1 7RU 

www.leicestermarathon.org.uk 

Whether you run, help, or simply cheer and 

support - good luck to everyone! 

15 Oct 

Crazy Collage and Little Crafters 

Leicestershire Craft Centre Market 

Harborough, LE16 7NJ 

www.leicestershirecraftcentre.co.uk 

Come and raid our huge stash of paper and 

fabric scraps and see how many different 

collages you can make! A great way to 

make art and recyle, too! 10.30am - 12pm 

for ages 6+. Then a crafty hour from 2-3pm 

especially for children aged 4-7 - We try 3 

or 4 different activities each time, with lots 

to experiment with, make and take home! 

Crazy Collage and Little Crafters 




Come and raid our huge stash of paper and 

fabric scraps and see how many different 

collages you can make! A great way to 

make art and recyle, too! 10.30am - 12pm 

for ages 6+. Then a crafty hour from 2-3pm 

especially for children aged 4-7 - We try 3 

or 4 different activities each time, with lots 

to experiment with, make and take home! 

Breakfast with Wally 

National Space Centre 

Leicester, LE4 5NS 


In 1961, Wally Funk was among the Mercury 

13, the first group of American pilots to pass 

the ‘Women in Space’ programme. Enjoy a 

breakfast burrito, the best start to any astronaut’s 

day, whilst listening to Wally’s story. 

Ask questions and find out more, in this 

family-friendly session for fans and those 

with an interest in this fascinating period in 

history, from one of the people who lived it. 

16 Oct 

Autumn Nature Crafts 




This fabulous session uses all kinds of 

nature as its inspiration - clay imprinting, 

twig decorating and gel printing with leaves 

and petals to make all kinds of lovely 

decorations and pieces of art to take home! 

Suitable for ages 6+ 

Earth Science Day 


www.oakhamcastle.org 

As part of Earth Science week join us at the 

Castle for a day of science based, hands-on 

activities. Use sweets to learn how rock is 

formed or find out how to make and use 

Stone Age tools. 

16 Oct - 26 Oct 

Halloween Pumpkin Carving 

Manor Farm Park and Woodlands East 

Leake, LE12 6LU 

www.manorfarm.info 

Running alongside our regular animal 

activities, join us for pumpkin carving this 

Halloween. Free pumpkin for every child. 

From 11am to 2pm throughout the school 

holidays, you can pick your own pumpkin, 

scoop out the flesh and draw a spooky 

design for our team to carve especially for 

you. The day will also be jam-packed with 

animal adventures, indoor and outdoor play. 

16 Oct - 18 Oct 

Halloween at Rockingham 

Rockingham Castle Estate LE16 8TH 

www.rockinghamcastle.com 

The witches of Rockingham are gathering 

to celebrate Halloween for the first time 

in centuries! Come and take part in the 

spooky pumpkin activities they have been 

planning. 

17 Oct 

Nature Explorers 

Anglian Water Birdwatching 

Centre Oakham, LE15 8BT 


Drop off the kids during half term for a day 

of exploring the world around them! Holiday 

fun for 5-10 year old’s. On this late autumnal 

day we will search for the wonderful birds 

that call the reserve home. As well as go 

exploring for the other bugs and beasts that 

reside here. Create some cool crafts from 

the materials we find and collect. Booking 

Essential. 

Machine Sewing for Children 

Leicestershire Craft Centre 

Market Harborough, LE16 7NJ 


A one-off sewing workshop where we’ll 

complete a make in a single session! Suitable 

for Juniors (Age 7+) upwards, no prior 

knowledge is required. 

Autumn Crafts 

Rutland County Museum 

Oakham, LE15 6HW 

www.rutlandcountymuseum.org.uk 

Create beautiful seasonal crafts inspired 

by the colours and animals of autumn. 

Make leafy decorations, woodland animals, 

pictures, masks and more! Suitable for 

children 4-10 years. No need to book, just 

drop in. All children must be accompanied 

by an adult. 

18 Oct 

Crime and Punishment 

Walking Tour 


www.oakhamcastle.org 

Join us at the castle for a whistle-stop tour 

of Oakham’s crime and punishment hot 

spots. We’ll introduce you to a colourful 

cast of ne’er-do-wells along the way and 

let them tell you their tragic and sometimes 

surprising stories. The tour will end at Kavanagh’s 

tea room where you can sample 

some of their fine fare. Booking Essential. 

18 Oct - 21 Oct 

Creative Clay Play 

Creations Pottery 

Loughborough, LE11 1UD 

www.creationspottery.co.uk 

Craft your very own creation in clay and 

take home a fantastic souvenir of Loogabarooa! 

We will help you make and paint a 

unique masterpiece. All materials included. 



FAMILY FUN THIS AUTUMN 

8 


www.primarytimes.co.uk/Leicestershire | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018 9 

FAMILY FUN THIS AUTUMN



Leicester’s Biggest Firework Display 

ADVANCE TICKETS: 

Adult £6 * Concessions and Under 16’s £4 

Family £16 (two adults, two children) 

Under 4s free 

ON THE GATE: 

Adults £8 

Concessions and Under 16’s £5.50 

(no family tickets available on the gate) 

Save up to 

40% 

with advance 

tickets 

Tickets available from Visit Leicester, De Montfort Hall Box Office and online. 

For further information go to visitleicester.info 

leicesterfest 

leicesterfestivals #APBonfire 

18 Oct - 23 Oct 

Loogabarooga Festival 

various venus 

www.loogabarooga.co.uk 

Showcasing local and nationally renowned 

authors, storytellers and illustrators, whose 

work gives Loogabarooga its unique and 

charming character and we’re thrilled to 

have the support of local businesses, who 

throw themselves into the Festival with 

enthusiasm and imagination! 

Loogabarooga Festival 

various venus 

www.loogabarooga.co.uk 

The 4th annual Loogabarooga Festival is 

celebrating 80 years of the iconic comic 

The Beano! Plus many local and nationally 

renowned authors, storytellers and illustrators, 

at a rang eof events that take place 

across the town. 

20 Oct 

Matisse Mayhem 

Attenborough Arts 

Centre Leicester, LE1 7HA 

www2.le.ac.uk/hosted/attenborougharts 

Inspired by the cut outs of Henri Matisse 

explore shapes in nature and use them to 

create your own cut outs. 

Fireworks! 

Bosworth Water Park CV13 6PD 

www.bosworthwatertrust.co.uk 

The season finisher, gates open at 3pm. 

