let's go! spring 2013

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Welcome to spring 2013 and the biggest edition of Lets Go! we have ever produced!

Where to start? We have 112 pages of the very best local news, reviews, advice and events plus details of over 110 local family businesses covering every possible service. By popular demand we have increased our distribution again to a massive 38,000 copies by making the magazine available to every Primary School and nursery in Ellesmere Port as well as those already receiving in Wirral and Neston. We are proud to be the only publication reaching the whole peninsula every school every nursery - every family.

Thats not all though! We are delighted to announce our new online presence (page 13). Worthy of Wirrals most popular family magazine and more than just a website www.wirralfamilyguide.co.uk is a complete online community for local families. At the heart of the new site is a fully searchable directory of local family businesses. Here you can research and compare all the best local services when you need them and find all the latest deals and offers. We also have member forums, up to the minute news and reviews, articles, games, downloads, competitions and lots of free family goodies. Theres also lots of opportunities for you to get involved, so please sign up today for your free welcome gift.

Our Create an Ad competition (pg 82) show-cases the talents of 20 local primary schools who signed up to get creative and design full page adverts for local businesses. The competition is a hugely popular event every year and provides school pupils with a unique opportunity to develop their design skills and express their creativity in a real life working situation. Likewise leading local companies enjoy interacting with the schools and benefit from using the fresh perspective and ideas of a young audience to promote their business. Well done to every pupil taking part and thanks to all those business owners for your ongoing support and community spirit.

As you can see its been a busy few months for the team at Lets Go! and weve got plenty of great ideas for the rest of the year, so why not join the Wirral Family Guide community and keep up to date with all the latest issues affecting you and your family. Enjoy this issue and we look forward to seeing you online soon. Should you contact any of the advertisers from the magazine or the website please say where you found them and help us to keep Lets Go! free for all Wirral families.

Le t s Go ! Wi r ra l 3

4 Le t s Go ! Wi r ra l

Wirral Grammar Schools Open Evenings

If you have a child who is currently in Year 5 at Primary School and you are considering a place at one of the Wirral Grammar Schools from September 2014, you are welcome to attend the Open Evenings below. The introduction of the earlier assessment in September 2012 requires parents to notify Wirral Local Authority by the end of May 2013 that they wish their child to take the assessment. Full details of the changes to the 11+ arrangements and for the Information Evenings can be obtained from the Grammar Schools websites. Open Evenings have been planned for late April/early May at each of the Grammar Schools. These are in addition to the Open Evenings that will take place later in the year during September/October. The format for the Open Evenings will vary slightly from school to school and parents are advised to look at the schools website for full details. The dates for these evenings are as follows: Wednesday 1st May 2013 6.30pm-8.30pm (Headteachers Talk 6.30pm & 7.00pm) Wirral Grammar School for Girls www.wirralgirls.co.uk Tuesday 30th April and Wednesday 1st May 2013 at 6.30pm Calday Grange Grammar School www.calday.wirral.sch.uk Wednesday 8th May and Thursday 9thMay 2013 at 6.30pm Wirral Grammar School for Boys www.wirralgrammarboys.com Tuesday 7th May and Wednesday 8thMay 2013 at 6.30pm West Kirby Grammar School www.westkirby-grammar.wirral.sch.uk Parents who have children currently in Year 4 are advised to attend one of our Open Evenings in September/October. Details of all of the Open Evenings for all Wirral secondary schools will be published later in the Summer Term.

Wirral Grammar School for Boys

Wirral Grammar School for Girls

West Kirby Grammar School

Calday Grange Grammar School


Editor Barry Bragg, Design & Production Neil Rees for SunriseDP.co.uk, Publisher Melissa Bragg, Advertising Claire Jackson-Twist, Creative Assistant Alex Ramsey, Administration Ami-Lee Price. Published by Lets Go! Publishing Limited. With kind thanks to our contributors. Copyright Lets Go! Publishing Limited. No part of this publication may be reproduced, either in part or as a whole, without prior written consent. All details are correct at time of publication. To advertise telephone 0151 200 7422 or email [email protected]

Spring garden delights 7Get fit for success in school 9Wirral Family Guide 13Home improvement holiday 20Obesity in kids 21How to choose the right pet 24The benefits of martial arts 27Boys will be boys? 29Lets Dance! 33Scouting 38Spring fashion 40Healthy food swaps 44Lets Cook! 46Colouring competition 48Lets Go! Tots 49Sleeping tips 52Tots Timetable 54Spring Events Diary 65How to be a social media savvy parent 76Disney review 90Create an Ad 2013 82Lets Party! 103Thank you and distribution 110

Prenton High School for Girls Hesketh Avenue

Birkenhead Wirral CH42 6RR 0151 644 8113

www.prentonhighschool.co.uk

Open Evening Thursday 2nd May

6.30pm - 9.00pm The Headteacher will be speaking at 6.30pm and 7.30pm

Prenton High School is a centre of academic excellence, with 93% of students gaining five or more A*-C GCSEs in 2012. We would be

delighted and proud to welcome you to see our school in action and to discover how your daughter or ward would flourish here.

If you are unable to attend this Open Evening, do not hesitate to contact the School Office to arrange a visit.

Invitation To see our Outstanding Academy


e winter frost is melting away and its time to get back into gardening.

If you have young children, gardening can be a fun activity you can enjoy together as a family. Gardening projects teach kids about nature encourage bonding time with parents and allow children to get a little dirty. Its great to get the children involved so weve compiled a list of simple things you might consider grow-ing this season.

Sweet Peas are fairly easy to grow and will provide beautiful bunches of fragrant fl ow-ers all through the summer. Sow them on a windowsill in some moist soil. Water little and often and dont allow the soil to dry out. In April the plants will be ready to transplant outside to the place where they will fl ower. ey will need trellis or a wigwam to grow up, to support them as they get taller.

Tomatoes are the perfect choice for spring gardening with young children. ey are sturdy and not too particular about the quality of soil. Even if you dont have a big garden, you can grow tomatoes in a window box. Grow the tomato plants from seeds in small pots indoors and then transfer them outside once theyve sprouted, or you can skip the seeds altogether. Just buy young tomato plants that are already sprouted and then plant them outdoors right away. Whatever you do, you need to wait until the weather in your area is warm enough that theres no frost at night before transplanting them outside.

Peas are great to eat raw, straight from the gar-den and taste fantastic. Varieties include sugar snaps and mangetout. ey can be grown out-doors from March onwards in a shallow trench. Its worth growing two or three rows together,

as they will need support from pea netting or sticks. Mangetout are harvested when the pod is still fl at, sugar snap when the pod is fat. Harvest June to October.

Lettuce can be sown in trays from Febru-ary and directly outside from March. Sowing several varieties and sowing small quantities every three or four weeks can give a constant supply. Lambs lettuce can be sown outside from March. Cut-and-come-again salad can be sown inside in trays or in a greenhouse during spring. After Easter it should be okay to sow seeds straight outside.

Wild Flowers can be sown in borders or raised beds. e seeds need to be planted in prepared soil where they will fl ower. Sowing can be done in March, April or even May. Flowering begins in June and some varieties will continue to fl ower through into November. Wild fl owers will pro-vide a wonderful display of colour and theyll also attract lots of bees and butterfl ies.

We would like to invite our September 2013 intake to afternoon tea at Ridgeway High School on Tuesday 12th March from 4pm.

An opportunity for parents and carers to meet staff and find out what it s like being a pupil at the only mixed all-ability Wirral school to be judged as Outstanding in all categories.

A chance for Ridgeway staff and students to get to know our new intake well ahead of September. We look forward to meeting you on Tuesday 12th March at 4pm.

We still have a handful of places left in Year 7. Please contact Ms Williams Deputy Headteacher 07545 208 062

CongRaTulaTionS to our New Year 7 pupils

RIDGEWAY HIGH SCHOOLBusiness & Enterprise and Languages Specialist College

Noctorum Avenue, Prenton, CH43 9EBTel: 0151 678 3322 Fax: 0151 678 6571Email: [email protected]

www.ridgewayhighschool.co.uk


Children who exercise regularly are getting better exam results, research has shown.

The findings come from a study in Exeter which was carried out because of national concerns that children are not active enough. By the time they reach 15, almost half are overweight, not because they are eating more but because they are doing less. In an attempt to encourage children to get fitter, the Schools Health Education Unit asked eight to 12-year-olds what sports they really enjoyed and offered free sessions at clubs and leisure centres as part of the Fit to Succeed project. Researchers then noticed that the children who were most active started getting better exam results.

