Raring2go! Wolverhampton & South Staffordshire

Ten wild animals waiting to be discovered in Wolverhampton City Centre enjoywolverhampton.com FREE EVENT PRIZES TO BE WON SUMMER HOLIDAYS 2022 WOLVERHAMPTON & SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE COMPETITIONS P30 COMMONWEALTH GAMES P18-19 WHAT’S ON JULY-SEPT P8-14 MAGAZINE & WEBSITE THE GO-TO GUIDE FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILD raring2go.co.uk SUMMER 2022

2 raring2go.co.uk 3 Raring2go! WHAT TO DO Raring2go! HELLO FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY INFORMATION WITH GREAT SUPERFAST AND PACKED AT HOM HE ROAD ... E OR ON T RARING2GO! AT YOUR FINGERTIPS THE GO TO GUIDE FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILD BRAND NEW WEBSITE 4923 Raring2go New Website Ad May 2022 HP PA03.indd 1 08/06/2022 09:55 challengeacademy.co.uk Book your SUMMER ADVENTURE Baggeridge adventure We have loads of adventures including ropes courses, obstacle course, bouldering wall, a nets course and a mini ropes course. There are some fantastic activities available for all ages and abilities at Baggeridge Adventure. Baggeridge Country Park, Sedgley DY3 4HB Book now our sessions: • Public Sessions • Adventure Camps • Parties flourishes fromplay Safety To book your first class call 01694 731 407 waterbabies.co.uk Welcome to the Summer issue of Raring2go! Summer’s here and weeks of fun lie ahead! There’s so many fantastic events and activities in our local area to keep you and your family busy right through the summer holidays and into September. Take a read through the magazine to find lots of inspiration for what to do and where to go. We’ve got money off vouchers plus competitions for you to enter to help save a few pounds plus lots of great features including a round-up of ways to get involved in the Birmingham Commonwealth Games which literally comes to our doorsteps this summer. There’s even more local information on our newly revamped website, so once you’ve read the magazine why not take a look by clicking here. It will be updated throughout the holidays so take a look back whenever you need a few ideas. Whatever you do this summer, have fun! Jo Messinger, Editor. T: 07762 204195 E: wolverhampton@raring2go.co.uk This magazine is interactive! Click on the links in text and adverts to find out more

Raring2go! PLACES TO GO 4 raring2go.co.uk 5 Raring2go! CLUBS & CLASSES For more info visit aspire-sports.co.uk or call 0121 663 1979 Ofsted registered BOOK ONLINE Action-packed childcare this Summer Holiday *Offer ends 5pm Friday 8th July Open from 8am-4pm For more info and to book your place visit activecamps.co.uk or call 0121 663 1979 Codsall,Wombourne andKinver Monday 25th July - Friday 2nd September CheslynHayandPenkridge Monday 1st August - Friday 26th August O15F%F* with code WSUM22 PLUS with every booking you will receive FREE leisure centre vouchers Valid until 31st July 2022 (Excludes Kinver Camp) A beau iful area of countryside perfect for walkers, dog walkers, families, bird watchers and nature enthusiasts. Connect with nature Promo ing posi ive Health and Wellbeing • Children’s play area • Miniature railway • Instructor led Wellbeing Walks • Independent walking trails • Challenge Academy Aerial Ropes Adventures • Tea room and toilets • Onsite parking (charges apply) Visit ... Baggeridge Country Park Baggeridge Country Park, Gospel End (o†f Wodehouse Lane), Dudley DY3 4HB www.ssta fs.gov.uk/baggeridge 01902 822605 baggeridge@ssta†fs.gov.uk Your guide to Summer holiday clubs Activities will include high ropes, low ropes, nets course and woodland trails. To book visit www.challengeacademy.co.uk Codsall Hive Summer Holiday Art Club. 10am-3pm, £6+ years, £40 per day. Monday 25 July, 1 August, 8 August, 15 August & 22 August. To book call 01902 842771. Kixx Football Summer Camps. August 9-12, 16-19, 23-26, August 30-2 September. Running Tues to Fri at two venues in Wolverhampton for the last four weeks of the summer holidays alongside the HAF programme at the same venues so that no-one misses out on the fun! Four days of football, martial arts, healthy food and inflatables. Call 07834 073939, email martin@kixx.org.uk or for a booking form click here or for HAF click here. Aspire Active Camps at South Staffordshire Leisure Centres in Codsall, Wombourne, Penkridge, Cheslyn Hay and Kinver High School. All camps will run from 8am-4pm each day from Mon 25 July - Fri 2 September except at Penkridge and Cheslyn Hay which run from Mon 1 - Fri 26 August. Multi Sports Academy, Dance & Stage Beatz Academy, Active Leaders. Suitable for ages 4-14 years. SAVE: Get 15% off with the code WSUM22 (offer ends 5pm 8 July.) To book visit www.activecamps.co.uk Challenge Academy Baggeridge Adventure Summer Camps. Thurs 28 July, Fri 12 August, Fri 19 August, Fri 26 August & Fri 2 September. Suitable for children aged 7-13, £30 per day. Parents can drop off and leave their kids between 9.45am - 2pm to experience a new adventure, with different activities each day and sessions focused on teamwork, confidence building and fun!

