Reading Libraries - Families Online

November/December 2010 

Issue 50 • www.familiestvw.co.uk 

HENLEY • READING • WOKINGHAM • BRACKNELL • NEWBURY 

Your local guide to what to do and where to go with the children this Christmas 

FREE

PAGE 2 

Whether it’s team games, singing, dancing, a new language, 

music or swimming – there are so many great activities for your 

children to enjoy. See also the classes on offer for 

the under 5’s on pages 12-17. 

Thames Valley West 

CHILDREN’S SWIMMING LESSONS 

Bracknell & Thatcham 

• Non-swimmers & Improvers from 

3 1/2 years 

• Snorkelling & Diving 

• Advanced & Club level swimmers 

• 6 children per class 

• Teachers CRB checked 

• Term & Holiday courses available 

local ( rate ) 

rose@swimlessons.co.uk │ www.swimlessons.co.uk 

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010

inthisissue 

50 • November/December 2010 

Visit us now at www. familiestvw.co.uk 

4 News & Views 

9 Education News 

10 Dyslexia 

Common myths and how to recognise it 

12 Busy Babes 

Baby signing plus what’s new 

14 Early Years Activities 

Clubs and classes for babies and the under 5’s 

18 Hamleys Christmas 

Gift Guide 

Recommended toys for all ages 

20 Local Shopping 

Find shopping heaven close to home 

22 Festive Crafts 

24 Christmas Family 

Theatre 

Pantomimes, carol concerts, family shows 

26 Diary Dates 

29 Where’s Santa 

Some local venues where you can visit Santa 

30 Competitions 

Winter Wonderland, Odds Farm Park, 

Nirvana Spa, The Little Print Co. 

Next issue: January/February 2011 

Featuring: New Year, New You 

Pregnancy & Birth 

Editorial and booking deadline: 1 December 

To advertise in Families, call 0118 954 6893 or email adverts@familiestvw.co.uk 

To have copies of Families delivered FREE to your nursery, school, club or group, please email 

editor@familiestvw.co.uk 

Designed by Graphic Resolutions 01438 871 600. Printed by Warners Midlands PLC 01778 

391 000, www.warners.co.uk. Copyright Families Thames Valley West October 2010. 

Families Thames Valley West is part of a group, established in 1990 and headed by Families 

South West London. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and 

operated under licence. We take care in preparing this magazine 

but the publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for 

the claims of the advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents 

nor for Fam-TVWest_QPL-Ad_WE2010.qxd:Perform any consequence. 

1/10/10 17:34 Page 1 

Our front cover photography is courtesy of 

Room Seven, www.roomseven.com 

Don’t miss these 

great offers 

and competitions 

BUILD CONFIDENCE • BOOST CONCENTRATION • MAKE NEW FRIENDS • HAVE FUN 

FREE Drama Class 

Watch your child’s self-esteem soar with Perform’s unique drama, dance and singing 

classes. Our weekly workshops will work wonders for their confidence, concentration 

and social skills as well as giving them the best fun they’ll have all week. 

Book your child’s FREE class today. Call 0845 400 1283 or visit perform.org.uk 

perform.org.uk 

Editor’s Letter 

Welcome to our Christmas edition which has plenty inside to 

help you celebrate the festive season. Stuck for present 

ideas? We’ve turned to the best – Hamleys no less – to 

provide inspiration. Turn to page 18 for their recommended 

toys for all ages, and don’t miss our fantastic competition to 

win £250 in Hamleys vouchers on page 21. Looking to book 

tickets for a pantomime? We’ve got all the local show and 

concert details, plus lots of other holiday activities. And 

children, make sure you’re being very, very good as we’ve 

discovered some local venues where Santa himself may be 

spotted – find them on page 28. 

Dyslexia Awareness Week runs from 1-7 November and 

aims to increase understanding of this surprisingly common 

difficulty. Turn to page 10 to learn more. And we haven’t 

forgotten the little ones with the second part of our children’s 

clubs & classes directory which concentrates on the Under 5s. 

Find out more about baby signing and a whole host of other 

activities in our early years feature. 

Wishing all our readers, advertisers and distributors a very 

Merry Christmas! See you in 2011. 

Karen and Jane 

2 FOR 1 at Eddie Catz Playcentre, Newbury – page 15 

WIN Artemis, The Talent Stop and Baby College courses – page 17 

WIN £250 of Hamleys vouchers – page 21 

SAVE 10% at Shirleyz in Holme Grange Craft Village – page 21 

15% OFF online at The Great Little Trading Co. – page 21 

WIN tickets to Winter Wonderland and Odds Farm Park – page 30 

WIN Celestial spa products from Nirvana – page 30 

WIN a fingerprint charm from The Little Print Co. – page 30 

Families Mag ~ quarter page landscape advert: 60mm x 195mm (180mm PLUS 15mm into margin) 

0845 400 1283 

Book now for our fantastic 

Aladdin 

three day winter holiday courses! 

Visit See us us now now at www. www.familiestvw.co.uk familiestvw.co.uk 


PAGE 3

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News & Views 

“Shop on your seat 

and not on your feet” 

Beat the Christmas rush, Christmas 

catalogue is out now! 

Earn some extra cash for Christmas 

Have a girlie night in or a coffee morning, get lots 

of free products and present ideas. 

Cosmetics, skincare, jewellery and beautiful things 

for your home. 

Contact me for a chat and I will tell you 

all about our super offers. 

Leena Wisely 0118 972 4964 / 07941 162 441 

or leena.wisely@virgin.net 

What do you have to sell? 

Want the best price for your items? 

Are you moving home? Are you having that 

pre-festive season de-clutter? Have you a pile of 

unwanted goods that you’ve still not got round to 

selling? To achieve the best possible price for 

your goods let Debbie sell it for you. 

Debbie is an established eBay Power Seller with 

100% positive feedback who specialises in selling 

your furniture, designer clothes and jewellery too. 

So if you’re moving house, refurbishing or 

de-cluttering, give her a call and she will take care 

of all your selling requirements ~ saving you time 

and earning you extra cash in the process. 

Call Debbie Beard on 079 1913 3457 

www.stressfree-trading-online.co.uk 


Families mags proud 

to be 20 years old 

Today Families Thames Valley West is part of 

a thriving group of franchised magazines across 

the UK from the Solent to Fife, but twenty years 

ago it was a much smaller operation. The first 

issue in October 1990 was a cut and paste affair 

in black and white – meaning scissors and glue, 

not copy and paste! 

The very first edition, Families® South West, 

had a mere 4,000 print run, and colour wasn’t 

to be seen until Oct 2000. How things have 

changed – it would be unthinkable nowadays to 

have a Families magazine in black & white. 

Even when the experts said that “it would 

never work in publishing,” Families started 

franchising the magazine in 1995. There are 

now 30 editions of Families in the UK and well 

over 500,000 copies are printed across the 

group. 

But throughout it all, Families has remained 

true to the original thinking, a hands-on 

magazine for busy mums with useful 

information, centred around the local 

community. 

Going on-line and interactive 

When the World Wide Web beckoned in 

the late 1990s, we were there. 

Families has had a web presence 

from 1997; with 

www.familiesonline.co.uk 

launched in 2000 and last 

December saw a massive 

re-launch of the website. The 

Families website is a powerful 

resource that currently reaches 

into nearly all areas of the UK. 

Local editors look after their own 

local section filled with local articles, 

listings, discussion forums and free 

small ads. Register as a user and find at 

the bottom of your chosen articles a list 

of relevant companies local to you. No 

more searching, the info comes to you. 

This is simply unique. 

An extensive range of treatments to help 

busy mums look and feel their best: 

Facials n Manicures n Pedicures n Acrylic/gel nails 

Spray tanning n Waxing n Electrolysis 

Anti-ageing n Anti-cellulite n Body wraps 

Pregnancy/new mother n Make-up 

Pamper days n Anti-stress massage 

Aromatherapy n Hot stone therapy 

Life coaching n Reflexology n Reiki 

Acupuncture n Nutrition n Hypnotherapy 

55 High Street, Twyford, Berkshire, RG10 9AJ 

What’s next? 

Families Online of course! Visit our own website 

www.familiestvw.co.uk and find: 

• Great competitions and offers including – 

win £250 of Hamleys vouchers, tickets to 

Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, 15% 

online discount at The Great Little Trading 

Company. 

• Download the current magazine and access 

archived magazines. 

• Local Directories full of parties, classes, whats 

on, toddler groups.and lots more. 

• Articles and news that we couldn’t fit in the 

magazine. 

Remember to log in: by doing so you allow all 

articles you read to automatically show the 

relevant local 

companies at the 

bottom. It also 

means Families 

TVW becomes 

your default 

Home Page 

when you 

visit us. 

Helping You Look and Feel Your Best 

To find out more, call: 0118 934 0355 or visit: www.halcyon-brw.co.uk 

We also offer a range of grooming and relaxation treatments for 

men and treatments for teenagers. Please contact us for details. 

families ad_new.indd 1 05/02/2010 09:09 


The Reading Climbing 

Centre opens its doors 

Keen climbers of all ages and abilities should head down to one the best climbing walls in the South, 

which has just opened in Britten Road, Reading. A range of clubs and courses is on offer for children 

from 5 upwards, plus climbing birthday parties. The state-of-the-art centre offers enough challenges, 

even for experienced adults, with routes of all grades, plus bouldering. Non-climbers can watch the 

action whilst enjoying a hot chocolate in the Picnic café. For more information visit 

www.readingclimbingcentre.com 

Make your child’s party 

a roaring success 

New this year, Big on Bouncing has Go Karts to 

hire, ideal for that really high octane party. 

Suitable for 4-9 year olds, the Go 

Karts, up to 4 at a time, can 

operate both indoors and 

outdoors. Safety is taken very 

seriously. The electric Go Karts 

are fitted with safety harnesses 

and a ‘cut-out’ switch, and 

trained staff are on hand to give 

instructions and encouragement 

to the children. Speed is 

restricted according to the 

child’s age and ability. 

Big on Bouncing are wellknown 

for their excellent 

selection of inflatables, bouncy 

castles, assault courses, sumo 

suits and other party hire 

equipment. So why not add a 

bouncy castle to your booking 

and receive a 15% discount? 

To see their full range visit www. 

bigonbouncing.co.uk or call 01628 410 

736/07926 751243 for further details and prices. 

Families expands in Newbury 

Readers in the Newbury area should now find it easier to get hold of a copy of their favourite free 

mag. Due to increased demand we have started delivering copies to Eddie Catz Newbury and Pelican 

Day Nursery. If you would like copies of Families delivered free to your venue please email us at 

editor@familiestvw.co.uk 

News & Views 

Henley Nannies 

Established 1988 

Supplying Nannies, Mothers Helps, 

Housekeepers, Couples & Babysitters 

Covering Oxfordshire, 

Berkshire, Hampshire & Surrey 

Tel: Jackie 0118 9843035 

Email: jackie@henleynannies.co.uk 

Web: www.henleynannies.co.uk 

Children’s Party Planners 

www.popinparties.co.uk 

• Bear Making Parties 

• Fabric Painting Parties 

• Theme Parties 

Visit our website for current prices. 

or call us on 07764 849828 or 

e-mail: popinparties@tiscali.co.uk 

YES, YOU CAN 

HAVE IT ALL! 

Successful ‘Business Mum’ is 

seeking 5 working partners to work 

part-time from home, alongside 

& without compromising family 

commitments or current career. 

If you have a supervisory, 

managerial, sales, healthcare, 

marketing, recruitment or a 

self-employed background, 

or you wish to develop an 

extraordinary lifestyle. 

Please call JAYNE DAVEY 

01491 671293 

Visit View us www.familiestvw.co.uk now at www. familiestvw.co.uk for the latest news Thames Valley West 

PAGE 5

PAGE 6 

Go Kart Party The Most fun Kids can Have, 

This well established and profitable children’s entertainment franchisee is for sale 

covering the parts of the RG postcodes. 

If you are looking for that change of career, facing redundancy or just looking to strike the right work / life 

balance then this opportunity might just be for you. In brief: 

Crowd puller @ shows 

SUNRISE HYPNOTHERAPY 

Gentle help you need 

For help with: 

• Stress management 

• Stopping smoking - 1 session • Tackling exam nerves 

• Effective weight control • Ensuring goal achievement 

• Preventing fears and phobias • Pain relief 

• More positive thinking • Allergies 

Fiona Grant DHP LAPHP BSc Hons 

05601 739 109 (Caversham) / 07810 716 050 

www.sunrisehypnotherapy.co.uk fionaagrant@bluebottle.com 

Call today to arrange a free initial consultation. 


Inside or outside, rain or shine 

venues secured 

an all year round business 

Work from home 

Self Promoting 

Part time or Full time 

Low overheads 

For more information call: 0118 972 3876 

www.go-kartparty.co.uk or Call 0870 116 2000 

“Best Party Ever” 

Conveyancing Solicitor 

I have my office based at home. I deal with all types 

of Conveyancing; sale, purchase, remortgage, etc. 

I choose to have a small practice where I handle 

everything myself. I offer a personal touch with 

flexible contact hours. Clients feel at ease coming 

to my office where children can play with the toys. 

Call me, Rachael Matthews, on 

01494 758573 

or email: Rachael@rmatthewssolicitor.co.uk 

www.rmatthewssolicitor.co.uk 

Call me for a quote or visit our website 

and use our online quote facility. 

Get a taste for life 

Take your children on a food adventure with a new pre-school 

programme from Organix. Nursery children are being invited to discover 

healthy food with the launch of Taste for Life, a new pre-school 

education programme launched in nurseries this month across the UK. 

Taste for Life is a fun and interactive way of introducing fruit and 

vegetables to children, helping them to explore and enjoy good food 

from a young age and develop healthier eating habits for life. Based on 

a concept by Lucy Thomas, founder of the Mange Tout programme, 

Taste for Life is designed to encourage children to have fun discovering 

the origin, shape, colour, texture 

and smell of fruit and 

vegetables. Register your 

nursery at www. 

tasteforlifenursery.com and 

they will send you all the 

resources you need to get your 

little ones exploring more fruit 

and vegetables, from recipes 

and stickers to reward charts 

and seasonal activity plans. 

Ice in winter 

It may be chilly 

outside but there is 

never a season when 

kids don’t love ice 

lollies. Set up by 

mums Zoe Meredith 

and Sarah Smith, 

Yummy Lollies are 

healthy ice lollies 

made from nothing 

but 100% real fruit, 

with no colourings, 

preservatives, added sugar or water. Available in 

Waitrose and Holland & Barrett stores, 

try these tasty, healthy treats and top 

up your children’s 5 a day, 

www.yummylollies.com 

Feather 

your 

garden 

This winter encourage birds into your 

garden with The Balcony Gardener’s 

stylish range of birdhouses, feeders 

and baths. Attract new feathered 

friends with a variety of nest boxes 

from www.thebalconygardener. 

com, providing a safe and snug 

place for birds to roost and nest. 

These nest boxes are best put up 

during the autumn and winter, when 

many birds are looking for a suitable 

place to roost or perhaps to feed. Choose 

from bird wire feeders at £4.50 and 

bungee feeders at £7.50, or the more 

expensive nesting boxes, £15.50, 

patterned bird baths at £18.00 and 

solar panel bird boxes, £49.95. 


Have a Creative Christmas 

Encourage creativity this Christmas by giving Made By 

Me, a gorgeous children’s stationery range from 

Boxhouse Publishing. Ideal for Christmas gifts and 

stocking fillers, the range includes calendars and creative 

design kits and has been designed to get little one’s 

creative juices flowing. As well as colourful designs and 

fun page layouts, the kits include snazzy sticker sheets 

and glue dots which mean that all the creativity is messfree 

and can be done without help from mum and dad. 

The Made By Me range is available from www. 

boxhousepublishing.com or by calling 0845 644 7507. 

My Year children’s calendar £10.99 

This 12-month calendar can be started in any month. 

It comes with loads of illustrative stickers to 

customise the colourful page layouts as well as lots 

of fun reminder stickers. 

Osteopathy 

Physiotherapy 

Acupuncture 

Cranial Osteopathy 

Sports Massage 

Homeopathy 

Nutritional Consultancy 

www.harrisonclinic.co.uk 

Exceptional care in a friendly, 

relaxed environment 

0118 976 2253 

Bridge Farm, Farley Farms, Reading Road, Arborfi eld,Reading, RG2 9HT 

Original Card Kit £9.99 

Perfect for budding artists. This mix and match kit, 

with quirky original designs, contains all children 

need to make hand-made cards presented in a 

beautiful keepsake box. 

Original Stationery Set £6.99 

Just the ticket to encourage children to write those 

Christmas thank you notes, this stylish stationery set 

is based on four fun themes - circus, garden, 

countryside and seaside. 

�Discover lasting pride in your appearance 

� 

News & Views 

Give a gift that will last a lifetime 

Gift vouchers are now available for 

any of our consultations 

� Colour Analysis 

� Style Consultation 

Recycle 

at school 

A new recycling scheme aims to 

raise £5m for schools through 

collecting old mobile phones and 

empty printer cartridges. 750 

schools have already signed up 

to Support Your School, a 

‘cash for trash’ scheme where 

schools receive £1 for every 

empty ink cartridge and £3 for 

unwanted mobile phones. 

Launched by Carrie and David 

Grant from Fame Academy, the 

fundraising scheme will raise 

millions for schools as well as 

reducing by 10% the number of 

inkjet cartridges going to 

landfill. Find out more at 

www.supportyourschool.co.uk 

Another new campaign aims to 

encourage students to upcycle 

used writing instruments. 