Co-ordinator Angela Balding said it is the first time a formal link has been made. Thats the bit thats not been looked at before in this significant way. There is a definite link between those who are active three or four times a week and those youngsters who do better in the classroom. The research thats going into brain activity at the moment suggests the reason may be that active kids get more oxygen to the brain which is then better equipped to be receptive to new ideas and information. >

Get Fit for Success in School


Headmaster Tim Walker said the results could lead to changes in the national curriculum. It may be that PE has to become a core subject and have the status and time allocation those other academic subjects like English, maths and IT already have. Its value to childrens academic progress has been proved by the Fit to Succeed programme - now the study is being extended to provide more data to support whats already been learned. At the moment PE is compulsory, but it is up to each school to allocate the time. If it is proven to have educational as well as health benefits it may be taken more seriously.

Keeping children interested in sport as they grow older is a big problem. Girls in particular tend to stop exercising once they reach second-ary school. But researchers found they were more likely to take part if they were allowed to play traditional boys games, such as touch rugby, football and baseball. The curse of the 21st Century is that many children prefer sitting at their computers, on the internet or watching television. The challenge is to provide activities that appeal to them enough to get them away from their screens and doing something active.

Lets Go! launchesWirralFamilyGuide.co.ukWe are proud to announce the arrival of Wirrals new online community for families.

Wirral Family Guide

www.wirralfamilyguide.co.uk is the online portal to your Lets Go! Magazine and means all the local information you need to manage a busy family life will be at your fi ngertips 365 days a year. At the heart of our new site will be a fully searchable directory of all the best family friendly businesses and services in Wirral. Each business will have a full online profi le outlining its services, opening times, prices, special off ers, testimonials and more!

Off ers and Prizes

In addition to this our Family Guide Members will also have access to hundreds of unique special deals, competition prizes, articles, local news and reviews and an interactive Whats

On guide with all the latest local family events updated daily.

Free membership & free stuff

We have a Kids Zone where you can download and print hundreds of free colouring sheets,

puzzles, mazes & quiz questions as well as craft and games ideas to keep your

kids amused at home. Well also have online forums where you can discuss

local issues, ask for advice and give your feedback and opinions to other parents

PLUS! Well be showing you how to get lots of FREE STUFF online for all the family.

Only e Best

As you might expect from Wirrals leading family magazine, we have

made every eff ort to bring you the best family website to match. We always appreciate your feedback so if there is anything else you think is missing or would like to see on Wirral Family Guide, please contact us with your suggestions and we will give them every consideration.

Sign up today!

We have some attractive and useful Lets Go! fridge memo boards and pens to give away to the fi rst 250 people to sign up and contribute to the site. So visit www.wirralfamilyguide.co.uk today to guarantee your free welcome gift** and get membership to this great new family resource.

**Please note: Free gifts are intended for Wirral parents and can only be shipped to postcodes within the Lets Go! magazine catchment area. is relates specifi cally to addresses in Wirral, Neston and Ellesmere Port. Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.

Le t s Go ! Wi r ra l 1 3

1 4 Le t s Go ! Wi r ra l

Kumons maths and English study programmes work to unlock your childs potential, building their confidence and independent study skills.

FreeAssessment

kumon.co.uk

Contact your local Instructor for a Free Assessment.Bebington Helen Goodbody 0151 645 7803Heswall Catherine Collins 0151 637 0737Prenton Sue Almond 0151 638 2383Wallasey Jan Davis 0151 639 3548West Kirby Lisa Burgess 0151 625 5692

Fees vary. Please refer to your local study centre.

BBC Primary History e BBC bitesize website have added to their World History page where you can fi nd infor-mation, games and activities for ages 4-11. e new section explores the history of the world through objects. Children can click on the Ro-setta stone, statue of Ramesses II or many other objects to get the story, pictures, fun facts and timelines about each period of history.

Primary History is just one of the great resources on BBC Schools which, with BBC Learning, provides a full educational toolbox for children, teachers and parents with links to related sites and education programming on BBC iplayer. Its worth taking the time to get ac-quainted with the site and discover the resourc-es available to support your childs learning in an engaging and fun way.

www.bbc.co.uk/schoolswww.bbc.co.uk/learningwww.bbc.co.uk/bitesize

Established Excellence

Headteacher: Ms Rebekah Phillips | Woodchurch High School | Carr Bridge Road, Wirral, CH49 7NGt: 0151 677 5257 | f: 0151 678 1906 | [email protected] | www.woodchurchhigh.com

A School with a Church of England Trust

Woodchurch High School

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School and Community Links

Exc

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Outstanding Facilities

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Do you know a Youth Hero?The Wirral Youth Heroes Awards celebrate the achievements of our

communitys inspirational young people. With 9 youth categories and a further category for inspirational adults the Wirral could be celebrating

the talents and achievements of somebody you know.

Just being nominated is hugely rewarding! Doesnt somebody you know deserve this honour?

Nominating your Wirral Youth Hero couldnt be easier at:wirral.youthheroes.org.uk | YouthHeroes on Facebook

Sunday, 9th June 2013www.wirralbikeathon.com

Wirral Bikeathon is one of many LLR Bikeathons taking place throughout the country to raise money as pos-sible for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research. Bikeathons are cycling events for all the family, giving everyone the opportunity to have a fun day out enjoying some healthy exercise whilst raising money through sponsorship to support this vital research.

Open for anyone aged 8 to 80 whether riding solo or as a group, the day guarantees fun for all. So, its up to you to motivate your friends, family and colleagues NOW! The Route is a figure-of-eight course, starting and finishing in Arrowe Country Par covering 14 or 28 miles on mainly minor roads with some off-road sections.

Riders who pre-register are allocated start times between 9.30 am and 11.30 am. Cost of entry is 10 adult and 5 child when pre regis-tered or 20 adult and 5 child when register-ing on the day. You will receive a T-shirt and sponsor form when you sign up. Receive an entry pack including a T-shirt, route map and an individual riders number. Complete the ride, and receive a special commemorative medal!

Please raise as much sponsorship as you can to help Leukaemia & Lymphoma Researchs programme of medical research and remember you can increase the money you raise through GIFT AID. Use the sponsorship form in your en-try pack or alternatively visit www.justgiving.com to see how you can fundraise online.

What is a Bikeathon?


Composting for kidsIntroduce children to the natural cycle of growth and decay. Making compost will clarify the link between plant growth and healthy soil. It should encourage them to become recyclers - and help reduce waste in landfi ll sites! Begin in spring to have compost by autumn. Compost can be made all year round

Step-by-step guide1 Help your children to set up the compost bin or site, ensuring the bin is placed on earth and not concrete.

2 Place dead leaves, green waste from the gar-den, old plants youve pulled out, the contents of their pet hamster, gerbil or bird cage when they clean it out, fruit and vegetable peelings from the kitchen - even eggshells!

3 Sprinkle in some soil.

4 Cover the bin to keep the heat in and leave it alone until you have some more waste to put inside. en repeat step 2.

5 After three or four months help your child to dig the compost over. Leave it to rot down further.

6 When the bottom of the compost is brown and crumbly, it is ready. ey can dig it into the garden - your plants will be really pleased!

is is a joint project with you providing the manpower for most of it, but the children providing the motiva-tion. When preparing a meal, ask children to help you sort out which pieces they can put in the com-post. Vegetable and fruit peelings are great. Dont put in cooked food though as it may attract rodents.

Follow the clues to complete our easter trail and bring your camera to find our eight easter themed photo opportunities.

All entries receive a lindt chocolate bunny and will be entered in our easter prize draw.

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Over the bank holiday weekend, 40% of householders are planning on home improvement works but what improvements add the most value to your property?

A recent HSBC home improvement survey found that thousands of householders across the UK will spend the long weekends redecorating rooms, laying new carpet or giving their garden a makeover before the summer months.

However, the research undertaken with property valuation experts, revealed that while many homeowners hope that their DIY eff orts around the house will increase their property value, its really only the big jobs, professionally carried out that actually do.

Top 10 list of what a homeimprovement is worth Loft Conversion 20,876Room extension 16,069Conservatory 8,233New Kitchen 5,617New Windows 5,265New Bathroom 3,351Re-decorate house 3,229Re-surface drive 2,876Re-carpet house 2,153

Source HSBC 2011


Health risks for obese children may be even greater than previously estimated, new research suggests but our children continue to get fatter. Each new school year is greeted with reports of a dramatic rise in demand for extra-large uniforms for primary school pupils. Almost 35% of 11 year olds are now overweight or obese and among four and five year olds its 22%, according to the most recent figures from the National Child Measurement Programme, which assesses the height and weight of primary children in England. >


New research also suggests that obese children have increased risk factors for heart disease, including raised blood pressure and cholesterol, compared with children of a normal weight. Obesity experts say parents are struggling with many problems when it comes to their childrens weight. They range from a lack of education about food, limited cooking skills and limited money to buy healthier food to longer working hours and marketing campaigns for junk food aimed at kids.

The more sedentary lives children now lead are also creating huge problems. A recent study suggested that up to 75% of junior school children preferred to stay at home than go to their nearby park to play. Watching TV was one of the most popular activities, with 89% saying it was how they liked best to spend their time away from school. Scientists recently claimed every extra hour of television a toddler watches each week adds to their waist size by the time they turn 10.