Raring2go! PLACES TO GO 6 raring2go.co.uk 7 Raring2go! CLUBS & CLASSES Tettenhall Green Kindergarten & After School Club Offering a warm welcoming environment from 9am - 12.30pm Wraparound to Christchurch Nursery School available. Catering for 2 - 5 year olds during term time. A variety of stimulating activities and snacks provided. After School Club pick ups from Christchurch Infants & Juniors Schools Craft activities and hot meal included. Call Lisa on 07707 570044 TGKindergarten@outlook.com BTettenhallGreenKindergarten United Reformed Church, Mount Road Tettenhall Wood WV6 8HT Ofsted rating ‘GOOD’ S PACE S NOW AVA I LAB L E I N AL L AGE GROUP S GE T I N TOUCH TODAY ! www . a j s d a n c e . c om amy@a j s d a n c e . c om 07834163746 F R I E N D L Y , P R O F E S S I O N A L F U N & I N C L U S I V E D A N C E S C H O O L CLASSES FROM AGE 3 BASED I N F I NCHF I E LD T E A C H I N G B A L L E T , T A P , A C R O B A T I C S , D I S C O , M O D E R N J A Z Z A N D M O R E Search 'AJS Dance'' @ajsdance ANNUAL SHOW AT THE GRAND THEATRE AND OTHER PERFORMANCE OPPORTUN I T I ES O P T I O N T O T A K E E X A M I N A T I O N S Lucy Evans Academy of Dance Summer School. Mon 1- Fri 5 August 'Hansel & Gretel'. Mon 8 - Fri 12 August 'Little Red Riding Hood'. Suitable for ages 4 years upwards, running 9am-3pm each day with a short performance for parents at the end of the week. A whole week of dancing fun, including ballet, tap, modern, jazz, contemporary, musical theatre, singing, Spanish dance and national dance. No experience necessary! Email lucy@ lucyevansacademyofdance.co.uk call 07896 770084, visit www.lucyevansacademyofdance. co.uk Stagecoach Wolverhampton. Put on a show, make friends and build confidence at our theatre workshops at Newhampton Arts Centre. ‘The Little Mermaid/Fame’ Mon 25 - Fri 29 July, 9am-4pm, show on Friday. ‘Wizamania’ Mon 22 - Fri 26 August, 9am-4pm, show on Friday. Book at www. stagecoach.co.uk/wolverhampton or email wolverhampton@stagecoach.co.uk Summer holiday Club at Tettenhall Green Kindergarten. Tue 9, Wed 10 and Thursday 11 August, Tue 16, Wed 17 &Thurs 18 August, 9am until 12.30pm. Call 07707 570044, email TGKindergarten@outlook.com, visit www.facebook.com/ TettenhallGreenKindergarten/ Your guide to Summer holiday clubs continued...

Raring2go! PLACES TO GO 8 raring2go.co.uk 9 Raring2go! WHAT’S ON SUMMER Our playframe is recommended for ages 0-8 years 17 Church Road Codsall Wolverhampton WV8 1EA Tel: 01902 932742 Unlimited access throughout the summer holidays!* Purchase your Summer Holiday pass from reception! *Terms and conditions apply £20 Per Child! Monday, 25th July 2022 and ends on Friday, 2nd September 2022. NEW PLAY AREA Open daily from now onwards. Wild Zoological Park, Halfpenny Green Vineyards. Explore Wild Zoological Park, a small zoo making a big impact! Close up encounters, walk through habitats and award winning free flight bird shows and wildlife displays. Don’t miss Wild Zoo’s main shows and presentations. Book your tickets at www.wildzoo.co.uk From now onwards. Summer at Challenge Academy, Baggeridge Adventure, Baggeridge Country Park. Get stuck into loads of exciting challenges for all ages and abilities from 4 years up, including ropes courses, obstacle course, bouldering wall, a nets course and a mini ropes course. www.challengeacademy.co.uk Open daily from now onwards. Summer at Wolverhampton Adventure Golf. Enjoy a roarsome family day out on this 18 hole adventure golf course with new playground, café and dinosaurs! Book your slot online at www.wolverhamptonadventuregolf.co.uk WIN a family ticket on page 30. Mon 4 July, 10am-11.15am & 12 noon1.15pm. Wolves Play Café at The Mander Centre Community Hub, Wolverhampton. Early Explorers (Under 5s) Fun Themed Stay and Play. £6 Pay As You Go for first child and £5.00 for siblings. www.wolvesplaycafe.org Sun 10 July, 24 July, 31 July, 7 August, 14 August & 4 September, 10.30am. Sunday Morning Read & Paint at The Codsall Hive. Various stories and themes. For more info or to book call 01902 842771. www.codsallhive.co.uk Wed 13 July. The Codsall Hive, All Day Christmas in July Event. Get 10% off pottery plus free help capturing prints on ornaments or Christmas items! For more info or to book in 01902 842771. www.codsallhive.co.uk Fri 15 July, 10.15am-11.30am. Wolves Play Café at Gatis Community Space, Wolverhampton. Wolves in the Woods (Under 7s) Outdoor Exploratory Stay and Play. Pay As You Feel. www.wolvesplaycafe.org Sat 16 July, 3pm-9pm. Ibiza Proms in the Park, Himley Hall. Enjoy the House & Garage Orchestra perform. Book at www.himleyhallandpark.co.uk Sat 16 July onwards. Summer fun at West Midland Safari Park. Go on a wildlife safari, enjoy the rides, watch the sea lion shows and animal encounters. NEW: African Walking Trail to get close to the elephants, rhinos and giraffes! WIN tickets on page 30. www.wmsp.co.uk Mon 18 July - Sun 4 September. Summer at PLAY@Lower Drayton Farm, Penkridge, Staffordshire. With indoor and outdoor play zones, friendly animals to look at and the chance to learn about life on a working farm. From Mon 1 Aug - Sun 4 September have a go at the Dino-Lab Maize Maze too! You’ll meet the farm’s own team of palaeontologists who’ll brief you on some exciting dino discoveries made by the mad professor in his time-travelling tractor before finding your way around the 5-acre dino-maize, working out clues as you go to solve the mystery of the Drayton Dinos. Booking essential. WIN a family ticket in our competition on page 30. SAVE 10% when booking online with code RG10. www.playatthefarm.co.uk Continued on page 10... What’s On Summer?