Sponsored by Berol, Sharpie and 

Paper Mate in partnership with 

TerraCycle UK, the programme 

teaches pupils about sustainability 

while helping to raise funds for 

schools, charities and non-profit 

organisations nationwide. 

Collection centres will be 

established in 370 UK-based 

schools and for every writing 

instrument collected, 2p will be 

contributed to a school or charity 

of the participant’s choice. 

The collected writing instruments 

will be dissembled and 

reprocessed to make a variety of 

new products, so get scribbling 

and start collecting! Interested 

schools can sign up at 

www.terracycle.co.uk 

� Wardrobe Weeding 

� Makeup Lesson 

For further information please visit the website at 

www.newreflection.biz or call me, Jo Haley on 

01491 411586, mobile: 07590 512 376 

Look forward to hearing from you! 

Visit View us www.familiestvw.co.uk now at www. familiestvw.co.uk for the latest news Thames Valley West 

� 

�PAGE 

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Education News 

Our 2010 ‘outstanding’ ISI report said; 

THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL, WELL-INFORMED, 

IMAGINATIVE AND VARIED TEACHING SUPPORTS 

THE PUPILS’ SUCCESSES ACROSS THE CURRICULUM. 

STRONG RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN STAFF AND 

BOYS LEAD TO MUTUAL RESPECT AND TRUST 

St. Edward’s School invites you to come and see for yourself. 

Scholarships available for Years 7 and 8 


ST EDWARD’S SCHOOL 

READING 

64 Tilehurst Road, Reading RG30 2JH 

01189574342 www.stedwards.org.uk 

A36564 Highland School Advert_Port:Layout 1 12/10/09 12:36 

THE HIGHLANDS SCHOOL 

THE HIGHLANDS SCHOOL 

TILEHURST, READING 

PRIVATE TOURS AVAILABLE 

An Independent Day School 

Girls: 2 yrs - 11 yrs, Boys: 2 yrs - 7 yrs 

• Before, After School and Holiday Care 

• Transport available 

• Affordable fee structure with Bursaries available 

Our recent ISI inspection report says: 

‘The staff show dedication and commitment to the welfare of the pupils with whom they 

enjoy very good relationships in a calm, kindly atmosphere. The pupils are confident, 

articulate and hard working. Their spiritual, moral and social development is a strong 

feature of the school.’ 

Wardle Avenue, Tilehurst, Reading, RG31 6JR 

Tel: 0118 942 7186 Fax: 0118 945 4953 

Email: enquiries@highlandsschool.co.uk 

Website: www.highlandsschool.co.uk 

BearwoodFamMag_Oct(87x85)_BearwoodFamMag_Oct(87x85) 06/10/2010 15: 

BEARWOOD COLLEGE 

Wokingham 

Open Days 

Wed 24th Nov 

Wed 19th Jan 

Wed 9th March 

Please call to confirm your attendance 

Nursery • Pre-Prep • Prep • Senior • Sixth Form 

Independent day / boarding co-education from 0-18 

0118 974 8300 

www.bearwoodcollege.co.uk 

Reaching over 100 Independent 

Schools and Nurseries 

To advertise call 0118 954 6893 

or email adverts@familiestvw.co.uk 

Treetops Nursery 

5 Centenary Park, Station Road, Henley on Thames RG9 1DS 

We believe that every child is a unique individual, full of potential 

and continually evolving. Therefore our overriding childcare 

philosophy is to provide a warm, safe and happy environment, in 

which each child receives stimulation correctly levelled at his/her 

own particular age and stage of development. 

Over 19 years’ experience in complete 

childcare and education 

Town centre location 

Excellent home cooked food 

Open 7.45am-6pm. 51 weeks a year 

Light and spacious rooms 

Multi-level indoor soft play gym ; unique 

indoor/outdoor all-weather play area and 

an outside area 

To see what we can offer you and your child, contact Sarah 

to arrange a visit on 01491 413336 

www.countrysidenurseries.co.uk 


Where 

individuals 

thrive 


A day of challenges 

A team of pupils from St Edward’s and The 

Highlands Schools have had an exciting 

time taking part in the annual Junior 

Teamwork Challenge. 

The brave and hardy group faced many 

adventures – the most perilous being a 

giant crocodile infested swamp that had to 

be crossed using only three planks of 

wood. Thankfully, the children made it 

safely across and were able to complete 

their other challenges. These included orienteering, giant puzzles and, the 

funniest to watch, a tricky obstacle course which had to be negotiated whilst 

all strapped to the same ski. 

The day finished with some climbing, first on low-ropes and then a thrilling 

trip to the top of the tower and a series of tightrope sections. A fun way to 

encourage leadership and problem solving skills! 

To find out more about St Edward’s and The Highlands Schools please visit 

www.stedwards.org.uk and www.highlandsschool.co.uk 

Our enterprising children 

A new business has been launched to enable primary school children to set up 

and run a healthy tuck shop in their own school. Fruit to Suit, the healthier 

tuck shop company, has come up with the imaginative concept of a one-day 

Business and Enterprise Programme designed to train a young Tuck Shop Team 

to set up and run a healthier tuck shop. 

Training is divided into a series of workshops and fun activities: the Tuck 

Shop Challenge where the children set up their own company that will run the 

healthy tuck shop in their school, and Tuck Shop Manager Training, a half-day 

session for the children who will actually run the shop. 

The children are then taken through all the practicalities of running a tuck 

shop, from advertising to ordering stock, 

gaining invaluable business and enterprise 

skills. The benefits of a healthier tuck 

shop are innumerable – encouraging 

children to eat more fruit and vegetables 

and giving them the opportunity to try a 

wider variety of food, while being 

proactive in the prevention of excess 

weight and obesity. A fantastic, 

innovative idea. To find out more visit 

www.fruittosuit.co.uk 

Visit View us www.familiestvw.co.uk now at www. familiestvw.co.uk for the latest news 

Education News 

Crosfields pupils inspired 

by la vie française 

Pupils from Crosfields School, in Reading, packed their bags 

recently and headed to a stunning chateau in the La Manche 

region of Normandy. 

The Château de la Baudonnière provided an excellent 

opportunity for pupils to enhance their French language skills 

through practical activities such as cookery, an assault course, 

archery, orienteering and a climbing wall. 

Also on the curriculum were Geography and History, with 

trips to Mont St Michel bay, and to Bayeux and the D-Day 

landing beaches. Visits to markets, shopping centres and the 

beach rounded off a successful trip during which new 

friendships were forged and new experiences shared. The pupils 

enjoyed a genuine French week and returned to school enthused 

by la vie française. 

For more information on Crosfields please visit 

www.crosfields.co.uk 

Beechwood opens its doors 

Beechwood Primary School in Ambleside Close, Woodley, is holding 

an Open Morning on 12 November at 9.30am–12noon, with the 

Head Teacher’s presentation at 9.30am and 11am. Call 0118 969 

5976, email admin@beechwood.wokingham.sch.uk or visit 

www.beechwood-primary.ik.org for further information. 


PAGE 9

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Education 

5 FREE 3 hour sessions for all 3 and 4 year olds 

We provide a safe, stimulating and caring environment that 

promotes learning through play 

www.StDominicsPreSchool.co.uk 

St Dominic’s Pre-school Playgroup 

Western Avenue, Woodley, Reading RG5 3BH 


Tel: 07947 015 484 

Email: info@StDominicsPreSchool.co.uk 

Dyslexia – common 

Dyslexia is often 

misunderstood, hard 

to diagnose and 

those affected by it often 

do not receive adequate 

support. So what is it and 

how does it affect children? 

Corinna Shepherd explains. 

My interest in dyslexia and my passion to 

help those who struggle with it started 

around five years ago. At the time, my son 

was struggling with literacy and lost 

interest in learning. At the same time, I was 

on a course for work on dyslexia and other 

learning difficulties. This caused me to 

realise he might be dyslexic. I had him 

assessed by an educational psychologist 

who confirmed that he was indeed mildly 

dyslexic. In response the school did not 

offer much support and advice as they felt 

he was performing adequately, but I knew 

he was not reaching his potential. My 

interest in this subject and the fact that 

dyslexia is often not picked up or addressed 

satisfactorily led me to establish The 

Chilterns IDL (Dyslexia) Centre in January 

2007, and two further centres over the 

next few years. 

So what is dyslexia? 

The word dyslexia comes from the Greek, 

literally meaning ‘difficulty with words’. The 

condition can affect spelling and reading, and 

many people believe that’s all it is. But it can 

also affect individuals in other areas such as 

confusing dates and times; confusing left and 

right; difficulties getting ideas down on paper; 

difficulties sequencing numbers and 

information; and following verbal instructions. 

Working memory is often also poor. This shows 

itself when new information needs to be 

processed effectively and quickly. 

While dyslexia can be viewed as a learning 

difficulty, it can also be seen as a gift. Some 

talents shared by dyslexics include the ability to 

think in pictures, being creative and intuitive 

and being good with their hands. They’re often 

highly aware of their environment and have 

vivid imaginations. Children with dyslexia often 

have above average intelligence, yet they 

struggle with words and processing new 

information. 

Who is affected? 

The exact percentage of the population is 

debated, but it’s generally thought to affect 

Photo courtesy Tesco Back to School 

Located on a beautiful, rural setting, Jubilee Day Nursery 

offers outstanding childcare to children aged 3 mths to 5 yrs. 

At Jubilee Day Nursery we believe children learn best through 

play and being given regular access to outdoor play facilities 

enhances children’s learning experiences. 

Jubilee Day Nursery has designed and developed a stunning 

outdoor environment to ensure all the principals of the Early 

Years Foundation Stage are encompassed. 

info@jubileedaynursery.co.uk 

0118 9701600 

www.jubileedaynursery.co.uk 

Paddock View, Rectory Road, Padworth Common, RG7 4JD 


etween 8% and 15%, 4% severely. That 

means that in a class of 30 children, 3 are likely 

to have dyslexic tendencies, maybe mild or 

possibly severe. So everyone is likely to know at 

least one child or adult who is dyslexic. Children 

with dyslexic tendencies are likely to be resistant 

to traditional teaching methods and benefit 

from a one-to-one, multi-sensory learning 

environment. 

Dyslexia often runs in families, with a parent, 

grandparent, sibling, aunt, uncle or cousin 

struggling with it, too. Most are born with it 

and don’t grow out of it, although they do learn 

to cope with it. It’s not directly linked to 

intelligence. Children and adults with other 

learning difficulties or sensory disabilities may 

also have dyslexic difficulties. 

How to recognise dyslexia 

Sometimes it is hard to get a diagnosis of 

dyslexia. However, there’s a lot you can pick up 

about your child just by sitting down together 

with them and a good book, appropriate to 

their developmental stage and interest level. 

Areas of difficulty to look out for include: 

• Does your child struggle with reading or 

spelling? 

• Do they avoid picking up a book? 

• Do they guess at a word, looking at the 

whole word or just the initial letter? 

• Do they forget how to read or spell a word as 

soon as they’ve turned the page? 

• Do they find it hard to sound out individual 

letters in simple 3 letter words, for example 

cat, bat? 

• Do they find it hard to rhyme simple words? 

• Do they skip little words such as ‘and’ or ‘the’? 

• Do they miss out words when reading? 

These are all potential indicators of dyslexia. 

Other non-language indicators in primary-age 

children include difficulty 

with tying shoe laces, tie 

or dressing generally; 

difficulty telling left from 

right, ordering the days 

of the week, months of 

the year etc; having a poor sense of direction; 

lacking confidence; and having a poor self-image. 

The presence of any, most or all of them 

does not necessarily mean your child is dyslexic, 

but I would recommend further investigation if 

you have any concerns. 

I think my child might be dyslexic. 

What should I do now? 

Speak to an educational specialist, such as your 

child’s teacher. Or ask to speak to the SENCO 

(special educational needs co-ordinator). Every 

school must now have a teacher with this 

responsibility. If your child is at nursery, their 

nursery teacher or health visitor will be able to 

point you in the right direction, although there 

is often a reluctance to consider dyslexia at this 

early age. You could also look at the Code of 

Practice, which sets out the way schools and 

Local Education Authorities (LEAs) should 

provide extra support to meet children’s 

special educational needs. The Code of 

Practice is available free from DCSF Publications, 

tel: 0845 60 222 60, CoP Ref: DfES/581/2001, 

copies can also be downloaded from 

www.beingdyslexic.co.uk 

Can you grow out of dyslexia? 

As children grow up, they learn to compensate 

for their difficulties, the more successful ones 

using their strengths to overcome their 

condition. Support during the formative years is 

vital to help overcome difficulties and unlock 

their potential in literacy and in other areas. 

As a parent, you can help your child at 

home by encouraging them to enjoy the world 

of words through fun books. Books that are 

relevant to their interest and developmental age 

are best, particularly if they have been designed 

with the dyslexic child in mind. Children 

struggling with dyslexia love pictures and 

colours, so colourful illustrations relevant to the 

words are engaging and helpful for these 

children. The multi-sensory approach is best, so 

supporting reading and writing with games or 

activities will help your children in an enjoyable 

More education articles – www.familiestvw.co.uk/education 

Education 

myths and how to recognise it 

way. This may help your child be less resistant 

to more formal learning tasks, such as 

homework set by school. 

Keep talking to key members of staff at 

your child’s school to ensure your child gets the 

best help and support that they need. Seek out 

extra private tuition, if you feel more help is 

needed and you can afford it. One-to-one 

tuition based on a multi-sensory approach with 

a dyslexia specialist is best. 

Further information 

British Dyslexia Assocation, 

www.bdadyslexia.org.uk 

Dyslexia Action, www.dyslexiaaction.org.uk 

The Chilterns IDL (Dyslexia) Centre, 

www.cstraining.info 

For more information on Corinna’s new series 

of books, developed specifically for dyslexic 

children, and a mini test visit 

www.dancingkites.co.uk 

Help with assessing 

your child 

If you are worried that your child has a 

problem, local company Dyslexia 

Assessments can provide a specialist 

assessment that will identify any specific 

learning difficulties. Assessments are 

performed by Specialist Teacher Leonie 

Sacher and can be made at any age, 

although it is unlikely that dyslexia can be 

diagnosed in a pre-school age child. If 

required, a formal report can usually provide 

the evidence necessary to obtain a 

Statement of Special Educational Need for 

your child. This document sets out your 

child’s needs and details any special help 

required from their school. Further 

information can be found at 

www.dyslexia-assessments.com 


PAGE 11

PAGE 12 

Early Years 

ad 55x40.ai 18/10/2010 10:05:44 

Yoga 

For Pregnancy 

Mondays 6.30pm to 7.45pm 

Lower Earley Resource centre 

079 799 828 39 

astangadeb@yahoo.co.uk 

www.yoga-centre.com 

Sima’s parties are 

structured, energetic, 

fun & set to music 

Sima’s Action Kids 

parties for under 6’s 

Sima’s Dance parties for under 11’s 

Sima’s Disco-bop & karaoke parties 

for under 11’s 

Call Sima on 07956 993 439 

www.simasactionkids.com 


Debutots make 

their debut in 

Caversham 

and Newbury 

Calling all drama kings and queens! Debutots 

classes have arrived in the Caversham and 

Newbury areas this term, offering a unique blend 

of interactive storytelling and dramatic play. 

There are two types of classes available for 

different age ranges. Baby Story Play is for 6 

months to two years and explores the magic of 

stories, sounds and words through play. Early 

Years Drama classes are for 2 to 7 year olds and 

take children on a journey where they use their 

imagination to explore the sights, sounds and 

characters of a different story each week. 

The one Bug 

your kids 

should catch! 

YogaBugs have arrived in Henley and Marlow. 

For children aged 2½ to 7, amazing adventures 

are brought to life through Yoga 

postures, each session taking children 

on a new heroic journey to make them 

stronger, happier and healthier. On the 

way they learn breathing, relaxation and 

visualisation techniques which improve 

concentration, capture their imagination 

and help them feel more confident. 

The classes are taught by Jaime 

Brodie, a professional entertainer and 

experienced Yoga practitioner. She says 

“YogaBugs isn’t dependent on a child’s 

ability but works with their instincts to 

Debutots also run classes in nurseries, schools 

and mother and toddler groups, and offer 

birthday parties for children aged 1 to 7. 

Call Rachael for more details or to book 

a FREE trial class on 0118 947 2698 or email 

swhomecounties@debutots.co.uk, 

www.debutots.co.uk 

Toddlers bring the house down 

Although the teenagers have the polish 

and flair, it’s always the toddlers that 

47 

bring the house down at The Talent 

Stop Annual Show. They trot on with 

the biggest grins and a wonderful sense 

of fun and freedom, all brought about 

by The Talent Stop weekly classes which 

introduce them to singing, dancing and 

acting. The sessions, for 2½ to 3 year 

olds, attract both boys and girls who love 

music and have energy for more than 

just ballet. Then, when they reach 4, 

children have the opportunity to learn a 

multitude of disciplines including ballet, 

drama, street dance, singing and tap. 

Classes run in Thatcham, Sandhurst, Tilehurst, Sonning Common and Earley. Free trials are always 

offered plus a 25% discount off your first term, helping towards the cost of those new dance shoes. 

55x90_multiple:Layout 2 6/10/10 15:23 Contact Page The 1 Talent Stop on 0118 962 3379 or visit www.thetalentstop.co.uk if you’re interested 

in giving it a whirl. 

For classes of pure MADness, 

join MAD Academy 

Call Trish on 0118 977 0050 

Earley, Woodley, Caversham, Tilehurst, 

Calcot, Burghfield, Purley & Arborfield 

Call Vicki on 0118 973 4507 

Wokingham, Finchampstead, Crowthorne, 

Bracknell, Sandhurst, Hook, Camberley & 

Yateley 

Call Emma on 0118 979 2695 

Maidenhead, Marlow, Henley & 

Charvil 

madacademy.com 

Music And Dance and a whole lot of fun! 