Twilight Trek 

National Memorial Arboretum 

Burto-on-Trent, DE13 7AR 

www.thenma.org.uk 

Hear the owls awaken and the bats take 

flight in the rising moonlight as you explore 

our grounds with one of our experienced 

guides on this autumnal walk. A shorter 

Twilight Trek will take place on the evening 

at 4.45pm, following a hard standing, accessible 

route. Spaces for this walk are limited 

so early booking is recommended. 



Burton-on-Trent, DE13 7AR 


From tiny insects to mammals and amphibious 

water loving creatures, the Arboretum 

is home to a wide variety of wildlife, trees 

and flowers. Nature loving young visitors 

can discover more about just some of 

these amazing living things at our monthly 

interactive Wildlife Watch sessions. 

Ancient Egyptian Gallery Opening Day! 

New Walk Museum Leicester, LE1 7EA 

www.visitleicester.info 

Join us for special launch activities to 

celebrate the opening of our new Ancient 

Egyptian Gallery! Our family friendly launch 

day will have Ancient Egyptian inspired 

activities and the first chance to see our 

new gallery space. 

20 Oct - 27 Oct 

Luminarium 

Nottingham Lakeside 

Arts Nottingham, NG7 2RD 


Inspired by the traditional Islamic architecture 

and Gothic cathedrals, Alan Parkinson’s 

wonderful structures immerse audiences 

of all ages and abilities in radiant colour. 

Through labyrinthine tunnels and cavernous 

domes, visitors move in a medium of 

saturated and subtle hues, accompanied 

by a gentle sensory soundscape. It’s almost 

impossible to describe, you just have to visit 

and enjoy that very special experience! 

20 Oct - 28 Oct 

Burghley Halloween Trail 

Burghley House Stamford, PE9 3JY 

www.burghley.co.uk 

Tread through the crispy Autumn 

leaves and find the hidden spooks 

to receive a treat. 

Half Term at Belton 

Belton House Grantham, NG32 2LS 


Explore Belton on an autumn trail this 

half-term. Search for clues to accomplish 

Belton’s quest. Adventurers that complete a 

trail get a prize for all their hard work. Trails 

run daily from the Estate Yard. 

20 Oct - 31 Oct 

Pumpkin trail 

The Workhouse Southwell, NG25 0PT 


Children’s trail. Explore The Workhouse 

finding pumpkins from the garden. 

21 Oct 

Family Portrait 


Centre Leicester, LE1 7HA 


Come and have fun exploring your family 

identity through art! We will be exploring 

family members through portraiture using 

collage and illustration. 

22 Oct - 26 Oct 

Awesome Autumn Crafts 

Kedleston Hall Derby, DE22 5JH 


Celebrate the season with some awesome 

autumn themed craft activities. Normal 

admission charges to the Park applies to 

non-National Trust members. 

22 Oct - 28 Oct 

Hallowe’en at Lyveden 

Lyveden nr Oundle, PE8 5AT 


Have some fun at Lyveden this Hallowe’en. 

Search the garden landscape on our brand 

new Hallowe’en themed family trail or 

see what’s happening in our ‘spooky’ Family 

Den. 

22 Oct - 24 Oct 

Creepy Creations 

Rutland County Museum 

Oakham, LE15 6HW 

www.rutlandcountymuseum.org.uk 

Join us for our annual spooktacular craft 

sessions in preparation for Halloween. Make 

scary masks, creepy treat bags, pictures 

and lanterns. Suitable for children 4-10 

years. No need to book, just drop in. All children 

must be accompanied by an adult. 

23 Oct - 25 Oct 

Halloween at Rockingham 



The witches of Rockingham are gathering 

to celebrate Halloween for the first time 

in centuries! Come and take part in the 

spooky pumpkin activities they have been 

planning. 

24 Oct - 25 Oct 

Mad Science 

Woolsthorpe Manor nr 

Grantham, NG33 5PD 


Did you know Isaac Newton was a secret 

alchemist? Try some hands-on messy 

science with our very own mad science volunteers 

as you explore some of the hidden 

secrets of alchemy. 

10 



HALF-TERM HOWLS 

HALF-TERM HOWLS 

Abbey Park Bonfire & Firework Display 

Saturday 3 November 

Be dazzled by Leicester’s biggest 

bonfire & firework display at the city’s 

official celebration! The fantastic fun 

takes place on Saturday 3 November 

from 5pm – 9pm on Leicester’s Abbey 

Park and this year’s theme is Saturday 

Night Fever. 

The lighting of the bonfire and main 

display is always a spectacular sight 

– with a quieter firework show perfect 

for the younger audience. Watch the 

skies light up at this annual family 

event, with a programme of live 

entertainment, funfair and plenty of 

warming food stalls. 

Savings of up to 40% can be made by 

purchasing your tickets in advance. 

Tickets can be bought from Visit 

Leicester, De Montfort Hall Box Office 

and online. Further details and ticket 

prices at visitleicester.info and follow 

us on Facebook at leicesterfestivals 

Halloween at CONKERS 

For a ‘Spooktacular’ Halloween Half 

Term, CONKERS has introduced 

further of activities and entertainment 

for the whole family busy. 

Do you dare enter the darkened 

4D Cinema, displaying a Halloween 

scream-focused film! 

Rangers are leading craft activities 

such as: The Paint A Pot Studio, Sensory 

Art, Bush Craft, and 

Construction Derby. With live entertainment 

daily from Stuart Brown’s 

Magic Show through to Trevor Hill’s 

Animal Encounters, Sublime Science 

and Ras King Bobo’s acrobatic show! 

You can save 20% pre-booking general 

admission tickets online. 

www.visitconkers.com 

The National Space Centre 

Have a fang-tastic night, a 

boo-tiful evening, a total 

hallo-scream! 

Get into the ‘spirit’ of things with 

a special evening for all the family 

to enjoy, even the mummies. 

The National Space Centre are 

hosting the ultimate Halloween 

ex-FEAR-ience, with live Alien 

Encounters, Silent Disco, Slime 

Making and an out of this world 

360 Play 

360 Play isn’t just a place where kids 

can have fun, it’s also designed for 

them to be able to learn through play 

in a safe and secure environment, 

whatever the weather, and the perfect 

place to wear them out. 

360 Street is somewhere children 

of all abilities and interests can play 

together in a fantastic imaginary world 

of role play. They can stock up on groceries 

at the supermarket, help tend 

to sick animals at the vets or dress up 

in Twirl’s boutique. 

Messy Play is an area to head to for 

a whole host of creative activities. 

There are sessions running throughout 

the week for preschoolers and 

during school holidays for all. Most 

of the activities are included in the 

entry fee (a small cost of £1 applies for 

the cooking activities) and anyone is 

welcome to join in the fun! Look at the 

timetable on facebook to see what’s 

coming up. 