Raring2go! PLACES TO GO 10 raring2go.co.uk 11 Raring2go! WHAT’S ON SUMMER IN ASSOCIATION WITH P ROM S IN THE PARK IN ASSOCIATION WITH HARRY JONES COMPANY SATURDAY 16 JULY • 3 TO 9PM HIMLEY HALL FOR TICKET VISIT WWW.HIMLEYHALLANDPARK.CO.UK/BLACKCOUNTRYWEEKENDER FOR TICKET VISIT WWW.HIMLEYHALLANDPARK.CO.UK/BLACKCOUNTRYWEEKENDER IN ASSOCIATION WITH SUNDAY 17 JULY • 12 TO 8PM • H IMLEYHALL GOWEST THE FIZZ (CHERYL, JAYANDMIKE FROMBUCKS FIZZ) ROLANDGIFT FROMTHE FINEYOUNG CANNIBALS TOP COMEDIANS • THE BEST TRIBUTE MUSIC ACTS FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT Visit our website: www.codsallhive.co.uk or call us on 01902 842771 Open 6-days a week. For an arty day out, or creative coffee date in the heart of Codsall. From pottery painting and kids crafts to Baby Keepsakes, commemorative ifts or commissions and adult orkshops. The Hive is a café with a difference - serving great Illy coffee and cakes with a generous side order of arts and crafts for all ages! a g w Wed 20 July - Sun 4 September. Wild in Wolves Trail, Wolverhampton. Come on a safari in Wolverhampton City Centre during the 6 weeks summer holiday. Find 10 large safari animals around the City Centre and track your progress on the Wild in Wolves app. Can you spot a Gorilla, Zebra, Lion, Monkey, Parrot, Panda, Giraffe, Elephant, Bear and Hippo? There’s the chance to win prizes for all who take part. www.enjoywolverhampton.com www.facebook.com/EnjoyWolverhampton Thurs 21 July. The Codsall Hive. Make Clay Gnomes in this raw clay workshop. £18.50. For more info or to book call 01902 842771. www.codsallhive.co.uk Thurs 21 July. Toddler Thursday Planetarium Experience at Thinktank, Birmingham. Inspire your future scientists and astronauts by joining this family-friendly relaxed Planetarium experience. Designed for children 18 months to 3 years to play, explore and experience STEM learning and have fun with a parent or care giver. Pre-booking essential. www.birminghammuseums.org.uk Sat 23 July & Sun 24 July. Queen’s Baton Relay. Come and cheer on our inspirational Baton bearers during the build up to the Commonwealth Games. On Sat 23 July the baton will be carried through Redditch, Bromsgrove, Kidderminster, Bridgnorth, Codsall, Rugeley, Hednesford, Cannock and Walsall. On Sunday 24 July it goes through Wolverhampton, Halesowen, Stourbridge, Dudley, Brierley Hill. Details of where to line the route can be found at www.birmingham2022.com/qbr Sat 23 and 30 July, 6, 13 and 20 August, 11am-3pm. Creative Saturdays at the New Art Gallery Walsall. Explore, play, make and bring a friend! All ages welcome. Free, dropin. www.thenewartgallerywalsall.org.uk Continued on page 12... Selected dates throughout August

Raring2go! PLACES TO GO 12 raring2go.co.uk 13 Raring2go! WHAT’S ON SUMMER Funded by: birminghammuseums.org.uk/whats-on • • 4k Planetarium • Outdoor Science Garden Tuesday – Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 12noon-4pm / Closed Mondays and Bank Holidays The New Art Gallery Walsall, Gallery Square, Walsall WS2 8LG 01922 654400 thenewartgallerywalsall.org.uk What are you waiting for? Visit today. GREAT FOR ALLTHE FAMILY Family friendly Costa on the Ground Floor Near toM6 Free admission Family workshops throughout the year Fun gallery trails Fun, free and buggy friendly Mon 25 July – Fri 2 September. Summer holiday pass at Jungle Boogie, Codsall. Buy a £20 pass per child to get unlimited access throughout the summer holidays (terms apply). www.jungle-boogie.co.uk Tue 26 July; Tue 9, Thurs 11, Tue 16, Tue 23 & Tue 30 August, 10.30-11.30am. Creative wellbeing workshops at The New Art Gallery Walsall. Dragons and Fire: paper dragon puppets, fire-breathing dragon craft, canvas painting, a big happiness jar and dragon-inspired Tai Chi. Booking essential via email to lovemettaminds@gmail.com Tue 26 July & 2, 9, 16 & 23 August. Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, Kids Jewellery Workshop. Have a go at making your own piece of jewellery. Booking essential. For ages 8 and up. www.birminghammuseums.org.uk Wed 27 & Thurs 28 July, 10.30-11.30am. Creative wellbeing workshops at The New Art Gallery Walsall. Nature Makers: mindful, nature inspired art and craft. Booking essential via email to lovemettaminds@gmail.com Wed 27 July; 3, 10 and 17 August, 11am3pm. Wednesdays for All at the New Art Gallery, Walsall. Fun, creative workshops for all the family. All ages welcome. Free, drop-in. Thurs 28 July & 4, 11 and 18 August. Thursday Skills at the New Art Gallery Walsall. Ages 4+, 11am - 12.30pm; Ages 7+, 1.30 - 3pm. Screen-print your name onto a toy sack or bedroom door sign. Learn about a new art medium and take away a masterpiece! £3.50 per child. Booking essential. Call 01922 654400. www.thenewartgallerywalsall.org.uk Thurs 28 July & 4, 11, 18, 25 August. The Codsall Hive, Summer Read & Print. For babies 6-18 months. Various books and themes throughout the summer. For more info or to book call 01902 842771. www.codsallhive.co.uk Mon 1 - Wed 31 August, selected dates. Teddy Bears Picnic at Apley Playbarn, Apley Farm Shop, Norton, Shifnal. If you come down to the woods today, you’re in for a big surprise! Bring a teddy, listen to ‘We’re going on a bear hunt’ by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury, enjoy an Apley packed picnic lunch, a play in the Apley Playbarn & receive your very own teddy! Pre-booking essential www.apleyestate.co.uk/events-attractions Mon 1 - Wed 31 August. Pitch up & PLAY@ Lower Drayton Farm, Penkridge. Throughout August visitors can book a pitch in the farmland campsite, bring a tent and enjoy a ‘play-cation’. Campers will benefit from 50% discount on PLAY@ admission during their stay. www.playatthefarm.co.uk Mon 1, 8, 15 and 22 August. Wolves Play Café at Phoenix Park, Wolverhampton. Play in the Park (Under 7s) Active Outdoor Stay and Play. Drop-in 10am-2pm with songtime every hour. www.wolvesplaycafe.org Continued on page 14...