Birthday 

Parties 

too! 

Movement • rhythms • songs • instruments • games 

play, move and learn. Over time, you notice 

real improvements in their abilities to relax and 

listen.” 

Classes run in Henley at the Green Room, 

Kenton Theatre every Wednesday from 4pm, and 

Fridays in Marlow from 12.30pm. Sessions cost 

£4.50 when booked as a package of ten. 

To find out more call Jaime on 08458 997 

247, email jaime@yogabugs.com or visit 

www.yogabugs.com 


Baby Signing 

It’s very frustrating being a baby. You know that you’re hungry, wet or bored but 

how do you explain this to those loving, but ever so slightly dim, grown-ups? It’ll 

be a year or two before your speech is up to it, so for now the only way to express 

yourself is to open your mouth wide and CRY! But wouldn’t it be great if there 

was another, more sophisticated way, to get your message across? 

Well luckily there is! It’s called Baby Signing and it helps babies to 

communicate using arm and hand gestures. Used for many years in the US, baby 

signing is becoming increasingly popular over here as more and more parents 

discover its joy and benefits. Your baby can actually tell you what they need, 

reducing frustration on both sides. This in turn leads to less temper tantrums 

and more confident parenting. And rather than inhibiting speech development, 

research shows that signing may actually help a child to develop a wider 

vocabulary. 

Speech and language therapists have used gesture-based signing programmes 

for many years to encourage speech in older children with delayed language. 

However, more recently, some of these experts have developed similar 

programmes aimed at babies at the pre-verbal stage of normal development. This 

is typically from around 6 months up to around the second birthday. In the UK, 

most of these baby signing systems are based on British Sign Language (BSL). 

You can of course make up your own gestures or signs. The sign you use isn’t 

really important, as long as you use the same gesture consistently. Not everyone, 

however, can think up and remember a whole range of signs. Many find it easier, 

and more fun, to follow an existing programme, either by attending classes (find 

one on page 14) or by using a book or DVD at home. 

Take a 

magic 

carpet ride 

And journey over wind-swept deserts to 

help Aladdin and Princess Jasmine rescue 

the magic lamp from the evil Jafar! This 

Christmas, children aged 4-8 years can 

have fun at the Perform Winter Experience 

course running from 20-22 December in 

Wokingham Methodist Church Hall. The 

perfect pre-Christmas treat, it also offers 

parents some valuable extra Christmas 

shopping time! For more information or to 

book please visit www.perform.org.uk 

Rugbytotsｨ is a weekly play 

session for children between the 

ages of two and seven. 

Separated into three age 

groups, Rugbytotsｨ combines the 

multiple skills used in rugby with 

a fun, energetic and structured 

play programme designed to 

enhance your childｨs social and 

physical skills. 

Find a class for your child – www.familiestvw.co.uk/classes 

Early Years 

A busy time at 

Tumble Tots Reading 

It’s been an exciting few months for Tumble Tots Reading. In September, 

Helen Davey took over this popular children’s activity franchise, following 

the retirement of the previous owner. Helen has long been a fan of Tumble 

Tots, attending first with her own children, now 18 and 16, and then 

as a member of staff, so she relished the opportunity to become the boss. One of her first jobs was to 

welcome Peppa Pig and Sally Gunnell, who popped in last month to help Tumble Tots celebrate National 

Children’s Activity Week. 

The Tumble Tots activity programme was developed by a former Olympic Gymnastics coach and is 

designed to build physical skills, confidence and self-esteem. Weekly sessions are run by specially trained 

staff and combine enough fun, excitement and challenge for even the most active child. 

Tumble Tots classes, suitable from walking to 5 years, are held in Reading, Woodley, Winnersh and 

Wokingham, with new classes just started in Finchampstead. Gymbabes classes for babies, from 6 

months, run in Woodley and Finchampstead. 

For more information contact Helen on 0118 973 6711 or visit www.tumbletots.com/reading 

Whether the next step for your 

child is mini-rugby or ballet, 

Rugbytotsｨ aims to provide the 

foundations which will enable 

them to progress with confidence. 

All Rugbytotsｨ classes are fully 

insured and will be run by an 

RFU qualified lead coach who is 

trained in paediatric first aid and 

has been CRB checked. 

For further information please call 

0845 313 3255 

michele@rugbytots.co.uk ｨ www.rugbytots.co.uk 

The BSL Baby Signing and Sign 

About series of books from Child’s 

Play (International), www.childsplay.com 

is a good starting point. 

These bright, colourful board 

books contain clear illustrations 

and instructions for common signs 

and are designed to be shared 

with your child. 

Tips to get you started 

• Keep it simple. Start with just a few 

signs – eat, drink, sleep, milk etc. 

• Always say the word at the same time. 

• Speak slowly, but in a natural way. Repetition will help 

your baby to understand. 

• Be realistic - don’t expect your baby to sign back 

instantly – you wouldn’t expect them to talk back to 

you the first time you spoke to them. 

• Be consistent in the way you show a sign, however your 

baby adapts it. 

• Persevere – it can take weeks or more for your baby to 

sign back to you – so be patient and relaxed. 

• Keep praising your baby and above all have fun! 


PAGE 13

PAGE 14 

Early Years 

MUSIC WITH MUMMY 

A fun introduction to music in small, friendly classes 

designed for children from birth to 3 yrs 

0-1 yr JOLLY BABIES 

1-3 yrs MUSIC WITH MUMMY 

For classes in Wokingham & Woodley call 

Clare O’Shea on 0118 903 4808 or visit 

www.musicwithmummy.co.uk 

For classes in Bracknell call 

Clare Klesel on 01344 451988 or visit 

www.musicwithmummybracknell.co.uk 


Clubs & Classes 

In the second part of our clubs and classes listing we turn our attention to activities for the under 5’s. 

Baby 

development 

classes 

Baby College - parent and baby 

development classes from birth to 

3yrs in Wokingham, Woodley, 

Lower Earley, Arborfield, Reading 

and Finchampstead (0118 979 

8549) and in Bracknell (01344 885 

146), www.babycollege.co.uk 

Baby Sensory - literally hundreds 

of sensory activities to stimulate 

your baby and give you ideas of 

things to do at home. Sessions in 

Thatcham, Eddie Catz Newbury 

and surrounding areas (07738 969 

358) and Tilehurst (01980 849 

354), www.babysensory.com 

Meadowbrook Montessori 

School Parent and Toddler 

Activity Sessions – weekly 

educational programme of early 

learning and exploring activities for 

18 mths-2½ yrs at Meadowbrook 

Montessori School, 

Warfield, 01344 890 869, 

www.meadowbrookmontessori.org 

Baby massage 

& yoga 

Anne Parry – 4 week courses at 

teacher’s house in Binfield, 1-to-1 

and group sessions also available, 

01344 424 655, www. 

stressolutions.co.uk 

Babies Becalmed - offer 6 

week baby massage and baby yoga 

combined courses for babies 2-10 

mths, 01628 660 880, www. 

babiesbecalmed.co.uk 

Baby Massage – group or 

individual classes at the 

Complementary Therapy Clinic in 

Wokingham, 0118 989 4832, www. 

thecomplementarytherapyclinic.co.uk 

Baby Yogis – Sarah provides baby 

yoga classes for mothers and 

babies aged 6 weeks to crawling in 

the Bracknell area, 07840 707435, 

www.babyyogis.co.uk 

Berkshire Baby Massage – baby 

massage in Wokingham and Lower 

Earley, 07904 087 192, www. 

berkshirebabymassage.com 

Bracknell Leisure Centre – 

mother and baby exercise classes 

on Wednesdays 2.15-3pm during 

term time, 01344 454 203 

Debbie Jonckers – baby massage 

from 6 weeks, reflexology and yoga. 

Maidenhead based but will travel, 

01628 825 589/07763 123 502, 

www.babymassagematters.co.uk 

Eden Therapies - Faith Bartlett 

provides post natal and baby yoga 

classes in the Reading area, 07767 

Babies Go Swimming, 

0118 989 0543, www. 

babiesgoswimming.com 

BIRTHDAY 

PARTIES 

Host a Mamma Mia Party and 

dance your socks off! 

Call StageAbility on 

0845 050 8245 

375 052, www.eden-therapies.com 

Happy Baby - infant massage 

classes run from teacher’s home in 

Caversham (or will travel if a group 

wants a class) for newborns until 

starting to crawl. 1-to-1 sessions 

also available, Hannah Thompson, 

0118 948 3045/07986 388 344 

Karma Senses Baby Massage - 

group or individual classes at 

Karma Senses within Maxine’s 

Divine Hair & Beauty, Oxford Rd, 

Reading. Home visits available, 

travel costs apply, 07527 431 

792, info@karmasenses.com, 

www.karmasenses.com 

OneTouch Baby Massage - 

courses at her studio in Burghfield 

village or in homes all over 

Berkshire, Claire Nonini, 07866 

938 718 

Rachel McCallum Therapies – 

baby massage, baby yoga and 

baby music & movement classes, 

0118 975 8236, www. 

rachelmccallum-homeopathy.co.uk 

Baby signing 

Barefoot Baby Signing – classes 

and private lessons for groups of 

5+, for babies from 6mths in 

Caversham and Reading, 0118 947 

3333/07944 287 341 

Tiny Talk - baby signing classes from 

birth-18 mths and Tiny Talk toddlers 

18mths-4yrs in Ascot, Bracknell and 

Wokingham (07990 722 884); 

Calcot, Caversham and Tilehurst 

(07787 147 807); and birth-2yrs at 

Eddie Catz Newbury, 07525 476 

486, www.tinytalk.co.uk 

Swimming 

Many local pools also run parent 

and toddler swim sessions. For 

their contact details visit www. 

familiestvw.co.uk/leisurecentres 

Babies Go Swimming – 

specialised underwater swimming 

classes. Every baby receives an 

underwater photograph and 

certificate. Babies can start 

anytime from 8 weeks old up to 

14 months old in Crowthorne, 

Wokingham, Bracknell, Bagshot, 

Newbury, Reading, Burghfield 

Common, Woodley, Sonning 

Common, and Camberley areas, 

0118 989 0543, www. 

babiesgoswimming.com 

Baby Swimming – for babies 

3-14 mths in Sonning Common, 

Royal Berkshire Hospital and 

Crowthorne, 01865 794 222, 

www.babyswimming.co.uk 

GR Swimming Schools – small 

group classes for 3½+yrs in 

Newbury, Bracknell and Thatcham, 

0845 094 1575, 

www.swimlessons.co.uk 

Jema Swim School – 3+yrs in 

Ascot, 01784 455 205/077024 

12090 

Baby Swimming with Seriously 

FUN Swim Babies - age 4 

months to 3 years in Maidenhead, 

Burnham & Marlow call 01753 251 

021. Plus kids swimming lessons 

(age 3 to 12 years) in Maidenhead 

call 0844 3511 463, 

www.seriouslyfun.net 

Shamu Swim School – for parents 

with children 2½+yrs at Highdown 

and Sonning Common Schools, 

0118 947 9214/0118 947 6698 

Swimkidz – swimming and life 

saving skills for babies and toddlers 

in Reading, 0118 959 7874/07825 

955533, www.swimkidz.co.uk 

Thames Valley Swimming 

School - all levels of swimming 

from 4+yrs in Reading, 

07725 642 728 

Water Babies – teaching babies 

from a few weeks old confidence 

and safety in Burghfield Common, 

Bracknell, Reading, Wokingham, 

Slough, Maidenhead and 

Basingstoke, 01256 844926, 

www.waterbabies.co.uk 

Exercise, gym 

& sports classes 

Bracknell Leisure Centre – fun 

soft play sessions with bouncy 

castle and trampoline, Tweenie 

Tumblers for 1-2yrs and Mini 

Tumblers for 2-3yrs with structured 

physical activities, 01344 454 203, 

www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/be 


Razzamataz Wokingham 

Edgbarrow Sports Centre, in 

Crowthorne - trampolining and toddler 

gymnastics classes for 3-5yrs and bouncy 

castle/trampolining sessions for 1-5yrs, 

Foxy’s holiday camps for 3-6yrs, 01344 

776 211, www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/be 

Kindergym – suitable from 4 months- 

5yrs at Pinewood Gymnastics Club in 

Wokingham. Soft play for babies, 

leading to more structured gymnastic 

activities for pre-schoolers, 

01344 773 237, www. 

pinewoodgymnastics.co.uk 

Leap Frogs - gymnastics activities for 

0-5yrs in a purpose-built facility in 

Woodley, Reading on weekdays and 

Saturday, 0118 926 3686, contact@ 

bulmershegymnastics.co.uk, www. 

bulmershegymnastics.co.uk 

Learn with Lou Fun & Fitness 

Programme - for children aged 18mths- 

5yrs. Classes structured to warm 

muscles, aerobic workout, condition, 

stretch and cool down all while having 

fun. 12 mth curriculum helps children 

learn the importance of exercise, healthy 

eating, how their body works and most 

importantly having fun while keeping fit, 

01491 640 743/07855 057 794, www. 

learnwithlou.com 

Little Kickers Football – football 

training sessions for 18 months-7 yrs in 

Reading Wokingham, Winnersh and at 

Eddie Catz Newbury (0118 926 8114); 

and Henley, Marlow, Maidenhead and 

Stokenchurch (01628 526 584), www. 

littlekickers.co.uk 

Meadway Sports Centre, Tilehurst – 

Tots Time sessions in term-time for 

under 5’s with soft play, trampolining, 

parent toddler swim, bouncy castle, arts 

and crafts, 0118 937 5060, www. 

readingleisure.co.uk 

Palmer Park Sports Stadium, Reading 

– regular Tots Time sessions for under 5’s 

with activities including soft play, arts, 

crafts, face painting and songs, 0118 

937 5080, www.readingleisure.co.uk 

Playball – develop a firm foundation in 

the skills needed for our most popular 

sports. Classes at Eddie Catz in 

Newbury, for ages 2-4yrs, 0788 627 

2438, www.farnham.ukplayball.com 

Rivermead Leisure Complex, Reading 

– regular Toddlers World sessions with 

soft play equipment and bouncy castles 

and parent and toddler swimming 

sessions, 0118 901 5000, www.gll.org 

RugbyTots – classes for children 2-7yrs at 

various venues locally, 0845 313 3255, 

www.rugbytots.co.uk 

Sima’s Action Kids – action classes 

with singing, dancing, games and props 

such as pom poms, parachutes and 

ribbons for the under 5s in Maidenhead. 

No need to pre-book, 07956 993 439, 

www.simasactionkids.com 

Thames Valley Gym – sessions for all 

ages at purpose-built gym in Sonning 

Common, 0118 972 4401 

Tumble Tots – agility, balance and 

coordination activities with action songs 

from 6+mths in Henley, Maidenhead and 

Marlow (01494 880 063); Winnersh, 

Wokingham, Woodley, Reading and 

Finchampstead (0118 9736711); and 

Bracknell and Crowthorne (0118 978 

2810), www.tumbletots.com 

Music, drama 

& movement 

For our full dance and drama directory, 

which includes lots more classes for all 

ages, including pre-schoolers, take a 

look at our Sept/Oct issue or visit 

www.familiestvw.co.uk/classes 

Allenova School of Dancing – classes 

from 2½+yrs, 01635 201 701, 

www.allenova.co.uk 

Allied Schools of Dance – classes for 

3+yrs in Woodley, Bracknell and 

Wokingham, 0118 967 1600, 

www.livetodance.co.uk 

All Stars Theatre Academy, 

incorporating Daphne Bennett 

School of Dancing – from 2½+yrs. 

Ballet, tap, modern, gymnastics, street 

dance plus much more. Berkshire and 

Hampshire. Established over 40 years, 

0118 986 8000, www.allstardance.co.uk 

Artemis Studios – Petite Drama for 

3½-5yrs, Petite Street dance classes for 

4-6yrs and tap and ballet classes for 

under 5’s at purpose-built studios in 

Bracknell town centre, 01344 429 

403, www.artemis-studios.co.uk 

Dance Reality – ballet, tap and street 

classes from 2½+yrs in Tilehurst, plus 

mini theatre school for 4-6yrs, 0118 942 

1896, www.dancerealitystudios.co.uk 

Dancercise – dance, exercise and have 

fun. Classes from 2½+yrs in Pearson Hall, 

Sonning and Guild Hall, High Wycombe, 

0774 339 8844, 07951 385 850, 

dancercise@live.com, www.dancercise.biz 

Debutots (Early Years Drama) – for ages 

6 mths-2yrs and 2-4yrs in Newbury and 

Caversham, Reading. Exciting and 

unique Baby Story Play and Early Years 

Drama classes. Free trial class, 0118 947 

2698 or email swhomecounties@ 

debutots.co.uk, www.debutots.co.uk 

Dinky Dancers - fun, physical, musical 

and energetic classes held at Eddie Catz, 

Newbury, Tadley and Basingstoke. PE, 

music and action activities for 2-4yrs, 

01635 552 556, www.dinkydancers.com 

Jeannine Greville Dance Academies – 

dance classes for 2½+yrs in Caversham, 

Woodley, Tilehurst, Henley, Marlow, 

Bourne End and Twyford, 01491 572 

000, www.jgdance.co.uk 

Jo Jingles - Music and movement 

classes for 3mths-5yrs in Bracknell, 

Winkfield Row and Forest 

Park. Also available for sessions 

in Nursery settings, playgroups and 

parties, 01344 484 473, 

www.jojingles.com/ascot 

Kindermusik – music and movement 

programme from birth to 3yrs in 

Caversham, 0118 947 7546, 

www.intuneteaching.co.uk 

Find a class for older children – www.familiestvw.co.uk/classes 

Early Years 

Find lots more great offers at 

www.familiestvw.co.uk/offers 

Christmas 

Pantomime 

& Holiday Camps! 