While the problems parents face might be increasing so is evidence about the dangers of obesity. So why are our children getting so fat? Despite the rise in child obesity, experts say its wrong to just blame parents. Parents have a responsibility, but the issue is much broader than simply blaming them, says Paul Gately, professor of exercise and obesity at Leeds University.

Many parents dont realise their child is overweight when it might be obvious to other people, he says. According to studies, 75% of parents underestimated the size of an overweight child, while 50% underestimated the size of an obese child. Even more surprisingly, a similar study of healthcare professions produced almost identical results. A lot of it is because the images of obesity that we see in the media are people who are massive, 30 stone (190kg) or above. This is

what a lot of people think of as being overweight, but they are extreme cases. It only takes a few extra pounds to actually be overweight.

People also judge things on what they see around them on a daily basis, Gately says. Parents allow their childrens weight to creep up because they are no bigger than some of their friends. Two thirds of adults in the UK are now classified as overweight, so our perception of what we consider the average size is changing. When trained health workers find it hard to pick out an average-weight child then you have to start to think weve got a problem and its bigger than just what parents do.

The daily emotional battle around food can also be fraught between a parent and a child. From a very early age children

are very good at using a range of behaviours to get what they want, say experts. Its easy to judge but nearly every parent in the land has caved in

to some sort of emotional blackmail from their child.

Charlie Powell, campaigns director of the Childrens Food Campaign - an alliance of 150 education bodies, health groups and

childrens charities says Despite all the talk about tackling child obesity,

the reality is there is very little professional help out there. Most dietetic services will not see obese kids because they dont think they can be effective. They know losing weight is about more than just the diet. We clearly need an approach that combines diet, exercise, education and psychological support.Its also hard for parents to stand up to the barrage of junk food advertising. There are huge hurdles they have to overcome to keep their children healthy. Its stuff that wasnt around in years gone by and food manufacturers are very sophisticated in the techniques they use to appeal to children.


With pet ownership comes lifelong responsibility. This makes choosing the right pet for your family all the more important. We have compiled a list of important factors for you to consider to help you make the right choice and get the most out of your pet.

Lifestyle - Pet ownership is a lifetime commitment for the life of the pet. Are you ready? Different creatures require different levels of care. Think about your family lifestyle to determine what pet will fit your available time. Is anyone home daily to feed and exercise a pet? If not, a low-maintenance goldfish or a hermit crab might be a better pick than a high-energy dog.

Economics - Caring for pets can be costly, but some cost more than others. Exotic birds, fish or reptiles are expensive to purchase. Show dogs can ring up significant fees for grooming, training and entries at events. Annual vaccinations and veterinary bills are a significant economic consideration for pet owners, also. Donkeys, goats, llamas, miniature horses, ponies and certain other four-legged animals require regular hoof trimming, too.A basic tabby cat, mixed-breed dog or simple guppies are often the cheapest pet choices for budget-minded families.

Allergies - Is anyone in your family allergic to dust, mould, or pet hair? Cats and dogs may affect allergies, although some breeds are billed as non-moulting. Some individuals are allergic to pet saliva, too. Fish tanks may aggravate mould sensitivities, particularly if not cleaned frequently. Many pets track dust into homes, inciting aller-gies in affected individuals. Hypo-allergenic creature choices include parakeets, turtles, and lizards. Basically, any pet that lives outdoors can cause fewer reactions than those allowed indoors. Chickens, horses, lambs, rabbits, and outside dogs are popular picks for those with adequate outdoor space.

Space - How much room do you have to share with a potential pet? Do you have a fenced garden? How about a secure room with a mop-friendly floor for housebreaking a young animal? Sufficient space is essential, as you add a pet to your family. If you rent, ask if your landlord allows pets.

Hygiene - Pet care takes tons of clean-up, no matter what crea-ture you choose. Can you clean a cat litter box, gerbil cage, or fish tank? Are you ready to scoop your garden frequently to remove your pets droppings? Will you allow your pet free run of your home? How would you feel about wiping up accidents on your living room carpet?

Choosing a pet is a fun family experience, as long as you consider these five tips. Try to keep a LEASH on your familys longing for a pet, and examine your options before you visit the animal shelter or pet seller. Trust me. Its a lot harder to hold youngsters back, once they fall in love with a pet candidate in person.


Martial arts are an ancient method of training your mind, body and spirit to act as one.

Martial arts practitioners strive for harmony, but also learn effective self-defence techniques. Children who get involved in martial arts reap many ben-efits in several areas of life. Most martial arts originated in Asia and include karate, kung fu, jiu jitsu, aikido, tae kwon do and judo.

Fitness is a crucial element to all martial arts especially where children are involved. Warm-ups with jumping jacks, push ups and stretches are common, and the movements of the martial art itself often challenge your muscles and cardiovascular system. Martial artists are known for being toned, flexible and physically fit, and your child will be no different.

Co-Ordination and Balance - through the activities and games that help to teach the fundamentals of martial arts the children will improve their co-ordination and balance, which will help them in life as well as in their martial art.

Self-Discipline - Martial arts help instill mental focus in your child, giving the ability to concentrate on a task and see it through to its conclusion. The discipline that is taught in the dojo in regard to uniforms, customs and tech-niques often translates into other areas of life, including school and household chores.

Respect - martial arts are all about respect. Punching, kicking, throwing and locking are all secondary to the respect that is shown form the moment you walk into a dojo. Children learn to bow to the masters who came before them, and to their current instructors. They also learn to treat other students as they wish to be treated.

Self Confidence - A child involved in mar-tial arts is generally a child who is confident in themselves. Working through a martial art and the belt rank-ing system gives measur-able goals to follow that are realistic to attain. The sense of accomplish-ment a child feels by mastering a

new technique or graduating to a new belt follows them wherever they go.

Improved Reflexes - In order to be a good martial artist, you must have fast reflexes. Research has found that by participating in mar-tial arts, you not only improve your reflexes while perform-ing the activity, but actually experience faster reaction times during all activities of your life.

Focus - Once the children start working their way through the ranking system their focus improves. This goes hand in hand with the Self-Discipline and as they learn the skills in their martial arts it is naturally carried over to everyday and school life.

Self Defence - most martial arts use self-defence as a cornerstone of the entire program. The precise methods will vary from discipline to discipline, but you can be certain that with regular practice, the child will learn to defend themselves in a variety of different ways.


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It wasnt so long ago that childrens activities were strictly gender specifi c and it was practically unheard of for boys and girls to mix together let alone swap activities.

Boys played sports and did martial arts while girls took up dance or craft based hobbies. ankfully times are changing and those stereotypes no longer apply to such an extent. is means there are opportunities for both sexes across a wider range of sports and other activities which might not have been there before. is is great news because it encourages children to explore their opportunities and fi nd something which they fi nd satisfying and that allows them to express their personality.

We interviewed Libby Gahan and Adam Sorrell two examples of local kids who have broken with traditional pastimes to fi nd success and satisfaction elsewhere. Libby has been football mad from an early age. She started playing for Redcourt Primary school boys team and now plays for Upton FC under 10s which is one of 8 girls teams in the Wallasey Junior Football League. Adam has been dancing at Technique Dance School since he was 6 years old and through hard work and dedication has progressed to become World Dance Champion for his age group for the past 3 years running.

Libby Gahan: FootballerWhat made you get into Football? I started playing in the garden with my brother and loved the game. I also used to go along to his training sessions and it looked like they were having such fun, and sometimes they let me join in.

Why do you love it? Its fun and active and helps me to keep fi t which means Im allowed

the odd treat to eat too! I get butterfl ies before our weekly games, but its fun when youre out there playing.

How old were you when you started? I was about 5 or 6 when I used to play with my brother in the garden and then I joined the school team in year 4, but I was the only girl on the team, and I scored a goal in my fi rst game! I then found a girls team and have been playing for Upton FC girls under 10s for two seasons now.

What achievement in football are you most proud of? Scoring a hat-trick in a game against New Brighton and also when I was voted parents player of the year last year

Are you always competing with girls or have you played competitively against boys? I have played against boys in my school team, and although I wasnt in a league team then, the under 8s teams in my league are mixed teams. Ive played in my brothers training sessions too.

How do the boys react to having a girl on the team? ey dont always like it. I think that they think that a girl isnt going to be good enough, but Ive shown them! One time I joined the boys practice session at the end when they were having penalty shootout practice. I went in goal and saved the fi rst penalty and all the boys faces dropped. ey looked terrifi ed and were more nervous to shoot after that!

Boys will be boys


Do you think girls football is treated the same way as boys football? No. when I play FIFA 13 I get annoyed that there are no girls team for me to play in. and in our league sometimes our games get cancelled when the pitch is really muddy, but some of the boys teams get to play on Astroturf instead.

Whats your biggest footballing ambition? Id love to be a professional footballer.

