23rd - 24th February This amateur production is presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International (Europe) All authorised performance materials are also supplied by MTI Europe www.mtishows.co.uk www.seckfordtheatre.org 0 1 3 9 4 6 1 5 0 4 2 MAGAZINE & WEBSITE THE GO-TO GUIDE FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILD LOCAL SHOWS P3, 15 & 17 FUNDED HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES P13 MEET SANTA P4 & 5 raring2go.co.uk WINTER 2023/24 STONH STONHAM BARNS PARK, STONHAM ASPAL, SUFFOLK IP14 6AT. TELEPHONE: 01449 711 111 POST OFFICE STONHAM BARNS GOLF PARK Golf, Adventure Golf, Footgolf, Indoor Golf, Adventure Footgolf. GREAT DAYS OUT FOR ALL THE CARTERS OF SUFFOLK Teapot manufacturer or paint your own pottery. RETAIL VILLAGE Over 40 unique shops and businesses plus all your essentials. CHILDREN’S ATTRACTIONS Fairground, train rides or bouncy pillow. HOLIDAY PARK Bring your own or hire one of our holiday lets. STONHAM BARNS L 2 fishing lakes and a water activities lake FOOD AND DRINK Delicious food and d and The Pottery Tea HOLIDAY HOMES F Purchase a luxury ho to use 11 months of t HOP ON A MAGICAL TRAIN RIDE TO Magica at Stonham Barns Park is one of Suffolk’s premier d Set in over 140 beautiful countryside acres, it offers a world o a retail village full of contemporary, artisan and designer IPSWICH, FELIXSTOWE & WOODBRIDGE
3 Raring2go! WELCOME GET IN TOUCH: e: emily.parker@raring2go.co.uk t: 07841 337054 www.raring2go.co.uk/ipswich-and-felixstowe ‘Tis the season to be jolly We’re back with another funpacked issue, filled with ideas for all the family to enjoy this Winter. This year there are various options to meet Father Christmas and lots of different festive productions and pantomimes to enjoy. If it’s holiday clubs you need, then do checkout ‘School’s Out Activities’ who have a 10% discount running with us. Maybe in the new year, you’re hoping to try a new club or class. From dance to piano lessons, swimming to football, there’s something for eveyone. Whatever you are up to, stay warm, stay safe and have lots of fun. Best wishes for 2024 Emily Raring2go! Editor & local mum ADVERTISE WITH RARING2GO! Be part of our SPRING magazine. 20,000 copies distributed in March 2024 Get in touch today for details Download our APP for more visit information. www.colchesterzoo.org HURRY BOOK NOW! 2nd • 6th • 8th • 9th • 13th 15th • 16th • 20th & 22nd December 2023 TRAIL OF LIGHT The Santa Experience The Magic of Christmas and 25th & 26th November, 2nd & 3rd • 9th & 10th 16th - 24th December 2023 *Pre-booked timeslots required. Ts and Cs Apply. * * Create unforgettable memories with
STONHAMBARNS.CO.UK STONHAM BARNS PARK, STONHAM ASPAL, SUFFOLK IP14 6AT. TELEPHONE: 01449 711 111 POST OFFICE STONHAM BARNS GOLF PARK Golf, Adventure Golf, Footgolf, Indoor Golf, Adventure Footgolf. GREAT DAYS OUT FOR ALL THE FAMILY CARTERS OF SUFFOLK Teapot manufacturer or paint your own pottery. RETAIL VILLAGE Over 40 unique shops and businesses plus all your essentials. CHILDREN’S ATTRACTIONS Fairground, train rides or bouncy pillow. HOLIDAY PARK Bring your own or hire one of our holiday lets. STONHAM BARNS LAKES 2 fishing lakes and a water activities lake. FOOD AND DRINK Delicious food and drink in Cafe 24 and The Pottery Tea & Cake Shop. HOLIDAY HOMES FOR SALE Purchase a luxury holiday lodge to use 11 months of the year. HOP ON A MAGICAL TRAIN RIDE TO Enjoy a Magical Winter at BOOK NOW! Stonham Barns Park is one of Suffolk’s premier destination locations. Set in over 140 beautiful countryside acres, it offers a world of indoor and outdoor activities, a retail village full of contemporary, artisan and designer shops, and a holiday park.