CHILDREN'S CHILDREN'S EDUTAINMENT EDUTAINMENT CENTRE 

CENTRE 

Playframe • Toddler Area • Sports Pitch 

Video Games • Pre-School & Baby Classes 

Birthday Parties • Café • Free WiFi 

Northway House, York Road, Newbury RG14 7NF 

Tel 0845 2011268 www.eddiecatz.com 

2 for 1 

Child Admission 

valid any weekday at 

Eddie Catz Newbury 

until 31 Dec 2010 

To claim this Voucher print it, fill it in and present it at Reception. 

NAME ……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 

ADDRESS ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 

TEL …………………………………………. EMAIL …………………………………………………………. 

Vouchers are not transferable or exchangeable for cash - Vouchers must be presented 

at Reception - No booking required - One voucher per family per visit - Free admission 

is the lesser paying admission - Vouchers cannot be used in conjunction with other 

discounts, offers or Memberships - Eddie Catz reserves the right to withdraw any offer 

at any time without prior notice - Vouchers have no cash value – Play sessions may be 

limited to 2 hours. 


PAGE 15

PAGE 16 

Early Years 


MAD Academy - high-energy music, 

dance, movement and developmental 

games for children aged 3mths-4 yrs in 

Earley, Woodley, Burghfield, Arborfield, 

Purley, Caversham and Calcot (0118 

977 0050); Wokingham, 

Finchampstead, Crowthorne, Bracknell, 

Sandhurst, Hook and Yateley (0118 973 

4507); and Maidenhead, Marlow, 

Henley, and Charvil (0118 979 2695), 

www.madacademy.com 

Mini Maestros (part of Berkshire 

Maestros) – classes are held for ages 

6mths+ at several venues around 

Berkshire and led by specialist teachers 

with singing, playing percussion 

instruments, musical games, listening 

and movement, 0118 901 2370, 

www.berkshiremaestros.org.uk 

Mo’s Dance and Drama Schools 

– Twirling Tots exclusively for 2-3yrs in 

Caversham, and Prep dance for preschoolers 

in Caversham, Woodley and 

Grazeley, 0845 206 2291, www. 

mosdanceanddrama.co.uk 

Monkey Music - music classes from 

3mths-4yrs in Hungerford, Newbury, 

Thatcham, Bradfield, Mortimer and 

Henley (01635 860 959) and in 

Reading, Tilehurst, Wokingham 

and Earley (01635 868 584), 

www.monkeymusic.co.uk 

Music with Mummy – fun and 

structured programme of music 

education in small friendly classes. ‘Jolly 

Babies’ from birth to 1yr and ‘Music 

with Mummy’ for 1-3yrs. Some 

branches also run ‘Three Four Time’ for 

3-5 yrs and Bracknell offer ‘Crescendo’ 

for 5-6yrs. Wokingham and Woodley 

(0118 903 4808); Bracknell, Birch Hill 

Community Centre (01344 451 988, 

www.musicwithmummybracknell.co.uk); 

Tadley, Swallowfield, Burghfield 

Common and Mortimer (01635 290 

957); Newbury and Thatcham (01488 

639 374, www.musicwithmummy.org.uk); 

Sandhurst and Crowthorne (01344 750 

364, www.musicwithmummysandhurst. 

co.uk); and Finchampstead and Lower 

Earley (0118 973 7746), 

www.musicwithmummy.co.uk 

Perform – drama, dance and singingbased 

workshops for 4-8 yrs, plus lots 

of holiday courses. A mixture of 

confidence-building games, energetic 

dances and catchy songs held in 

Wokingham, Caversham, Warfield and 

Crowthorne, 0845 400 4000, 

www.perform.org.uk 

Razzamataz Theatre School - run 

Minis classes for 4-5yrs every Saturday 

at Emmbrook Senior School, 

Wokingham, 0118 979 1814/ 07970 

034 488, www.razzamataz.co.uk 

Stagecoach Early Stages – dance, 

drama and singing for 4-7yrs, designed 

to introduce young children to the 

performing arts in Bracknell North 

0845 055 6382, Bracknell RG12 01753 

664 105, Henley 01628 634 539, 

Maidenhead and Wokingham 0118 

950 0999, Newbury 0870 061 3526, 

Reading North 0800 0833 795, Reading 

East 01932 348 844 and Reading West 

0844 800 9482, www.stagecoach.co.uk 

Teddies Music Club - classes with live 

music, action rhymes, percussion 

instruments and puppets on a drop in 

basis in Burnham, Twyford, Marlow, 

Windsor and Maidenhead, 01628 671 

146, www.teddiesmusicclub.co.uk 

Teddies Music Group - pre-school 

singing and dancing for babies up to 

age five in Henley including school 

holidays, 0118 940 4184 

The Talent Stop - fun classes for boys 

and girls introducing singing, dancing 

and acting. For ages 2½+yrs in Earley, 

Sonning Common, Tilehurst, Thatcham 

and Sandhurst, 0118 962 3379, 

www.thetalentstop.co.uk 

Tatty Bumpkin - multi-sensory 

movement classes in Thatcham and at 

Eddie Catz Newbury. Based on yoga, 

but also involve story telling, songs, 

The Creation Station 

movement and interactive play, 0845 

680 8461, www.newburyandover. 

tattybumpkin.com 

Tiny Toes – music and movement 

classes in Wargrave for 15months-3yrs, 

0118 940 3978 

Art & Crafts 

The Creation Station – arts and crafts 

‘Exploration’ classes, creative fun for 

1-5yrs in Wokingham, Bracknell, 

Sandhurst, and Windsor, 0845 303 

9448, www.thecreationstation.co.uk 

Early Learning Centre – at Broad 

Street in Reading runs a free play 

session with varied activities, including 

art and crafts, for parents and preschoolers 

on Tuesdays – drop in 9.30– 

11.30am, 0118 959 5451 

Taylor Tug’s Under Five’s Club – parent 

and toddler sessions with art and crafts, 

singing and stories on Wednesdays at the 

River and Rowing Museum, Henley, 01491 

415 605, www.rrm.co.uk 

Toddler Time at MERL – the Museum 

of English Rural Life runs Friday drop-in 

sessions, 1-2pm term-time, for parents 

with toddlers 2-4yrs. Rhymes, songs and 

craft activities based on objects in the 

museum or garden, 0118 378 8660, 

www.reading.ac.uk/merl 

Languages 

Alouette - learning French is easy with 

music and play for 3-6yrs in Wokingham, 

07759 812 016, alouette@yahoo.com 

Discover Dutch – songs, games, stories 

and activities for 2-5yrs in Marlow, 07948 

246 281, www.discoverdutch.co.uk 

La Petite Ecole - fun French for 3-5 yrs 

in South Ascot. Call Bev Worthington 

on 01344 624 563 

La Jolie Ronde - for 3-11 yrs. French and 

Spanish classes in Caversham (0118 947 

1825); and French classes in Reading (0118 

947 6351) and Earley & Lower Earley (0118 

986 9593), www.lajolieronde.co.uk 

Le Club Francais - French lessons for 

3-11yrs in schools and nurseries in and 

around: Burghfield, Bradfield & Caversham 

(0118 983 2318) and Henley, Reading 

& Sonning Common (0118 972 1094), 

www.leclubfrancais.com 

NCT 

The National Childbirth Trust, 

www.nct.org.uk organises regular 

social events for both members and nonmembers 

including coffee mornings, 

Bumps & Babes sessions and nearly new 

sales. It also runs excellent ante-natal and 

post-natal classes. 

Local branches include: 

Reading (0844 243 6246) 

Henley & District (0844 243 6160) 

Wokingham (0844 586 3810) 

Bracknell (0844 243 6058, 

www.bracknell-nct.org.uk) 

Crowthorne & Sandhurst 

(0844 243 6099) 

Newbury & District (0844 243 6215) 


Rhyme and Story Times 

We’ve been in touch with the local libraries to find out what’s running 

regularly for younger children. Storytimes are usually aimed at the under 

5’s and Rhymetimes or Bounce & Rhyme at babies and toddlers. Events are 

free but you may need to book. Many libraries also run extra activities 

during the school holidays, particularly for older children. 

Bracknell 

Libraries 

www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/libraries 

Ascot Heath Library (01344 884 030) 

Baby Bounce and Rhyme (includes Story 

time) - 1st Monday in month, 

10-10.30am. Bracknell Library (01344 

423 149) Baby Bounce and Rhyme – 

3rd Monday in month (term time only), 

2-2.30pm. Story time Mondays (term 

time only), 10 am. Binfield Library 

(01344 306 663) Baby Bounce and 

Rhyme - last Thursday in month, 9.30- 

10am. Story time – Thursdays during 

drop-in time, 9.30am. Birch Hill Library 

(01344 456 526). Story time - Tuesdays 

(term time only), 11am. Baby Bounce 

and Rhyme – 3rd Tuesday in month, 

2.15-2.45pm. Crowthorne Library 

(01344 776 431) Baby Bounce and 

Rhyme - Tuesdays, 9.30-10am (check for 

spaces). Story time Wednesdays, 9.30am. 

Great Hollands Library (01344 424 095) 

Story time - Fridays (term time only), 

3.30pm. Harmans Water Library (01344 

423 660) Baby Bounce and Rhyme – 1st 

Tuesday in month, 10-10.30 am. 

Sandhurst Library (01252 870 161) 

Baby Bounce and Rhyme – 2nd Friday in 

month, 9.30-10am. Story time - Thursdays, 

2.15pm. Whitegrove Library (01344 424 

211) Story time - Tuesdays, 2.30pm. 

Reading 


www.readinglibraries.org.uk 

Reading Central Library (0118 939 

9849) Rhymetime – Wednesdays, 

Thursdays & Saturdays, 10.30am. 

Storytime – Fridays, 2.15-2.45pm. Craft 

session - Fridays (school holidays only, all 

ages) 10.30am. Battle Library (0118 901 

5100) Singalong with Marjorie – 

Tuesdays & Fridays, 10.30am. Storytime – 

Tuesdays & Thursdays, 2.30–3pm. Craft 

session - Fridays (school holidays only, all 

ages), 2-3pm. Caversham Library (0118 

901 5103) Rhymetime – Tuesdays, 10.15 

& 11.15am & Wednesdays 2.15–2.45pm, 

need to book. Storytime – Thursdays, 

2.15pm. Craft session - Thursdays (school 

holidays only), 2.15pm. Tilehurst Library 

(0118 901 5112) Rhymetime – Mondays, 

9.30-10am & 10.45-11.15am & Fridays, 

10.30-11am. Storytime – Thursdays, 

2.30pm. Craft session - Tuesdays (school 

holidays only), 3pm. Palmer Park Library 

(0118 901 5106) Rhymetime – Tuesdays, 

10am & Fridays, 10.30am (from November 

2010). Storytime – Mondays, 2.15pm. 

Craft session - Tuesdays (school holidays 

only), 11.30am. Southcote Library (0118 

901 5109) Storytime with Rhymes – 

Thursdays, 11am. Rhymetime Fri 

10.30am need to book. Rhymetime for 

Dads and children - selected Saturdays, 

10.30am. Craft session - Tuesdays (school 

holidays only), 2.30pm. Whitley Library 

(0118 901 5115) Rhymetime – Tuesdays, 

2.15pm & Thursdays, 11.15am. Storytime 

Thursdays, 2.15–2.45pm. Craft session - 

Tuesdays (school holidays only), 11.30am. 

South 

Oxfordshire 


www.southoxon.gov.uk 

Henley Library (01491 575 278) 

Rhymetime for babies & toddlers – 1st 

& 3rd Tuesday in month, 9.30-10am. 

Sonning Common Library (0118 972 

2448) Rhymetime for under 3’s – 1st & 

3rd Monday in month, 10-10.30am. 

Storytime & colouring for under 8’s- 

Saturdays, 10-10.30am. Goring Library 

(01491 873 028) Storytime for under 

5’s – Fridays (term time only), 2-2.30pm. 

West Berkshire 


www.westberks.gov.uk 

Newbury Library (01635 519 900) 

Rhymetime – 1st, 3rd & 5 th Tuesday in 

month, 11am. Storytime –Fridays, 11am. 

Thatcham Library (01635 866 049) 

Rhymetime – 2nd Tuesday in month, 

11am. Storytime – Mondays, 2.15pm. 

Theale Library (0118 930 3207) 

Rhymetime – Mondays & Wednesdays 

(term time only), 11am. Mortimer 

Library (0118 933 2882) Storytime – 

2.15pm on certain Fridays. Ring for dates. 

Burghfield Common Library (0118 983 

3632) Rhymetime – Thursdays (term time 

only), 2.30pm. Pangbourne Library 

(0118 984 4117) Rhymetime – Thursdays 

(term time only), 10am. 

Storytime at Wokingham Libraries 

Wokingham 


www.wokingham.gov.uk/libraries 

Wokingham Library (0118 978 1368) 

Rhymetime (0-18 months) – 1st Tuesday 

in month, 10.30-11am & 

11.30am-12noon. Dads Rhymetime 

(0-18 months) – selected Saturdays, 

10.30-11am. Storytime – Tuesdays, 

2.15-2.45pm. Toddletime (12-36 

months) – selected Thursdays, 10.30- 

11am. Woodley Library (0118 969 

0304) Rhymetime – 2nd Tuesday in 

month, 10.30-11am. Storytime – 

Tuesdays, 4pm to 4.30pm. Lower Earley 

Library (0118 931 2150) Rhymetime – 

3rd Tuesday in month, 10.30-11am & 

11.30am-12noon. Dads Rhymetime – 

selected Saturdays, 10.30-11am. 

Storytime – Thursdays, 2.30-3pm. 

Toddletime – selected Thursdays, 9.45- 

10.15am. Winnersh Library (0118 979 

7519) Toddletime – selected 

Wednesdays, 10.15-10.45am. Spencers 

Wood Library (0118 988 4771) 

Storytime - Mondays, 4-4.30pm. 

Twyford Library (0118 934 0800) 

Storytime – first Tuesday of the month, 

2-2.30pm. Wargrave Library (0118 940 

4656) Storytime - Mondays, 4pm. 

Visit Classes us now for older at www. children familiestvw.co.uk – www.familiestvw.co.uk/classes 

Early Years 

Opportunities 

for Young Ones 

ARTEMIS STUDIOS 

WIN a term of Drama 

Classes at ARTEMIS 

Motivate, stimulate and build confidence in your young 

budding actor. Artemis has 2 free places in their preschool 

drama class for Families readers to win. 

Petite Drama for 3½ -5yrs runs on Thursdays, term time, 

4-5pm. The 12-week course starts 13 Jan at Artemis 

Studios, Bracknell town centre. 

The lessons are in small classes of 16 or less and are 

specially devised by senior drama directors who ensure 

they are easily understandable and fun. The cost is usually £48 a term. 

All group classes at Artemis offer a free trial class, so even if you don’t win the 

competition, children can try one class for free. Visit www.artemis-studios.co.uk or 

call 01344 429403 for more information. 

To enter the competition just visit 

www.familiestvw.co.uk/competitions. 

Closing date December 10. 

BABY COLLEGE 

WIN 12 free BABY 

COLLEGE classes 

Baby College classes introduce you and your baby 

to fun learning for life and are suitable from birth to 

pre-school age. The aim is to support parents in 

giving their child the best possible start. A lucky 

reader of Families can win a 12-week class in Wokingham, Reading, Lower Earley, 

Woodley, Arborfield or Finchampstead starting in Jan worth £80. 

Baby College Classes are milestone and age specific. Each class is a 45 minute multisensory 

workout for your baby/child featuring listening and language skills, signing, 

music and gentle physical exercises. 

For further information on Baby College visit www.babycollege.co.uk call 

0118 9798549 or e-mail julia002@babycollege.co.uk 




TALENT STOP 

WIN a term at 

THE TALENT STOp 

Competition 

Competition 

Competition 

The Talent Stop’s courses provide constructive, 

creative, fun activities for children from 2½ years in 

the Performing Arts, which develop fantastic 

communication skills and self confidence. The courses are popular with children who 

are genuinely interested in pursuing a career in the Performing Arts and equally popular 

with children who like to try new things, make new friends and love to be active. A 

lucky reader of Families can win a term at the Talent Stop’s Performing Arts Academy in 

Earley, Sonning Common, Thatcham or Tilehurst starting in January 2011 worth up to 

£221 depending on age and class chosen. 

For further information on The Talent Stop visit www.thetalentstop.co.uk call 

0118 962 3379 or e-mail enquiries@thetalentstop.co.uk 





PAGE 17

Christmas Gifts 

Ask for Organised Mum 

this Christmas 

Choose from our great range of 2011 

calendars, diaries and home stationery 

designed especially for busy women. 

PAGE 18 Thames Valley West 

Great for 

presents! 

Diary covers, 

stands and new 

2011 diary gift 

packages 

Log on to www.organisedmum.co.uk 

to see the full range of products or 

phone 0845 644 7505 

This year sees the 250th birthday of 

Hamleys, the world’s most famous toy 

store, a store synonymous with theatre, 

magic and entertainment. So who better to turn 

to for inspiration when searching for that perfect 

toy? Read on for Hamleys’ Christmas guide 

written especially for Families readers and full of 

some great gift ideas for children of all ages. 