What advice would you give to girls who are keen on football? Keep on playing its not just games but training and practice are really important too. Join a team and youll improve your skills and make loads of new friends. Girls teams in our league are always looking for new members, so come along and give it a try.

Adam Sorrell: DancerWhat made you get into Dance? the thing that made me get into dancing was my sister I went along and watched her dance and thought I wanted to try it one week so I did and then the passion for dance hit me that first class and I stuck it out ever since and its my life . Also I watched dancers on TV and thought I want to be like that

why do you love it? I love dance because it helps me express my personality through the movement and also I meet loads of other friends who have the same passion for dance as me and we can all chat about something we all love to do. It also gives me something to enjoy in life and something to hopefully give me a future career. It also gives me the chance to travel across the country entering competitions.

How old were you when you started? I started dancing at the age of 6 with Technique Dance, where I have been trained by Paul Critchley and Jay Anderson who are my dance teachers and who have helped me to achieve everything I have done. We started off classes in a church hall in Crosby called St Edmonds, where I have

lots of memories, but we are now based at Millingtons Dance School, where we have been for the past 4 years, and still with Paul and Jay and the rest of the Technique Family

What achievement in dance are you most proud of? I am really proud of the fact that lots of other boys have said that I have inspired them to take up dance. As a competitor, I am most proud of achieving every Boys Championship title over the last few years,and I was extremely honoured in 2012 to be awarded a Carl Alan Award for my achievements in dance.

Are you always competing with boys or have been against girls in a competition? When I started competing I had to dance against girls until I reached a certain age where they now put a boys section on where all the lads dance against, in the age groups of under 12 / under

14 / under 16 / Youth / Adult boy. So now the boys have their own category to

dance in which makes it a lot fairer.

Whats your biggest dance ambition? My ambition is to make a success of a future professional career in my dance and to show that boys can

dance too and inspire other boys to take up this amazing hobby.

I would like to be able to make a living out of dance.

Would you like to dance professionally? I would love to dance professionally but it is hard as a dancer work can be difficult to come by and you have to be prepared for periods where you have no money coming in! Its really expensive to go to London to the professional training schools and I havent got the money for that, but I wont let anything get in the way of my dreams. I would love to be a professional dancer and perform all over the world.

For details of the Wallasey Junior Football League visit www.wjfl.co.uk . To contact Technique Dance School visit www.techniquedance.tripod.com.

Springboard Performing Arts is the school for young performers who really want to know what it takes to live and work in theatre, television and film. Lead by West End and New York City performers who have worked with theatre professionals including Arlene Philips, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Mackintosh and film directors such as Roman Polanski, we will show you what you really need to know to pursue a career in Acting, Singing and Dance, and for those who are ready the Springboard Agency will help your little star take their first steps into the world of professional entertainment. Younger performers, starting at age 4, can join us for Junior Drama classes introducing improvisation and theatre games to help build confidence, teamwork and creativity. Weather you are looking to pursue a life in theatre or are looking for an activity to help develop new skills there is a place for you at SPRINGBOARD PERFORMING ARTS- Your Step To The Stage!

At Showcase Dance & Stage we give each pupil the opportunity to Showcase their talents, working at their own pace by providing them with FUN and structured classes to flourish in. We believe each pupil will gain not only confidence through the stage but also important life skills through our sessions, enabling them to Shine in whichever path they choose to take.

Anamal Dance Company World Street Dance Champions 2012 and Winners of BBCs Aleshas Street dance stars 2012 are expanding their timetable! And most exciting of all we have all new ADULT ONLY classes in STREET DANCE (Move over Ashley Banjos Secret street stars!) and ADULT SINGING classes - Gospel Stylie! Places for both of these have been going fast! So whats coming up!... Our Students are always kept busy with new and exciting projects throughout the year. Our next big event is our Company Showcase at the


To advertise in our next dance feature call Claire at Lets Go! on

0151 203 2116 or [email protected]



Floral Pavilion in May, also students are currently working towards their Ballet, tap, Modern, Jazz and Street examinations. See Future Pride Winners of Aleshas Street dance stars perform in Londons Olympia at Move it also our musical theatre department are gearing up towards projects in Euro Disney and dont miss our senior drama company Triple A perform their brand new and completely original horror/drama piece Creekside Manor at the Black-E theatre in Liverpool this summer!! not to mention our Street teams competing at the World Championships in Glasgow! Wow so much to do and get involved with... interested in being part of it all? then we look forward to seeing you soon. Contact us at anamaldancecompany.co.uk

The ethos of Mavlow School of Dance is one of striving for excellence through development in dance and we believe every child should have the opportunity to reach their full potential ,whilst understanding that every child is different. We pride ourselves on teaching the children in a happy ,friendly environment without undue pressure because first and foremost Mavlow School of Dance is about the Enjoyment of Dance. All classes are taken by one or both of the schools principals

ensuring that there is continuity in the building of skills and technique, at age appropriate levels.

Little Actors Saturday Theatre Club meet in Neston Community and Youth Centre Saturday mornings 10.15am 12.15pm for children aged 5-11. They offer classes in drama and singing and dancing and work towards productions. Samantha Giblin, theatre Principal has extensive experience working with children in the community running a variety of drama activities in schools, nurseries and directing full scale productions with after school drama clubs. As well as weekly Theatre Club there are also Tots sessions to introduce children 2 - 4 years to the fun world of drama and also fun drama parties.

Arabesque School of Dance is a fun affordable dance school for all ages and abilities in musical theatre, tap and ballet. All classes are held at the Scout Hut at the bottom of North Road in Birkenhead. They are currently working towards their performance of The Wizard of Oz which will be held at Thingwall Recreation centre on 8th & 9th June. For more information you can contact Karen on 0151 651 0401


The award-winning babyballet Song and Dance Academy is an exciting educational movement to music programme for pre-school boys and girls from 6 months. Encouraging babies, toddlers and young children to enjoy the benefits of song and dance, babyballet has built up a fantastic reputation for providing children with the opportunity to express themselves within a fun, safe and caring environment. Our fantastic teachers are fully qualified and have CRB certificates. babyballet was featured in the childrens television series, Mighty Mites, on CBeebies! babyballet is a National Partner of the Governments Change 4 Life Initiative -working together to encourage children to dance.

Expressions Dance House prides itself on the dedication and the teaching skills to anyone who wants to learn dance, whether as a weekly hobby or something a bit more serious. Expressions teachers are all full qualified and highly experienced dancers continually updating their styles and most importantly their teaching skills. Bokwa classes coming soon this is a fitness class not to be missed ..... plus we are now offering level 2 performing arts courses apply now for level 1 or 2. So if you want the best of the best in a variation of styles then Expressions is the place to learn without a doubt what are you waiting for? Come and see for yourself happy dancing!

Students from Wirral Academy of Performing Arts recently gave a special performance at St Georges Hall in Liverpool. The performance featured young performers from across the Wirral celebrating the life and times of Charles Dickens 200 years after his birth with scenes and characters from Hard Times, Great Expectations, David Copperfield and A Christmas Carol. The evening would not have been complete without classic numbers such as Food Glorious Food from the musical Oliver performed alongside current chart numbers like Gangnam Style! This term students will start rehearsing for their next show at New Brighton, Floral Pavilion including songs & scenes from the West End Hit production Matilda and the screen version of Les Miserables. To find out how you can get involved and come for an open day call Shelagh on 625 1763. www.wapa.uk.com.


If you think Scouting is just about boys, knots, tents and woggles, think again. With 200 activities on offer and almost half a million members (including 60,000 girls) Scouting offers everyday adventure to young people and adult volunteers alike.

According to Scouts, there are two things that matter in life: following your dreams and looking after your friends. Its about doing great things, loving and enjoying adventures and helping others to do the same.

Wirral has a proud Scouting history, boasting one of the first Scout Groups (inaugurated at Birkenhead YMCA in 1908). There has never been a better time to be a part of scouting locally. From Archery to Zorbing, P.R. to I.T. Scouting offers a programme packed with fun and adventure. Wirral Scouts are split into the four Districts of Birkenhead, Bebington, Wallasey and West Wirral - each of which has a number of different Groups. Beavers usually start at age 6, depending on the Scout Groups own waiting list policies. Children can join Cubs from age of 8 and Scouts from 10 and a half. Explorer Scouting starts at 14 and runs until Scouts 18.

Due to a shortage of volunteers there are currently 30,000 young people waiting to join the Scouts nationally. If there is a waiting list for your local Group why not help out? Volunteers can offer support for as little as 1 hour a month. Volunteering can be a great addition to your CV while also teaching you new skills and providing the opportunity to make new friends and discover the great outdoors. Whatever your skills and availability, there will be some way you can contribute,

meaning more young people get to experience the adventure of Scouting.

