Page 19 - link magazine

swindonlink.com • November 2009 19

Freshbrook playgroup restart plan LittLe Foxes ChiLdCare
Former supervisor Linda Jacobs is hoping to relaunch the playgroup
- if parents support her. & eduCation
It was privatised in 2008 but went bankrupt in August this year. For children and their parents
Linda said, “we served Freshbrook for 33 years very successfully as a Established 1986
community playgroup and many of the dedicated team is still available the common, Brinkworth, Wilts
to get it going again.” tel: 01666 510356
Linda who is proposing to call the new group Alpha Pre-School, is Just a 15 minute drive from West Swindon & Priory Vale on B4042
holding a meeting at Millbrook Primary School on Monday 16 November, l An independent family run nursery offering quality care and education
3.15pm. All interested parents are invited to attend. within a safe, secure, stimulating environment for all babies and children
from 0-5 and an out of school club for children aged 5-11 years
Shoc aims to help improve child health l Open: Monday to Friday, 7.30am-6.30pm, 51 weeks of the year
l Full, part time and term time places. Government funding for 3-5 year olds
Swindon based Shoc - Stop Harming our Children - is holding a fun- l High staff to child ratios with qualified and experienced teaching staff and
draising curry night on Monday 9 November at the Bombay Lounge, nursery nurses
Peatmoor where the charity will be explaining their aim to promote l Nutritious 3 course meals, hydro pool, multi sensory room, school hall with
children’s health, happiness and well-being to parents. gym apparatus, secure gardens, mini bus for trips out and about
Basil Jones, a retired child psy- help them make informed deci-
chotherapist, founded the charity in sions,” said Basil. “We feel that there
2005, after he concluded that many would be fewer cases of childhood
children’s problems are caused cancers and other illnesses such as
or aggravated by junk food and asthma or allergies, or behavioural
environmental damages. problems if people took these mat-
“I looked more closely at a range ters more to heart.”
of possible dangers confronting our To meet Basil and Shoc volunteers Close to M4 junction 16, just a short drive from West Swindon
little ones, including mobile phones socially, call the Bombay Lounge on
and mast radiation, food additives, 887799 to book a table. All profits For children 3 months to five years
bullying, vaccines and fluoride,” from the evening will be donated to Open all year from 8am to 6pm
said Basil. “It was clear that these Shoc. If you cannot attend contact
hazards are real, serious and insuf- Basil on 341400 or mail: shoc.uk@ Extensive outdoor play & garden
ficiently publicised.” ntlworld.com Grant places available
Shoc offers parents guidance to www.shocswindon.org
For information call: 01793 851495
Half term activities to keep families busy www.thedaynursery.com
Lydiard Park Brinkworth Road, Wootton Bassett, Swindon SN4 8DS
Tuesday 27 October to Sunday 1 November: Monsters. Children’s
quiz trail and mini-exhibition in Lydiard House, celebrating gargoyles and
other monstrous ways of decorating old buildings. Normal admission.
Wednesday 28 October: drop in from 12noon to 3pm. Monster masks. A
drop-in craft activity to make and decorate your own all-natural monster
mask using feathers, leaves, sticks and string. £2 per child who must be
accompanied by an adult. Part of the Busy Bees Group
Thursday 29 October: drop in from 12noon to 3pm. Beastly bug boxes.
Make a winter home for mini-beasts and insects at a creepy-crawly craft A great place for your child to
session. £3 per child who must be accompanied by an adult.
Details from Lydiard Park on 770401 www.lydiardpark.org.uk play, learn and make new friends...
At Roves Farm in November:
1 November: Pumpkin Saturday. Pick your own then carve it. Full and part time places Fresh nutritious meals everyday
3 November: Child friendly fireworks party without loud bangs followed Individual play areas for each age group
by a family barn dance.
Roves Farm is open daily throughout half term for craft activities and Large, secure outdoor gardens Extra activities available
farm visits. Call 763939 for details or www.rovesfarm.co.uk
Westmill Farm, near Highworth
Friday 30 October: Spider day for 5 to 12 year olds. Learn about spi-
ders, their habitat, homes and behaviour through nature awareness
games, crafts and going on adventures inspired by the natural spider
world. Fresh organic lunch provided with an opportunity to help cook
a cauldron of veggie soup on an open fire. Cost £20; reduced fees are
given for families.
Also at Westmill in November Special offers...
Friday 13th, 7pm: Superstitious? Explore folk- Busy Bees Peatmoor - FREE registration if you book and start
lore and superstition, bring your lucky charms
and don’t forget the garlic! before the end of November 2009*
Saturday 14th: Make a bee-skep and basket Leapfrog St Andrew’s Ridge - Book and start before the end of
day, using grasses, briars and withies. November 2009 and receive one weeks FREE childcare*
Friday 27th, 7pm: Storytelling circle. Gather
in the round house for an evening of tales, Call Julie at Call Niki at
poems and good old-fashioned entertainment. Busy Bees at Peatmoor Leapfrog at St Andrew’s Ridge
For details call 07816 591151 or mail: chris@ 01793 887 602 01793 726919
acorneducation.com www.busybees.com *terms and conditions apply
www.acorneducation.com Make a bee-skep on 14th

1 - 21 November 09.indd 19 16/10/2009 11:03