The nights have drawn in, there’s a magical feel in the air and there’s more 

than one kind of wrapping-up on everyone’s mind. It can only mean one 

thing... Christmas is on its way! Whether that fills you with ho, ho, ho’s or 

Scrooge-like groans, we hope this fun-filled guide to all things festive, will 

help make this year a Christmas to remember... 

It’s the thought that counts... 

Recent economic difficulties have triggered a new dawn of consumerism. 

Many of us are now concentrating on quality purchases that will stand the 

test of time. Some of the old favourites are resurfacing and proving their 

worth to a new generation of inquisitive minds. Children like to be 

entertained but they thrive on interaction, they will happily watch but they 

learn quicker from doing, they benefit from competition but they enjoy team 

work. Classic toys are all this and much more and they really do have timeless 

appeal. With that in mind this year, why not focus on something they will 

love this Christmas but will treasure for many more to come... 

Baby’s first Christmas 

Latest additions may be slightly oblivious to the 

seasonal chaos but you’ll remember their first 

Christmas forever and will be keen to make it extra 

special. Nothing says ‘I love you’ like a keepsake or 

something they can cherish for years to come. 

My First Dolly £19 

My First Dolly will be loved by all. She is so 

squeezably soft that little arms will adore snuggling 

up to her. Dressed beautifully, she has wild hair that 

little hands will love to touch and tug! 

Top 10 Toys for Christmas 2010! 

If you want guaranteed smiles you can’t go wrong tracking down 

something from this list. Be warned though, these toys are set to fly 

from the shelves quicker than Santa’s sleigh, so don’t miss out! 

Your comprehensive list of this year’s most-wanted: 

• Toy Story 3 Buzz Lightyear Action Figure 

• Dr Who Sonic Screwdriver 

• Ben 10 Ultimate Alien Disc Ultimatrix 

• Beyblade Metal Fusion Super Vortex Battle Set 

• Barbie Video Girl 

• VTech Storio Animated Phonics Book 

• Kung Zhu Hamsters 

• Armouron Action Set 

• VTech Kidizoom Video Camera 

• 

Monopoly Revolutions Board Game 


y Holly Wadsworth-Hill 

Gift Guide 

Alphabet Blocks £17 

Painted with bright colours, clear letters and imaginative illustrations these 

wooden blocks can help little children when learning letters, colours and 

much more besides. 

T is for trouble and toddlers! 

Busy little hands are into all things naughty as well as nice, so classic toys should 

be at the top of the list. The educational benefits and development of imagination 

and play skills from these toys are extensive but cleverly masked behind the 

colour, fun and excitement that toddlers crave. 

Teaching Clock £14 

Hamleys colourful Fun to Learn Teaching Clock helps 

teach time, number and letter recognition, as well 

as developing motor and problem solving skills 

through play. (made from fsc wood) 

Wooden London Bus 

£32.50 

The wheels on the bus go round and round! The 

top of this traditional big red bus opens to reveal 24 

little wooden passengers and one cheerful driver. 

Great for developing hand to eye co-ordination. 

(made from fsc wood) 

For him 

Boys of all ages need to be kept busy and love fun and games that they can really 

get stuck into. If he can burn off some energy, create mess and make some noise, 

he’ll be in his element! 

Wooden Garage £65 

This brightly coloured garage has three 

levels, multi-storey graphics and realistic 

features throughout. There are loads of 

games and adventures to be had with this 

traditional role-play Garage. 

Jet Plane Set £55 

The Playmobil Jet Plane Set is great for 

developing thinking processes and 

encouraging creative play. This exciting 

Playmobil play set is a hit with boys and 

girls alike. 

Christmas Gifts 

For her 

Sugar and spice and all things nice, most of the time anyway! Creativity is 

a girl’s best friend; indulge her imagination with everything from dressingup 

costumes, role-play sets and arts and crafts. 

My Ballerina Doll £12 

My Little Ballerina Doll is so pretty, soft and cuddly, she’s perfect for hugs! 

From the Sweet Peas collection, this doll is great for encouraging 

imagination and nurturing role-play skills. 

Dolly Tea Set £10 

Time for tea anyone? This 

enchanting Hamleys tea set 

comes in a cute carry case, so 

it’s perfect for taking to friends 

houses and keeps everything safe 

and tidy when little one’s 

aren’t busy entertaining. 

It’s all about 

quality time... 

‘Tis the season to spend with your loved ones: keep things merry 

with fun and games for the whole family. 

Games Chest £60 

Enjoy a gaming adventure with this 

classic wooden gaming chest. Open 

the sliding drawers to reveal a 

smorgasbord of fun with 10 

of the world’s greatest 

games! Includes chess, 

mancala, backgammon, 

solitaire, tic-tac-toe and lots more 

to keep the very young and most 

experienced young-at-heart entertained! 

Turn the page to find out how to 

enter our great Hamleys competition 

Get organised for Christmas - www.familiestvw.co.uk/organisedchristmas 


PAGE 19

PAGE 20 

Local Shopping 

Retail Therapy! 

A 

recent report named Reading as one of the most cloned towns 

in Britain, dominated by chain stores at the expense of the 

independents. Yet there are still places to visit locally where 

you can enjoy a different, and altogether more pleasurable, shopping 

experience. Imagine helpful and informed assistants, unique products 

in a relaxed setting, free parking on the doorstep and a coffee shop 

perfect for that reviving latte. Families has been busy tracking down a 

few such gems. 

Perfect presents for 

cooks and gardeners 

One of our favourite shopping locations, at 

any time of the year, is The Herb Farm, near 

Sonning Common in beautiful South Oxfordshire. 

At its centre is a picturesque 18th century barn 

surrounded by display gardens growing a range 

of herbs, cottage garden plants and old-style 

roses. In the summer months it even has its own 

Saxon maze in which to lose the children! The 

barn shop is particularly well-stocked at Christmas 

time, with a wide range of elegant and stylish 


The Herb Farm 

gifts and festive decorations to buy, alongside 

the garden and herb products. Daisy’s Coffee 

Shop offers light meals and refreshments. 

Pick up a bargain 

If you’re looking for great value baby and 

children’s clothes and products then head 

along to a Baby & Children’s Market. 

These regular markets, held at locations 

across Berkshire, offer a wide selection of 

quality pre-loved and new items for sale at 

bargain prices, all under one roof. Children’s 

entertainment is provided at most markets 

along with many unique products and services. 

Upcoming markets are listed in our Diary Dates 

section. 

Arts, crafts and 

lots, lots more 

Another favourite is Holme Grange Craft 

Village. This selection of independent shops and 

services enjoys a delightful countryside setting, 

about a mile outside of Wokingham. You’ll find 

a wide range of gorgeous gifts here, from old 

fashioned sweets and collector’s teddy bears 

to original art works by painters, sculptors and 

Shirleyz 

craftsmen. For crafty types there are opportunities 

to stock up on supplies and take part in the 

various workshops on offer, including pottery 

painting, garment design and painting classes. 

Recently opened, and typical of the unique 

style of the place, is Shirleyz. This beautiful shop 

is packed with funky kitchenware and colourful 

home accessories. The collections, such as 

Rice from Denmark, are top quality, stylish and 

innovative but still offer good value. 

Also at Holme Grange are the keepsake 

jewellery specialists, Silver by Design. They 

sell solid silver items such as cufflinks, charms, 

pendants and keyrings which are turned, with 

a fingerprint, hand or foot print, into a unique 

and very personal gift. There is also a range of 

handcrafted silver jewellery made with crystals, 

gemstones and dichroic glass. And if you fancy 

having a go yourself, Silver by Design offer a 

variety of silver jewellery making courses and 

workshops plus children’s parties. 


Out-of-town 

boutique 

experience 

Village Life, situated in the Old 

Shire Horse Centre just outside 

Maidenhead, offers a relaxing 

out-of-town retail experience. 

The Courtyard features 12 

boutique shops selling items 

ranging from beautiful 

handmade cards and contemporary furnishings to designer handbags and 

premium chocolates. There are beautiful collections of baby and children’s 

wear plus traditional toys, miniature dolls houses and train sets to amuse both 

the young and the not so young! Regular events are held throughout the year 

and Shires Farm is on site to amuse the children (charge applies). 

Personal service 

For a really personal shopping experience why not give the girls at Ebb& Flo a 

call? Their new Autumn/Winter collection features designs by Libèlula, Bellaju, 

Nümph, Arzu Kara and Nicola Pulvertaft jewellery. Visit their barn, near 

Henley, by appointment or arrange a home visit or party. Alternatively, why 

not treat a loved one, or yourself, to one of their personal styling consultations 

for Christmas? 

Outdoor fun 

Christmas is the time when we make those ‘big’ toy purchases – the ones 

that run into triple figures. When you’re spending that kind of money it’s 

important to make the right choice. Berkshire-based Just Outdoor Toys are 

specialists in garden toys such as trampolines, climbing frames, slides and 

playhouses. Their website offers lots of helpful hints and tips for buying, 

assembling and maintaining play equipment plus a wide range of stock to buy 

online or by phone. 

Unique keepsakes 

Finally, a few ideas for those looking for a personal and unique gift. The 

Little Print Company offer a range of hand-crafted keepsakes, individually 

created to capture your child’s tiny hands or feet, and even their own artwork. 

Turn to page 30 to find out how to enter our competition to win one of their 

fingerprint charms. 

The Dinky Fingerprint 

Company have brought out 

The Dinky Fingerprint Company 

Contact details 

The Herb Farm 

Peppard Road, Sonning Common, 

Reading, RG4 9NJ 0118 972 4220 

www.herbfarm.co.uk 

Holme Grange Village 

Heathlands Road, Wokingham, RG40 3AW 

www.holmegrangecraftvillage.co.uk 

Shirleyz 

Unit 15, Holme Grange Village 

0118 327 7022 www.shirleyz.co.uk 

Silver By Design 

Unit 1 Holme Grange Village 

0118 979 9507 www.silver-by-design.com 

Village Life 

Bath Road A4, Littlewick Green, 

Maidenhead, SL6 3QA 

01628 828 801 www.myvillagelife.co.uk 

a stunning new range of 

sterling silver bracelets just 

in time for Christmas. They 

have pretty beads in various 

colours to which you can add 

individual charms with your 

children’s fingerprints on them. 

If an original artwork 

would fit the bill, then why not 

commission Twyford artist Terri Jones 

to paint a portrait of your children, family 

or even a favourite pet? Commission prices 

start at only £100. 

Ebb&Flo 

07968 697 918/07725 179 328 

www.ebbandflostyle.co.uk 

Just Outdoor Toys 

0800 954 0042 

www.justoutdoortoys.co.uk 

The Little print Company 

0118 975 6382 

www.thelittleprintco.co.uk 

Dinky Fingerprints 

01628 623386 

www.dinkyfingerprint.co.uk 

Terri Jones 

0118 934 1683 

www.terrijonesart.com 

Baby & Children’s markets 

07881 641 614 

www.babyandchildrensmarket.co.uk 

SHIRLEYZ 

10% discount 

at SHIRLEYz 

If you are looking for a great 

Christmas present then look no 

further. Everything in the collection 

at Shirleyz has been specifically 

chosen for its quality, uniqueness 

or just because it looks cool and 

quirky. We think you’ll like it as 

much as we do. Until 31 Dec 

Families readers can enjoy 10% off 

their purchases. 

For more information visit www.shirleyz.co.uk 

Just visit www.familiestvw.co.uk/offers to 

download your voucher today. 

HAMLEYS 

WIN Gift Vouchers 

from HAMLEYS 

worth £250 

Lots more offers/competitions - www.familiestvw.co.uk/offers 

To celebrate 250 years of The 

Finest Toys in the World, Hamleys 

have teamed up with Families TVW 

to give you the chance to win £250 of 

Hamleys vouchers. The vouchers can be 

used at their fantastic online store or in one of their UK 

stores. 

For further Christmas gift inspiration visit 

www.hamleys.com 

Just visit www.familiestvw.co.uk/ 

competitions to enter our competition today. 

GREAT LITTLE TRADING COMPANY 

15% OFF when you 

spend £50 online 

Local Shopping 

Reader 

Offer 

Competition 

Reader 

Offer 

Great Little Trading Company knows that parents 

are busy people, so want to make their lives easier! 

Therefore GLTC source a large selection of useful, 

hard-to-find children’s products that will last for 

generations and will enhance the family home. 

From furniture to educational toys and games, 

most of the GLTC range is exclusive, which means 

you won’t find the products anywhere else. What’s more if you love the 

convenience of shopping online, Great Little Trading Company is offering 

Families readers a fantastic 15% off when you spend over £50 online 

before midnight 28 November. 

For further information on Great Little Trading 

Company visit www.gltc.co.uk 

To receive your offer code just visit 

www.familiestvw.co.uk/offers today. 


PAGE 21

PAGE 22 

Christmas Fun 

Sure Start brings together childcare, early education, health and 

family-support services for families with children under 5 years old. 

Wokingham Children’s Centres 

Learning opportunities for local children aged 0-5 

Families can access information, services and support from a team 

of professionals to give children the best possible start in life. 

Ambleside, Ambleside Close, Woodley, Reading Tel 0118 3776444 

Riverdale, Silverdale Road, Earley, Reading Tel 0118 9088066 

The Red Kite, Chestnut Crescent, Shinfield Tel 0118 9882332 

Brambles, Budges Gardens, Wokingham Tel 0118 9088010 

Starlings, Colleton Drive, Twyford 0118 9344638 

The Winnersh Children’s Centre, Rainbow Park, Winnersh Tel 0118 989 4280 

The Finchampstead Children’s Centre, Gorse Ride South 0118 908 8166/8167 

... 3 new centres in development 

Join interactive parent/carer and child sessions where 

families can play together and meet other families. 

Activities include: 

Healthy Eating Baby Weigh in Clinic Outside place space 

Midwifery appointments and support Singing and Story Time 

Play and Learn Professional Homecarers Health Visitor Support 

Opening times and activities vary, call on the numbers above or go to 

www.wokingham.gov.uk and search ‘Children’s Centres’ for more information. 

We look forward to welcoming you 


Get 

Why not spend some time with the children 

before Christmas making home-made goodies 

and decorations. Here are a few ideas to try. 

Decorations for the Tree 

Home-made decorations are always the most popular on 

the tree, but edible home-baked trinkets are even 

better. You can use your favourite biscuit recipe or why 

not try our recipe for stained glass biscuits – you’ll find 

it online at www.familiestvw.co.uk/jewelbiscuits 

You can of course use your own cutters or a knife but these festive 

biscuit cutters from Lakeland are perfect for creating ornamental 

shapes. There are 4 large and 4 small cutters in different shapes, plus 

mini cutters for creating a hole to thread ribbon through or to cut out a pattern. 

Perfect for the tree or to give as presents. Tree Trinket Cookie Cutters, from 

Lakeland ref 14493, £9.99 

Chocolate 

Balls 

This Swedish recipe, sent in 

by one of our readers, is 

simple enough for even 

quite young children to 

make. 

50g butter 

100ml sugar 

250ml oats 

3 tablespoons cocoa 

1 tablespoon milk (or cold coffee) 

Simply mix it all together well with 

your hands and form into little balls. 

Easy peasy! Keep in an airtight tin. 


Christmas Shortbread 

Shop-bought shortbread is but a pale imitation of this home-made version. 

The ground rice gives it a lovely texture and would make a delicious gift for 

a lucky teacher. 

150g plain flour 

25g ground rice or semolina 

100g butter 

50g caster sugar 

Greased 20cm shallow tin 

1. Sieve flour and ground rice into large mixing bowl. 

2. Cut butter into small pieces and add. Rub into flour 

with your fingertips until mixture looks like 

breadcrumbs. 

3. Stir in the sugar and squeeze the mixture into a 

ball using the heat from your hands. 

4. Press the mixture into the tin and smooth flat with 

back of a spoon. Press a pattern around the edge 

using fork prongs and cut into 8 equal pieces. 

5. Bake for 30 minutes at 150°C / Gas mark 2 until 

golden. Leave for a few minutes until cool enough then 

cut across it again before lifting out onto wire rack to 

finish cooling. 

6. Keeps in an airtight tin or sealed gift bag for up to 

10 days. Alternatively can be made ahead of time 

and frozen. 

Gift Wrapping Ideas 

Turn you home-made goodies into a really special gift 

by presenting them in these inexpensive gift bags 

from Lakeland, £2.49 for 30. Or make your own 

using squares of tissue paper or cellophane. 

Put some home-made treats in the centre, 

gather the edges and tie at the top with a 

length of parcel ribbon about 20cm long. 

Hold the ribbon between your thumb and the 

blade of some closed scissors. Pull it firmly to 

create ribbon curls. For a prettier effect two 

contrasting colour squares can be used to 

wrap the gift. Children can decorate the bags 

with small stickers. 

Elite Childcare Agency specialises in 

the recruiting and placement of nannies 

and babysitters for families across 

Berkshire and South Oxfordshire. 

Having a Christmas party? Who’s going 

to look after the children? The solution 

- a babysitter or mobile creche. 

TEL 0118 901 8747 

Email: jenny@elitechildcareagency.co.uk 

www.elitechildcareagency.co.uk 

More recipes and craft ideas at - www.familiestvw.co.uk/thingstodo 

Christmas Fun 


Make your own gift tags 

1. Draw Christmassy shapes such as a holly leaf, Christmas tree or star shape on 

card using a white wax crayon or candle. 

2. Brush bright paint over the card. 

3. When dry cut out the shape. 

4. Either make a hole with a hole punch and thread ribbon through or stick 

ribbon to back. 

