HEREFORD & WORCESTER IT’S COMPETITION TIME P30 & 31 WHATS ON P6- 14 A-Z OF THINGS TO DO P12 & 13 MAGAZINE & WEBSITE THE GO-TO GUIDE FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILD raring2go.co.uk WINTER 2024
2 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! WINTER Contents Big Garden Bird Watch ............ page 4 Something New feature........... page 5 What’s On .........................pages 6 - 14 Clubs & Classes ...............pages 8 & 9 A-Z Things to Do.............pages 12 & 13 Housebuilder Award......pages 16 & 17 Consider Fostering...................page 18 Book Reviews............................page 21 Puzzle Page ............................page 23 Winter Craft .............................page 24 Recipe ......................................page 25 Make & Create.........................page 26 Childcare Changes .................page 29 Competitions .................pages 30 & 31 Welcome to the Winter edition of your Raring2go! Hereford and Worcester magazine and the start of a brand new year. I hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas break. Things can seem a bit flat after the holidays, but there are plenty of fun ideas and activities in this edition to keep you going right up until spring. In the Autumn edition I ran a virtual balloon race, raising funds for the Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust as part of their Corporate Challenge. The race winner was Nells F, who won a family photo shoot. Originally the amazing Charlie Summers Portraits offered to do the shoot, but Charlie was fully booked up in the run up to Christmas. The wonderful newborn and family photgrapher Amy from Humblebee Photography stepped in to help. Nells told us all the images captured the personalties of her lovely children, who really enjoyed the photo shoot. We are excited to share one of the photos on our front cover - its lovely! Between the businesses involved in the Corporate Challenge, and the following Winter Wonderland Ball, £26,000 was raised for the Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust. Amazing news! I will be organising more fundraising activities later in the year - watch this space! Wishing you all a wonderful winter. Pauline x Editor herefordandworcester@raring2go.co.uk 07810 349590 Contact me now to feature in the Spring Edition!
Raring2go! PLACES TO GO 3 The ONLY holiday camp in Malvern providing elite coaching across multiple sports "Best Children's Sports Camp Provider 2023 - West Midlands" If you're NEW to Super Sports then we'd love you to give us a try. To make that as simple as possible, we're offering your child a FREE DAY! Simply scan the QR code, fill in a quick form and you'll be sent a code to book your FREE DAY with us. “The best sports camp around! My kids LOVE it. Excellent coaches who really care about improving the kids’ skills. We can’t wait for the next one!” Parent, 2023 “Well organised. Friendly. Excellent coaching. Able to really engage the children. Children have so much fun while learning new skills. Value for money. Can’t praise it enough.” Parent, 2023 Scan here for your FREE DAY info@teamsupersports.co.uk 01675 488494 GYMNASTICS FOOTBALL NETBALL TENNIS RUGBY CRICKET HOCKEY WHY CHOOSE SUPER SPORTS? Inspirational & Qualified Coaches Drop off from 8am - Pick up by 5pm Ofsted Registered | Childcare vouchers Accepted Create your very own Sports Camp! Play one sport all day OR Change sport each session The Downs - Malvern College New to Super Sports? FREE DAY on us! New to Super Sports? FREE DAY on us! WWW.TEAMSUPERSPORTS.CO.UK HAVE A FREE DAY AT CAMP ON US! ALL SCHOOL HOLIDAYS - starting Easter 2024
4 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! Together, let’s make it count The RSPB is a registered charity in Eng and and Wales 207076, in Scot and SC037654. Robin by Mark Sisson (rspb-images.com) Every birdwatch ma ers Join hundreds of thousands of others and take part in Big Garden Birdwatch - the UK’s argest citizen science wildlife survey. Sign up, connect with nature and make your birdwatch count. P ay your part at www.rspb.org.uk Big Garden Birdwatch 26-28 January 2024
5 Raring2go! 1 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! Family Cook-Off Night: Host a weekly or monthly family cook-off night where each member takes turns selecting a theme or cuisine. Everyone can work together to plan, shop for ingredients, and then prepare their chosen dishes.This not only promotes teamwork but also allows everyone to explore different culinary traditions. Outdoor Adventure Challenges: Plan a series of outdoor adventures or challenges like hiking to a scenic spot, geocaching, or orienteering. Create a "Family Adventure Passport" to track completed challenges and encourage friendly competition.This activity promotes physical activity and bonding in nature. Family Book Club: Start a family book club where you pick a book to read together and then have regular discussions about it. Choose a diverse range of genres and themes to cater to different interests within the family.You can even create a mini-library at home to keep all your family book club selections. DIY Home Improvement Projects: Undertake DIY home improvement or decoration projects as a family. Decide on a room or area to renovate or redecorate and involve each family member in the planning and execution. It's a productive way to improve your living space while learning new skills together. Language Learning Night: Dedicate one evening a week to learning a new language as a family.You can use language-learning apps, online resources or enrol in a course together. This not only enhances communication skills but also opens doors to exploring different cultures and travel opportunities in the future. Remember that the key to introducing something new for the family is to ensure that it's engaging, inclusive, and adaptable to everyone's interests and abilities. These activities can help strengthen family bonds and create lasting memories. Something New for You and the family… Things can get very samey once the festive season is over, so we have put together a few creative ideas to introduce something new for your family to do together:
6 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! WHAT’S ON 01432 358070 wyesidenursery@gmail.com www.wyesidedaynursery.co.uk Wyeside Day Nursery & Out of School Care Ltd 26 Eign Road, Hereford, HR1 2RY “Where children enjoy their learning adventure” Mondays in term time | 9.30 am - 10.30 am HEREFORD CATHEDRAL TODDLER GROUP Calling all toddlers and their grown-ups! Join us each Monday morning to play and pray in Hereford Cathedral. Listen to a Bible story, take part in a craft activity and have fun in our weekly drop-in. Come along to meet other families, make new friends and discover the cathedral. The group is free to attend and everyone is welcome! If you have any questions about this event, please contact: education@herefordcathedral.org herefordcathedral.org All listings correct at time of going to press. Please check details and booking information with the venues before setting out. ..................................................................... 13th January Little Play World at Cross Ash Village Hall, Abergavenny 10 am – 11.30 am. Little worlds of fun, where children can play at being anything from rockstars to vets, and anything in between. Play sessions are aimed at children aged 0-7 years. www.littleplayworld.co.uk ..................................................................... 17th & 18th January Escape Room at Hereford Cathedral. An immersive clue-cracking and decoding game for groups of up to 6 players. Can you crack the clues in time and escape? www.herefordcathedral.org ..................................................................... 20th January Luminous Tales Presents: The Witch and the Egg at The Courtyard. One performer and a flock of shadow puppets tell an engaging and heart-warming story about friendship, laughter and flying the nest. www.courtyard.org.uk ..................................................................... 25th January – 4th February Rapunzel presented by Kays Theatre Group at Swan Theatre. Let down your golden hair and join us for this traditional family pantomime at Swan Theatre. Boo, hiss and laugh at all your favourite gags as we join the quest to rescue poor Rapunzel. www.worcestertheatres.co.uk ..................................................................... 26th -28th January RSPB Big Garden Bird Watch. Sign up,
7 Raring2go! WHAT’S ON and get counting birds visiting your garden this winter. www.rspb.org.uk ..................................................................... 26th January Escape Room at Hereford Cathedral. An immersive clue-cracking and decoding game for groups of up to 6 players. Can you crack the clues in time and escape? www.herefordcathedral.org ..................................................................... 6th February Bring Your Own Baby – grown-up comedy show where babies are welcome! Join us for an afternoon of hilarious comedy, where you can relax and have a good laugh at the best comedians in the UK, without needing childcare! www.worcestertheatres.co.uk ..................................................................... 10th February Little Play World at Bodenham Parish Hall, Hereford 10 am – 11.30 am. Little worlds of fun, where children can play at being anything from rockstars to vets, and anything in between. Play sessions are aimed at children aged 0-7 years. www.littleplayworld.co.uk ..................................................................... 10th February The Little Prince by Lyngo Theatre at The Courtyard. Through mesmerising puppetry and beautiful songs, the boy who fell to earth teaches his friend the Aviator about love, life and real happiness in this adaptation of one of the best-selling children’s books of all time. www.courtyard.org.uk ..................................................................... 13th - 15th February Telling Tales and Spinning Yarns at the Black & White House Museum, Hereford. Watch wool spinning demonstrations and have a go at spinning too. Listen to stories of Roundheads, Cavaliers, and Hereford under siege in the civil war. www.blackandwhitehouse.org ..................................................................... Continues on page 8
8 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! WHAT’S ON Find out more at: WORCESTERTHEATRES.CO.UK Or contact: outreach@worcestertheatres.co.uk 14th – 17th February Rapunzel – pantomime by HAPS at The Courtyard. Trapped in the Old Tall Tower with very little means of escape, maybe now’s the chance for her to let her hair down! www.courtyard.org.uk ..................................................................... 14th February Woman Like Me: The Little Mix Show at Swan Theatre. The show’s performers channel the contagious energy and showmanship of Little Mix, recreating vibrant dance routines and delivering powerful vocals exactly like the group’s signature style. www.worcestertheatres.co.uk ..................................................................... 14th February Alice in Wonderland at Palace Theatre, Redditch. A magical family musical. www.redditchpalacetheatre.co.uk ..................................................................... 15th February Messy Church at Hereford Cathedral. Join us for an afternoon of free stories, crafts and food. This is a free, drop-in event – no need to book! www.herefordcathedral.org ..................................................................... 17th February Escape & Create Workshop – Voyage to Space at Swan Theatre Studio. Our interactive workshops have been designed to explore young people’s creativity through a combination of theatre games and activities where children’s imaginations come to life. www.worcestertheatres.co.uk ..................................................................... Continues on page 10