5 Raring2go! WHAT’S ON AND WHERE TO GO
6 raring2go.co.uk ColchesterLeisureWorld.co.uk ColchesterSportsPark.co.uk B k Now! C M Y CM MY CY CMY K Raring2go 63mm x 89mm.pdf 1 23/10/2023 0 Book the ultimate party with Leisure World! For a celebration with a difference Leisure World has plenty on offer! With parties available at Leisure World Colchester, Highwoods and Tiptree, and Colchester Sports Park, celebrations are stress free and action filled! At Colchester Sports Park you can exclusively hire the BMX Pump Track or host the perfect sports party in either our indoor sports hall or on a 3g football pitch. Leisure World Colchester is the perfect destination for the ultimate swimming party - you can even hire the Leisure Pool or Teaching Pool to have all to yourselves! For younger ones there’s inflatable and soft play party packages available across all our sites too! Book online at: colchesterleisureworld. co.uk/kids-activities/birthday-parties Attention Kids! (of all ages) Go wild!...Be Free!..Have Fun!...Be Noisy!... ! 01473 602347 • info@suffolkskicentre.co.uk • www.suffolkleisurepark.co.uk The Suffolk Leisure Park, Bourne Hill, Wherstead, Ipswich IP2 8NQ Go wild!...Be Free!..Have Fun Skiing • Tobogganing • Ringos • Snowboarding • High Ropes Go w Skiing • gganing Tobo • Ringos • Snowboarding g Golf Driving Range • Mini Adventure Golf • Birthday Parties Holiday Activity Days and The Lodge Restaurant Call now for more information about Kids Skiing Workshops age 7-15 years and Snowboarding lessons ( age 12 and over) surepark co uk e 7 y Raring2go! PARTIES
7 Raring2go! PARTIES GIFT CARD #JumpIntoHappy
8 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! CLUBS & CLASSES
FUN, CREATIVE AND STIMULATING CLASSES FOR TOTS, CHILDREN, AND YOUNG PEOPLE WITH ADDITIONAL NEEDS, ON MONDAYS AND SATURDAYS. DANCE FOR TOTS | 1-4 YRS YOUTH CONTEMPORARY | 11-16 YRS CREATIVE DANCE | 4-11 YRS SPRINGBOARD YOUTH | 8-15 YRS BREAKDANCE | 9-16 YRS Photo: Rachel Cherry Ever wondered what happens at the Jerwood DanceHouse, the home of DanceEast on the Ipswich waterfront? DanceEast is an inclusive, welcoming place where children can develop their love for movement and dance. With four stateof-the-art dance studios, it is the perfect place to explore creativity, in classes that are fun, energetic, and stimulating. Your child can discover the foundations of breaking and learn new tricks in Breakdance, or develop techniques and choreographic skills in Youth Contemporary. If they want to experience a range of styles, Creative Dance covers contemporary, ballet, musical theatre and street dance. Dance for Tots introduces little ones to the joy of dance; parents join in the fun by exploring movement together. Finally, for children with additional needs, Springboard Youth classes are a fun and friendly place to explore movement and develop skills. DanceEast’s classes encourage selfexpression and build confidence. Participants and parents say: • “Kids love dance because they like expressing themselves away from school… where they can just be free.” – parent, Breakdance participant • “We love dance – we move, shake and twirl – we can do anything we like.” – parent, Dance for Tots participant • “I love dance, it’s a great passion to do it… you can just be free.” – Breakdance participant Visit danceeast.co.uk or call 01473 295230 to find out more. Raring2go! CLUBS & CLASSES 9
10 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! CLUBS & CLASSES Sarah Piano Teacher offers group piano lessons from her home in Acton, from ages 3+ using a specially designed group piano curriculum. Lessons include theory and rhythm games, movement, improvisation, composition and ensemble playing. Keynotes lessons are an innovative and creative introduction for beginners to the piano. The classes have up to 6 in a group with lessons held on a Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday. Book a 3 week trial and the last session will be free. Two digital pianos and three keyboards are provided for the students to use during practice time.