A Rudolph 

decoration for 

the tree 

Little ones will love 

making these 

Rudolph hanging 

decorations using 

their hands and feet. If you 

don’t have the googly eyes 

just draw on some suitably 

reindeer-like ones. 

1. Trace around your child’s foot 

and both hands using brown 

paper or back of a large 

envelope. 

2.Glue the hands as antlers to 

the top of the footprint. 

3. Glue a red paper nose and 

googly eyes to the reindeer. 

4. Allow to dry, punch a 

hole in the top of the 

head and hang with 

thread, string or 

ribbon. 

For the Lakeland products mentioned please visit 

www.lakeland.co.uk or pop into the Lakeland shop 

in The Oracle, Reading. 


PAGE 23

Out & About 

The Hexagon 

Queen’s Walk, Reading RG1 7UA. 

Box Office: 0118 960 6060, 

www.readingarts.com 

13-14 November – PEPPA PIG’S PARTY 

It’s Peppa Pig’s birthday. Come and 

join the fun with Peppa and George, 

Suzy Sheep, Danny Dog and Emily 

Elephant. A charming, original and 

imaginative show, full of brand new 

songs, muddy puddles, and oinks. 

Tickets from £12.50, conc. £2 off. 

22 November – ALL AT SEA 

Young singers from Reading primary 

schools will sail their way through 

a performance of Captain Noah 

and his Floating Zoo, supported by 

young instrumental players from the 

Berkshire Maestros. A colourful rendition 

in song and dance, with other fun pieces 

on related themes. Tickets £8, conc. £6. 

27 November – THE READING 

CAROL CONCERT 

Led by the Salvation Army Brass Band, 

this popular family concert is compered by 

Gillian Wright (Jean Slater from Eastenders) 

with a choir, special guests and a unique 

presentation of the Nativity. Advance 

booking on 0118 954 3707 or www. 

carolconcert.org.uk Tickets £13, conc. £11. 

4 December–2 January 

– SLEEPING BEAUTY 

A family pantomime with all the usual 

ingredients – spectacular scenery 

and sparkling costumes, corny jokes, 

hilarious slapstick and bags of audience 

participation. Starring Justin Fletcher, 

Leah Bracknell (Zoe Tate, Emmerdale) and 

Jane Tucker (Rainbow). Tickets £16.50 

(£12.50 on 4-5 Dec), group discounts. 

South Hill park 

Ringmead, Bracknell RG12 7PA. 

Box office: 01344 484 123, 

www.southhillpark.org.uk 

PAGE 24 Thames Valley West 

The Night Pirates 

visit South Hill Park 

and South Street 

Oh no it isn’t … oh yes it 

is! Panto season has 

arrived and we’ve listed 

enough shows here to 

get the whole family 

booing and cheering. 

And, if dames aren’t 

your thing, you’ll also 

find carol concerts, 

classic children’s stories 

and lots more. 

21 November – THE NIGHT PIRATES 

A moonlit adventure with puppets and 

pirates. Tom awakes in the night to 

find Girl Pirates stealing the front of 

his house! He joins them as they 

cross the high seas to try and outwit 

Captain Patch and his snoozing, 

snoring pirates and steal their booty. 

For ages 3+. 11am & 3pm. 

Tickets £10, child £5. 

26 November- 2 January 

– DICK WHITTINGTON 

Join Dick and his feline friend as they 

travel to London to make their fortune. 

Watch out for that rotten revolting 

rodent King Rat and find out if Dick can 

find the treasure, win the hand of his true 

love and become the Lord Mayor. Enjoy 

marvellous music, fun, laughter and of 

course, loads of audience participation. 

Tickets from only £12, plus group and 

family discounts. 

Visit online 

Christmas ideas at: www.familiestvw.co.uk 

Fun guide to a stress-free Christmas: 

www.familiestvw.co.uk/stressfreechristmas 

Tips for using festive foliage: 

www.familiestvw.co.uk/festivefoliage 

Getting organised for Christmas: 

www.familiestvw.co.uk/organisedchristmas 

Lots of Christmas offers and competitions 

www.familiestvw.co.uk/competitions 

Weird and wonderful – the story of pantomime 

www.familiestvw.co.uk/pantomimehistory 

Family 

Christmas 

Theatre 

We take great care in compiling these listings but please always check details before setting out. 

South Street 

21 South Street, Reading RG1 4QU. 

Box Office: 0118 960 6060, 

www.readingarts.com 

7 November – THE NIGHT PIRATES 

See South Hill Park for show details. 

11.30am & 2pm. Tickets £6.50, 

group of 4 £22. 

Norden Farm 

Altwood Rd, Maidenhead. 01628 

788997, www.nordenfarm.org 

20 November – LAURA’S STAR 

When Laura finds a star lying on the 

pavement, she knows that she will be 

able to tell it all her secrets. When 

the little star disappears, was her 

special friend just a dream? 

South Hill Park 

presents 

Tickets 

from just £12 

PLUS 

group & family 

special 

offers! 

Wilde Theatre 

Box Office 01344 484123 

www.southhillpark.org.uk 

South Hill Park Arts Centre 

Ringmead · Bracknell · RG12 7PA 

This much loved children’s book is 

brought to life with live music and 

puppetry. For ages 3–7 yrs. 11am & 3pm. 

Tickets £6.50, family £22. 

1 December-2 January 

– ONE SNOWY NIGHT 

A tale from Percy’s Park by Nick 

Butterworth. Percy the park keeper 

always feeds the animals but one cold 

winter’s night he finds his little friends 

shivering on the doorstep, and needing 

more than just food. A heart-warming 

story, with songs to sing along to and 

furry friends to meet. For ages 3+. Tickets 

£9.50, under 16s £7.50, family £30. 

The Kenton Theatre 

New Street, Henley, 01491 575 698, 

www.kentontheatre.co.uk 

28 November – HOW THE 

KOALA LEARNED TO HUG 

A charming musical about the magic of 

family and, of course, the importance of 

a nice warm hug. Join Steven and a host 

of wild characters including Natascha 

the Witch, the reggae beavers and Karen 

the Koala for some 

great stories, sing 

along songs and 

superb games. 3pm. 

Tickets £7, family £25. 

22-24 & 26 December 

– BEAUTY & THE BEAST 

A brand new version of 

this classic tale, with original 

music, exquisite storytelling and 

join-in action. A sparkling family show 

suitable for ‘beauties’ and ‘beasts’ 

young and old. Tickets £12, 

conc. £11, family £39. 

See Justin Fletcher in Sleeping Beauty at The Hexagon 

Written by Bart Lee with music by Ron McAllister 

Fri 26 Nov 10 – Sun 2 Jan 11 

Media Sponsor 



– PUSS IN BOOTS 

Family pantomime performed by the 

Henley Children’s Theatre Group. A witty 

and fun-filled version containing some 

good old fashioned tunes and Monty 

Python type humour. Tickets £11, conc. 

£8. For bookings call 01491 613 991. 

Christchurch Centre 

Reading Rd, Henley, RG9 1AG. 

12 December – HENLEY SYMPHONY 

ORCHESTRA CHRISTMAS CONCERT 

Bring your teddy bear or favourite toy 

and listen to Henley Symphony Orchestra 

performing a Christmas Concert with a 

teddy bear theme. 4.30-5pm. For babies 

and pre-school children. Tickets £4, child 

£2, under 2’s free and available from 

Bagatelle Toys in Henley and on 01628 

526 504. 

Bearwood Theatre 

Sindlesham, Box Office: 0118 969 0925 

18 December 

– FAMILY CHRISTMAS CONCERT 

Trinity Concert Band perform traditional 

favourites and carols, with children 

invited to join in the music. Plus special 

guest appearance from Father Christmas! 

2.30pm. Tickets available from box office 

or on the door. 

The Corn Exchange 

Market Place, Newbury, RG14 5BD, 

01635 522 733, 

www.cornexchangenew.com 

20 November – ELMER THE ELEPHANT 

The heartwarming and funny story of 

Elmer, told with breathtaking puppets, 

original music and stunning scenery. 

12pm. Tickets £8, conc. £6. 

27 November – SALVATION ARMY 

BAND CAROL CONCERT 

Get the Christmas period off to a really 

festive start. Tickets £8. 


– SLEEPING BEAUTY 

Enjoy enough riotous song, dance and 

slapstick to wake a storybook palace from 

one hundred years of slumber. A festive 

treat for all ages.Tickets from £14.50, 

previews £8. 

The Watermill Theatre 

Bagnor, Newbury, RG20 8AE, 01635 

46044, www.watermill.org.uk 

25 November–2 January 

– TREASURE ISLAND 

Calling pirate girls and boys everywhere, 

heave-ho me hearties, don’t miss this 

tale of mysterious strangers, mutinous 

pirates and buried treasure. Don’t forget 

to throw on your pirate costume and 

join in with the fun. For ages 4+. Tickets 

from £10.50. 

Haymarket Theatre 

Wote Street, Basingstoke RG21 7NW. 

Box Office: 01256 844244, 

www.anvilarts.org.uk 

22-23 November 

– STICK MAN – LIVE ON STAGE 

The world is a dangerous place for Stick 

Man. A dog wants to play with him. A 

swan builds a nest with him. He even 

ends up on a fire! Will he ever get back 

to the family tree? Touching, funny and 

utterly original. For ages 4+. Tickets £9. 


– THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS 

Follow the adventures of good natured 

Mole, friendly Ratty, their loyal friend 

Badger and the jovial but conceited Toad. 

The Anvil 

Churchill Way, Basingstoke RG21 7QR. 

Box Office: 01256 844 244, www. 

anvilarts.org.uk 

23 November – CHRISTMAS WITH THE 

SALVATION ARMY 

A concert of Christmas favourites in aid 

of charity. Tickets £8, £10. 

9 December–2 January – CINDERELLA 

A traditional family pantomime starring 

Wendy Craig, Abi Titmuss and Andrew 

Agnew (PC Plum from Balamory) with 

dazzling special effects including flying 

sequences and computer generated 

animation. See the Prince fly through 

time and the wicked Fairy transform 

herself into an enormous fire breathing 

dragon. 

Central Studio 

Queen Mary’s College, Cliddesden Road, 

Basingstoke. Box Office: 01256 418 318, 

www.centralstudio.co.uk 

SATURDAY LIVE SHOWS 

Special shows for children at 11am. 

Tickets £7, child £4.50 unless stated. 

6 November – ROCK‘N’ROLL PIRATES 

BONFIRE PARTY 

Musical Guy Fawkes entertainment. Join 

in and bang the drum or shake 

those castanets and, to make the event 

even more special, dress up in your 

finest Guy Fawkes fancy dress outfit to 

win a prize. 

27 November – THE LITTLE MERMAID 

Hans Christian Andersen’s classic tale is 

brought to life in a unique style fusing 

physical theatre, circus, music and film. 

Beautiful, poignant, funny and full of 

fishy fun. For ages 5+. 11am & 7pm. 

Tickets £8.50, conc. £6.50. 

4 December - THE SLEEPING PRINCESS 

Fast moving re-telling of the classic 

French fairy tale with beautiful puppets, 

equally beautiful people, plus magical 

tricks and the music of Sir Arthur Sullivan. 

A Sign Language Arts production 

featuring fully integrated Sign Language 

throughout. For ages 3-7. 

11 December – ROBINSON CRUSOE 

& THE PIRATES 

Robinson Crusoe is washed up on a 

desert island, with his mother! Will 

he find the treasure before the band 

of hapless pirates? Comedy, catchy 

songs, music, dance, colourful scenery 

and lots of audience participation. 

The Theatre Royal Windsor 

Thames Street, Windsor. 

Box office: 01753 853 888, 

www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk 

8 December–9 January – CINDERELLA 

Join Charlie Dimmock (Ground Force) and 

Kevin Cruise (Britain’s Got Talent) in this 

enchanting tale. Fireman Sam will also 

be on hand should things get too hot in 

the kitchen for Cinderella. For show times 

and ticket prices, call the box office. 

The Novello Theatre 

2 High Street, Sunninghill nr Ascot. 

Ticket Agency 01628 822 982, 

www.novellotheatre.co.uk 


– HANSEL & GRETEL 

Pantomime fun featuring 

the sweetest house and 

the most useless witch 

ever. Tickets £16.50, 

child £14.50. 

The Camberley Theatre 

Knoll Rd, Camberley, 01276 707 600, 

www.camberleytheatre.biz 

8 December–2 January – ALADDIN 

Sonny Flood (Hollyoaks) stars as 

Aladdin in this exciting new 

production of the classic story. 

Tickets £16.95, conc. £15.25, 

various discounts available. 

The Wycombe Swan 

High Wycombe, 01494 512 000, 

www.wycombeswan.co.uk 

11 December–9 January – 

PETER PAN 

Steve McFadden, from Eastenders, 

stars in the role of the villainous 

Captain Hook in this swashbuckling 

version of Peter Pan. 

Tickets from £17, conc. £2/£3 off, 

discounts available. 

Visit Find us more now theatre at www. listings familiestvw.co.uk - www.familiestvw.co.uk/theatre 

Out & About 

Laura’s Star at Norden Farm 

Oakwood Centre, Woodley 

11-12 December – ROBIN HOOD & 

HIS MERRY HOODIES 

A hip-hop pantomime brought to you 

by the talented young performers of 

Mo’s Pantomime Company. 1pm & 5pm. 

Tickets £10, conc. £8. 

Call 0797 783 6865 to book. 

15-18 December – ONCE UPON A TIME 

A tale set in Pantoland and presented by 

Berzerk Productions. Tickets £9.50/£8.50. 

Box Office 0118 324 0800, 

www.readinginfo.co.uk 

Abi Titmuss, the Wicked Fairy 

in Cinderella at The Anvil 


PAGE 25

PAGE 26 

Out & About 

Diary Dates 

Events in red feature a visit 

from Father Christmas. There 

are lots more Santa spotting 

opportunities on page 29. 

Ongoing events 

Every Sunday – SUPER SUNDAYS at 

Reading Museum, 0118 939 9800, 

www.readingmuseum.org.uk 

Special family activities in the afternoons. 

First and fifth Sunday of the month crafts, 

second Victorian classroom experience, 

third a tour of Reading and fourth a 

chance to get hands-on with real objects 

from the collection. 

Every weekend and every day during 

school holidays – THE FIRE AND LIGHT 

SHOW at The Look Out Discovery 

Centre, Bracknell, 01344 354 400, 

www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/lookout 

Fire your imagination with fantastic 

demonstrations - enjoy flames, fire and 

sparks. What does a candle need to keep 

burning? Which creatures produce their 

own light? Make some amazing 

discoveries about fire and light. £1.85 in 

addition to main entrance price, show 

times at 11am, 12noon, 2pm and 3.15pm. 

Every weekend in November - REPTILE 

ROADSHOW at Odds Farm Park, 

Wooburn Common, nr Beaconsfield, 

01628 520 188, www.oddsfarm.co.uk 

Come face to face with snakes, lizards, 

tarantulas and lots of other reptiles 

alongside the usual attractions including 

the indoor playbarn, bale climb and hands 

on activities. No extra charge. 

November 

4 November – BONFIRE AND 

FIREWORKS DISPLAY at Camp 

Mohawk, Highfield Lane, Wargrave 

Enjoy a spectacular pyrotechnics display 

with proceeds supporting Camp Mohawk, 

a day centre for special needs children. 

6-8pm. Refreshments available. Tickets £2 

or £5 family. 

5 November – FIREWORKS AND FUN at 

Checkendon Primary School 

This year’s spectacle starts at 6pm when 

gates open for a barbeque, bar and 

various stalls, with the fireworks starting 

around 7pm. Tickets available on the 

night, £3 adult, £2 child, under 2’s free. 


6 November – END OF SEASON 

FIREWORKS at Legoland, Windsor, 

08705 04 04 04, www.legoland.co.uk 

One of the most spectacular fireworks 

displays in the South of England, with a 

magnificent show of music and 

breathtaking fireworks on a Wizard 

theme. 

6 November – FIREWORK FIESTA at 

Wellington Country Park, Riseley, 

0118 932 6444, www.wellingtoncountry-park.co.uk 

Annual evening spectacular in aid of 

charities supported by the Loddon Lions. 

Tickets £6, child £2 in advance from 

Reception, £7/£3 on door. Gates open 

5.30pm, fireworks at 7.30pm. 

6 November – SPARKS IN THE PARK 

FIREWORKS DISPLAY at Swallowfield 

Park, Swallowfield 

Firework display for the Farley Hill School 

Association. 

6 November – SECOND HAND TOY 

SALE at Twyford and Ruscombe Pre- 

School, Loddon Hall, Loddon Hall Rd, 

Twyford 

Come and pick up a bargain for 

Christmas, with second hand toys and 

baby equipment for sale from 

10am-12noon. Sellers receive 2/3 of the 

money raised, to sell call 07769 916 800. 

6 November - FIREWORK FIESTA at 

Pangbourne Primary School, 

www.fopps.org.uk 

Gates open at 5.30pm. BBQ, West Berks 

Brewery and bar, games, huge bonfire and 

30 minute firework display. Tickets £7.50, 

under 12’s free, available in advance at 

www.fopps.org.uk 

See The Oracle Christmas Spectacular on 20 November 

7 November – FOXY’S FIREWORK 

SPECTACULAR at Edgbarrow Sports 

Centre, Crowthorne, 01344 776 211, 

www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/be 

Doors open at 5pm for bouncy castle, soft 

play and trampolining. Bar and food 

available and fireworks at 6.30pm. Tickets 

in advance or on the door. 

7 November – RECYCLED ARTS 

WORKSHOP at The Nature Discovery 

Centre, Thatcham, RG19 3FU, 01635 

874 381, www.naturediscovery.org.uk 

11am-3.30pm. Free family drop in event. 