9 Raring2go! CLUBS & CLASSES Creative Courage For Life® Stagecoach Performing Arts schools are operated under franchise and are independently owned by their Principals. Stagecoach and Creative Courage For Life are registered trademarks of Stagecoach Performing Arts Limited. Singing, dancing and acting classes for year-olds Helping children believe they can do anything 01432 820818 St. Mary's RC High School, HR1 4DR www.stagecoach.co.uk/hereford Stagecoach Hereford 4 - 18
10 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! WHAT’S ON WWW.CHARLIESUMMERSPORTRAITS.COM herefordcathedral.org Messy Church is Christcentred, for all ages and based on creativity, hospitality and celebration. Join us for an afternoon of free stories, crafts and food - everyone is welcome! THURSDAY 15 FEBRUARY 12 noon - 2 pm College Hall THURSDAY 4 APRIL 12 noon - 2 pm North Transept This event is most suitable for primary school aged children but activities can be easily adapted to suit younger children. Messy Church is a free, drop-in event with no pre-booking required. HEREFORD CATHEDRAL MESSY CHURCH 20th – 22nd February The Periodicals presented by The Young Rep Company at Swan Theatre. Set in the near future, a group of young people live as a feral group of techno-savvy fugitives, living off the land which is a rubbish dump. They stay out of sight of the authorities - particularly the education authorities who are desperate to get them back into school! This show is perfect for early teenagers www.worcestertheatres.co.uk ..................................................................... 21st February Circus Spectacular at The Courtyard. Featuring International Circus Acts, Amazing Magic & Lots Of Laughs. www.courtyard.org.uk ..................................................................... 22nd February Escape Room at Hereford Cathedral. An immersive clue-cracking and decoding game for groups of up to 6 players. Can you crack the clues in time and escape? www.herefordcathedral.org ..................................................................... 24th February Boxed In at The Courtyard. A Daryl & Co. and Half Moon co-production for ages 3-6. A playful show about (mis)understanding the rules. This heartfelt story is about being made to feel naughty, just because the rules don’t make sense. www.courtyard.org.uk ..................................................................... 1st March Escape Room at Hereford Cathedral. An immersive clue-cracking and decoding game for groups of up to 6 players. Can you crack the clues in time and escape? www.herefordcathedral.org Continues on page 14
11 Raring2go! WHAT’S ON Hereford's ONLY Adventure Indoor Inflatable Arena! Phone: 01432 370 500 Address: Unit 21 Mortimer Trading Centre Mortimer Road, Hereford HR4 9SP Explore thrilling attractions like Basher Forest, Mega Slide, Ninja Wipeout and more, offering endless entertainment for everyone! Let your imagination run wild as you create cherished memories with your friends and family! Get active and enjoy exhilarating fun that's suitable for all ages - from little ones to teens, parents and grandparents! Join us at Flip Out Hereford and unleash the excitement! Follow us on Scan here to book! Free parking Email: herefordmuseums@herefordshire.gov.uk • Telephone: 01432 260694 www.blackandwhitehouse.org herefordmuseums 13 - 15 February 10.00am - 4.00pm Join us at the Black & White House Museum Telling Tales & Spinning Yarns Hear about the importance of wool processing & spinning for textile production in Herefordshire through the ages. Watch spinning demonstations & have a go at drop spinning. Listen to stories of Roundheads, Cavaliers & Hereford under Siege during the Civil War, in the company of Royalist Colonel, Sir Barnabus Scudamore. Normal admission charges apply. Children free (must be accompanied by an adult) Telling Tales and Spinning Yarns BOX OFFICE 01432 340555 courtyard.org.uk In partnership with Tuesday 16 - Thursday 18 April Wednesday 21 February, 6pm Circus & Zog 2024 half page.indd 1 13/12/2023 16:37:53
Raring2go! PLACES TO GO 12 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! WHAT’S ON? 2 The Raring2go! A-Z of places to go and things to do with your child A1 B3 C3 D2 E1 F4 G2 H4 I 1 J8 K5 L1 M3 N1 O1 P3 Q10 R1 S1 T1 U1 Try a new ACTIVITY together at Ackers Adventure. Choose from skiing, toboganning, tubing and so many more. 1 3 3 2 1 4 2 4 I 1 8 5 1 3 1 1 3 10 1 1 1 1 Watch a BUTTERFLY emerge from its chrysalis at Stratford Butterfly Farm and explore the tropical paradise CREATE your own pottery masterpiece at a Fired Crafts workshop A1 B3 C3 D2 E1 F4 G2 H4 I 1 J8 K5 L1 M3 N1 O1 P3 Q10 R1 S T U JUMP and bounce the winter blues away at JumpIn, Warwick or Rush, Birmingham Trampoline Parks A1 B3 C3 D2 E1 F4 G2 H4 I 1 J8 K5 L1 M N O A1 B3 C3 D2 E1 F4 G2 H4 I 1 A1 B3 C3 D2 E1 F4 G2 H4 I 1 J8 K5 L1 M3 N1 O1 P Q1 R Let your IMAGINATION take over with a role play session at Solihull Play Town A1 B3 C3 D2 E1 F4 G2 H4 I 1 J8 K5 L1 M N O A1 B3 C3 D2 E1 F4 G2 H4 I 1 D2 E1 F4 G2 H4 I 1 J8 K5 L1 M3 N1 O1 P3 Q10 R1 S1 T1 U1 V4 W4 X8 Y4 Z10 1 Adopt a rescued HORSE at Redwings Horse Sanctuary, Oxhill