News in Plymouth

Playforce announces Best Young Weather Presenter Competition

Playforce, a leading provider of outdoor play equipment has announced the launch of an exciting competition to find the UK’s Best Young Weather Presenter, in association with the Met Office, the UK’s national weather service. Primary school pupils are invited to film or photograph their own weather forecast for their local area and have the chance to win some fantastic prizes for their school. The winning team of children will have the opportunity to explore the headquarters of the Met Office, learn about the science behind weather forecasting and use the equipment at the Met Office to compile and record a professional weather forecast in their studio.

The Best Young Weather Presenter Competition is open for entries until Friday 16th December 2011. Teachers should complete the entry form found on the Playforce website (www.playforce.com/discovery) and submit this along with a filmed forecast of no more than 3 minutes in length, either via a link to Youtube or by post on DVD or USB. The prize of a trip to the Met Office headquarters in Exeter is available for up to three pupils. For further details of the competition and the new Discovery range from Playforce visit www.playforce.com/discovery.  

A safe, friendly and stimulating environment for children

Meavy and Yelverton Pre-School has over thirty years of experience in offering a safe, friendly and stimulating early years learning environment for children aged between 2 and 5 years. The Pre-School operates out of Meavy Village Hall in the idyllic village of Meavy and takes full advantage of its beautiful, quiet location by organising frequent trips, picnics at the nearby ford and holding special events, such as pony riding, for the children in a large secure area. The pre-school maintains strong links with Meavy Primary School and is OFTSED registered and inspected. Plus there is a drop-in mums and toddlers/baby group on Friday mornings. For more information call Lucy Underwood on 01822 855844 or 01752 790881 or email meavyandyelvertonpreschool@yahoo.co.uk or visit www.meavyandyelvertonpreschool.btik.com.

From Plymouth to Pole: Scott, Science and the Men who sailed south

Did you know 2012 marks 100 years since one of the most courageous deeds in our nation's history of exploration?  Rediscover the story of Scott of the Antarctic – the Plymouth-born man who led the first-ever British expedition to reach the South Pole in January 1912 at an exhibition at The Plymouth Museum and Art Gallery from 14th January to 14th April. Although Scott tragically died on the return to base camp along with Edward Wilson, Henry Bowers, Lawrence Oates and Edgar Evans, the data and specimens generated by his Discovery (1901 to 1904) and ill-fated Terra Nova (1910 to 1913) expeditions, laid the foundations for Antarctica's environmental and climate research studies, and kept the world’s scientific communities busy for decades.

This exhibition, which has been researched and produced by the Collections Team at Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery, will look at Scott’s local and naval associations, his expeditions and his crew. More details are available from the website www.plymouth.gov.uk/scott100

The Perfect Gift for Christmas for kids everywhere

If you have family or friends overseas, or even elsewhere in the UK, and need to send gifts for the children, then personalised name labels could be just what you are looking for. And if you like to fill your own children’s stockings with practical things they need for the year ahead then why not add some name labels for your own children. So order now by calling My Name Label on 0870 850 7897 or you can order on-line at www.mynamelabel.co.uk

Don't get caught out by the cold this winter    

Cold weather can wreak havoc on water pipes but by following a few simple steps now, you can minimise risk to your home, heating and water supply when the weather takes a turn for the worse. As water expands when it gets colder it can put enough pressure on household pipes to burst them at the seams. Sometimes it is only as the weather warms up that the damage becomes clear. The Consumer Council for Water has some useful advice to help homeowners prevent household pipes from freezing, or worse, bursting during a cold snap.

Top tips for preventing frozen pipes:

• Make sure you know where your inside stop valve is and check that it is working. It's usually under the kitchen sink. You will need to get to it quickly if a pipe bursts.
• Ensure pipes in cold draughty areas are insulated. Check that the insulation in your loft is thick enough, and that it covers over and around the water pipes where possible. Do not put insulation underneath the water tank.
• Wrap bends or hard-to-get-at pipes with securely fixed strips of insulation.
• On very cold days, open the hatch to your loft to let warm air in from other parts of the house and prevent pipes from freezing.
• Insulate outside taps or turn them off at the stop tap, or drain them before the frosty weather.
• Fix any dripping taps or overflows. A build-up of ice can cause a blockage.
• If you go away for a few days, leave your heating on low and set it to come on at least once every day.