Make wallpaper snails. 

10 November - TWILIGHT MARKET 

at Ashridge Nursery, Keephatch 

School, Ashridge Rd, Wokingham, 

www.ashridgenursery.co.uk 

Enjoy a glass of wine whilst browsing stalls 

selling toys, jewellery, cards, cosmetics, and 

crafts. 7.30-9.30pm. 

10-11 November – TODDLER DAYS – 

FARM ANIMALS at The Look Out 

Discovery Centre, Bracknell, 01344 

354 400, www.bracknell-forest.gov. 

uk/lookout 

Special activities for toddlers including 

face or hand painting, play dough, story 

telling and make and take activities. 

Admission also includes entrance to the 

hands on science and nature exhibition. 

10am-4pm. £6.20 per adult and 

toddler, £1.40 per additional toddler 

(max 3 per adult). 

13-14 November – CHRISTMAS CRAFT 

FAIR at South Hill Park, Bracknell, 01344 

484 123, www.southhillpark.org.uk 

All your Christmas shopping under one 

roof with craft demonstrations, food and 

Thomas 

& FaThEr 

ChrisTmas 

Saturdays/Sundays 4/5, 11/12, 18/19 

& Wednesday/Thursday 22/23 December 

Online booking at www.ticketweb.co.uk 

Entrance at Didcot Parkway rail station. 

Signed from M4 (junc 13) & A34 

drink and outdoor play area. Entrance £4, 

child £2, under 10s free. 11am–6pm 

Saturday, 10am–5pm Sunday. Adult taster 

sessions in Printmaking, Ceramics and 

Silversmithing (up to £5, advance booking 

advised), supervised children’s arts activities 

for 5-11yrs (£10 per session, book in 

advance) and make and take family drop 

in sessions between 11.30am-1pm Sat and 

11am-12.30pm Sun. 

13 November – BABY & CHILDREN’S 

CHRISTMAS MARKET at Rivermead 

Leisure Centre, Richfield Ave, Reading, 


10am-4pm. Christmas shopping market 

with unique new products and services. 

Entry £1, children free. 

13 November – SUN CHRISTMAS FAIR 

at Sulhamstead & Ufton Nervet Village 

Hall, Sulhamstead Hill 

Gifts for the home and family, 

refreshments, photographer. 11am-3pm. In 

aid of Breast Cancer Campaign. 

20 November – CHRISTMAS LIGHTS 

SWITCH ON at The Broad Street Mall, 

Reading, www.broadstreetmall.com 

Free festive face painting, balloons and 

giveaways. Reading’s Got Talent finalists on 

stage between 12-3pm showcasing live 

music and dance and the switch on of the 

lights at 4pm. Santa’s grotto open from 

10am-2pm. Also, the Reading Giving Tree 

will be launched at 5.30pm in the Penta 

Hotel – donate a gift for a local child who 

might not otherwise get a present this 

Christmas. 

20 November – ORACLE CHRISTMAS 

SPECTACULAR at The Oracle, Reading 

Heart FM DJ Toby Anstis will be counting 

down to the eagerly anticipated fireworks 

display, which will be wowing crowds on 

The Riverside at 6.15pm with a dazzling 

array of pyrotechnics and lasers. Extended 

opening hours and special offers in the 

shops. 


MARKET at Main Concourse, 

Newbury Racecourse, 


9am-12noon. New and pre-loved clothes, 

ranging from maternity wear to children’s 

clothing from newborn to around 8yrs, 

plus quality products and services. Entry 

£1, children free. 

20 November – RSPB: SLUGS & SNAILS 

at The Nature Discovery Centre, 

Thatcham, RG19 3FU, 01635 874 381, 

www.naturediscovery.org.uk 

11am-3.30pm. Free family drop in event. 

20 November – GET WILD IN 

WONDERFUL WOODLAND at 

Greenham Common, 


A hands-on afternoon of family activities in 

the woods. 1-4pm. £2, please book on 

01635 874 381. 

Recreating the golden age of the Great Western Railway 

Registered Charity No 272616 


y Claire Frew 

21 November – FAMILY CHRISTMAS 

FAYRE at Shiplake Memorial Hall, 

Memorial Ave, Shiplake 

Organised by Shiplake Village Nursery and 

offering a good range of quality gifts, 

stocking fillers and children’s creative 

Christmas activities. 2pm-4pm. Call 07920 

011 331 for more details. 

26 November – GRAND CHARITY AUCTION 

at Wokingham Town Hall, 0118 978 8801, 

www.wintercarnival.org.uk 

A wide range of donated lots are up for 

auction with proceeds going to local 

charities. Viewing starts from 12noon, 

complimentary mulled wine and mince 

pies from 6.45pm, auction starts 

7.30pm. View lots on the website in 

advance. Free entry. 


MARKET at Bulmershe Leisure Centre, 

Woodlands Ave, Woodley RG5 3EU, 


2-4pm. See 20 Nov entry. 

27 November – CHARVIL PRE-SCHOOL 

TOY, BOOK AND CAKE SALE at Woodley 

Pagoda, Woodley Town Centre 

Come along and grab a bargain – second 

hand toys, children’s and adults’ books and 

other gift items for sale, plus delicious 

homemade cakes. From 10am. All 

proceeds to Charvil Pre-School, 

www.charvilpreschool.co.uk 

27-28 November – SANTA’S ARRIVAL AND 

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH ON in 

Bracknell town centre, www.bracknell.com 

Santa arrives in Bracknell on 27 November 

and will switch on the town’s Christmas 

lights on 28 November, accompanied by a 

special guest and followed by spectacular 

fireworks. See website for more details. 

27 November – FAMILY CHRISTMAS 

CRAFTS & CARD MAKING WORKSHOP 

at Beechwood School, 

Ambleside Close, Woodley 

Come and see demo’s of how to make 

delightful Christmas crafts and cards and 

then have a go yourself. 10.30am- 

12.30pm. £3 adult, £1.50 child, £5 family, 

plus cost of materials used. Email h.harris@ 

beechwood.wokingham.sch.uk to book. 

28 November – FAMILY COPPICING at 

Tinkers Copse, Bracknell, 01344 354 441 

Try your hand at a traditional woodland craft. 

Suitable for all. Tools, gloves and 

refreshments provided. Please book. 2-4pm. 

28 November – WOKINGHAM WINTER 

CARNIVAL in the Town Centre, 

Wokingham, www.wintercarnival.org.uk 

The roads are closed and lined with trade, 

food and charity stalls ideal for Christmas 

purchases, plus street craft, music, fun fair, 

Punch & Judy, Santa’s Grotto (in the library) 

and a carnival procession followed by a 

Carol Service around the Christmas tree. 

Free entry. 11am–5.30pm. 

December 

Throughout December during opening 

hours – CHRISTMAS COIN HUNT at 

REME Museum of Technology, 

Arborfield, Reading, 0118 976 3375, 

www.rememuseum.org.uk 

Find hidden chocolate coins in the 

museum displays and vehicles. 

1-5 and 8-12 December – A COUNTRY 

HOUSE CHRISTMAS at Basildon Park, 

nr Pangbourne, 0118 984 3040, 

www.nationaltrust.org.uk 

Come and see the house dressed in all its 

Christmas splendour with festive 

decorations. Festive food and children’s 

activities at the weekends. 11am-4pm. 

3 December – HENLEY CHRISTMAS 

FESTIVAL 

Annual evening event to get you in the 

festive mood. Switching on of the 

Christmas lights, Father Christmas’ Grotto, 

fair rides, lots of outside stalls and carol 

singing around the Christmas tree. 

3 December – TWYFORD CHRISTMAS 

FAYRE in Twyford village centre, 

www.twyfordvillage.com 

A variety of stalls for all your festive 

shopping needs, plus Santa. 6-9pm. 

3 December – FRENCH MARKET in 

Woodley Town Centre, www. 

woodleytowncentre.co.uk 

Come and buy a selection of French 

produce and gifts. From 9am. 

4 December – CHRISTMAS FAIR at 

Sonning C of E School, Liguge Way, 

Sonning 

A variety of stalls full of Christmas gifts, 

tombola, refreshments and a visit from 

Santa himself. 11.30am-2.30pm. 

4 December – MAKE A SILK SCARF at 

The River and Rowing Museum, 

Henley, 01491 415 605, www.rrm.co.uk 

Create your own designs for painting on 

silk and produce a beautiful scarf, a 

perfect present. For 4-11yrs 10.30am 

-12.30pm, £8.50 plus £2 materials. 

4 December – WOODLEY CAROL 

SERVICE in Woodley shopping centre, 

0118 921 6920, www. 


Carol Concert and Christmas Tree light 

switch on. 4.30 pm. Mince pies and 

mulled wine available. 

5 December – WOODLEY WINTER 

EXTRAVAGANZA in Woodley shopping 

centre, 0118 921 6920, www. 


Entertainment for all the family with a 

climbing wall, football cage, rides, 

roundabouts, live entertainment plus visit 

Santa’s Grotto and meet real live reindeer. 

Also lots of charity, craft and trade stalls 

selling produce and gifts. From 10am. 

Santa arrives 11.15am. 

We provide a quality indoor market 

for parents to buy and sell pre-loved 

baby and children’s products. 

Our markets also host a selection 

of unique local businesses. 

Our markets are located in Lower Earley, Newbury, Reading 

and across the Thames Valley. Dates & locations can be 

found in the ‘Out & About’ section of this magazine or by 

contacting us at: 

www.babyandchildrensmarket.co.uk • 07881 641614 

5 December – WOODLEY WINTER 

EXTRAVAGANZA ACTIVITIES at 

Woodley Library 

A string quartet from The Reading 

Symphony Orchestra will be playing festive 

classics. Drop in seasonal crafts and festive 

icing fun for families with children 2-12yrs. 

1.30-3.30pm. 

9-10 December - TODDLER DAYS – 

CHRISTMAS at The Look Out Discovery 

Centre, Bracknell, 01344 354 400, 

www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/lookout 

Special activities for toddlers including face 

or hand painting, play dough, story telling 

and make and take activities. Admission 

also includes entrance to the hands on 

science and nature exhibition. 10am-4pm. 

£6.20 per adult and toddler, £1.40 per 

additional toddler (max 3 per adult). 

10 December – WOODCOTE WINDMILL 

SALE at Woodcote Village Hall, www. 

woodcote-online.co.uk 

Nearly new sale of toys, games, clothes 

and nursery equipment. 8am-2pm. 25p on 

door. To sell call 01491 681 449. 

10 December – HENLEY NCT 

CHRISTMAS PARTY at Christ Church 

Centre, Henley 

Christmas fun, open to all. 2-5pm. Details 

on 0844 243 6160, www.nct.org.uk/henley 

12 December – RECYCLED ARTS 

WORKSHOP at The Nature Discovery 



11am-3.30pm. For families. Drop in and 

make a recycled Rudolph. 

12-13 December – CHRISTMAS CRAFTS 

at REME Museum of Technology, 

Arborfield, Reading, 0118 976 3375, 

www.rememuseum.org.uk 

Christmas crafts activities to make and take 

home. Suitable for children 5-12yrs and 

accompanied by an adult. 11am-3.30pm. 

Normal admission charges apply. 

17 December – SIMA’S ACTION KIDS 

CHRISTMAS PARTY at Magnet Leisure 

Centre, Maidenhead, 01628 633 899 

/639955 

90 mins of Sima’s entertainment, bouncy 

castle, face painting, soft play, visit from 

Santa and goody bag. Plus karaoke contest 

– winner will appear live on stage with 

Sima at Maidenhead Carnival 2011. 4.30- 

6pm. For accompanied under 11’s. Book in 

advance at Magnet Leisure Centre, £7 first 

child, discounts available. Contact Sima on 

07956 993 439, www.simasactionkids.com 

for more information. 

18 December - THE BGC CHRISTMAS 

MEETING at Ascot Racecourse, 0870 

727 1234, www.ascot.co.uk 

Meet Santa in his Winter Wonderland Grotto 

plus fairground rides and face painting. Carol 

service after the last race. Tickets from £16, 

accompanied under 18s free. 

Saturday 4th December 

11am-4pm 

Escape the hustle and 

bustle of the high street 

and find unique gifts. 

Free Entry. 

To book or for more information 

please contact us on T: 01635 874 381 

E: naturecentre@westberks.gov.uk 


Visit Discover us now more at www. things familiestvw.co.uk 

to do - www.familiestvw.co.uk/whatson 

18 December – CHRISTMAS 

WOODLAND FORAGE at Lily Hill Park, 

Bracknell, 01344 354 441 

Collect festive foliage to decorate your 

home (please bring collection bags and 

secateurs). 11am-12noon. No booking 

required. Free. 

19 December – UGLY DUCKLING at The 

Nature Discovery Centre, Thatcham, 

RG19 3FU, 01635 874 381, 


In this unusual and delightful version of 

Hans Christian Andersen’s tale Major 

Mustard and the audience call on song, 

music and story to cure the duckling’s 

sadness. A Christmas treat for all. 11am 

& 2pm. Booking essential. Tickets £5. 

20-21 December – CHRISTMAS IN THE 

WILD WOOD at The River and Rowing 

Museum, Henley, 01491 415 605, 

www.rrm.co.uk 

Join Ratty, Mole, Badger and Mr Toad for 

cosy Christmas crafts and activities and 

receive a present from Mr Toad. All ages. 

£3 per child. 10.30am-3.30pm. 

21 December – CRAFTS: SNOWY 

SCULPTURE AND ICY ART at Westmorland 

Park, Warfield, 01344 354 441 

Using white paint and silver glitter create 

sparkly trees and icy snowmen. For 5-11yrs. 

£3.50. Booking required. 10am-12noon. 

22 December – RSPB: CHRISTMAS 

ROBINS at The Nature Discovery 



11am-3.30pm. Free family drop in. 

22 December – I SAW THREE SHIPS 

COME SAILING BY at The River and 

Rowing Museum, Henley, 01491 415 

605, www.rrm.co.uk 

Get inspiration from some of the 

magnificent ships that used to come up 

the Thames and decorate your own as a 

festive table decoration. For 4-11yrs. 

£8.50. 10.30am-12.30pm, please book. 

22 December – CHRISTMAS CRAFT: 

CHRISTMAS VICTORIAN WREATHS at 

Reading Museum, 0118 939 9800, 


Free drop in family crafts, 10am-12noon 

and 1-3pm. 

Sunday 19th December 

Performances at 11am & 2pm 

In this unusual and delightful version of Hans 

Christian Andersen’s tale Major Mustard 

and the audience call on their skills of song, 

music and story to help the ugly duckling. 

Booking Essential, £5.00 per person. 

Opening Times 

November – March 

Tuesday – Sunday 11am–4pm 

Closed Mondays 

Out & About 

Meet Santa at the BGC 

Ascot race meeting, 18 Dec 

The Nature 

Discovery Centre, 

Muddy Lane, Lower Way, 

Thatcham RG19 3FU 


PAGE 27

PAGE 28 

Out & About 

from 

£27 

per day 

Archery 

Arts & Crafts 

Climbing Wall 

Den Building NEW 

Gymnastics 

Kayaking 

Outdoor Sports 

Orienteering NEW 

Swimming 

Taekwondo 

Team Building 

Trampolining 

Wildlife Explorers 


childcare 

vouchers 

accepted 

Off site 

visits 

Legoland 

Paintballing 

Science Centre 

Thorpe Park 

Scheme 

Open 

every 

school 

holiday 

Extra 

activities 

Animation 

Bikeability 

Circus Skills 

Paint Me 

“The staff are amazing, the activities enjoyable, 

my son has really developed this summer” 

“I look forward to coming to LP every holiday 

and making new friends” 

Booking forms and further information are available on our website 

Leighton Park School 0118 987 9538 

Ofsted Registered 5-14 years old 

activities@leightonpark.com www.leightonpark.com/enterprises 

23 December – CROWNS AND TIARAS 

at Reading Museum, 0118 939 9800, 


Create a sparkly headpiece for Sleeping 

Beauty or her prince. For 5+yrs, families, 

1-hour sessions starting at 10am, 

11.15am, 1pm & 2.15pm, £2, pay on the 

day, limited spaces available. 

26 December – BOXING DAY WALK 

around Charvil 

Meet at St Patrick’s Church, Park View 

Drive North at 10am for an hour and a 

half’s walk with a stop for wine and 

mince pies. Free. No need to book. 

27-28 December – SPECIAL HOLIDAY 

STEAM UPS at Buckinghamshire 

Railway Centre, Quainton, near 

Aylesbury, 01296 655 720, www. 

bucksrailcentre.org.uk 

Enjoy a steam train trip after the 

Christmas festivities, plus magic show, 

Punch and Judy, free seasonal 

refreshments. 10am-5.30pm. 

Super Camps – multi-activity day camp 

for 4-14yrs at LVS School, Ascot from 20- 

23 December, 01235 832 222, 

www.supercamps.co.uk 

Leighton Park School – holiday activity 

scheme for 5-14yrs at Leighton Park in 

Reading from 17–24 December. Various 

sports and other activities plus lots of 

off-site visits, 0118 987 9538, www. 

leightonpark.com/Enterprises.aspx 

Jubilee Jets Holiday Club – for 5-11yrs 

at Jubilee Day Nursery in Padworth 

Common from 20-24 December, 8am- 

6pm (3pm on 24 Dec). Quad biking, 

woodland adventures, arts, crafts and lots 

more, 0118 970 1600, 

www.jubileedaynursery.co.uk or 

www.jubileejets.co.uk 

Waterloo Meadows – holiday club at 

Katesgrove Children’s Centre, Elgar Rd, 

Reading on 22-24 and 29-31 December 

(mornings only 24 and 31 Dec), 

8.30am–1pm and 1-5.30pm. Full or half 

day bookings taken from 15 November, 

0118 937 2637, www.reading.gov.uk/ 

holidayplayclubs 

Take a steam train ride at Didcot Railway Centre, various dates 

27-28 December and 2-3 January – MINCE 

PIE SPECIALS at Chinnor and Princes 

Risborough Railway, Chinnor, 01844 353 

535, www.chinnorrailway.co.uk 

Blow away those post-Santa cobwebs with 

a train trip with mince pies and a drink. 