A1 B3 C3 D2 E1 F4 G2 H4 I 1 J8 K5 L1 M3 N1 O1 P3 Q10 R1 S1 T1 U1 V W X Wrap up warm and visit the grounds of Compton Verney. Treat yourself to a hot drink and snack in the café after exploring the OUTDOOR space and adventure playground. A1 B3 C3 D2 E1 F4 G2 H4 I 1 J8 K5 L1 M3 N1 O1 P Q R A1 B3 C3 D2 E1 F4 G2 H4 I 1 J8 K5 L1 M3 N1 O1 P3 Q10 R1 S1 T1 U1 V4 W4 X8 DISCOVER a new park or playground in your area Introduce your child to the KITCHEN with a parent and child cooking class at Becketts Farm 1 3 3 2 1 4 2 4 1 8 5 1 3 1 1 3 10 1 1 1 1 4 4 8 EXPERIENCE the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of the shops, houses, and industrial workshops of the Black Country Living Museum Visit your local LIBRARY. Join in with their family activities or just find a new book to enjoy together. A1 B3 C3 D2 E1 F4 G2 H4 I 1 J8 K5 L1 M3 N1 O1 P Q R A1 B3 C3 D2 E1 F4 G2 H4 I 1 J8 K5 L1 1 3 3 2 1 F4 2 4 I 1 J8 5 L1 3 1 1 3 10 1 1 T1 1 4 4 X8 FEED the Farmyard Favourites at Hatton Adventure World and cuddle up with the creatures in the Guinea Pig Village or Scales and Tails A1 B3 C3 D2 E1 F4 G2 H4 I 1 J8 K5 L1 M3 N1 O1 P3 Q10 R1 S1 T1 U1 V W X Hear the story of the Midlands’ automotive industry from the costumed guides at the British MOTOR Museum 1 3 3 2 1 4 2 4 I 1 8 5 1 2 1 2 4 I 8 5 3 1 3 10 1 1 4 4 4 10 Tee-off with a round of Adventure GOLF at Four Ashes Golf Centre 1 3 3 2 1 4 2 4 1 8 5 1 3 1 1 3 10 1 1 1 1 Make a list of NEW year resolutions, ideas, and challenges – stick it on the fridge and see if you can achieve them all in 2024 Play some BALL GAMES. Try football, netball, tennis, hockey, cricket and rugby with Team Super Sports. Visit a CASTLE. Eastnor Castle opens in spring and they always DANCE! If you want to learn how, try Elizabeth Gibbs Dance lessons. Book an ESCAPE ROOM. They are loads of fun and get you working together as a team. Did you know Hereford Cathedral has an escape room? FREE DAYS OUT. Some places offer free entry and activities for children and families. Search the Raring2go! website for ‘Free Days Out’ for plenty of ideas. GYMNASTICS. 3 Degreez Allstarz offer lots of tumbling fun! HELP. Local charities Encourage IMAGINATIVE play. Look out for Little Play World sessions in your area. JUMP! With wellies in puddles, or play hopscotch. For the ultimate jumping fun, visit Flip Out Hereford! KITCHEN fun. Introduce MUSIC. From a very young age, children enjoy music - Popcat’s Music Time offer fun sessions for children age 0 - 5 Get OUTDOORS to a local park - Spetchley Gardens open soon! Madley Environmental Study Centre hosts some fun outdoor activites and events in the school holidays too. Try a new ACTIVITY together at Ackers Adventure. Choose from skiing, toboganning, tubing and so many more. have lots of fun events on. and hospices often have events you can support. Visit your local LIBRARY. Join in with their family activities or just find a new book to enjoy together. your child to cooking - there are some great fun recipes on the Raring2go! website. Make a list of NEW year resoultions, ideas, and challenges - stick it on the fridge and see if you can achieve them all in 2024
Raring2go! PLACES TO GO 13 Raring2go! WHAT’S ON? 3 V4 W4 X8 Y4 Z10 1 4 4 8 4 10 1 S1 T1 U1 V4 W4 X8 Y4 Z10 1 M3 N1 O1 P3 Q10 R1 S1 T1 U1 V4 W4 X8 Y4 Z10 1 Spend some QUIET time together on the sofa and watch a movie J8 K5 L1 M3 N1 O1 P3 Q10 R1 S1 T1 U1 V4 W4 X8 Y4 Z10 1 Go WILD on a safari drive at West Midland Safari Park P3 Q10 R1 S1 T1 U1 V4 W4 X8 Y4 Z10 1 M3 N1 O1 P3 Q10 R1 S1 T1 U1 V4 W4 X8 Y4 Z10 1 Take advantage of the option to stay warm and dry indoors while letting off some steam at a soft PLAY centre like Claudie’s Club in Solihull J8 K5 L1 M3 N1 O1 P3 Q10 R1 S1 T1 U1 V4 W4 X8 Y4 Z10 1 Save some money on days out and activities by making use of VOUCHERS and offers. Check out those on the Raring2go! website. V4 W4 X8 Y4 Z10 1 P3 Q10 R1 S1 T1 U1 V4 W4 X8 Y4 Z10 1 Explore a magical world of dragons, fairies, wizards, time travel, pirates and possibly a UNICORN at Magic Alley, Stratford Y4 Z10 1 10 10 Get lost in a fantasy world or adventure with a new book to READ together from Kenilworth Books X marks the spot – plan a treasure hunt around your home and/ or garden and challenge the children to find a hidden treasure at the end 4 10 1 P3 Q10 R1 S1 T1 U1 V4 W4 X8 Y4 Z10 1 SPLASH your way around the pool and slides at The Wave, Coventry M3 N1 O1 P3 Q10 R1 S1 T1 U1 V4 W4 X8 Y4 Z10 1 Create your own YUMMY delights at a chocolate making workshop with The Chocolate Shed Y4 Z10 1 V4 W4 X8 Y4 Z10 1 Visit one of our local THEATRES. There are lots of family shows planned at places like The Belgrade, Birmingham Rep, The Alexandra, mac Birmingham 3 1 1 3 10 1 1 1 1 4 4 8 4 10 1 ZOOM into outer space in the 4K Planetarium and discover a world of science at Thinktank, Birmingham 4 4 8 4 10 1 PHOTOS. Record all your fun! For those extra special pictures, Charlie Summers Portraits and Humblebee Photography offer beautiful family photo shoots. Rainy days don’t need to be dull. Grab your UMBRELLA, wellies and waterproofs, and have some fun splashing in puddles. VISIT a museum. There are loads across Hereford and Worcester. Check the Raring2go! website for their Go WILD on a safari drive at West Midland Safari Park. X marks the spot! Create a treasure hunt around your home or garden. When out and about, the Loyal Free app has loads of trails too. YEAR JAR. Note fun days you have on slips of paper, drop them in the jar, then read them all at the end of the year. Spend some QUIET time together on the sofa and watch a movie. Get lost in a fantsay world or to READ together. Help the children put on a SHOW for friends and family. If they enjoy it they will love Stagecoach classes! Visit you local THEATRE. There are loads of familiy shows planned at The Courtyard and Worcester Theatres. opening details. ZOOM into outser space in the 4K Planetarium and discover a world of science at Thinktank, Birmingham.