Outside Play areas are a great place 

to continue the adventure with sandpits, 

climbing, play houses and boats 

(please note that attractions vary at 

each location). 

Dodgems and Carousels are there 

when kids are ready to take a break 

Costume Competition… it will be 

positively defrightful. 

“Remember, if this one doesn’t 

scare you, you’re already dead!” 

27 October 

2018 

18:00-22:00 

Pre-book 

your tickets 

online. 


from soft play. With trains, fire engines, 

planes, horses and many more characters 

there is something everyone to 

enjoy and every go is free so they can 

enjoy as many rides as they like. 

Cafe Bar - The cafe bar makes for 

a great pit-stop and serves a wide 

selection of snacks, beverages and 

family favourite meal options. 

Your family could join 360 for a weekend 

brunch or enjoy a coffee and 

slice of cake. 

360 Rushden Lakes OPENING SOON! 

this centre will have all the usual 360 

Play features, including a two storey 

play frame containing a giant slide, a 

separate toddler area, a carousel and 

dodgem cars. 

www.360play.co.uk 

Basildon · Farnborough · Leicester · 

Milton Keynes · Redditch · Stevenage 

The place to play Unlimited fun 

Follow us on Facebook 

Boost After School Club 

Boost Leicester is proud to announce 

the arrival of BOOST AFTER SCHOOL 

CLUB, 4-6pm. This involves a session 

utilising of the whole park and 

activities. This includes an Interactive 

Climbing Wall, Basketball Hoop, Trapeze, 

Wipeout, Battle Beam, Cardio 

Wall, Extra Large Foam Pit and loads 

of trampolines for you to enjoy for up 

to 2 whole hours. In addition to this it 

includes a delicious meal deal. Make 

sure you book online to guarantee the 

best price and your place on the day. 

Be quick, space is limited. 

October29th - November 1st join us 

at Boost Trampoline parks for our 

October half term 

CRAZY COLLAGE (6+) 

Mon 15th Oct, 10.30-12.00 - £9 

LITTLE CRAFTERS (4-7YRS) 

Mon 15th Oct, 14.00-15.00 - £7 

AUTUMN NATURE CRAFTS (6+) 

Tues 16th Oct, 14.00-15.30 - £9 

SEW A CLOUD CUSHION (7+) 

Come join LOPC for their SPOOKY 

HALLOWEEN PUMPKIN HUNT. Enter 

the LOPC (if you dare!) anytime between 

6pm - 8pm on Wednesday 31st 

October. This safe family walk through 

the LOPC grounds may curl your toes, 

shiver your bones and have your eyes 

Halloween Spooktakular. 

Each evening from 5pm - 9pm the 

ghouls and ghosties will descend on 

Boost trampoline parks for an evening 

of fun and mischief. 

Get into your most ghoulish costumes 

and dance, bounce and flip yourself 

silly at this spooktacular event. 

For more information on this and 

other great events at Boost 

Trampoline parks. 

Take a peek at our park at 

www.boosttrampolineparks.co.uk or 

www.facebook.com/boosttrampolineleicester 

Leicestershire Craft Centre Events 

Weds 17th Oct, 14.00-16.00 - £17 

LANTERN MAKING 

Thurs 18th Oct, 10.00-12.00 - £16 

HAND SEWN 

AUTUMN DECORATIONS (6+) 

Fri 19th Oct - 10.30-12.00 - £10 

SCRAPBOOKING (7+) 

Fri 19th Oct - 13.30-15.30 - £8 

leicestershirecraftcentre.co.uk 

Spooky Halloween Pumpkin Hunt 

on the lookout for ghouls & ghosts 

as you collect your pumpkin stamps. 

Join us in the Un-Haunted LOPC 

Woods for Open Fire Marshmallow 

S'mores & Spooky Soup. LOPC is your 

Community Charity located 

at LE4 5PN. www.lopc.co.uk 




PREMIERSHIP KIDS PARTIES 

Kick off at goals 

Web: 

WWW.LOPC.CO.UK 

Email: 

WWW.LOPC.CO.UK 

ENQUIRIES@LOPC.CO.UK 

enquiries@lopc.co.uk 

Phone: 

01162681426 

1426 

Address: 

LOUGHBOROUGH ROAD, 

LEICESTER, LE4 5PN 

Loughborough Rd, 

Leicester, LE4 5PN 

15 acres of adventurous activities 

15 acres of adventurous activities in the 

Heart of England 

in the Heart of England 

School Educational Trips 

Supporting Corporate 

Social Responsibility 

Duke of Edinburgh Award 

Expedition AAP 

Corporate 

Team Building 

School Reward Trips 

Facility Hire 

Alternative Education 

Away Days 

Birthday Parties 

Events 

Individuals & Families 

Courses 

Childcare: 

Holiday Schemes / 

Clubs 

After School Club / 

Emergency Childcare 

Training 

PLUS! 

A Bootbag filled 

with goodies 

for all kids 

Tel: 0116 249 0555 

goalsfootball.co.uk 

Childcare: 

Holiday Schemes 

After School Club & 

Emergency Childcare 

Facility Hire: 

Birthday Parties 

Individuals & Families 

25 Oct 

Family house tour 



Discover the untold stories of Belton House 

with our interactive tour. It’s been specially 

designed for families with children aged 5 

years and over in mind. There’s limited tickets 

available, so pre-booking is essential. 

26 Oct 

Frightful Reserve Ramble 




Come along to the Nature Reserve for 

a ghoulishly good time and join us for a 

scarily spooky walk as darkness falls. Test 

your pumpkin carving skills and make a 

lantern to take home! Best fancy dress will 

win a prize. 

Talking pictures 



Discover the stories behind some of Belton’s 

favourite pictures in this interactive, 20 

minute workshop. Suitable for visitors aged 

6 years and older. 

27 Oct 

Hootingly Haunted Halloween 

Anglian Water Birdwatching Centre 

Oakham, LE15 8BT 


Come along to the Nature Reserve to carve 

a scary pumpkin and no witch or wizard 

is complete without a broomstick... so join 

us to make a magical one to take home! 

Discover what goes on under the cover of 

darkness with the dissection of owl pellets 

and take part in some super spooky craft 

making. The best fancy dress costume will 

win a super prize! 

Kids with cameras 

Calke Abbey Derby, DE73 7JF 


Come and join the photography team on 

a kid’s camera walk and have some fun 

looking for different views to photograph. 

Pick up some handy tips and tricks along 

the way. 

5 Parks Orienteering Challenge 

Knighton Park Leicester, LE2 3RT 




for those finding enough checkpoints with 

the time limit. Juniors may aggregate points 

from all five events. 