Scouts wear a uniform depending on the age range. All Scouts (adults and young people) wear a coloured scarf or necker, the colour varies depending on the Group. Uniform can either be bought from Scout Shops or your local district Scout Shop. If youre thinking about joining, but youre not sure which group is nearest to where you live or you would like to know more, you can call Merseyside Scouts County Office on 0151 707 2671 and they will be able to help. Visit www.merseysidescouts.com for more information.

Think you know Scouting? Think again!


Think you know Scouting? Think again!


Since its launch last year, the Lets Eat! restaurant review website www.lets-eat-wirral.co.uk has gone from strength to strength.

The website which is fully searchable by cuisine and area and a host of other search criteria, houses a detailed profile of every Wirral restaurant and is proving a huge hit with a growing number of local diners and restaurateurs alike. With over 30,000 enquiries in its first few months online the site has exceeded expectations and plans are in place to expand the service further throughout 2013.

Lets Eat! is a quick and easy way of locating family friendly restaurants for everyday dining or special occasions. The website is the perfect one stop shop if you are looking to find the right restaurant for your specific needs. Users can read reviews, view menus, images, visit

websites and check out facilities online and best of all its absolutely free to use. Looking for al fresco dining?.... Baby changing facilities?... High Chairs? Child Menu? Disabled Access? ..Indoor or Outdoor Play? .Its all there at the click of a mouse. Try it today!

The restaurant guide with an appetite for success


Cut out sugar with healthy food swapsWe all understand the need to reduce our kids intake of excess sugar. Try these easy swap ideas to reduce the amount of sugar they eat throughout the day.by Kirsten Goddard, Slimming World Lauries Centre, Birkenhead

Breakfast Swaps Switch to lower sugar cereals or other break-fast options like fruit or toast (but if you spread on things like jam, marmalade or honey, make sure its a thin layer.) Or try porridge, made with lower fat milk and grated apple? If you add dried fruit to your cereal, make it just a small handful, as this can also be high in sugar also.

Pudding Swaps Alternate between sugary puddings and healthier ones like fruit which count towards your 5 a day. Season-al fruit is often cheaper and if eating tinned fruit make sure its packed in natural juice rather than syrup. Go easy on dried fruit which is high in sugar or make your own smoothies by blending frozen fruit, low fat yoghurt / milk and unsweetened fruit juice. Try low fat yoghurt or rice pudding instead of ice cream but check the labels for sugar also. Never serve seconds of pudding and make sure that your kids puddings are me size - smaller than an adults.

Snack swaps Cakes, chocolate and biscuits can be high in sugar so opt for low sugar versions instead, when youre at the supermarket or swap for unsalted, unroasted nuts, unsalted rice cakes or toast instead. Buy smaller packs. Skip the family bags and just go for the normal sized one instead. If theres more than one bar to your choc snack, share it or put it in the fridge and have the other one tomorrow.

Drink swaps More than a quarter of the added sugar in kids diets comes from sugary drinks. These include fizzy drinks, milkshakes, sweetened juices and cordials. Swapping to water, milk (semi-skimmed or skimmed), or sugar free/diet drinks can really make a difference. Try giving the kids small amounts of diluted sugar free squash, cordial or fruit juice. Waters always a cool and refreshing drink and its so easy and cheap! Try keeping a jug in the fridge so its always on hand. Pure, unsweetened fruit juice is a healthier option too as it counts as one of your 5 A DAY. Choose 100% unsweetened as it has n added sugar, and drink it with a meal its kinder to your teeth that way!

Treat Swaps - You dont have to cut out sugary snacks completely. Let them choose two small snacks each day. Tell them they can eat them whenever they like, but when theyre finished therell be no more until tomorrow. My kids love sugar free gum and happily accept it as a chocolate substitute. Just be careful how they dispose of it after chewing. You could also try giving them stickers or toys as treats in-stead of sweets - cheap toys like the ones they get in party bags can be bought in many shops. Activities and time with you can be just as valuable also, like a family trip to the swimming pool or the park.


Ive yet to meet a child who didnt love getting busy with Mum or Dad in the kitchen, but as well as a good time, there are many other benefits to be had from a parent & child cookery session.

Build Self-Confidence Support your child in taking on the task, allow them to help prepare a meal for the family and watch their confidence soar. Show them how a team effort produces greater results and compliment their work to increase their sense of responsibility.

Use of Imagination Cooking can be a great chance to experiment and hone problem solving skills. Let them substitute different ingredients or use recipes that list optional ingredients to give them a chance to express themselves with food. Watch them beam with pride as you enthuse about their flavours.

Sensory Experiences Cooking offers opportunities to use the senses of sight, hearing, smell, touch and taste. Talk with your child about how theyre using their eyes, ears, nose, skin and tongue to observe things. Working with food lets a child focus their senses individually as well as collectively and also improves their fine motor skills when helping out in the kitchen.

Maths and Science Skills Sneak in some maths problems using weights, timings and temperatures, and use the recipe to work on reading and sequencing skills.Cooking offers children a variety of learning experiences and its a practical way to teach kids basic life skills and about nutrition and make them feel a valued part of the team. Shame about all the washing up that they leave though!

Salmon Fishcakes RecipeSupplied by the Nursery Kitchen

350g Salmon Fillet 350g Mashed Potato Peas lightly boiled Parsley Beaten Egg with Milk 175g breadcrumbs

Grill the salmon for about 5 minutes until just cooked.Once cooled break into flakes.Mix the salmon, parsley peas and mashed potato together and shape into fishcakes.Put the flour, egg and breadcrumbs in 3 shallow dishes. Dip the cakes into the flour, dust off any excess, then dip in the egg, and finally coat in breadcrumbs. Heat the oil in a large pan. Fry the cakes over a medium-low heat for 3-4 mins each side until deep golden and heated through. Serve with chunky chips and salad.

The children at the nurseries we feed absolutely love them!

Lets Go! Wirral is 6 years old today and were celebrating with a special Birthday cake! Problem is we need a little helper to decorate it for us. Can you help? If so please colour in the picture and return it to us. Weve got copies of Great Recipes Kids Can Cook to give away to the

three most colourful and inventive designs we receive.Return your entries by post to: Birthday Cake Competition, Lets Go Publishing, 70 Whetstone Lane, Birkenhead CH41 2TG

...or scan your entry and email it to [email protected]



Weve teamed up with Dainty Daisys Florists to bring you a great new competition on the Lets Go! Facebook page.

Dainty Daisys is situated at 194 Brighton Street in Wallasey and are renowned for their beautiful bouquets and contemporary arrangements of fresh or silk flowers. They have agreed to supply a fresh bouquet of quality flowers to one lucky Lets Go! Facebook competition winner each month.

All you need to do to enter is Like our Facebook page and submit your entry to that months competition. We are getting things moving with a KIDS SAY THE FUNNIEST THINGS competition. Just tell us something you have heard from the mouth of babes that is funny, embarrassing, clever or insightful and post it on our page. Then take a look through the other entries and vote for your favourite. The post with the most Likes at the end of the month will receive our bouquet courtesy of Dainty Daisys. Well have some other fun competitions and fabulous prizes lined up throughout the year so keep in touch to stay updated.

We will also be posting all of the 700+ Create an Ad entries we received from all the pupils at every school that entered. There really are some very talented children out there with some great ideas and design skills. So if your child entered the competition, be sure to visit us on our Facebook page and click on Pinterest to look through our School Albums where you can view all the hard work that was put in. Whats more we have a 10 book token for the entry from each school that receives the most Likes so please feel free to browse through the other entries and Like your other favourites as well.

** Please note we can only deliver prizes to addresses with a Wirral postcode.

(or search Lets Go! Magazine)


We need sleep! A cry Ive often heard from new parents and many struggling toddler mums and dads in my years in childcare.

Hes never slept through!, She wont go to sleep in her cot!, If I dont get some sleep soon Im going to have a breakdown! If youre going through this, it feels like it will never end but rest assured, by the time their teenage years arrive youll be struggling to get your offspring out of bed! So whats the secret? Every child and baby is different but they all need sleep, if for no one elses sake but yours.

1. Follow an evening routine and stick with it: for example dinner, warm bath, story, milk or snack then bed.

2. Dont let children watch TV or play computer games right before bed.

3. Put newborns down in their crib whilst they are awake. They can learn how to drift off by themselves.

4. When baby wakes during the night, keep lights and noise low, feed and change, then promptly put them back into their cot. For older children escort them straight back to their own bed.

5. Try to avoid letting children sleep in your bed. When youre exhausted this seems like the easiest option but rarely does it succeed long term in getting them to sleep through.

6. Dont believe parents who tell you their babies slept through from 2 weeks of age. Its not unheard of but definitely very unusual!

7. Most importantly do what routine is best for you but stick with it.

I found the best solution for my own children was to start off keeping them up late (we man-aged 10pm). Then we bathed them, fed them and got them into bed. They were obviously very tired and doing this every night soon meant they were sleeping until about 5am. Gradually we moved their bath time back by 15 minutes every few nights. It worked for us as a family.