14 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! WHAT’S ON 2nd March Little Play World at Clifford Community Centre, Herefordshire. 10 am – 11.30 am. Little worlds of fun, where children can play at being anything from rockstars to vets, and anything in between. Play sessions are aimed at children aged 0-7 years. www.littleplayworld.co.uk ..................................................................... 5th March Escape Room at Hereford Cathedral. An immersive clue-cracking and decoding game for groups of up to 6 players. Can you crack the clues in time and escape? www.herefordcathedral.org ..................................................................... 7th March Edward Lear’s Dream (featuring The Owl and the Pussycat) by Sea Legs at The Courtyard. Told with a cast of fabulous tabletop puppets, an innovative stage set and a brilliant musical soundtrack.. www.courtyard.org.uk ..................................................................... 7th March World Book Day. ..................................................................... 10th March Mother’s Day. ..................................................................... 14th March Escape Room at Hereford Cathedral. An immersive clue-cracking and decoding game for groups of up to 6 players. Can you crack the clues in time and escape? www.herefordcathedral.org ..................................................................... 15th – 24th March Ferrous 24 – a Festival of Artist Blacksmithing in Hereford City Centre. Discover the world of forged metal at a unique festival with attractions for all ages. www.ferrousfestival.co.uk ..................................................................... 19th – 21st March Zog and the Flying Doctor at Swan Theatre. Zog still lands with a bang-crashthump. Together with his Flying Doctor crew, Princess Pearl and Sir Gadabout, they tend to a sunburnt mermaid, a unicorn with one too many horns and a lion with the flu. www.worcestertheatres.co.uk ..................................................................... 27th March Exciting Science at Swan Theatre. Prepare to be amazed! With Fun & Fact filled experiments, watch in amazement as we recreate a volcanic eruption; turn a vacuum cleaner into a missile launcher or take aim at you with our smoke blaster! www.worcestertheatres.co.uk ..................................................................... 27th March Inspired Youth Theatre Festival 2024 at The Courtyard. Created by and for young people, this year will see groups from The Courtyard, Ledbury and Bromyard all take to the stage during the festival. www.courtyard.org.uk ..................................................................... 28th March CountryTastic at Three Counties Showground. As the region’s most popular children’s event, CountryTastic promises a fun-filled day of indoor and outdoor activities where kids can learn all about farming and the countryside through exploratory play, meet farmyard animals, enjoy tractor rides, and explore arts, crafts, nature and sports. www.countrytastic.co.uk ..................................................................... 30th March The Ultimate Bubble Show with Ray Bubbles at The Courtyard. Full of surprises, audience participation and incredible bubbles, the show is suitable for children and adults of all ages. www.courtyard.org.uk
15 Raring2go! WHAT’S ON @FerrousFestival PARTY PACKAGE Two Activities £24pp (2.5 hrs) blackwelladventure.co.uk BIRTHDAY PARTIES FULL OF ADVENTURE Upgrade to a full day! Four Activities £37pp (5 hrs) Minimum age 6, maximum age 100+! Share our safe,outdoor adventurous activities with friends
Raring2go! PLACES TO GO 16 raring2go.co.uk • Award-winning homes and customer service • Open countryside on your doorstep • Higher specification than other housebuilders • Solar panels and air source heat pumps on every home *Terms & conditions apply Freemanhomes.co.uk/terms-conditions ENERGY-EFFICIENT EPC A-RATED HOMES Save money on bills and reduce your household carbon footprint More space, more style and an unbeatable specification Best Small Housebuilder Find Freeman Homes in Credenhill, St Weonards, Fownhope & Newnham-on-Severn Reserve now and we’ll fix your mortgage rate at 2% for 2 years!* Limited availability - Secure today PROUD TO BE DIFFERENT 01594 543 354 www.freemanhomes.co.uk SHOW HOME NOW OPEN
Raring2go! PLACES TO GO 17 Freeman Homes receives an industry ‘Oscar’ Leading housing developer Freeman Homes is celebrating after winning the Best Small Housebuilder award at the 2023 WhatHouse? Awards. The awards, now in their 43rd year and considered to be the Oscars of the housebuilding industry, are renowned as the most prestigious accolades in new homes. The awards are national, bringing together the very best in the industry, highlighting the incredible standards of Freeman Homes as a small, independent, and regional housebuilder. The Best Small Housebuilder award was given in recognition of Freeman Homes’ proven track record for designing exceptional developments in Herefordshire and Gloucestershire. A focus on space, sustainability, and an excellent specification delivers stylish and energy-efficient living in unrivalled countryside locations. 94% of the homes constructed since October 2021 have achieved an EPC A-rating, with 100% B-rated or above. The judges’ commended Freeman Homes for being “…another family-owned business shining a light on the quality of SMEs across the UK. Design, innovation, and customer care sit harmoniously alongside Freeman’s sustainability agenda to deliver award-winning homes.” Luke Freeman, CEO of MF Freeman Group commented: “We couldn’t be more delighted with winning such a coveted accolade. This is testament to the passion and commitment of every single person on our team who has worked so hard for Freeman Homes to become the leading developer in sustainable housing.” 01594 543 354 www.freemanhomes.co.uk