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Raring2go! CLUBS AND CLASSES The Quay School of Dance is a warm and friendly school offering classes in Ballet, Modern/Jazz, Tap & Street. We believe in providing fun and wellstructured classes in a positive and nurturing environment. We run Ballet, Tap & Modern lessons for children aged 3 & above and children can take exams through the I.S.T.D. if they wish. Children aged 6 & over can attend our Street Dance sessions. We offer fun, informal Tap classes for adults of all ages and abilities in Acton, Sudbury & Ixworth. Our Adult Ballet classes are very popular – they are a great way of improving posture, stamina and flexibility. Book in for a trial session! 12 raring2go.co.uk
HAF is funded by The Department of Education
14 raring2go.co.uk @suffolkarchives l www.suffolkarchives.co.uk/whatson Friday 24 November 2023 – Sunday 14 April 2024 The Hold, Ipswich l Free entry Suffolk has a rich history of welcoming people from all over the world, which continues to shape the culture of the county today. Celebrating stories of arrival, community and contribution, ‘Arrivals’ explores historical and contemporary experiences of migration to Suffolk. Come along to learn more about the often untold stories of generations of migrants who have made their home in Suffolk. Suitable for all. The ‘Arrivals’ exhibition is made possible by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Ipswich. Sat 2 December. 10am - 12pm and 1pm – 3pm. £5 a child. Sat 2 December. 10am - 4pm. Ipswich. Free entry. Join us for our annual Christmas Market, supporting local makers, creatives, and businesses. CHRISTMAS MARKET LET’S GET CRAFTY - CHRISTMAS LET’S GET CRAFTY - CHRISTMAS Bury St Edmunds. Sat 2 December. 10.30am – 12.30pm. £2 a child. The Hold Raring 2 Go Winter 23.qxp_Layout 1 30/10/2023 15:04 Page 1 Raring2go! WHAT’S ON & WHERE TO GO
Raring2go! WHAT’S ON & WHERE TO GO 15 Christmas at the Mid-Suffolk Light Railway The Santa Special - a magical Christmas treat for children up to 10 A steam train ride from Brockford Station to ‘North Pole Halt’ where each child has an individual visit to Santa in his Christmas Guards Van. Plus a present for every child. £15.00 per person. Choose from December 2nd, 3rd, 9th, 10th, 16th & 17th For more information and booking via our website visit www.mslr.org.uk Or telephone 01449 766874 Brockford Station, Wetheringsett, Stowmarket, Suffolk IP14 5PW
Raring2go! WHAT’S ON & WHERE TO GO 16 raring2go.co.uk The Deben Players present Snow White Welcome to the magical kingdom of Verona where the beautiful Snow White is cruelly betrayed by the Wicked Queen’s Magic Mirror. It fortells that Snow White will become Queen on her next birthday, taking the place of her power-hungry malicious stepmother, The Queen. The handsome and dashing Prince Charming arrives to try and find true love. This pantomime is based very loosely on the traditional fairy tale. Join us for mesmerising magic, a myriad of merriment and definitely much mayhem. No dragons were harmed in the production of this pantomime. Join us at the Seckford Theatre, Woodbridge from the 22nd to the 30th December 2023. Tickets bookable at www. debenplayers.net/tickets or in person at Woodbridge Books, 66 Thoroughfare, Woodbridge or call our box office on: 0333 666 3366. deben players present... dd Be inspired by amateur theatre 22nd to 30th Dec 2023 22nd Dec at 7.30pm 23rd Dec at 2.00pm & 6.30pm 27th, 28th, 29th & 30th Dec at 2.00pm Book tickets on-line Box office Tel 0333 666 3366 In person booking at Woodbridge Books, 66 Thoroughfare, Woodbridge debenplayers.net A Pantomime by Sam Harvey with Nikki Brown & Debbie Osborne
deben players present... dd Be inspired by amateur theatre 22nd to 30th Dec 2023 22nd Dec at 7.30pm 23rd Dec at 2.00pm & 6.30pm 27th, 28th, 29th & 30th Dec at 2.00pm Book tickets on-line Box office Tel 0333 666 3366 In person booking at Woodbridge Books, 66 Thoroughfare, Woodbridge debenplayers.net A Pantomime by Sam Harvey with Nikki Brown & Debbie Osborne
Raring2go! SEASONAL 18 raring2go.co.uk Avoiding Christmas Crises for your Pets CHRISTMASis a happy time, but some dangers may arise causing potential problems for your pets. Here are some safety tips to ensure you can all enjoy a stress free (ish) Christmas! • CHOCOLATE– Not a myth, and fortunately much more recognised these days, chocolate contains Theobromine, which at best can make your dog very sick, and at worst can unfortunately kill them. The higher the cocoa content or the smaller the dog, the higher the risk, and any dog that eats chocolate MUST be taken to a vet as soon as possible. • OTHER TOXIC ITEMS– Onions, garlic, grapes and raisins (and mistletoe and poinsettias) are all around at Christmas, and are toxic to pets; do not feed them to your pets, even in small quantities, and seek veterinary advice if they get hold of them. • TURKEY BONES – Take care when storing and disposing of turkey carcasses and other bones, as if eaten they can cause severe damage to teeth and gums, or even worse to the internal digestive tract. • TINSEL – Tinsel and other decorations can prove very interesting to inquisitive pets, especially cats and young kittens and puppies, and can cause choking or internal blockages. • ANTIFREEZE – Antifreeze tastes sweet and is tempting for cats to drink. It is TOXIC and will KILL a cat that has ingested it. Take care with storage and mop any spillages immediately. Call the vet immediately if you suspect your pet has drunk Antifreeze. • SALT/GRIT ON PAWS – It is a good idea to wash your dogs paws after walks in the winter, as the frozen ground and grit can cause soreness and irritation. • FOREIGN BODIES– Small toys and batteries are often left lying around and can be very dangerous if chewed or swallowed. They can cause obstructions, or in the case of batteries, chemical burns, so ensure everything is picked up off the floor. • DIARRHOEA – Remember when you are tempted to give your pet their ‘Christmas dinner’ or treats, they are not used to such rich food, so may have some vomiting or diarrhoea as a consequence. • STRESS – There are many potential causes of stress for your pets at Christmas, such as lack of routine, crowds and fireworks. They may may just want to hide away from it all so make them a den in a safe area where they can escape if need be. Hopefully these tips will help towards a happy Christmas for all. Anna Tilley RVN
Raring2go! ROOLO 19 The Roolo® www.play9.co.uk An unparalleled, modern treat dispensing dog toy.