14 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! WHAT’S ON SUMMER Visit yowolves.co.uk Free activities and food available for eligible children Fun Activities for children, young people and families SUMME R Wed 3, 10, 17 & 24 August. Wolves Play Café at Ward Street Park, Wolverhampton. Play in the Park (Under 7s) Active Outdoor Stay and Play. Drop-in 10am-2pm with songtime every hour. Pay As You Feel. www.wolvesplaycafe.org Thurs 4 & Thurs 25 August. The Magic Bed: Tall Tale at Aston Hall, Birmingham. Join this interactive telling of a fairy tale from India about a young prince who uses a magic bed to travel to faraway kingdoms. www.birminghammuseums.org.uk Fri 5 August. The Codsall Hive. Make Funky Rainbows workshop. Age 6+ £17.50. For more info or to book call 01902 842771. www.codsallhive.co.uk Sat 6 - Sun 7 August. Aston Hall’s Jamaica 0121 Festival. Live Bands, Performing Artists, DJs, Jamaican & Jerk Cuisine, arts, craft & fashion. No booking required. Free. www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/aston Fri 12, 19, 26 August & 2 September. Wolves Play Café at West Park, Wolverhampton. Play in the Park (Under 7s) Active Outdoor Stay and Play. Drop-in 10am2pm with songtime every hour. Pay As You Feel. www.wolvesplaycafe.org Sat 13 August. Wolves Play Café, Family Nature Play and Community Day at Gatis Community Space. All ages. Drop-in 10am2pm. Pay As You Feel. www.wolvesplaycafe.org Wed 17, Thurs 18, Fri 19, Sat 20 August. Wolves Play Café at The Mander Centre Community Hub. Summer Pop-Up Play Cafe! Fun Themed Stay and Plays (under 7s). 10am11.15am & 1-2.15 pm. www.wolvesplaycafe.org Sun 21 August, 10am - 4pm. Krazy Races, Wolverhampton City Centre. Watch the crazy races karts zoom from Queen Square down Darlington Street. www.krazyraces.co.uk Fri 26 - Sun 28 August. Seaside in the City, Queen Square, Wolverhampton. Enjoy Wolverhampton is bringing the free big city beach back to the city centre for 3 days giving you a last chance to get your feet in the sand and to build sandcastles before the kids go back to school. For the running order closer to the event visit www. enjoywolverhampton.com or www.facebook. com/EnjoyWolverhampton Sat 27 August, 11am-3pm. Follow the Rainbow Heart Road Workshop at The New Art Gallery, Walsall. Make a rainbow heart road with artist Yasmin Agilah-Hood, sharing messages of hope and inclusion for Pride, and contribute to the Gallery’s mural with colourful rainbows and hearts. All welcome. Free, drop-in. www.thenewartgallerywalsall.org.uk Fri 16, 23, 30 September & 7 October. Wolves Play Café at Gatis Community Space. Wolves in the Woods Mini-Course (Under 7s). 10.15am-11.30am. Pay As You Feel. www.wolvesplaycafe.org Wed 14, 21, 28 September. Wolves Play Café at Boundary Way Allotments. Drop-in Nature Play. 10am - 2pm. Pay As You Feel. www.wolvesplaycafe.org Thurs 29 September, 6-8.30pm & Saturday 1 October, 9am-12pm. Ormiston New Academy, Wolverhampton. Meet the Principal, enjoy a tour, take part in activities and meet the students and staff. www.onewa.co.uk Sat 8 October, tours at 10am and 12pm. Whole School Open Day at Wolverhampton Grammar School. Reception to Sixth Form. For more information contact the Admissions team on 01902 422939 or sign up for the Open Day at www.wgs.org.uk/openday For more What’s On visit www.raring2go.co.uk