If you dont want a routine, children will eventually sleep through, but it will take longer. Being a strict parent when it comes to sleep is not a bad thing. You will reap the benefits! What suggestions do you have for helping your baby or toddler sleep?

Email your tips to [email protected] and we will publish them online at www.wirralfamilyguide.co.uk.

by Tracy Kaye, founder of Mums Unlimited (Babysitting and Event Crche Agency)


Parent and child sessions at


Visit wirralfamilyguide.co.uk

for up to date events, toddler activities and general local family

information


waterbabies.co.uk01925 243 643

with Water Babies, the UKs leading baby swim school

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Waiting to be a dad for the fi rst time can be a nervous and exciting time.

With all the attention on Mum and Baby dads can often get overlooked. ere are loads of things mums-to-be have to think about while theyre pregnant. Sometimes they want to make changes to their lifestyle to look after babys health. is might mean that dads-to-be give up some of the things that they love as well.

Try to cut down on alcohol - the best ad-vice for pregnant women is to drink no alcohol but if shes used to drinking with you, this can be tough. Join her in cutting back and youll feel good too.

Stop smoking - Smoking while pregnant, or inhaling secondhand smoke, can be like blow-ing smoke in a babys face. So now could be the perfect time to give up together. Plus, youll be improving your own health and saving money.

Exercise - Walking for 150 minutes each week can help her and your growing baby to stay healthy. Its a great, free way to spend time together. Plus youll be in better shape too, ready for enjoying your new baby in a few months time.

Eating Healthy During pregnancy its important to eat a healthy balanced diet and she may need help and encourage-ment to eat well. If you like cook-ing, see what you fancy making together or if not maybe you can ask her mum or a friend to help. You could even make a load and freeze some - handy once the babys arrived.

Good for you too! - Supporting your partner with all of these things will not only help her have a healthier, happier pregnancy, but can also lessen the risk of postnatal depression

later. Your support will have benefi ts for you also by helping you to be healthier so that youll be able to enjoy new fatherhood more.

Money, benefi ts and parental leave Making sure your family is well supported is one way to give more practical help. Check out what benefi ts and parental leave you are enti-tled to, and help with getting and fi lling in the forms. Knowing your budget for the next few months will be much easier before the baby arrives than afterwards!

Supporting mum with feeding the baby If your partner is breastfeeding, make this as restful as possible and help make her comfortable during feeding by bringing her something to eat and drink or a favourite magazine. And if shes expressing milk or bot-tle feeding you could sterilise equipment, make up the formula and feed the baby also.

Supporting your partner through pregnancy

ask her mum or a friend to help. You could even make a load and freeze some - handy once the babys arrived.


Supporting your partner through pregnancy


5 quick ways to.Teach your toddler social skills1. Learn to share not an easy concept heap on the praise when they get it right.

2. Be a good role model you are their most important guide, show them patience and sympathy.

3. Join in go to one of the groups or classes shown here, it may look like children are ignoring each other, but this is an important first step in socialisation.

4. Take turns play games that require turn taking and show them how.

5. Make a date it can be great for a child to see another childs home or to welcome friends into their territory.

(0151) 632 3156 | www.kingsmeadschool.com

Parents in the know...

....know that sending their little ones to Kingsmead not only gets them the very best nursery education around, it can also save them a great deal of money.

Kingsmeads acres of leafy grounds are available to all under the nursery voucher scheme - and unlike many other nurseries, parents are not expected to pay the Nursery if they are away during School holidays.

Children accepted from two years Part or full days and part or full weeks Term-time care available Childcare available 50 weeks of the year Mature, experienced, well-qualified staff Family-sized groups Busy days and a very happy atmosphere Indoor heated swimming pool Delicious home-cooked food Extensive, secure play area

There is no pressure to continue at Kingsmead beyond the nursery stage. But its only fair to warn you that once you are here, it is doubtful youll want to leave!

KINGSMEADSCHOOL

DOMINUSV I TA

EROBU

R

The Nursery & Pre-School at

Bertram Drive, Hoylake, Wirral CH47 0LL

KingsmeadNurseryLetsGoDec2012.indd 1 14/11/2012 09:55


10 top tips for newborn parentsThe alien, squawky cries, the bizarre umbilical stump, the bright orange poopa newborn can be quite a daunting creature and since they dont come with manuals, weve compiled some tried-and-tested care tips to help cut the stress.

Sleep However, Whenever You CanWhen youre first home from hospital, dont worry too much about establishing a night time routine. IJust sleep whenever you can! Co-sleeping, napping, and having your partner or parents take turns with the baby are great ways to get more sleep.

Learn to SwaddlePay attention at your hospital or baby clinic when the nurses teach you how to wrap your baby up in a tight blanket. Swaddling soothes

cranky newborns because it reminds them of being back in the womb.

Keep baby stuff togetherThe last thing you need is to be running up and down the stairs for all the baby stuff. Keep nappies, wipes, dummies, burp cloths, blankets, the phone and remote in a bag that you can take around with you throughout the day.

Learn What WorksEvery babys different and has a different way of being comforted when fussy. Try lots of different baby-soothing techniques, and remember which ones work for your little one to use again and again and again!

Handle With (Moderate) CareThat pulsing soft spot and flimsy chicken neck are a little freaky, but try not to worry about handling your baby. Just support her head and hold her close so her limbs dont dangle, and your sturdier-than-you-think babe will be happy and secure.


MARCHSat 16th Claire House Childrens Hospice Open Day 10am - 4pm Receive a guided tour around our facilities and see exactly how your donations benefit the children at Claire House. Clatterbridge Road, CH63 4JD. Limited tickets. For times www.clairehouse.org.uk or 0151 343 0883.Sat 16th Media Monkeys at Greasy Library digital media workshop for age 7+. Learn animation and how to make comics. 1hr 4 2hr 8. Book your place [email protected] 16th Wirral Star Party at Wirral Country Park FREE Join Liverpool Astronomical Society and and come and see the Planets, Stars and Moon through their telescopes. Sorry, no dogs. Must book 0151 648 4371Sun 17th Signs of Spring at Birkenhead Park 1:30-3pm Look for signs of spring in the park on its ranger led walk. No need to book. Birkenhead Park, CH41 4HY www.wirral.gov.ukSat 23rd Rummage! FREE! Come and search our ship for any signs of smuggling. Merseyside Maritime Museum, Albert Dock, Liverpool. www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk Sat 23rd West Kirby Farmers Market 9am-1pm St Andrews Church Hall, Graham Road, West Kirby, CH48 5DE.www.westkirbyfarmersmarket.co.uk

Sat 23rd & Sun 24th Carnival Crafts FREE! 1-4pm Make a colourful headdress to take home. International Slavery Museum, Albert Dock, Liverpool, L3 4AQ www.liverpoolmuseums.org.ukSat 23rd- 5th May Wirral Spring 2013 at the Williamson Art Gallery 10-5pm The annual celebration of Wirral visual artists of all ages, amateur and professional, contemporary and traditional, 2D, 3D, digital ... you name it. www.wirral.gov.uk Sat 23rd 7:30pm & Sun 24th 2:30pm Peter Pan By Lancelyn Dance School, supporting Great Ormonde Street Hospital. Gladstone Theatre, Port Sunlight. From 8. For details 0151 342 1323 or www.gladstonetheatre.org.ukSat 23rd Dads and Kids Weekend FREE! Lots of hand-on activities all weekend aimed at you! No need to book. Museum of Liverpool, Pier Head, www.liverpoolmuseums.org.ukMon 25th- Wed 27th Sleeping Beauty by Chiltern Youth Theatre 7.15pm A spell is cast upon Princess Aurora who will sleep for 100yrs. The spell cannot be broken until shes kissed by a Prince. Tickets 9 www.chilterndancestudio.co.uk

Sat 23rd - Sun 7th April Easter Trail at Gordale follow the clues in our Easter Trail and bring your camera to find our 8 Easter themed photo opportunities. 2.50 per child includes a Lindt chocolate bunny, see page 19Mon 25th- Fri 5th April Easter Activities at Birkenhead Park A wide range of activities to keep kids entertained over the Easter holidays. Everything from angling to cycling. For details 0151 652 5197. www.wirral.gov.ukDaily 10am-1pm School Holiday Drop Off Club at Monkey Bizness, Bromborough. Supervised activities, lunch & play Build a bear Workshops, see page 65Mon 25th-Fri 5th April Pottery Painting and Decopatch fun all week at The Potting Shed, see page 94.Tue 26th Making Faces FREE! 1-4pm Have fun finding out how to draw funny faces. Drop-in event, no need to book. Lady Lever Art Gallery, Port Sunlight www.liverpoolmuseums.org.ukWed 27th Easter Egg Hunt at The Grange and Pyramids 10am-3pm. Join the Easter Bunny and follow the clues to find hidden eggs and collect treats along the way. Chocolate hamper and 100 cash prize giveaway! Transform into a bunny at the Bunny Station!Wed 27th & Thurs 28th Crafty Easter Cards FREE! 1-4pm Make a colourful Easter card using collage materials. Lady Lever Art Gallery, Port Sunlight www.liverpoolmuseums.org.ukFri 29th Museum make and learn FREE! 2-4:30pm Learn about the objects in the museum and make a piece of artwork to take home. Museum of Liverpool, Pier Head, L3 1DG www.liverpoolmuseums.org.ukFri 29th- Sun 31st Easter Crafts FREE! 1-4pm Come and get creative in Big Art with colourful Easter inspired activities. Walker Art Gallery, William Brown Street, Liverpool. www.liver-poolmuseums.org.ukFri 29th- Mon 1st April Church Farm Easter Egg Hunt Work together to complete the games and solve the Easter puzzle. From 7.25. see ad on p 70