18 raring2go.co.uk What Sets Us Apart: Children Always First stands out for its family-centric and therapeutic approach, placing the well-being of children as our number one priority. Rooted in family values, we provide an extensive youth support service and individualised care that ensures each child feels seen, heard and loved. The Support You Deserve: Becoming a foster carer is a transformative journey and we walk alongside you at every turn. Our dedicated team offers extensive support, from quality training, personalised guidance and a 24hour support telephone line. By nurturing a strong support system, we empower our carers to provide the best possible care for their children and young people. Enriching Experiences: Foster care for us, is about creating positive memories that last a lifetime. Our dedicated youth team provide exciting outings, educational activities, and a range of youth support services to ensure every child in our care has the opportunity to thrive, grow, and discover their full potential Join Our Compassionate Community: Children Always First is an invitation to be part of a community that believes in the transformative power of nurture and support. If you have a spare bedroom, a willingness to learn, and the dedication to make a difference then we welcome you to come and learn more. Ready for Change? Embark on a fulfilling journey with Children Always First. Becoming a foster carer will make an incredible difference to young people, and we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Together, let’s create a brighter future for children in need. www.childrenalwaysfirst.co.uk Embark on a fulfilling journey with Children Always First Every year in the UK, over 30,000 children come into care and need a foster home. At Children Always First, we are committed to creating a brighter future for children who need it most and are looking for more foster families to join us in our shared mission.
19 Raring2go! NEW Farming Heroes Theme Come dressed as a superhero! @3CountiesShows BOOK NOW! countrytastic.co.uk Advance Tickets Only Three Counties Showground, WR13 6NW Thu 28 March 2024 Funded by: birminghammuseums.org.uk/thinktank • • 4k Planetarium • Outdoor Science Garden
20 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go!
21 Raring2go! 3 Raring2go! BOOK REVIEWS Book Reviews Bookseller, Deborah from Kenilworth Books gives us a round up of some of the best books new out for children of all ages! Knight Sir Louis and the Sinister Snowball by The Brothers McLeod “Absolutely hilarious nonsense!” Louie Stowell In the fourth hilarious story about the brilliant, calm, ingenious 12-year-old Knight Sir Louis, Splint the Sinister Snowball has his icy eyes set on world domination with the help of his frosty siblings, Flint, Hint, Mint, Clint and Sharon. But champion dragon-slayer Louis isn’t about to let Castle Sideways become smothered in snow! Louis rides off to the legendary Brrrrrland with his friends, Reader Catalogue and Clunkalot, but waiting for them are goofy goblins, a talking carrot and the biggest meanest snowball in the whole wide world… Bursting with illustrations. The Superpets (and Me!) by Professor Noel Fitzpatrick Amazing True Stories of Incredible Animals from the Nation’s Favourite Supervet Discover the incredible stories of the brave animals he has worked with, from Peanut, the world’s first cat with two front bionic limbs, to Betsy, the six-month-old cockapoo, who was given a new lease of life when her crushed paw was replaced with a skateboard wheel! The perfect gift for young animal-lovers, packed with true tales that celebrate kindness, perseverance and the unbreakable bond between humans and animals. Kenilworth Books, Talisman Square, Kenilworth CV8 1JB Mermedusa by Thomas Taylor Perhaps here, finally, they - and the Malamander too - will discover the Deepest Secret of Eerie-on-Sea. Herbie and Violet’s fifth gripping adventure brings the internationally bestselling Eerie-on-Sea series to a heartstopping climax. It is midwinter once again, and the hosts of a paranormal podcast have descended on Eerie-on-Sea eager for a sighting of the legendary Malamander. Herbert Lemon, Lost-and-Founder at the Grand Nautilus Hotel, is feeling uneasy - and not just because of the visitors. Fletcher and the Seasons by Julia Rawlinson and Tiphanie Beeke Fletcher’s first ever board book is out now - Fletcher and the Seasons, published by Graffeg and gloriously illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke. ‘Fletcher journeys through the year exploring how the seasons change in this delightful board book featuring the characters from the popular Fletcher’s Four Seasons picture books.’ The Eyebrows of Doom by Steve Smallman “WE ARE THE EYEBROWS OF DOOM!” The Eyebrows of Doom are trying to take over the world! Join Dave and his friends as they try to stop them leaping from one unsuspecting animal to the next. And just when it looks as though the eyebrows’ antics have been thwarted. This hilarious rhyming romp will have readers young and old laughing out loud and is perfect for fans of Steve Smallman’s Poo in the Zoo series, Nibbles The Book Monster, You Can’t Take an Elephant on the Bus and Oi Frog!