Family Halloween Party 

National Space Centre Leicester, LE4 5NS 


Have a fang-tactic night, a boo-tiful 

evening, a total hallo-scream! Get into the 

‘spirit’ of things with a special evening for 

all the family to enjoy, even the mummies. 

We are hosting the ultimate Halloween 

ex-FEAR-ience, with live Alien Encounters, 

Silent Disco, Slime Making and an out of 

this world Costume Competition… it will be 

positively defrightful. 


Tricks and Tonics 

Bolsover Castle S44 6PR 

www.english-heritage.org.uk 

Join the potion master and weave your 

magic as you make your very own potion 

to take home - just remember....don’t eat 

the bottle! Discover some amazing - and 

simple - tricks with elastic bands that will 

amaze and astound your friends and family. 

Show off your spooktacular costumes and 

frighten our fearless staff - will you win the 

fancy dress competition? 


Little Horrors Hide and Shriek 

Kenilworth Castle CV8 1NG 

www.english-heritage.org.uk 

Prepare for a scare with a half term monster 

hunt for your little horrors! Join our Victorian 

Investigators for a paranormal quest 

around Kenilworth’s creepy castle. Enjoy 

bone-chilling tales, set off on a twisted fairy 

trail, and pick up some handy tips on how 

to handle some most unpleasant creatures. 

Lively imaginations and sense of adventure 

are a must for this frightfully good family 

day out. 

28 Oct – 11 Nov 

Diwali Leicester 

Lights Switch On: 28 Oct 

Diwali Day: 7 Nov 

The Golden Mile, Belgrave Road, 

Cossington Street Recreation 

Ground and City Centre 


Diwali celebrations in Leicester 

are famously some of the best in 

the UK and some of the biggest 

outside of India. The festivities are 

loudest along Belgrave Road, in the 

heart of the city's Asian community, 

where the two main events take 

place each year. The fantastic Diwali 

lights switch-on brings the Golden 

Mile alive with light and colour – be 

prepared to gaze in wonder at an 

explosion of fireworks and over 6,000 

lights, twinkling against the night sky. 

Two weeks of cultural celebrations 

are rounded off on Diwali day with 

a bang! A spectacular fireworks 

show is the culmination of a night 

of Bollywood dances and music 

performances, and the Diwali Village 

for young and old of all communities, 

welcoming everyone to celebrate 

the Festival of Light in Leicester. But 

it’s not all about the Golden Mile. The 

Diwali lights radiate out across the 

city in the form of a cultural event 

programme – from theatre performances 

to craft activities, cultural 

talks and exhibitions – there’s events 

for people of all ages and cultures to 

learn about and get involved with the 

celebratory spirit of the festival. 

27 Oct - 31 Oct 

School of Witchcraft and Wizardry 

Belvoir Castle NG32 1PE 

www.belvoircastle.com 

Storytelling, potions, broomstick making, 

and a Banquet in the Great Hall - all sorts 

could happen in Belvoir Castle. 

12 





PRIMARY TIMES EXCLUSIVE 

14 



28 Oct 

Scary Spooktacular 

Barnsdale Gardens Oakham, LE15 8AH 

www.barnsdalegardens.co.uk 

Come for a walk in the Weird Woods where 

you can take part in apple bobbing. You can 

carve your own petrifying pumpkin to take 

home - it’s frightening fun for all the family, 

and kids in costume visit free! 

Bird Walk at Bradgate 

Bradgate Park Newtown 

Linford, LE6 0HE 

www.bradgatepark.org 

Autumn is a magical time in the Park, not 

only for the famous Deer Rut, but for many 

of our birds, that will be actively foraging 

for food to build up their reserves for the 

coming winter. We should see plenty of 

finch and tit flocks, winter thrushes, wild 

fowl on the River Lin and hopefully birds of 

prey including Buzzard and Kestrel. Join us 

on a journey through the Park to discover 

how our birds prepare for the harsh months 

ahead and observe them in all the finery of 

their winter plumage. 

Halloween Fun Day 

Manor Farm Park and Woodlands 

East Leake, LE12 6LU 

www.manorfarm.info 

We’ll be carving pumpkins and having 

spooky fun in the woodlands. Come along 

in fancy dress for games, crafts and animal 

activities. Explore the spooky trail. Make 

toast on the woodland campfire. Watch the 

pigs as they bob for apples. If you’re brave 

enough, join the wizard and his owl at the 

end of the day for our Spooky Trail to Goose 

Wood to meet the Witch of the Woods and 

take a treat from her cauldron. 

Family Wildlife Watch 

Volunteer Training Centre 

Rutland Water, LE15 8BP 


Come and see who visits Rutland Water for 

the winter months! Bring your binoculars, 

your ID books and even your cameras to 

discover the variety of birds that call this 

beautiful nature reserve their winter home! 

Then return to the Volunteer Training 

Centre for a shared breakfast and a unique 

view over the water. 

29 Oct - 31 Oct 

Family Halloween Nights 

Conkers DE12 6GA 


Are you prepared to come along and follow 

their footsteps into the haunted woods? 

With all the ghostly ghouls, witchesand 

trolls…will you make it out alive? Will you 

take a trip on the runaway train too? Don’t 

forget all are welcome to the “Ugly Bugs 

Disco” and we will beholding a fancy dress 

competition with creepy prizes! 

30 Oct 

Be a Ranger 

Kedleston Hall Derby, DE22 5JH 


Get you hands dirty and much in with 

our Rangers as they work hard to keep 

Kedleston a thriving habitat for wildlife and 

a beautiful natural parkland to be enjoyed 

today and long into the future. Expect to 

walk around 4km and be prepared to get 

your hands dirty. Ages 8+, booking essential. 

30 Oct - 31 Oct 

Trick or Treat Trail 

Nottingham Lakeside 

Arts Nottingham, NG7 2RD 


Wind your way along the ferocious footpath, 

deep into the whispering woods… Do 

you dare to enter the witch’s lair? Can you 

solve the mystery to win a treat? Don’t be 

tricked! Only the brave need apply (the 

none-too-brave are welcome too). 

31 Oct 

Pumpkin party 

Calke Abbey Derby, DE73 7JF 


Get in the spooky spirit at Calke’s popular 

pumpkin party! Buy a home-grown pumpkin 

from Calke’s gardens, or bring one with 

you. Decorate it in your own spooky style, 

then add it to our fabulous display. 

Steam and Scream! 

Great Central Railway Loughborough, 

LE11 1RW 

www.gcrailway.co.uk 

Spooky steam fun. 

Halloween Bonfire Party 

Play Close Melton Mowbray, LE13 0PW 

www.meltonmowbraytownestate.com 

Spooky fun for all the family. 