January 

1-2 January – NEW YEAR STEAMINGS 

at Didcot Railway Centre, 01235 817 

200, www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk 

Look round the centre, behind the scenes 

and enjoy a steam ride. Centre open daily 

from 27 Dec to 2 January, with Steamday 

train rides on 1-2 January. 

If you would like details of your production or 

event to appear on our website www. 

familiestvw.co.uk/whatson, please give us a 

ring on 0118 954 6893 or email us at editor@ 

familiestvw.co.uk The deadline for the 

January/February 2011 issue is 1 December. 

Holiday clubs & activities 

The run-up to Christmas can be stressful even for the most organised of 

us. To prevent complete family melt-down, why not book your child some 

time at a holiday club or camp? They can have fun and let off steam whilst 

you finish the present shopping, make that important work presentation, 

stuff the turkey or even have a nice lunch out with friends! Many childcare 

providers close over the festive period but we’ve found some activities that 

will be running. 

Angels Holiday Club – for 3-11yrs 

at Our Lady’s Preparatory School, 

Crowthorne with sports, arts and crafts, 

music, games etc, 16-23 December and 

4-7 January, 01344 773 394. 

KOOSA Kids Holiday Clubs – for 4-13yrs 

in Ascot, Bracknell and Fleet from 20-23 

December, with multi activities, sports, arts 

and crafts, drama and adventure, 0845 

094 2322, www.koosakids.co.uk 

Perform – invites 4-8 yr olds to join 3-day 

drama, dance and singing courses exploring 

Aladdin in Wokingham and Beaconsfield 

on 20-22 December, 10am-12.30pm, 

0845 400 4000, www.perform.org.uk 

Reading Football Club - soccer schools 

on 22-23 December for boys and girls, 

7-14yrs, at Madejski Stadium, 9am-3pm 

(£42 for two days), 0118 968 1460, 

www.readingfc.co.uk 

Some leisure centres and libraries will 

also be running holiday activities. Give 

them a call or pop in to find out more. 

You can find contact numbers at 

www.familiestvw.co.uk/libraries and 

www.familiestvw.co.uk/leisurecentres 


ODDS FARM PARK, Wooburn Common, 

near Beaconsfield. Every weekend from 27 

November-19 December, plus 20-24 

December, visit Santa in his festive grotto 

(£2 additional charge for under 2’s and 

season ticket holders) and get a free gift 

from the Christmas tree in the shop. 

Christmas themed Puppet shows every 

weekend in December plus all the usual 

attractions of the Farm Park, 01626 520 

188, www.oddsfarm.co.uk 

DINTON PASTURES, Hurst. Santa will be 

in his natural woodland wildlife grotto on 

12, 14-15 and 19-20 December between 

1-3pm in the Embrook Room. Meet Santa 

and his elf and receive a small gift. £4 per 

child, all ages, no need to book, 

www.wokingham.gov.uk/countryside 

THE LOOK OUT DISCOVERY CENTRE, 

Nine Mile Ride, Bracknell. On 11-12 

December visit Santa in his grotto from 

10am-4pm, along with his fairies and 

elves. No advance booking required. 

Face painting, festive art and craft and a 

Christmas quiz will all be part of the usual 

entrance price. Sparkling temporary 

Christmas tattoos (extra charge), 

01344 354400, www.bracknell-forest.gov. 

uk/lookout 

COTSWOLD WILDLIFE PARK, Burford, 

Oxon. Visit Santa in his grotto every 

weekend in December and every day from 

20-24 December from 11am–3pm (times 

may vary), 01993 823 006, www. 

cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk 

A wide range of Bouncy Castles, Slides, 

Soft Play, Go Karts and Sumo Suits for hire 

364 days a year! For Indoor and Outdoor use. 

www.bigonbouncing.co.uk 

01628 410736/07926 751243 

BROAD STREET MALL in Reading. 

Santa’s Grotto is open on 20 November 

for the Christmas Lights Switch-On 

between 10am-2pm. See website for 

further opening hours throughout 

December. Gift from Santa £3.75, photo 

with Santa £6.50, gift and photo £6.50. 

No booking required, unless a large 

group, 0118 957 6633, 

www.broadstreetmall.com 

OAKTREE NURSERY, Brock Hill, Bracknell 

Rd, Warfield, are hoping to have Santa’s 

grotto every weekend in December – call 

to check first on 01344 890 667, 

www.oaktreenurseryberkshire.co.uk 

DOBBIES GROVELANDS GARDEN CENTRE, 

Shinfield. Santa’s grand arrival on 21 November 

at 11.30am (plus entertainment including face 

painters and school choirs) and then in his 

grotto every weekend until Christmas. Also 

Santa’s Breakfasts at weekends from 4 Dec and 

every day from 19-24 December and Suppers 

from 20-23 December (meal bookings essential 

on 0118 988 4822), www.dobbies.com 

The following garden centres will not have 

an actual Santa’s grotto but Santa will be 

visiting at certain times and you can book 

breakfast and teas with Santa in the 

restaurants in the weeks leading up to 

Christmas: WYEVALE GARDEN CENTRES 

in Binfield (01344 869 456) and Hare 

Hatch (0118 940 3933); THATCHAM 

GARDEN CENTRE (01635 871 760); and 

HEATHLANDS GARDEN CENTRE, 

Wokingham (0118 977 3055), 

www.thegardencentregroup.co.uk 

DIDCOT RAILWAY CENTRE. THOMAS 

SANTA SPECIALS on 4-5, 11-12, 18-19 

and 22-23 December. Ride behind Thomas 

the Tank Engine to Santa’s grotto, with 

presents for the children, entertainment 

and the chance to meet the Fat Controller 

and his friends. Advance booking 

essential. Tickets £10, babes in arms 

free, 01235 817 200, 

www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk 

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE RAILWAY 

CENTRE, Quainton, near Aylesbury. 

SANTA’S MAGICAL ADVENTURES on 4-5, 

11-12 and 18-19 December (with 

Thomas pulling the train on 4-5 and 

11-12 Dec). A steam hauled train ride 

with a present from Santa, plus 

refreshments, magic show and miniature 

railway ride. Booking essential. Tickets 

from £14, £2 babes in arms, 01296 655 

720, www.bucksrailcentre.org 

Jubilee Jets 

Holiday Club 

Jubilee Jets is open every school holiday from 8:00 – 

18:00 for children aged 4½ to 11 years. Full and half day 

sessions available. Supervised by a fun team of qualified 

staff Jubilee Jets is a great out-door adventure holiday 

club where the best childhood memories are made. 

For further information please contact: 

Jubilee Jets on 0118 9701 600 

www.jubileejets.co.uk 

Paddock View, Rectory Rd, Padworth Common, Berks, RG7 4JD 

Visit Discover us now more at www. things familiestvw.co.uk 

to do - www.familiestvw.co.uk/whatson 

Set in 

fantastic 

countryside 

location 

School 

Holiday Fun! 

Out & About 

Where to spot Santa! Photo courtesy Winter Wonderland 

When a Christmas Eve visit 

just isn’t enough, Santa can 

also be found at…… 

MID HANTS WATERCRESS LINE, 

Alresford. SANTA SPECIALS on 4-5, 11-12 

and 18-24 December. Santa will visit every 

child at their seat with a gift. Adults 

receive a mince pie and seasonal drink. 

Tickets £13, babies (under 1) £6, 01962 

733 810, www.watercressline.co.uk 

CHINNOR AND PRINCES RISBOROUGH 

RAILWAY, Chinnor. SANTA SPECIALS on 

4-5, 11-12 and 18-19 December. Santa 

will be on every train handing out presents 

to children. Seasonal refreshments for 

adults. Booking advisable. Special carol 

evening on 18 December at 7pm, 01844 

353 535, www.chinnorrailway.co.uk 

CHOLSEY & WALLINGFORD RAILWAY. 

SANTA SPECIALS on 4-5, 11-12 and 18- 

19 December. Santa will ride on the train 

and each child up to the age of 8 will 

receive a gift. Adults receive a hot drink 

and mince pie at Wallingford Station. No 

need to book, www.cholsey-wallingfordrailway.com 

You can also meet Santa at many 

of the events featured in our Diary 

Dates pages starting on page 26. 

• 

Feeding lambs 

Biking in the woods 

Cooking 

Circus workshops 

Henna tattoos 

Trampolining 

Games and races 

Quad bikes 

Or just hanging 

out with friends 

Ofsted registered 


PAGE 29

PAGE 30 

Great Competitions from 

NIRVANA SPA 

WIN a luxury spa 

gift collection 

De-stress yourself in time for 

Christmas. This nurturing 

range of Spa products 

from Nirvana Spa have 

been specifically created 

by a dedicated team 

of skincare experts 

to relieve stress and 

provide deep 

relaxation while achieving 

amazing results for the skin. Celestial Spa Authentic is the only range of 

treatments and products available in the UK that specifically targets 

anti-stress. Nirvana Spa has harnessed nature’s Gemstones to nourish, 

replenish and enhance the body, mind and soul. So your skin can feel 

this good for Christmas we have a Celestial Body Glow Set which 

gives you glowing radiant skin in three simple steps and your own 

overnight spa manicure treatment Celestial Pure Indulgence Hand 

Care Collection for you to win. 

If you are not a lucky winner and would like to try 

Celestial for yourself then buy online by visiting 

www.nirvanaspa.co.uk or call 0118 989 7575 

To enter the Nirvana competition just visit 



ODDS FARM 

WIN tickets to Odds Farm 


Santa is coming to Odds Farm Park and to 

celebrate we have 5 Entry Tickets for 2 

Adults and 2 Children to give away. 

From his Magical Grotto, Santa will be 

giving away free gifts* every weekend 

from 27 Nov and daily from 20-24 Dec. 

Plus, every day from 27 Nov to 24 Dec, 

children can choose a free chocolate treat 

from the Christmas Tree in the Gift Shop. 

It’s festive fun at its best with Christmas 

themed Puppet Shows every weekend in 

December featuring giant puppets Robby the Reindeer, Mrs Christmas and 

even Santa himself. 

There are plenty of activities to choose from, whatever the weather. 

Plus parents can relax too in the Heated Playbarn Gallery where they 

can watch their little ones play in the special Soft Play Area. 

* Free for full paying children. £2 charge for Under 2’s, Annual Ticket holders 

and Free Child Entry vouchers to go towards the cost of the gift. 

For more information, including other special Winter events and prices, 

visit www.oddsfarm.co.uk or call 01628 520188 

To enter the Odds Farm competition just visit 



WINTER WONDERLAND 

WIN a fantastic 

festive day out 

WINTER WONDERLAND in Hyde Park 

offers the best Christmas day out in the 

UK, with beautifully decorated 

attractions set out across 20 acres of 

historic parkland and no admission fee. 

Exciting paid attractions include 

London’s biggest outdoor ice-rink, the 

iconic Giant Observation Wheel, 

rollercoaster rides and Santa Land for 

kids. Family-favourite, Zippos Circus, makes a welcome return to the Big 

Top with a family festive circus show during the day. New for 2010 is 

the Angel’s Christmas Market and in the evening, the Winter 

Wonderland Big Top presents ‘Cirque D’Hiver’ a brand new world-class 

Circus. Each evening soak up the atmosphere as choirs and bands 

perform and trees glitter with thousands of Christmas lights. 

Enjoy the delights of Winter Wonderland Hyde Park, daily 10am-10pm, 

Sat 20 Nov to Tue 4 Jan and from 4pm on 19 Nov. Try your luck and 

see if you can win one of 3 Family tickets including entrance to the Icerink, 

Giant Wheel and Circus at this fantastic event. 

Find out more about this great day out by visiting 

www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com 

To enter the Winter Wonderland competition just 

visit www.familiestvw.co.uk/competitions 


THE LITTLE PRINT CO 

WIN a personalised 

fingerprint charm 

What better way to create 

an enduring memento than 

with a unique, hand-crafted 

keepsake, individually 

created to capture those 

special moments which are 

soon forgotten. Based in 

Reading, Berkshire, The 

Little Print Co offers a 

stunning range of 

Keepsakes. 

This is a chance to win 

your own stunning 

memento to remind you of a special day – or celebrate other important 

events, such as birthday’s, engagements, anniversaries or Weddings. We 

have a gorgeous silver charm on a necklace for a lucky reader to win. 

If you are not a lucky winner and would like to organise a beautiful 

silver keepsake in time for Christmas just call 0118 9756382 or visit 

www.thelittleprintco.co.uk. 




Just visit www.familiestvw.co.uk/competitions to take part today! 


STOp pRESS! 

Books for Christmas 

Books make lovely Christmas gifts. Here are a couple of our 

recent favourites. 

Slightly Invisible 

By Lauren Child 

(Orchard Books) 

RRP £10.99 Hardback 

Charlie and his friend Marv are in 

search of strange and tricky creatures 

which they would like to do without 

Lola bothering and interrupting them 

at every opportunity. Luckily, Lola 

knows exactly how to catch strange 

and tricky creatures and enlists a bit of help from her invisible friend, 

Soren Lorensen, along with a few glasses of her favourite pink milk. 

This is Lauren Child at her best. An amusing story teamed together 

with her fantastic quirky pictures of Charlie and his little sister on one 

of their frequent adventures. My children loved being just able to see 

the invisible Soren Lorensen and it really got their imaginations going – 

they are now requesting a whole host of things for their invisible 

friends. 

The much-anticipated return of the hugely loved brother and sister 

team will bring a great number of smiles to a multitude of children this 

Christmas. 

Aunt Severe 

and the Dragons 

By Nick Garlick & Nick Maland 

(Andersen Press) 

RRP £4.99 Paperback 

When Daniel’s explorer parents vanish, he 

is forced to live with his strict and rather 

strange Aunt Severe. Aunt Severe takes 

his toys away, feeds him cold spinach 

sandwiches and makes him collect 

rubbish. His problems only get more complicated when he finds 

four lost dragons hiding in her garden. Daniel wants to help the talking 

dragons but before he can do anything three of them are captured by 

mean Gotcha Grabber for his zoo. This leaves Daniel with the fourth 

dragon (the not so-seemingly clever one) to rescue them. 

This is a great little chapter book to share with younger children. 

The storyline, which is highly imaginary, flows well with simple 

cliffhangers at the end of each short chapter. It is an easy and 

compulsive read with a few supporting pen and ink illustrations. The 

story touches on how perseverance wins the day and that everyone is 

capable of something good. 

Local Independent Bookshops 

For friendly advice, speedy ordering and great service you can’t 

beat you local independent book shop. Do support them. Here 

are some of our local stores. 

Wordplay (0118 948 2800, www.wordplayshop.co.uk) 

Toys and books. 

18, Prospect St, Caversham, Reading, RG4 8JG 

Chapter One (0118 944 8883) 

Specialises in children’s books. 

136, Crockhamwell Rd, Woodley, Reading, RG5 3JH 

Bell Bookshop (01491 572583) 

52, Bell St, Henley-On-Thames, RG9 2BL 

Visit us now at www.familiestvw.co.uk 

Services 

SIMONS 

CARPENTRY 

SERVICES 

All your carpentry needs 

Call Simon for free quotes and advice 

Mb 07794 320 886 

Hm 0118 978 1056 

spcox@talktalk.net 

Competition winners 

Subscribe to 

Classes 

Classifieds 

Hexagon Pantomime tickets were won by Ruzenka Newstead and 

Tina Simpson. 

Ascot tickets were won by Jacky Ward, Lucy Williams and Valerie Lambden. 

Organised Mum Home Planners were won by Kate Stonehouse, Lisa Bruton, 

Mandy Cooper, Gillian Finucane and Tracey Parnwell. 

Congratulations to you all and enjoy your prizes. 

Don’t miss out on your copy of Families. For £15.50 we will send you the next 10 issues 

straight to your door. Please complete the coupon below and return it to us together 

with your cheque made payable to Caversham Media Ltd. 

NAME ............................................................................................................................ 

ADDRESS ....................................................................................................................... 

....................................................................... POSTCODE ............................................ 

WHERE I HEARD ABOUT FAMILIES: ................................................................................ 

Please send your completed coupon and cheque to: 

Caversham Media Ltd, PO Box 2955, Reading RG1 9PH ✃ 

To help make your magazine as local as possible send us 

your thoughts, news, recommendations and ideas. 

Editorial and booking deadline 1st December. 

Call 0118 954 6893 or email editor@familiestvw.co.uk, 

adverts@familiestvw.co.uk 


ISSUE 50 

Don’t miss your 

next issue 

of 

magazine - 

out start of 

January 

New Year issue 

PAGE 31

PAGE 32 

BGC Christmas Raceday 


Saturday 18th December 2010 

This highlight of the Winter Jumps season features 

superb Jumps racing, Santa’s grotto and fairground 

rides. All entertainment is FREE, including a free 

gift for every child that visits Father Christmas. 

(Subject to availability) 

Tickets from £16 per person, Fine Dining from £85 

per person (inc. admission). Under 18s FREE. 

To book, call 0870 727 1234 

or visit ascot.co.uk

Reading Libraries - Families Online

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