SUMMER HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES AT WOLVERHAMPTON ART GALLERY ALL WORKSHOPS AND EVENTS CAN BE BOOKED IN ADVANCE. FOR MORE INFORMATION AND BOOKINGS PLEASE VISIT WOLVERHAMPTONART.ORG.UK/FAMILY-FRIENDLY-ACTIVITIES/ STEEL DRUMWORKSHOPSWITH STEEL DRUMENTERTAINMENT SATURDAY 23 JULY, 11:00AM-3:00PM These steel drum workshops are designed for children to have a hands-on experience of the steel pan and learn how to play as a group. Learn about the colourful history of steel drums or ‘steel pans’ and how they are made and tuned. Workshop timings are 11am, 12noon, 1pm, 2pm. Suitable for ages 5-14. £4 per child, children must be accompanied by an adult. VIATU ART BREAK DANCE WORKSHOPWITH HANIFA MCQUEEN SATURDAY 30 JULY, 11.00AM-3.00PM A demonstration and dance workshop to delve into the history of Hanifa McQueen’s Art Breaker masterpieces. Bringing together break dance art and painting, this creative workshop will give young people the opportunity to try out a fun new skill, find out more about break dance art and help create an artwork to be displayed in the gallery. Suitable for ages 8+. WOLVERHAMPTON ARTS & CULTURE www.wolverhamptonart.org.uk AFRICAN DANCE AND DRUMMINGWORKSHOPWITH ANGIE ANDERSON MONDAY 1 AUGUST, TIMES TO BE CONFIRMED A family music and dance workshop exploring West African drumming and celebrating African dance! We recommend wearing clothes you can move around in. Suitable for ages 7+ and fun for all the family! £4 per child, must be accompanied by an adult. DHOL DRUM TASTERWORKSHOPS WITH AZAAD ARTS SATURDAY 6 AUGUST, 10:30AM-2:00PM Joinmusician Harjit of Azaad Arts for an exciting taster workshop playing the Punjabi Folk Drum - the Dhol. In the workshop session you will learn to play a simple rhythmwithin a group to some music. Taster workshops last 20minutes and will be followed by making amini Dhol drumcraft. Workshop timings are 11:00am, 11:30am, 1:00pm and 1:30pm. Suitable for ages 7+. £4 per child, childrenmust be accompanied by an adult. GALLERY FEST SATURDAY 20 AUGUST, 11.00AM-3.00PM (LATEST ENTRY 2PM) Make your own festival pompom crown. Take part in some festival-themed crafts and join in with the silent disco! Suitable for ages 5+. £5 per child, must be accompanied by an adult FAMILY ARTS DROP IN SESSIONS EVERYMONDAY THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS, 11:00AM-2:00PM These drop-in art workshops are inspired by the Black Country Beats exhibition and each child will make something to take home. We recommend that you arrive no later than 1:00pm. Suitable for ages 5 to 12. £3 per child, must be accompanied by an adult MONDAY 25 JULY: Build and decorate a shoe box guitar MONDAY 1 AUGUST: Create a shadow puppet performance MONDAY8AUGUST: Makeapipecleanerpopstar MONDAY 15 AUGUST: Sewyour ownbandpatches for your bagor jacket MONDAY 22 AUGUST: Design andmake some glam rock glasses ART SKILLSWORKSHOPS WEDNESDAYS THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS, 1:00PM-3:00PM These art workshops for older children are a great opportunity to learn a new skill and create something special to take away. Suitable for ages 8 to 14. £5 per child, must be accompanied by an adult. WEDNESDAY 27 JULY: Create a pair of wovenwings, perfect for the festival season. Use hessian toweave cloth strips into a pair of wings you canwear home. WEDNESDAY 3 AUGUST: Books and Craft with Diverse Education by Maame Prempeh, creating amini representation of you in pompom formand exploring creativity through reading. WEDNESDAY 10 AUGUST: Create amusic-inspired pin thread drawing with artist Kathleen Fabre. WEDNESDAY 17 AUGUST: Books and Craft with Diverse Education by Maame Prempeh, creating amini representation of you in pompom formand exploring creativity through reading. WEDNESDAY 24 AUGUST: Design and print your own band t shirt with artist Rob Conway. WOLVERHAMPTON ARTS & CULTURE PICK UP CRAFT ACTIVITY BAGS Each week at the Art Gallery there will be pick up and make activity bags inspired by the Black Country Beats exhibition. With a different activity each week, spend some time as a family crafting and creating, either in the gallery or at home. £2.50 per activity bag. 23-29 JULY: Shrink plastic keyrings 30 JULY-5 AUGUST: Rock star sock puppet 6-12 AUGUST: Mini dhol drum 13-19 AUGUST: Mini Brit award 20-26 AUGUST: Rainmakers 27 AUGUST: Music themedmobile