2 Nov 

Sheepy Bonfire Party 

Sheepy Playing Fields 

Sheepy Magna, CV9 3RD 

www.facebook.com/sheepybonfiresociety 

The Sheepy Bonfire Society holds their second 

Bonfire and Firework display, a great 

event for the whole family! Coming along 

again this year will be the amazing fire artist 

Stefan Grundy, Music by DJ Wizz, as well as 

a number of hot food stalls and a Licenced 

Bar. Last year was totally sold out, so make 

sure you grab your tickets early. 

3 Nov 

Abbey Park Bonfire and 

Firework Display 

Abbey Park Leicester, LE4 5AQ 


Be dazzled by Leicester’s biggest bonfire 

and firework display at the city’s official 

celebration. The lighting of the bonfire and 

main display is always a spectacular sight 

– with a quieter fireworks show perfect for 

the younger audience. Watch the skies 

light up at this annual family event, with a 

programme of live entertainment, funfair 

and plenty of warming food stalls. 

Fireworks at Cattows 

Cattows Farm Coalville, LE67 2TD 

www.cattowsfarm.co.uk 

60,000 Fireworks and Laser Display, plus 

live bands stage, spectacular fireworks 

display. Meet your favourite Children’s 

Characters. Fairground Rides. Licensed Bar. 

Various Food Stalls. 

The Big Sleep! 

Hicks Lodge nr Moira, 


FREE! Find out about hibernation! Which 

creatures do it, how and why? Wildlife 

Watch groups are suitable for children 

aged 5 -12 years. Children aged under 8 

must be accompanied by an adult. Please 

wear suitable clothing for being outdoors in 

all weathers. 

Rainbows Firework Spectacular 

Leicester Racecourse Oadby, LE2 4AL 

www.rainbows.co.uk 

Bring the family together and enjoy a 

fantastic night at Leicester Racecourse as 

we hold our ‘Pennies for the Guy Firework 

Spectactular’. With not one, but two fantastic 

displays, a giant bonfire, the fairground 

and plenty of food and drink stalls. 

Rainbows Enchanted Faeryball 

Market Tavern Melton Mowbray, LE13 1JY 

www.rainbows.co.uk 

If you believe in all things magical, fairies, 

Good2Learn 

Good2Learn is a multi award-winning 

educational platform that helps 

children to improve their skills in 

maths and English. 

Designed to be used on any device 

the intuitive platform bridges the 

ever-growing gap between school 

and home learning. It takes all the 

stress away from parents who don’t 

understand today’s curriculum and 

does all the hard work for them. 

Short video lessons and intuitive 

exercises keep children engaged. 

Parents love that the affordable 

monthly subscription covers both 

maths and English with no contracts 

or hidden fees. 

Try it now for your family at 

www.good2learn.com 





witches, unicorns and other mystical creatures 

then this is the event for you! Enjoy a 

popular and truly amazing event, packed 

full of food, drink and live music. Open to 

all ages, the ball promises to be a night to 

remember. Booking essential. 

Primary Schools Cross Country 

Prestwold Hall Loughborough 


Join in with the UKs biggest mass participation 

event for primary schools children! 

3 Nov - 4 Nov 

Fireworks Nights 

Conkers DE12 6GA 


In addition to the spectacular fireworks 

show, there will be: A Laser Show Disco, 

Fairground Amusements, Face Painting, 

Balloon Modelling, Tombola, plus we are 

also including a range of craft activities for 

children! 

4 Nov 

Owl Detectives 




Learn about the owls living on the reserve. 

Dissect an owl pellet and find out what 

was on the menu last night! Wildlife Watch 

groups are free to join and welcome new 

members. They are organised by trained 

volunteer Leaders and Helpers who know 

about the local wildlife and wild places. 

Meetings are suitable for children aged 5 – 

12. Children under 8 must be accompanied 

by a parent/carer throughout the activity. 

Remember, Remember! 

The Civic Centre Braunstone, 


FREE! Join us on the day before Bonfire 

Night to create your own firework pictures. 

Make the sounds of bonfire night with some 

banging and rattling instruments to take 

home! Wildlife Watch groups are suitable 

for children aged 5 -12 years. Children aged 

under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. 

Please wear suitable clothing for being 

outdoors in all weathers. 

5 Nov 

Bonfire Night 

Great Central Railway 

Loughborough, LE11 1RW 

www.gcrailway.co.uk 

7 Nov 

Diwali Day 

Cossington Street Leicester, LE4 6JD 


Over 40,000 people attend to enjoy a cultural 

stage programme, street entertainers, 

food stalls, fashion, gifts and a spectacular 

fireworks display. 

10 Nov 

Hedgehogs and Worms! 

Attenborough Arboretum 

Leicester LE2 3PF 


FREE! Winter is coming...how can you help 

the hedgehogs in your garden? Wildlife 

Watch groups are suitable for children 

aged 5 -12 years. Children aged under 8 

must be accompanied by an adult. Please 

wear suitable clothing for being outdoors in 

all weathers. 


Watermead Mammoth LE4 7RN 





the time limit. 

17 Nov 



Burton-on-Trent, DE13 7AR 


From tiny insects to mammals and amphibious 

water loving creatures, the Arboretum 

is home to a wide variety of wildlife, trees 

and flowers. Nature loving young visitors 

can discover more about just some of 

these amazing living things at our monthly 

interactive Wildlife Watch sessions. 

19 Nov - 23 Nov 

Christmas at Rockingham 



Its Christmas Eve 1849 and the Castle is 

decorated to help you step back in time to 

a thoroughly Victorian Christmas. The fires 

are lit, the food is prepared and the Great 

Hall Table is laid for a sumptuous Christmas 

Dinner. Guided tours take place throughout 

the day. Our Castle Gift Shop is stacked full 

of Christmas Ideas for friends and family. 

22 Nov 

Christmas Lights Switch On 

Humberstone Gate Leicester, LE1 1WB 


Join the beginning of the festive season at 

the annual lights switch-on event, kicking 

off the celebrations in the city. Highlights 

include the return of the ice rink to Jubilee 

Square, Leicester’s Christmas Market and 

the Wheel of Light. 

22 Nov - 6 Jan 

Christmas in Leicester 

various venus 


It’s the most wonderful time of the year, 

and this festive season has an extraordinary 

line-up of fun for all the family in Leicester. 

Jubilee Square will be home to a huge ice 

rink, marvel at the city’s giant Christmas 

tree next to the clock tower and enjoy all 

the fun of the fair on Humberstone Gate 

West. Fairy-tale lovers can head to Town 

Hall Square for the Alice in Wonderland 

themed tableau along with a traditional 

nativity scene. 