Fri 29th- Mon 1st April Easter egg-stravaganza! Make an Easter bonnet and take part in our Easter parade. Museum of Liverpool, Pier Head, L3 1DG www.liverpoolmuseums.org.ukFri 29th- 14th April Easter Egg Hunt at Ness Gardens Scamper around the gardens following our clues and find all the eggs we have hidden! Ness Botanic Gardens, South Wirral, CH64 4AY www.nessgardens.org.ukSat 30th Easter Eggstravaganza at Brimstage Hall Courtyard. Egg hunt, pony rides, face painitng, egg tossing, beer & food tasting, plant sale, BBQ demos. In aid of Wirral Autistic Soci-ety. www.brimstagehall.comSat 30th Tales From the Tent FREE! 3pm Mu-seum story for the littlest museum visitors using puppets and props. Museum of Liverpool, Pier Head, www.liverpoolmuseums.org.ukSat 30th Easter Crafts FREE! 1-4pm Get creative in Big Art with colourful Easter inspired activi-ties. Walker Art Gallery, William Brown Street, Liverpool. www.liverpoolmuseums.org.ukSat 30th Craft & Gift fair in Hoylake 10:30am - 4pm Craft, artisan, gifts, mind body and soul fair offering a wide variety of items. For details www.how-bizarre.co.ukSat 30th & Sun 31st Crafty Easter fun at the Lantern Celebrate Easter and all the chocolate fun it brings! Including puppets, egg hunt, party food, face painting, quiz & games. Tickets 15.00. 0151 703 0000 or www.thelanterntheatre.co.uk Sun 31st Rummage! FREE! Search our ship to see if you can spot any signs of smuggling. Various intervals throughout the day. Mersey-side Maritime Museum, Albert Dock, Liverpool. www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk Sun 31st Easter Egg Hunt at Royden Park FREE! 1:30-3:30pm Follow the clues to find the eggs on this fun Easter-themed activity at Royden Park. For more details 01515 677 7594 or www.wirral.gov.uk Sun 31st- Mon 1st April Easter Egg Trail at Speke Hall 12-4pm Complete the Easter trail to get a Cadburys Easter Egg reward. Trail 1.50. Free Parking. The Walk Liverpool, L24 1XD www.netmums.com



Sat 30th March, 7:30pm.

AMERICAN SUPERSLAM WRESTLINGTue 2nd to Sat 6th April.

JAMES & THE GIANT PEACHSun 21st April, 2:00pm.

THE CHUCKLE BROTHERSSun 26th May, 1:00pm & 4:00pm. BLUE LOUNGE.

FAIRY TALES & FABLESSat 29th June, 1:00pm & 4:00pm. Sun 30th June, 10:00am & 1:00pm.

BEN & HOLLYS LITTLE KINGDOMEvery Mon starting 22nd July to 2nd September, 2:00pm.(Except Bank Holiday Mon 26th August.) BLUE LOUNGE.

MISS GIGGLESTue 13th August, 1:30pm & 4:00pm. Wed 14th August, 11:00am & 1:30pm.

THE GRUFFALOS CHILDSun 1st September, 1:00pm.

POSTMAN PAT u 12th December 2013 to Sun 5th January 2014.

JACK & THE BEANSTALK


April

Tue 2nd- Sat 6th James and the Giant Peach Looking for fruitfilled fun and wizzpopping wonders? Dont miss James and his Giant Peach! Floral Pavilion, New Brighton www.floralpavilion.com Wed 3rd & Fri 5th Museum make and learn FREE! 2-4:30pm Learn about objects in the museum and make a piece of artwork to take home. Museum of Liverpool, Pier Head, L3 1DG www.liverpoolmuseums.org.ukThurs 4th Crafty Critters FREE! 1-4pm Who said bugs are ugly? Make your own beautiful bug to take home! Lady Lever Art Gallery, Port Sunlight www.liverpoolmuseums.org.ukThurs 4th CBeebies Live presents Justin and Friends 1:30 & 4:30pm Justin & Friends is the fabulous family Easter Treat for every fan of Justin Fletcher and CBeebies. From 13. Echo Arena, Liverpool. www.echoarena.comSat 6th Card Weaving FREE! 1-4pm Join the Merseyside Guild of Weavers to find out about projects they are working on. World Museum, Liverpool. www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk

Sat 6th- Sun 7th Young Explorers FREE! 10:30am. 8-12yrs. Learn new skills and make a difference to your surroundings, World Museum, Liverpool. www.liverpoolmuseums.org.ukSun 7th Weaving Workshop FREE! 1-4pm Join us to have a go in our weaving workshop World Museum, Liverpool. www.liverpoolmuseums.org.ukTue 9th- Sat 13th The Leverhulme Drama Festival Youth Week presented by Gladstone Theatre. A series of 2-3 one act plays each evening performed by under 18s in competition. Tickets 8. Book online www.gladstonetheatre.org.ukWed 10th & Fri 12th Museum make and learn FREE! 2-4:30pm Learn about objects in the museum and make a piece of artwork to take home. Museum of Liverpool, Pier Head, L3 1DG Sat 13th Wirral Farmers Market 9am-1pm See the posters designed for the market by pupils at Higher Bebington Junior School! New Ferry Village Hall, Grove Street, New Ferry.www.wirralfarmersmarket.co.uk

Events continue over the page ->

Le t s Go ! Wi r ra l 6 9Le t s Go ! Wi r ra l 6 9

BOTAN I C G A R DE N SNess Botanic Gardens, Ness,

Neston, South Wirral CH64 4AY

Tel: 0845 030 4063

Check online for our latest events!www.nessgardens.org.uk

Theres SO MUCH for children of all ages at Ness. Indoors or out, rain or shine, theres always something exciting going on!

Outdoor theatre productions 64 acres to gallop around Adventure

Playground Picnic Lawns Childrens Fun Days Cafe and Ice Cream Kiosk Hens Large Visitor Centre

Gift & Toy Shop Labyrinth Themed Treasure Hunts and Trails Free loan Explorer Packs Woodland Walks Wildflower Meadow Den Making Nesshenge, and MUCH more...

...See you soon!

At Ness every days amazing!

STOP PRESS!New great value Family Membership now

available!


Sun 14th Workshop: Get ahead and get a hat! FREE! 1-4pm Come and make and decorate your very own hat. Sudley House, Aigburth, L18 8BX, www.liverpoolmuseums.org.ukSun 14th Spotlight On Youth 7pm One of the North Wests premier childrens variety shows that showcases many talented youngsters here on Merseyside. From 8. For details www.floralpavillion.comThurs 18th Spring Open Evening at Gordale 6-10pm. FREE. complimentary welcome drink, food tasting, children entertainer, musical entertainment, demos, special offers. See page 19Sun 21st The Chuckle Brothers Meet the Phantom of the Theatre A rip-roaring show featuring songs, slap-stick comedy, magic, puppets and fun for all the family! Floral Pavilion, Marine Promenade, Wallasey, CH45 2JS www.floralpavilion.comSat 27th Opening of the Permanent Orienteering Course at Birkenhead Park. Fun family activities all day, see page 25 for more information.