18 raring2go.co.uk 19 Raring2go! INTERVIEW Raring2go! COMMONWEALTH GAMES Raring2go! WHAT’S ON? 2 .c . k Get Set for the Commonwealth Games this Summer This Summer, athletes from 72 nations and territories of the Commonwealth will come together in Birmingham to compete in a range of sports from swimming to bowls. If you haven’t been lucky enough to get your hands on tickets to watch the events in person you can still get a piece of the action. Watch the Baton Relay On 18 July, after an international tour of the Commonwealth, the Queen’s Baton Relay will arrive in the West Midlands to complete the final 11 days of its journey to the host city of Birmingham. Check out the route and find the best place for you to see it at www.birmingham2022.com. If you fancy something a little different, the Severn Valley Railway has announced that it will be hosting a section of the Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay in the final build-up to the Commonwealth Games this summer. It will travel along the line, hauled very appropriately by No. 70 ‘Elizabeth II’, the steam locomotive recently painted purple and silver to commemorate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Line the route Some events will be taking place in locations open to the general public. Although you need tickets for the start and finish lines (except the marathon), spectators are welcome to line the streets along the routes and therefore watch the action free of charge. 1. Marathon – 30 July The men’s, women’s and T53/ T54 events are all taking place on the same course which will start at Smithfield, Birmingham. Competitors will cross the finish line at Victoria Square in Birmingham city centre as they complete the gruelling 26.2 mile event. 2. Triathlon and Para Triathlon – 29 and 31 July The Triathlon and Para Triathlon (for athletes with a visual impairment – PTVI) events will take place within Sutton Park and on the local roads to the south of the park, in and around Boldmere High Street. 3. Road Cycling Time Trial – 4 August West Park, Wolverhampton will be the start and finish point for this race against the clock. It will take more than 90 male and female cyclists through Dudley, passing the town’s famous castle and zoo, into Staffordshire, then back to Wolverhampton. 4. Cycling Road Race – 7 August The Cycling Road Race starts and finishes at St Nicholas Park, Warwick. The riders will pass the Lord Leycester Hospital, Warwick, as well as Victoria Park, Leamington Spa, the venue for the Birmingham 2022 lawn bowls and para lawn bowls competition. The women will complete seven laps of a 16km course, whilst the men will complete ten. The final part of the course will cross the River Avon, taking in the view of Warwick Castle. To see the routes plus more information visit www.birmingham2022.com. Commonwealth Games “Brings out the Best in People” Ross Davenport, double gold medal-winning swimmer speaks to Raring2go! Hosting the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham is “amazing” for the local community and the whole country, as they “bring out the best in people”, Ross Davenport, gold medal-winning swimmer told Raring2go! at the launch of Derby’s Moorways Sports Village and Water Park in May. “I think we saw the impact that the 2012 Olympic Games had not just on London but everybody connected to Great Britain and to sport – and having that event to inspire younger people to get involved into physical activity can only be a good thing,” he said. Davenport won double gold at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games in the 200m freestyle and the 4 x 200m freestyle relay events. He also competed in the 2004 Olympics (finishing fourth in the 4 x 200m relay) and the 2008 Olympics where he finished 10th in the 200m freestyle. So how does he think the two global sporting events compare? “Having won at the Commonwealths and come fourth at the Olympics, I think that the Commonwealth Games are bigger than the Olympics. But maybe that’s because I didn’t win at the Olympics!” he laughed. “Everyone who competes at (or goes to) the Commonwealth Games talk about how much fun they have and how friendly it is – yes it’s very serious and there’s two billion people watching worldwide, and it’s the second biggest games that we have on the planet. But it brings out the best in people; not only from a sporting perspective but in uniting different nations together,” he said. The swimmer grew up in Belper, Derbyshire, and trained in Derby at its old swimming pool. At 24.6 metres, the largest pool was not even long enough to practice a 25-metre race. Davenport was speaking about the new facilities at Moorways Sports Village, which includes a 50-metre pool. While he found a love of swimming from an early age, he gave up the sport aged 13 for a year. “I was going swimming in a hot, stuffy environment. I wanted to go and play football, I wanted to play with my mates after school,” he said of his teenage years. “The best decision I ever made was to go back and do something that I realised I actually loved doing. It’s led me to so many places around the world, it’s created so many opportunities,” he continued. So what would he say to a young person who perhaps has come fourth in a race or event and is thinking about giving up? “My advice to anybody would be to keep going. There’s going to be tough times, there’s going to be some good times, but if you can keep riding that wave and you can keep going through, then it will stand you in good stead for the rest of your life. “I do always look back and think if I hadn’t taken the initiative and got back in the pool at the age of 14, all these opportunities wouldn’t have happened, so sport can open so many doors. The individual themselves has to walk through them, but it has the power to create so many great avenues,” he added. The Commonwealth Games will run from 28th July to 8th August. Davenport offers this advice for any children thinking about sport: “There’s certainly been lots of people along the way… that helped me, that encouraged me.. and some people that made negative comments, that also inspired me in a positive way. So I think as a young person or a parent you have to gain all that knowledge and advice that you can do, but if someone tells you you’re not good enough then you have to make your own path and try and prove them wrong.”

20 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! RARING 2 READ British Science Week 5th - 14th March Incredible books for all Children Raring2Read! BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FAMILIES Does your family enjoy reading? Then why not join our Facebook group, to share ideas, tips and recommendations. To read a review of all the books in this series go to: https://raring2go.co.uk/2022/02/raring2go-reviews-shine-books/ Shine Books is a publisher that dedicates its work ‘for anyone who ever felt like they didn't fit in’. Initially created for 3-8 year olds, there is no set age limit! We reviewed six Shine books to see for ourselves just how fabulous they are - and we weren't disappointed! The books introduce us to six loveable and fun characters, beautifully illustrated by Robert Hooper, all living with different conditions which present them with challenges at school. While the books are of course highly beneficial for children living with those challenges, they are also a really great way of introducing all children to the themes of diversity, nurturing an ethos of understanding and empathy from a young age. Most children without SEN will be in classes with childr n who do have SEN - these books pave the way for inclusion and friendships which previously may not have been easily made. The books introduce us to Alice, an Aardvark with Autism; Charlie, a Chimpanzee with ADHD; Dylan, a Dog with Dyslexia; Emma, an Elephant with Epilepsy; Ollie, an Otter with OCD; and Priya, a Panda with Dyspraxia. Here’s a closer look at one of the of 6 incredible books... Alice (An Aardvark With Autism) is incredibly good when it comes to numbers, but she doesn't like loud noise, and is anxious about being in noisy situations. She wants to be with her friends, but a birthday party proves too challenging. Alice finds it difficult to explain how she is feeling, but Alice's mum and Alice's school friends come up with a solution, enabling Alice to enjoy a birthday party with her friend Dylan after all.We love this book as it high lights Alice's strengths, and demonstrates how a little understanding and planning can enable a child to be included in social events. As parents, we should never underestimate the power and influence classmates have on our children's wellbeing, and the power the actions of our own children have on their friends. 'Always be kind' is indeed a great lesson for our youngsters; sharing these books with your child is a great way to develop that ethos. At Raring2go! we love what Shine Books is doing. Every child is different and that some find school life difficult. Children with special educational needs (SEN) face additional challenges. While most children hit milestones and achieve well in literacy skills, children with SEN may be left wondering why it is so difficult for them. Time for SHINE Books Our open events are the perfect opportunity to experience our %GEHIQ] ½VWX LERH ]SY GER QIIX XLI 4VMRGMTEP IRNS] E XSYV XEOI TEV X MR EGXMZMXMIW ERH QSWX MQTSVXERXP] QIIX SYV MRGVIHMFPI WXYHIRXW We’re achieving excellence, everyday, come and join us on our journey... Thursday 29 Sept 2022 6-8.30pm Saturday 1 Oct 2022 9am-12pm Check our website for full details www.onewa.co.uk SV GEPP YW SR /newacad @newacad /newacad Now Ofsted rated GOOD