25 Nov 


Bradgate Park Hunts Hill LE6 0AH 





the time limit. Juniors may aggregate points 

from all five events. 

Big Fish Little Fish Family Rav 

The Core at Corby Cube Corby, NN17 1QG 

www.thecorecorby.com 

Family rave sensation Big Fish Little Fish 

are bringing their award winning, critically 

acclaimed, ultimate family party back to 

Corby. Expect a top DJ playing (grown 

up) dance music, crafts, multi-sensory 

dance floor with glitter cannons and giant 

balloons, baby chill out space, play area, 

colouring mural, glow sticks, and more. 

26 Nov 

SOCK Christmas Art and Craft Fair 

Loughborough Town Hall Loughborough, 

LE11 3EB 

www.loughboroughtownhall.co.uk 

The second SOCK Christmas Art and Craft 

Fair. On this day is the annual Loughborough 

Christmas Lights Switch On, when 

footfall in the town is significantly increased 

by up to 20,000 people! 

16 


Primary Times Leicestershire


BOX OFFICE 

0231512 

Office 

Your family theatre guide... 

Box0231513 

TICKET 

TICKET 

Spielberg in Concert 

The world-famous Philharmonia 

Orchestra, resident orchestra 

at De Montfort Hall, returns to 

Leicester this November with an 

evening dedicated to director 

Steven Spielberg. The concert 

features music from Spielberg’s 

long-time collaborator John 

Williams, including the scores 

to Jaws, E.T., Jurassic Park and 

Indiana Jones, as well as music 

from Alan Silvestri’s Back to the 

Future among many more. 

This concert is great for all ages 

to enjoy, and perfect for those 

who would like to experience 

the thrill of a live orchestra 

playing iconic film soundtracks 

rather than classical music. On 

the night the orchestra will be 

conducted by Anthony Weeden, 

renowned for his award-winning 

work in the film industry, who 

has orchestrated and conducted 

scores to The Theory of 

Everything, Sicario and Arrival. 

Tickets start at £13.50 and there 

are £6 tickets available for children 

and students. 

To book tickets or to find 

out more, visit or call the De 

Montfort Hall Box Office on 

0116 233 3111 or book online at 

demontforthall.co.uk 


Centre Leicester 

LE1 7HA 


4 Nov 

Windibops 

Volta Flatulence, Caroline Trumpface, 

Sally Silent But Deadly and Daisy Parphead 

have invited us into their laboratory 

to investigate the link between flatulence 

(yes, we mean farts!) and global 

warming. The four dancing scientists 

manoeuvre through a comical, colourful 

world filled with lab tables, fart jars, 

cows and test tubes, bringing dance and 

science together in a mesmerising ball 

of fun (and smells!) 

24 Nov 

Hey Diddle Diddle 

Ever wondered how a cow jumped over 

the moon? Or why the dish ran away with 

the spoon? We welcome back Goblin 

Theatre with open arms as they play 

live music, pull out brilliant puppetry, 

and make us laugh non-stop in this wild 

celebration of the imagination. 

Century Theatre Coalville 

LE67 3LN 

www.centurytheatre.co.uk 

18 Oct - 20 Oct 

The Wizard of Oz 

We’re off to see the wizard…the wonderful 

wizard of Oz! With a Wicked Witch 

thirsty for the magic ruby slippers, and 

Glinda the Good Witch who attempts to 

guide Dorothy along safely, will Dorothy 

and Toto make it back to Kansas? 

Brought to you by the wonderful Five 

Star Theatre who are celebrating a successful 

10 years in the theatre business. 

10 Nov 

The Twits 

Roald Dahl created some truly revolting 

characters in his time but surely few can 

compare with the noxiousness of Mr and 

Mrs Twit. This adaptation by David Wood 

is a marvellous mix of singing, music, 

slapstick and audience participation. 

Come and witness these truly ghastly, 

infamous book characters come to life 

in this fun and interactive production 

featuring original songs, bird pies and 

balloons…! 

Concordia Theatre Hinckley 

LE10 1RE 

www.concordiatheatre.co.uk 

6 Nov - 17 Nov 

Oklahoma! 

Full of classics, from the opening 

number of ‘Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’ 

taking you through a sumptuous and 

rousing score full of wonderful songs to 

the final rousing chorus of ‘Oklahoma!’. 

As the music soars you will be carried 

along on the emotional journey of one of 

the most famous love stories in musical 

history. 

Cresset Peterborough 

PE3 8DX 

www.cresset.co.uk 

18 Oct 

The Nutcracker 

Returning by popular demand, Vienna 

Festival Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker 

promises to delight audiences 

of all ages with its festive setting and 

light-hearted story. 

22 Nov - 24 Nov 

The Wizard of Oz 

Dorothy sets out on a journey down the 

Yellow Brick Road and all the way to the 

Emerald City, encountering The Wicked 

Witch of the West, Glinda the Good, 

and of course the Scarecrow, Tinman 

and Lion. The classic tale we all know 

and love! 

Curve Leicester 

LE1 1SB 

www.curveonline.co.uk 

27 Oct 

The Hanuman Tales 

Follow the Monkey King on his adventures. 

Using puppetry, dance and music, 

these highly interactive stories will get 

the whole family engaged. Become enchanted 

by this playful character as he 

flies from traditional texts into our hearts 

8 Nov - 11 Nov 

Tabby McTat 

“Me, you and the old guitar, How 

perfectly, perfectly happy we are. MEEE- 

EW and the old guitar. How PURRR-fectly 

happy we are!” Tabby McTat is a cat 

with the loudest of meee-ews and a 

18 



best friend with a guitar. Interwoven 

with original songs, Tabby McTat is the 

heart-warming tale of friendship and 

loyalty from the team behind Stick Man 

Live and Tiddler. 

De Montfort Hall Leicester 

LE1 7RU 

www.demontforthall.co.uk 

22 Oct 

An Audience with Simon Reeve 

An Audience with Simon Reeve is not 

only a fascinating and educational show, 

but at times shocking, inspirational and 

hilarious! Including exclusive multi-media 

footage and a 20mins question and 

answer session. Don’t miss this exclusive 

opportunity to see Simon for the first 

time live and uncut. 

Derby Theatre Derby 

DE1 2NF 

www.derbytheatre.co.uk 

26 Oct 

Knock Knock 

Once upon a time, tucked away in a 

small rickety cottage, deep in the heart 

of the forest, a woodcutter goes about 

his life in a world of woodland magic. 

When one day a stranger knocks at his 

door bringing with her a most unexpected 

of spells…! 

31 Oct 

Morgan & West: 

More Magic For Kids! 