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23 Raring2go! SCATTERGORRIES
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25 Raring2go! Ingredients: 900 grams of stewing beef, cut into 1-inch cubes 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 large onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 litre of Beef stock ¼ litre red wine (optional) 4 carrots, peeled and sliced into rounds 4 potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks 2 celery stalks, chopped 2 bay leaves 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon dried rosemary Salt and pepper to taste 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (optional, for thickening) Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional) Instructions: Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over mediumhigh heat. Add the cubed beef and brown it on all sides.You may need to do this in batches to avoid overcrowding the pot. Once browned, remove the beef from the pot and set it aside. In the same pot, add the chopped onions and garlic. Sauté them until the onions become translucent and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes. If you're using red wine, pour it into the pot and deglaze it, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Allow it to simmer for a few minutes to reduce slightly. Return the browned beef to the pot and add the beef stock. Stir to combine. Add the carrots, potatoes, celery, bay leaves, dried thyme, and dried rosemary to the pot. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and simmer for about 2-3 hours, or until the beef is tender and the vegetables are cooked through.You can also cook it in a slow cooker on low for 6-8 hours. If you want a thicker stew, mix 2 tablespoons of allpurpose flour with a little water to make a paste and stir it into the stew. Cook for an additional 1015 minutes to thicken. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Remove the bay leaves before serving. Serve your delicious beef stew hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley if desired. It's perfect with some crusty bread or over cooked rice or mashed potatoes. Enjoy your homemade beef stew! Raring2make! FUN IDEAS FOR MAKING THINGS TOGETHER ‘Cakes are healthy too, you just eat a small slice’ Mary Berry www.raring2go.co.uk Here's a classic recipe for beef stew: For more great recipe ideas please visit our website: www.raring2go.co.uk
26 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! Make a beanie hat with Red Ted Art Materials need for finger knitting a beanie: Super Chunky Wool (works best to make the beanie nice and chunky), Pair of scissors, Your fingers Step 1 : How to Finger Knit Hold the wool comfortably with your thumb. Wrap the wool behind your index finger and in front of your middle finger, then behind your wedding finger and around your pinky. Then bring the wool in front of your wedding finger, behind your middle finger and around your index finger. You need to do it again. Wrap the wool in front of your middle finger, behind your index finger, and around your pinky. Continue bringing the wool in front of your wedding finger, behind your middle finger and then around your index finger, so that you will have two loops on each finger. Now you need to pull the bottom loop up and over the top loop. Do this with each finger in turn, so that you are left with one loop on each finger. Then start again, starting in front of your middle finger, making the loops, and pulling the wool over. Keep repeating these steps until you have a long enough piece that will fit around your head. Step 2 : How to connect strands of your beanie hat Now we are going to connect the two ends together. Run your thumb through the ridge on the back. The ridge is the back and the reverse side is the front. Face the ridged side in towards the centre, making sure you don’t twist it. Connect the two together by hooking your little finger first into the bottom loop, and then into the top loop of the end of the knitted piece. You will have three loops on your little finger. Then start knitting again as normal, wrapping the wool around your fingers. When you start to pull loops off your finger, just one thing... On your pinky finger, pull each loop up and over individually, starting from the bottom, leaving one loop on each finger again. Leaving one loop. Give it a tighten by pulling on the wool. Step 3 : How to add a row to your finger knitted beanie hat DIYThis time we only need to hook into one loop on the knitted piece. Find your next loop and hook your little finger into it. Then knit another row. Once again, on the little finger pull each loop off individually. Pull to tighten. Find your next loop and hook into it. Knit another row across. Keep knitting until the hat covers your head. Remember to keep trying on the hat for measurements. Step 4 : How to decrease Next stage is to make the top of your hat. We need to start decreasing. This time you need to pick up two loops from the knitted piece, so you have three loops on your little finger. Then start to knit another row. Keep repeating these steps until the top of your hat is almost closed. Leaving a small gap. Step 5 : How to decrease and finish your beanieStart casting off your fingers. Pull the first loop off and onto your next finger. And pull the bottom loop up and over the top. Do this on all your fingers, until you have one left. Then pull the wool through the last loop. Get scissors and cut the loop. To close off the top I laced through each loop across the top keeping it nice and tight, closing the top off completely. Make sure you keep pulling tight. You then just need to tie a knot in the wool to finish. If you’d like to see a video , here’s the full tutorial here https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=p4IoOa_SMUE Many thanks to RedTedArt for sharing this fabulous Beanie creative. If you’d like to see so much more on crafting, visit redtedart.com