20 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! CLUBS & CLASSES SATURDAY MORNING
Raring2go! CLUBS & CLASSES 21 South Suffolk Fun and exciting classes 07580 693 747 Scan the QR code or visit our website to view our full timetable and book a class! Or contact Miss Abigail on: suffolksouth@babyballet.co.uk
22 raring2go.co.uk 1 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! PARALYMPICS
23 Football kits Sportswear Personalised hoodies School wear Print & embroidery Tel: 07841 337054 E: wearing2go@hotmail.com
24 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! SEASONAL 1 raring2go.co.uk Experience Gifts: Consider gifting experiences such as tickets to a concert, a cooking class, a spa day, or even a hot air balloon ride.These create lasting memories. Personalised Gifts: Personalised items like custom-made jewellery, monogrammed towels, or a photo book filled with cherished memories can add a personal touch. Subscription Boxes: There are subscription boxes for almost every interest, from gourmet food and wine to books, skincare, or even a monthly flower delivery. Homemade Gifts: Get creative and make something special like homemade candles, hand-knit scarves, or a batch of your favourite cookies. Charitable Donations: Donate to a charity or organisation that is meaningful to the recipient in their name.This is a thoughtful way to give back during the holiday season. Outdoor Gear: Consider gifts like a high-quality hiking gear, items of outdoor equipment, torch, rucksack etc or if you have a big budget, even a new bike. Digital Gifts: Gift them a subscription to a streaming service, an e-book or audiobook subscription, or a digital art class. Board Games and Puzzles: Encourage family time with a selection of fun board games, jigsaw puzzles, or brainteasing escape room kits. Remember to consider the recipient's interests and preferences when choosing an alternative Christmas gift to make it truly special. Different gift ideas for Christmas 2023 for your family and friends. If you haven’t considered it, there are different ways to give a gift… We have come up with 8 alternative gift ideas that can help you think outside the ‘Christmas box’ and find something special for your loved ones:
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26 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! ACTIVITIES
27 Raring2go! VOXBLOCK 1 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! 1. Voxblock boosts literacy skillsListening to stories helps develop a child's vocabulary, comprehension, and language skills. 2. Voxblock is ready-to-play as soon as it's unwrappedFree 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. This Christmas unwrap a Voxblock Starter Pack, it includes a Voxblock player, 3 audiobooks, and a protective bumper for £59.99. Buy at voxblock.co.uk reasons Voxblock makes the perfect Christmas gift 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
28 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! LOCAL BUSINESS East Coast Cremations will arrange a low cost direct cremation provided with care. £1299 direct cremation which is unattended 24 hour care line: 07747 114 396 EastCoastCremations@outlook.com www.eastcoastcremations.co.uk Proud to care for the ones you care for ECC We cover all of Suffolk East Coast Cremations are a direct cremation service covering Suffolk and Essex. A direct cremation means there is no formal funeral service, no hire of the chapel, no limousines or flowers allowing for the cremation costs to be lower than the typical funeral services. Sometimes families who choose this type of service are solely price related others have no desire for the traditional funeral. With our 24 hour into care team, we will take your loved one into our care, liaise with relevant third parties on your behalf, arrange cremation and personally deliver your loved ones remains back to you. With choosing to not have a service we are able to re-unite you with your loved one sooner than normal, you may then want to arrange a wake / celebration of life for a time that isn’t restricted to the normal working hours and allows for many people who may not of been able to attend due to work commitments or distance needed to travel the chance to do so. www.eastcoastcremations.co.uk
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30 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! FAMILY TIME 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:
Raring2go! PLACES TO GO 31
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