Time-travelling magicians Morgan & 

West return to the stage with a marvellous 

magic show full of crazy capers 

for the young, old, and everyone in-between! 

Expect the unexpected, believe 

the unbelievable, but do not dare miss 

the unmissable Morgan & West! 

1 Nov - 3 Nov 

The Snail and the Whale 

Join a tiny snail on her trip round the 

world in Tall Stories’ magical, musical 

production inspired by the fantastic 

bestselling picture book by Julia Donaldson 

and Axel Scheffler. Storytelling, live 

music and lots of laughs for everyone 

aged 4 and up. 

Haymarket Theatre Leicester 

LE1 3AF 

www.haytheatre.com 

28 Oct 

This is Me: The Greatest Show 

“Ladies and Gents this is the moment 

you’ve waited for” Inspired by the hits 

from the “The Greatest Showman” one 

of the best selling films of all time! It’s 

time to celebrate the incredible music 

in a LIVE concert with friends and family 

and SING A LONG to your heart’s content. 

A live concert for all the family. 

Loughborough Town Hall 

Loughborough 

LE11 3EB 

www.loughboroughtownhall.co.uk 

16 Oct - 17 Oct 

Peppa Pig’s Adventure! 

Join Peppa as she gets ready to go on 

an exciting camping trip to the woods 

with George and her school friends, 

including Pedro Pony, Suzy Sheep and 

Gerald Giraffe. With lunch-boxes packed 

and Daddy Pig driving the bus, Peppa 

and friends are excited about their outdoor 

adventure, full of games, laughter 

and live music! 

Melton Theatre Melton Mowbray 

LE13 0HJ 

www.meltontheatre.co.uk 

3 Nov - 4 Nov 

The Jungle Book 

With Young Cast: ages 4-11 from performing 

Stars Academy. Adapted from 

Disney’s beloved animated film and the 

works of Rudyard Kipling, the “man cub.” 

Mowgli, bounds through the jungle and 

learns what it means to be human. 

Nottingham Lakeside Arts 

Nottingham 

NG7 2RD 


21 Oct 

The Snow Queen 

Kai and Gerda had been friends for 

as long as they could remember. Day 

followed day, always the same, until in a 

whirl of magic and deception, splinters 

of a magical broken mirror blow in the 

wind, freezing hearts and changing 

everything! Include a free workshop to 

make your own crown! 

28 Oct 

The Musicians of Bremen 

This stunning, non-verbal, visual adventure 

uses puppetry, movement, trapeze, 

and live music to tell the traditional tale 

of four animals put to pasture: a donkey; 

a cat; a cockerel and a dog. Too old 

to be of any use to their masters, this 

tumbling, musical adventure explores 

these extraordinary friendships. It shows 

that despite our differences, we can be 

friends, and that we are never too old to 

live our dreams. 

Stamford Theatre Stamford 

PE9 2DL 

www.stamfordartscentre.com 

18 Oct 

A Frog Called Woânda 

Told through live action, puppetry, music 

and shadows, this is a funny and touching 

story of love, loss and friendship. 

Performed in simple French for ages 

6-10 years. 

The Y Theatre Leicester 

LE1 6EY 

www.leicesterymca.co.uk/theatre 

24 Oct 

Spark the Goblin Wizard 

Spark’s magic rhymes can turn anything 

into anything. He’ll turn the bogeys 

up his nose into some pink ribbons 

and bows. He’ll make a gorgeous high 

heeled shoe out of a pile of donkey poo. 

However, something terrible begins 

to happen in the enchanted forest. 

Here be wasps, were-wolves and wily 

wickedness! 

BOX OFFICE 

Peppa Pig’s Adventure 

16th/17th October 2018 – Times Vary 

Join Peppa as she gets ready to go on 

an exciting camping trip to the woods 

with George and her school friends, 

including Pedro Pony, Suzy Sheep 

and Gerald Giraffe. With lunch-boxes 

packed and Daddy Pig driving the bus, 

Peppa and friends are excited about 

their outdoor adventure, full of games, 

laughter and live music! Tickets: Prices 

vary. Family offers available. 

We’re Going On A Bear Hunt 

1st/2nd March 2019 – Times Vary 

Direct from the WEST END, join us for an 

unmissable adventure through gigantic 

swishy swashy grass, the splishy splashy 

river and the oozy, squelchy mud in 

search of a bear in the smash-hit stage 

adaptation of Michael Rosen’s classic. 

Tickets: £14 Standard/£9 Schools 

Horrible Histories: 

Brand New Barmy Britain 

28th/29th May 2019 – Times Vary 

We all want to meet people from 

history…the trouble is everyone is dead! 

It’s time to prepare yourselves for 

Horrible Histories live on stage with a 

brand new show direct from the West 

End! Tickets: £15.50 Standard/£14 

Conc/£54 Family 



It’s all 

about 

Pantomimes 

Families 

get creative! 

LE1 7HA 0116 252 2455 

FREE workshops at 


Free Saturday Workshops 

during exhibitions 

1pm - 3pm 

Free Diwali Extravaganza 

Saturday 10 November, 

11am - 2pm 

Suitable for all ages 

Free entry to our galleries 

Free weekend parking 

www.attenborougharts.com 

Giggle and laugh together with 

Family theatre at Attenborough Arts! 

Free weekend parking! 

Windibops (ages 4+) 

Sunday 4 November, 1pm and 3pm 

Hey Diddle Diddle (ages 3+) 

Saturday 24 November, 11am and 2pm 

Baby Disco (ages 0 - 6) 

Sunday 9 December, 11am, 1pm, 2.30pm 

Bring Your Own Baby Comedy 

(adults with babies in arms) 

Wednesday 12 December, 12pm 

Tickets £5 - £10 plus family deals! 

Pantomimes are a wonderful annual tradition for many 

families in the UK, providing slapstick comedy and 

topical humour to entertain every age. The performances 

are almost always based on popular children’s stories 

and fairy tales, and are held in a wide variety of venues, 

from prestigious theatres to local town and village halls 

across Britain. Pantomimes tend to be more playful 

and comical than regular theatre, and involve eccentric 

costumes, musical numbers, audience participation, and 

a happy ending in every show. 

Although less strictly followed today, traditionally a 

number of the main roles were gender swapped. The 

Dame is an older female character in pantomime, often 

the hero’s mother, who regularly wears the most bizarre 

and garish outfits, and to this day is almost always played 

by a man. The gender swapping between the principal 

boy and girl is followed less frequently in more recent 

years, but traditionally these would also be notable 

features of the performances. 

One of the most popular additions to British pantomime 

shows are the celebrity cast members. They both help to 

draw in crowds for the theatres, and provide audiences 

with the opportunity to see their favourite stars taking 

part in over-the-top, farcical 

comedy guaranteed to have 

them roaring with laughter. 