27 Raring2go! 1 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! In just under a year, the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games will take place in Paris. To mark this occasion, Get Set (the official youth engagement programme from Team GB and ParalympicsGB), is on a mission to get children aged 5-11 and their families more active with their new virtual challenge – Path to Paris. Schools, community groups or families can set up teams for children to take part – and everyone can join in with the fun alongside them, completely for free! We all know how important it is to get children more active. Research has shown clear links between how active children are and the state of their mental wellbeing, even down to how much they are able to concentrate and their levels of selfesteem. Path to Paris provides a fantastic opportunity to bring positive change into all aspects of children’s lives, all while bringing families, school communities, and wider communities together. The challenge begins in Athens, the birthplace of the Olympic Games. From there, children will embark on a virtual journey around the world in a team bus, completing fun activities as they explore different places on their way to the Paris Games. Every physical activity logged will earn kilometres to power their virtual team bus to its final destination.Whether it’s jumping on the trampoline in the garden, playing wheelchair basketball, attending a weekly judo club, or dancing around the living room as a family, it all counts, so everyone can get involved and get their hearts racing doing something they enjoy. As well as getting active, children will learn about athletes and their sports, the history of the Games, and can also win incredible prizes as they complete the Path to Paris.The prizes range from sports equipment to support them to get and stay active, posters and stickers to help them track their progress, and even exclusive school visits from Olympic and Paralympic athletes! Team members might also get shout outs on social media from athletes, or win awards for their outstanding achievements, whether individually or as a family. Path to Paris uses a gamified approach designed to inspire and excite children to take part and keep moving.There are lots of motivational activities and videos to encourage them to stay active and build healthy habits, and in doing so, power their virtual team bus to Paris before the start of the Games. For more details and to get involved, visit our website, raring2go.co.uk… Join ‘Path to Paris’ from Team GB and Paralympics GB and inspire children to live more active lifestyles!
28 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! 1 1. Voxblock boosts literacy skillsListening to stories helps develop a child's vocabulary, comprehension, and language skills. 2. Voxblock is ready-to-play straight from the boxFree from Wifi and with no set-up - just press play! 3. Voxblock has hundreds of audiobooks Introduce children to a world of stories through a huge audiobook library. 4. Voxblock develops independence The player is easy-to-use and with no need for grown-ups, children can take control. 5. Voxblock is a gift that keeps giving Children enjoy Voxblock for years, not hours. Begin with a Voxblock Starter pack, it includes a Voxblock player and three audiobooks for £59.99. Buy at voxblock.co.uk reasons Voxblock makes the perfect audio player for kids. Meet Voxblock: the easy-to-use screen-free audiobook player for children 3-12. Designed by parents, it empowers children to listen to audio stories independently. starter pack 99 £5 p £59. b aud the 00% connectivity free ong battery life build your child’s literacy as it's unwrapped ready-to-play as soon diobook player e screen-free voxblock.co.uk 1 lo a r
29 Raring2go! The government’s recently announced update to its childcare support system aims to allow more parents greater access to detailed and personalised information about what they and their children are entitled to. An Eligibility checker childcarechoices.gov.uk now provides details on the support available to families, based on factors such as the child's age and family income. The government's largest-ever investment in childcare aims to save working parents up to £6,500 per year for those using 30 hours of childcare. Additionally, £100 million has been earmarked to areas around the UK to increase childcare settings' physical space and create thousands of new childcare places across the country. The Education Secretary strongly emphasised the government's commitment to providing accessible and flexible childcare, addressing the many challenges faced by working parents. The initiative includes offering quality childcare outside of school hours and increasing early years places where needed. Parents and care providers are encouraged to visit the Childcare Choices website to determine their eligibility for the various support options. As part of the childcare plan, £289 million has been allocated to local authorities from the wraparound childcare fund, ensuring primary school children can access childcare between 8 am and 6 pm. The goal is to achieve universal access to wraparound childcare for primary age school children in all areas by 2026. This announcement aligns with the Department for Work and Pensions' recent increase in monthly childcare support for parents on Universal Credit, reaching up to £951 for one child or £1,630 for two or more children. To add further support to childcare options, the childminder start-up grant scheme will open for applications by November 30, 2023. This grant, which ranges from £600 to £1,200, has at its core the aim of encouraging more individuals to register as childminders and offer wider, more flexible childcare solutions. Simultaneously, the Department for Education has responded to the early years foundation stage (EYFS) consultation by implementing a range of changes to reduce regulatory burdens and to enhance the early years workforce. These adjustments, such as allowing managers to decide if students and apprentices can count in ratios, demonstrate the ongoing commitment to delivering high-quality, affordable childcare that aligns with parents' working lives. The comprehensive approach to childcare will be discussed at the early years British Irish council, emphasizing the collaborative efforts across member administrations. This synopsis has been prepared as a quick reference guide and is not definitive. For further information plus details on what you and your children are entitled to please visit: www.childcarechoices.gov.uk Revolutionising Childcare in the UK: A guide to recent changes and investment
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31 Raring2go! COMPETITIONS 2024
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