22 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! PUZZLE Call 01902 751088 51 Newbridge Crescent,Tettenhall,Wolverhampton,WV6 0LH www.newbridgeprepschool.org.uk Creating Choice at 11+ Register now for entry in September 2022 Small class sizes •Wrap around care from 7.30am – 6.00pm GRADED EXCELLENT IN EVERY CATEGORY THE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL INSPECTORATE 2017 • THE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL INSPECTORATE 2017 • INDEPENDENT PREPARATORY SCHOOLOF THEYEAR SCHOOLSGUIDE 2020 REGISTER NOW CROSSWORD: 1=LOVE 2=ANIMALS 3=NATURE 7 DOWN=SUN 4=PLANTS 5=EARTH 6=RECYCLE 7 ACROSS=SAVE CROSSWORD THE ENVIRONMENT Use these words to fill out the crossword clues in the grid below. Can you find all of the words in the grid below? • WASTE • RECYCLE • GLOBAL WARMING • TIDES • LITTER PICK • CLEAN UP • ECO • COMPOST • TREES • SUSTAIN WORDSEARCH ANIMALS SUN PLANTS EARTH LOVE NATURE SAVE RECYCLE 1 5 7 3 6 4 2 DOWN 1 We need to ________ and take care of the Earth. 2 ________ live together in a zoo. 3 Plants, trees and birds are part of ________ . 7 You should never look directly at the ________ . ACROSS 4 We have flowers, fruits, vegetables and other ________ in our garden. 5 We live on planet ________ . 6 Reduce, Reuse, ________ . 7 Together we can ________ the Earth.

24 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! QUIZ TIME Independent Day School for Boys and Girls Junior School ages 4-11 Senior School ages 11-16 Sixth Form ages 16-18 Wolverhampton Grammar School Compton Road, Wolverhampton, WV3 9RB 01902 422939 | www.wgs.org.uk | admissions@wgs-sch.net Registered charity (England and Wales no. 1125268) Saturday 8th October 2022 Tours at 10am and 12pm We invite you to visit us! Whole School Open Day (Reception to Sixth Form) • Limited places remaining in Years 3 to 6 for September. • Now registering for our Year 7 Entrance Test. Application deadline: Friday 2nd December. • Currently in Year 10 and starting to think about your Sixth Form options? Come and talk to students and see our facilities. • Sign up for our Open Day at www.wgs.org.uk/openday or alternatively, for more information please contact our Admissions team. Bridgnorth Telford Penkridge Walsall Oldbury Stourbridge THE Answers at the bottom of the page. No cheating. ENVIRONMENTAL & NATURE QUIZ TRUE OR FALSE 1 Bats are blind. 2 Wasting less food is a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 3 Daddy longlegs are venomous but can’t bite people 4 You can recycle all of your old clothes. 5 Old corrugated boxes can be recycled. 6 Often, when birds y low, you can expect rain? 7 Glass can be recycled an in nite amount of times. 8 Earth’s continents are surrounded by ve major bodies of water. 9 Viewed from another planet, Earth would appear green in colour. ANSWERS: 1. False 2. True 3. False 4. True 5. True 6. True 7. True 8. False - it’s four 9. False - it would look blue True False True False True False True False True False True False True False True False True False

27 Raring2go! FEATURE Being by the water, especially on a warm summer’s day, is a fantastic experience and one we would never want to discourage; however, water also comes with a variety of hazards. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations and over mans 240 lifeguarded beaches. Accidents can still happen though. By understanding some simple water safety advice, you can help keep yourselves and loved ones safe if you’re heading to the coast. Always try and visit a beach that is lifeguarded.When you reach the lifeguarded beach, familiarise yourself with the signage and flags. The safest place to swim on a lifeguarded beach is between the red and yellow flags, this will be the area the lifeguards have deemed is the safest to enter the water. If you visit a beach and a solid red flagflying, this signifies danger. Do not enter the water under any circumstances. Black and white flagsshow the non-motorised watercraft zone (surfers, stand up paddleborders etc) and this should not be used for swimming in. The last flag to keep an eye out for on a beach is an orange windsock. This shows that an offshore wind is blowing and therefore the use of inflatables is not advised. The UK has some of the finest beaches in the world, but please enjoy them safely and help share our water safety messaging with your friends and family. If you find yourself in difficulty in the water, float to increase your chances of survival. Float to Live 1. Fight your instinct to thrash around. 2. Lean back, extend your arms and legs. 3. If needed move them around to help you float. 4. Float until you can control your breathing. 5. Only then, call for help, swim to safety or continue floating until help arrives. Gabbi Batchelor, RNLI Water Safety Education Manager, said: ‘It is important that anyone visiting the coast understands the risks of the environment. It can be very unpredictable, particularly during early summer when the risk of cold water shock significantly increases, as air temperatures warmbut water temperatures remain dangerously cold. If you get into trouble in the water, Float to Live: lean back, using your arms and legs to stay afloat. Control your breathing, then call for help or swim to safety. In a coastal emergency, call 999 or 112 for the Coastguard.’ Staying safe at the coast with the RNLI How can you support the RNLI? The RNLI offers a supporter membership just for children called Storm Force. For just £12 a year, your child will receive four issues of the Storm Force magazine, online access to the Crew Room with great activities and rescue videos plus a membership pack with crew bag, pencil case, stickers and more. Visit www.rnli.orgfor more information The RNLI patrol over 240 beaches around the UK and provide over 1500 lifeguards to help keep people safe at the coast. This year we’re expecting even more people to visit the coast than last year, so it’s important to remember some key pieces of safety advice