Sat 27th West Kirby Farmers Market 9am-1pm St Andrews Church Hall, Graham Road, West Kirby, CH48 5DE .www.westkirbyfarmersmarket.co.uk

May

Throughout May Wirral Walking Festival 2013. www.visitwirral.com to download the brochure of over 100 walks all around Wirral being held on every day in MayMon 6th Friends of Ness Gardens Plant Sale at Ness Gardens. www.nessgardens.org.ukMon 6th The Potting Shed for lots of creative fun, see page 94Wed 8th- Sat 11th Annie by Lifeline Productions. A musical for all the family. The Little Theatre, Birkenhead. For tickets & details www.carltonlittletheatre.co.ukThurs 9th- Sat 11th Spots Birthday Party With all of Spots friends; Steve the Monkey, Helen the Hippo and Tom the Crocodile. From 8. Everyman Playhouse Williamson Square Liverpool. For details www.everymanplayhouse.com


Sat 11th Wirral Farmers Market 9am-1pm New Ferry Village Hall, Grove Street, New Ferry. www.wirralfarmersmarket.co.ukSun 12th Secret Gardens of Oxton 10am-5pm Visit the hidden gardens in the historic conservation area of Oxton. Tickets & details 07963 248 268 or www.oxtonsociety.org.ukSat 18th- Sun 19th Animal Masks Workshop 1-4pm World Museum, William Brown Street, Liverpool, www.liverpoolmuseums.org.ukSun 19th Wirral Coastal Walk Hundreds of walkers sponsored for a charity of their choice. Make it a fantastic, colourful, friendly event. For Details 0151 637 1128 or www.wirralcoastalwalk.orgMon 20th Fri 24th Walk to School Week Wed 22nd Walking with Dinosaurs After a worldwide tour seen by over 7 million people in 206 cities, the stunning theatrical is back! From 18.75. For details www.echoarena.comSat 25th West Kirby Farmers Market 9am-1pm St Andrews Church Hall, Graham Road, West Kirby, CH48 5DE.www.westkirbyfarmersmarket.co.uk

Sat 25th- Sun 2nd April Wildlife Week 10am-4pm A week of family activities featuring wildlife themed events. For details www.nessgardens.org.ukSun 26th Fairy Tales and Fables 1pm & 4pm Join us for an intimate afternoon of magical adventures. From 9. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton, CH45 2JS www.floralpavilion.comMon 27th Fri 31st Boredom Busters at Ness Gardens. Fun half term activities. www.nessgardens.org.ukMon 27th Art in the park and Bank Holiday Fair at Coronation Gardens West Kirby11am-4pmMon 27th & Tue 28th Rapunzel! Enchanted Entertainment present a family friendly, action-packed and hilarious pantomime about the girl with the magical, golden hair. Royal Court Liverpool, L1 1HL. For tickets & details www.royalcourtliverpool.co.ukMon 27th- Fri 31st Once Upon a time FREE! 1-4pm A week of enchanting tales and fairytale fun, listen to stories and take part in charming crafts. Walker Art Gallery, William Brown Street, L3 8EL. www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk


Wed 29th & Thurs 30th Shipshape FREE! 1-4pm Get hands on with our fun experiments to learn how boats actually float and the power of water! Merseyside Maritime Museum, Liverpool, L3 4AQ www.liverpoolmuseums.org.ukWed 29th- Fri 31st Carnival Crafts FREE! Learn more about carnival and make your own colourful headdress to take home. International Slavery Museum, Liverpool, L3 4AQ www.liverpoolmuseums.org.ukFri 31st Titanic Storytelling FREE! 1, 2 & 3pm Listen to the adventure of Polar the Titanic bear. Based on a story by Titanic survivor. Merseyside Maritime Museum, Liverpool, L3 4AQ www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk

June

Sun 2nd Fathers Day Gifts at The Potting Shed only 2 weeks left to paint your gift, see page 94Sun 2nd Titanic Crafts FREE! 1-4pm An afternoon of creative fun inspired by the famous Titanic. Merseyside Maritime

Museum, Liverpool, L3 4AQ www.liverpoolmuseums.org.ukSat 8th Wirral Farmers Market 9am-1pm New Ferry Village Hall, Grove Street, New Ferry.www.wirralfarmersmarket.co.ukSun 8th World Environment Day at Ness Gardens www.nessgardens.org.ukSat 8th & Sun 9th Dockwatch FREE! Come and see the creatures in the waters of the Albert Dock with our team and the Border Force underwater camera. Merseyside Maritime Museum, Liverpool, L3 4AQ www.liverpoolmuseums.org.ukSat 8th & Sun 9th Meet Sniffer and Smugglebuster FREE! 12:30 - 4pm Look out for sniffer dog and his handler as they search the Seized! The Border and Customs uncovered gallery. Merseyside Maritime Museum, Liverpool, L3 4AQ www.liverpoolmuseums.org.ukSun 16th Fathers Day at Ness Gardens. All dads gain Free Entry to the gardens. www.nessgardens.org.uk


Sat 22nd West Kirby Farmers Market - 9am-1pm St Andrews Church Hall, Graham Road, West Kirby, CH48 5DE.www.westkirbyfarmersmarket.co.ukFri 28th- Sat 29th Starstruck by Brocks Outrageous Stage School A childrens variety show for all the family. From 7. Family ticket available. www.gladstonetheatre.org.ukSat 29th- 30th Ben and Hollys Little Kingdom Join Ben and Holly, and their friends on this exciting musical adventure packed full of games, songs and laughter. Floral Pavilion, New Brighton www.floralpavilion.com

JulySat 6th Naalbinding FREE! Come and find out about Viking clothes and learn naalbinding. World Museum, William Brown Street, Liverpool, L3 8EN www.liverpoolmuseums.org.ukSat 6th- Sun 14th Wirral Festival of Firsts Various events in and around Hoylake bringing together hundreds of artists, performers and musicians to celebrate the Wirral art and music scene. www.festivaloffirsts.co.uk

Sat 6th Beautiful Butterflies FREE! 1-4pm Spot the butterfly in Lord Leightons painting A Sunny Corner, then decorate your own butterfly to take home. Sudley House, Aigburth, L18 8BX, www.liverpoolmuseums.org.ukSat 13th WAPA Performance 7:30pm A wonderful evening of entertainment featuring students work in drama, singing and dance. From 12. For details www.floralpavillion.comSat 13th Wirral Farmers Market 9am-1pm New Ferry Village Hall, Grove Street, New Ferry. www.wirralfarmersmarket.co.ukSun 14th Babe the Sheep-Pig by Illyria Theatre 6-10pm The heart-warming tale of friendship, courage and determination is vividly brought to life. From 6.50. Ness Gardens, Ness, South Wirral, CH64 4AY. For details www.nessgardens.org.ukSat 27th West Kirby Farmers Market - 9am-1pm St Andrews Church Hall, Graham Road, West Kirby, CH48 5DE.www.westkirbyfarmersmarket.co.uk


New social media platforms spring up everyday and with them, opportunities to share your photographs and thoughts. By Betty Pamper

Most of us protect our kids online from cyber bullying or worse but possibly need some guidelines to govern our own usage? As a keen social media user here are my top tips for keeping your little corner of cyber space happy and safe.

Tip #1 If you cant say anything nice, dont say anything at all. If you wouldnt be comfortable saying something in public dont say it online. Privacy settings can lure us into a false sense of security. Moaning about your boss or criticis-ing your lazy neighbour who hasnt brought in their wheelie bin (again) can seem harmless but you would be mortified if they heard what you were saying. Non specific moaning is fine, but if you need to criticise someone save it for when your friend calls or your partner gets home.

Tip #2 Be two faced. Consider having separate Facebook accounts. This may seem excessive but hear me out. Asking if someone is on Fa-cebook is now the social norm. This can cause a headache when someone you dont want to offend asks to become your friend and you would rather they didnt see the pictures of you wearing a cowboy hat on holiday or dressed up as a pirate for comic relief. I therefore have a general Facebook page for work contacts and people I dont know particularly well and a personal page with my best friends and family on. Im very strict with the privacy settings on my personal page so no one can share or tag my images or status updates. On my general page I never put anything really personal so am far more relaxed. This means I can happily give someone my Facebook user name and accept their friendship request without feeling compromised.

Tip #3 Be smart about what you share. Once an image or blog post is in cyberspace its there forever so use common sense. General photos of your children are fine, share to your hearts content; photos of your kids in the bath or naked maybe not. The same goes for pictures of yourself or children which could embarrass in the future. Any risqu photographs containing suggestive poses etc should probably not be uploaded. Employers now use social media to check up on applicants too, so its a good rule in general.

Tip #4 Dont let social media replace real friends. Being able to chat with people with-out leaving the house can be such a blessing, especially when you are a stay at home parent or self employed. It replaces those all impor-tant water cooler moments and can stop you feeling isolated. Its important to recognise that it is no substitute for face to face interaction so monitor your usage carefully. With mobile technology we can all be guilty of not living in the moment but checking our twitter feeds every few minutes or interrupting real conver-sations to answer texts. If you find this hap-pening too much shut down the laptop, go for a walk or arrange to meet a friend for a coffee. So much more rewarding than receiving a like on Facebook.

Betty Pamper writes the daily blog www.talesfrombettybeetowers.blogspot.com


We experienced the ultimate celebration when taking the Lets Go! Family to join Mickey Mouse and friends at the Echo Arena.

We were treated to a delightful tour of famous festivities, packed with surprises, spectacular skating and vibrant costumes. The latest production from the Disney on Ice team took us on an exciting journey with 50+ Disney characters, including a Valentines Day Royal Ball with Princess Tiana; a Very Merry UnBirthday Party with Alice and the Mad Hatter; a Halloween party with the Disney Villains; and a Hawaiian luau with Lilo & Stitch.

let's go! spring 2013

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