The type of humour we know 

in pantomimes today was 

first introduced in 1843 when 

the Theatres Act was lifted 

and allowed all theatres 

the use of spoken word 

in their performances. 

Witty puns, word play, 

and audience 

participation 

began to be 

introduced 

by writers 

at the time, 

and these 

are still some 

of the main 

factors to the 

modern British 

pantomime 

providing fun, 

feel-good shows 

for all ages! 

20 



Panto Guide 

PANTO GUIDE 

Leicester’s Haymarket Theatre 

The first production from Leicester’s 

Haymarket Theatre is the world 

premiere of Treasure Island, penned 

by national treasure and established 

author Sandi Toksvig (The Great British 

Bake Off). 

With Toksvig’s trademark razor (or 

should we say cutlass?) sharp wit, 

Jim Hawkins’ adventure across the 

High Seas in search of treasure will 

appeal to all ages. Along the way Jim 

encounters deadly storms and even 

deadlier pirates, led by the infamous 

one-legged Long John Silver. 

Featuring rousing sea shanties and 

daring sword fights, piratical parrots 

and acrobatic puppets, this thrilling 

new version of the adventure story by 

Robert Louis Stevenson is the perfect 

Christmas treat for all the family. 

13 Dec-6 Jan at Leicester Haymarket 

Theatre, 1 Garrick Walk, Leicester 

LE1 3AF, 0116 296 1236. www.haytheatre.com 

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs 

at Peepul Enterprise 

Peepul Enterprise is pleased to 

announce that this year's pantomime 

will be ‘Snow White and the Seven 

Dwarfs' that will run from Monday 

10th December 2018 to Wednesday 

26th December 2018.Snow White 

and the Seven Dwarfs promises to 

be top-quality entertainment with 

the emphasis on laughter, audience 

participation and pure panto fun. 

With a talented line-up, superb music 

and choreography, we are set to 

deliver a sensational show which truly 

has something for everyone.” 

Tickets are now on sale for ‘Snow 

White and the Seven Dwarfs’ 

via the website 

www.peepulenterprise.com or 

call the Box Office on 01162616000 

for further information 

Peter Pan at De Montfort Hall 

“Come, fly away with us on a magical 

adventure with Peter Pan – the boy 

who never grew up. 

We’re taking the second star to the 

right and then straight on till morning, 

all the way to Neverland with the 

Darling children, in the ultimate 

family pantomime. 

Starring Kevin Kennedy – Curly Watts 

from Coronation Street, CBeebies’ Cat 

Sandion, X Factor winner Sam Bailey, 

Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist Kev 

Orkian and BBC Radio Leicester’s 

Martin Ballard. You’re invited on 

the adventure of a lifetime as Peter 

introduces us to His world of wonder 

with best friend Tinkerbell, the wild 

Lost Boys, and of course the terrifying 

Captain Hook. 

We’re teaming up once more with our 

partners Imagine Theatre to bring a 

proper, traditional pantomime full of 

song, dance, slapstick, laughs and of 

course… a ticking crocodile.” 

De Montfort Hall, Leicester 

www.demontforthall.co.uk 

0116 233 3111 

Cinderella at Century Theatre 

The Panto Company returns to the 

Century Theatre in Coalville this December, 

when the ever-popular company 

brings its version of Christmas 

favourite Cinderella to the stage. 

Bullied by her two Ugly Sisters, 

Cinders' future looks bleak until her 

Fairy Godmother casts a spell and 

sends her to the ball. How will the 

Prince ever find her when she flees 

at midnight, leaving behind a single 

glass slipper? 

Frenzy Youth Theatre 

Come and join Frenzy Youth Theatre 

in September for the start of our 

new term! We are a dynamic theatre 

company with the emphasis on imagination 

and the power of play. Our 

classes allow youngsters to explore 

creatively in a non competitive environment 

whilst having lots and lots of 

fun! We offer Drama & Storytelling for 

22 months-3 years, Drama & Imaginative 

Play classes for ages 3-5 and 

Youth Theatre Sessions for ages 4-7, 

8-12 & 13-18. Contact Frenzy today to 

Let Buttons be your host for traditional 

panto fun for grown-ups and children 

alike. There’s plenty of parking space 

for your pumpkin! 

Performances take place from 

Thursday December 6 to Sunday 

December 9. 

Tickets, priced at £9.50, are 

available from the Century Theatre 

website on www.centurytheatre. 

co.uk or by calling the box office on 

01530 278444. 

book your trial - we look forward to 

welcoming you into the Frenzy Family! 

www.frenzyyouththeatre.co.uk 


COMPETITION TIME 

Win! 

WIN! 

To enter these competitions please go to... 

www.primarytimes.co.uk/leicestershire/competitions or 

via Facebook at www.facebook.com/primarytimes leicestershire 

WIN! 

Win a family ticket to Beauty 

and The Beast pantomime! 

In the pretty French village of Mont – Sur - Relle, bookish 

Belle is ready to start a new chapter and find some adventure. 

However Belle, her friend Idle Jacques and his mum, 

Betty the local bell ringer get more than they bargained for 

when they find themselves trapped inside the enchanted 

castle of a mysterious beast! 

For your chance to win, answer this question: 

What is the name of the famous mountain found in the 

French Alps? 

A)MONT-A-GUE B) MONT BLANC C) MONT - Y - PYTHON 

Closing date – 20/11/18 

Win tickets to Philharmonia 

Orchestra at De Monfort Hall! 

Win free tickets to see the Philharmonia Orchestra perform 

music from Spielberg’s greatest films live in concert at De 

Montfort Hall on Friday 16 November. 


Which of these film scores did Alan Silvestri compose? 

A) JAWS B) WAR HORSE C) BACK TO THE FUTURE 


WIN! 

WIN! 

Win a family ticket to Abbey Park 

Bonfire & Firework Display.! 

The fantastic fun takes place on Saturday 3 November from 

5pm – 9pm on Leicester’s Abbey Park and this year’s theme 

is Saturday Night Fever. 


Saturday Night Fever was a hit movie in 1977 starring which 

American actor as the lead character Tony? 

FIND OUT THE ANSWER BY VISITING WWW.VISITLEICESTER.INFO 


Win a a family ticket to see 

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs! 

Peepul Enterprise are giving readers of the Primary Times 

the chance to win a family ticket to their exciting pantomime 

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. 


What does Snow White bite to make her fall asleep? 


Family ticket – 2 Adults & 2 Child/Cons or 1 Adult & 3 Child/Cons – dates 

subject to availability 

22

Primary Times Leicestershire October 2018

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