Raring2go! PLACES TO GO 29 Raring2go! SUMMER HACKS 24 raring2go.co.uk Make summer a breeze with our handy holiday hacks Whether home or abroad, we asked our fellow Raring2go! Editors to tell us what useful items they always pack to help make travelling with the family that little bit easier… * Use a fitted bedsheet as a playpen on the beach. * Hide valuables inside a (clean!) nappy. * Take a multi plug extension when going abroad, you then only need one adapter but can use all the plugs. * Use an insulated flask to keep icepops frozen for longer. * Pack a coolbag when going away. * Mosquito bands/coils have been a lifesaver for us. * Definitely take tin foil to use as black out on the windows. * Plastic stacking cups kept my little one amused for ages whether on the beach, in water or in the room. * We always bring a backpack that doubles as a car-seat. It means we always have a safe travel option plus the kids can also use it to carry their belongings. * Carrots are perfect beach food! Easy to clean if they get dropped in the sand, and no melting or making a mess! * Take some clothes pegs. Handy for keeping swimwear from blowing off balconies, fastening food bags for the beach/pool, and keeping towels on sun loungers if it ’s a bit blowy. I always have them in my beach bag. * Always carry a pack of cards and dominoes. So many games the whole family can play. * We take a foldable, fabric storage box so we can easily throw the toys into it at the end of each day to keep the room tidy. Got any more to share? email us with your favourite summer holiday hacks.

30 raring2go.co.uk 31 Raring2go! WIN Become a website member • 100% Free • Monthly email Newsletters with new offers and events • Download vouchers and save £££’s • Great Competitions Please recycle this magazine when you are finished with it. JOIN NOW raring2go.co.uk Copyright © 2022 Mojo Publishing Ltd. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical or electronic, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Requests for permission or further information should be addressed to the publishers. Email: wolverhampton@raring2go.co.uk Tel: 07762 204195 Whilst the publisher makes every effort to ensure that the businesses featured in this magazine are of the highest quality, we do not guarantee the services and products from any business featured. Printed by Gemini Print. Telephone: 01273 468884 Competitions! To enter all the competitions on this page plus lots more and for terms and condition visit www.raring2go.co.uk/area/ wolverhampton/competitions/ Make sure you select your location so that you see competitions that are local to your area. WIN a family ticket to Lower Drayton Farm With a huge 900sqm indoor playbarn, acres of outdoor adventure play, animal encounters and more, Lower Drayton Farm offers a day of fun and adventure for the whole family. This family-run working farm lies in the heart of the Staffordshire Countryside and is just 5 mins from junction 13 of the M6. To win a family ticket for 4 people to Lower Drayton Farm this summer visit www.raring2go.co.uk Closing date: Sun 31 July 2022 Congratulations to our competition winners! Well done to Wolverhampton schoolboy Hunter who has won a bundle of new books for his school. The books were kindly donated by Welbeck Publishing Group and are suitable for children aged 4-11 years. Hunter was delighted to present the books to his school Palmers Cross Primary to be enjoyed by his fellow pupils. His mum Shannon Edwards entered the competition on Hunter’s behalf after seeing it in Raring2go! magazine. Congratulations also go to South Staffordshire tutor Jennifer Hocknull who won another amazing Raring2go! competition to win 6 all-inclusive Shine Books. Jennifer, who runs 1-1 Tuition in Penkridge, said: “I am thrilled to have won the SEN books. I am a retired SENCo and now tutor children with SEND so they will be well used and appreciated by many pupils. I have no doubt that our three young grandchildren will use them too.” Winner of the family ticket to Lower Drayton Farm in our spring magazine was Susan Harris. WIN a family ticket to Wolverhampton Adventure Golf Enjoy 18 holes of prehistoric, dinosaur themed adventure golf! This fun course has been designed to suit ages from 4+ and makes the perfect venue for children’s parties, family days out, corporate team building or a fun activity with friends. To win a family ticket for 4 people to Wolverhampton Adventure Golf visit www.raring2go.co.uk Closing date: Sun 31 July 2022 WIN a family ticket & wristbands to West Midland Safari Park West Midland Safari Park is welcoming guests to‘discover it all’, with a whole host of things to see and do this summer. Home to almost 140 different species of animals and an Adventure Theme Park, the attraction also hosts the UK’s largest animatronic dinosaur exhibit. To win a family ticket to West Midland Safari Park plus amusement wristbands visit www.raring2go.co.uk Closing date: Sun 31 July 2022 Raring2go! WIN

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