More information on the Get Ready for Winter campaign can be found at www.direct.gov.uk/getreadyforwinter

Help your child get ready for the 11+ exam

Once the holiday festive celebrations are over and children are back to school, it is time for parents with children in year 5 to be thinking about whether their child would like to take the 11+ exam.  In order to attend a grammar school in Sep 2013, 11+ tutoring should start from Jan 2012.   Drake Tutors have 11+ tutors who work on a one to one basis.  Initially an assessment is carried out, tuition then continues until they sit the exam.  It is also a good time to consider extra help for children that would benefit from individual attention.  For further information call Drake Tutors on 01752 776622.

Dragon’s Den at Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery

Help mark the start of the Chinese New Year in 2012 on Saturday 21 January and celebrate the Year of the Dragon with some fun arty activities plus a special dragon-themed trail around the galleries.  Children aged 5 to 11 will be able to make something special and then take it home. Sessions run from 11am to 12 noon, 1.30pm to 2.30pm and 3pm to 4pm. Admission is free but advance booking is essential on 01752 304774.

First Class Learning comes to Plymouth

A mother and daughter have launched a new business in Plymouth that helps children improve their maths and English. Lesley Price and her daughter Bianca Parker have opened a First Class Learning Centre in Mannamead delivering after-school programmes in English and maths linked to the national curriculum.

Lesley has more than 20 years experience in the education sector, firstly as a primary school teacher, then working one-to-one with challenging children before qualifying as a social worker, where she again spent much of her time working with children and families. Before setting up the new business she spent seven years working with SureStart in Plymouth, helping families and young children with their educational needs. Her daughter Bianca – who recently had twins – was looking for a new challenge and a business that works around her children. They launched Plymouth's First Class Learning franchise in June and already have a growing number of children on their books.

The programmes are designed by a team of maths and English specialists with a wealth of experience in primary, secondary and special needs education and are supported by the British Dyspraxia Foundation.

The Plymouth centre opened in June and from September has run after school sessions on a Tuesday from 3.15pm-5.30pm at Trinity Church Hall in Hartley.

Youngsters can try out the sessions for free before parents sign up to the programme. Details can be obtained by calling 01752 930553/ 07884 273689 or email Plymouth@firstclasslearning.co.uk.

Stoke Gabriel Wassail: Saturday 21st January 2012

The Wassail is a traditional cider apple blessing celebration in Stoke Gabriel's community orchard and Church Walk. The celebrations include folk music, morris dancing, story-telling and the Mummers players will entertain the crowds before the Apple Blessing Ceremony within the orchard. The Wassail will take place on Paignton Road in Stoke Gabriel near Totnes.  Tickets are £2.50 for adults and £1 for children. For more details ring 01803 782394 or 07971 803492

Entertainment that is truly magic!

Equity’s official UK Merlin with his magical doves and Arthur the rabbit, is providing memorable parties for children around Devon. His themed shows based on the Mr Men, Harry Potter, Aladdin or Superheroes include the children as magicians themselves throughout the hour’s magic show. His fantastic balloon models are perfect take home gifts for the children. At many parties Merlin also organises the non-elimination games and music to ensure the whole party keeps the children entertained. You can find out more about Merlin by calling 01626 862445 or emailing

merlinmagic@talktalk.net

The heart-warming family film phenomenon that will melt the ice caps of your heart

Warner Bros. Pictures will be releasing the ice cool sequel to Happy Feet in select cinemas from 2 December 2011.  The Academy Award®-winning animated smash hit, Happy Feet Two, will return audiences to the snow-filled world of music and dance, this time in eye-popping 3D. To find out more about this fun family film take a look at www.happyfeettwo.co.uk

The Donkey Sanctuary launches an online donkey care game

International animal welfare charity The Donkey Sanctuary recently launched its new online donkey care game with the digital arm of Aardman, makers of the famous Wallace and Gromit films. The 'Me and My Donkey' game, produced by Aardman Digital, will help increase awareness of the charity’s work, allowing players to care for, feed and nurture their own animated donkey online. This fun, casual game aims to attract a younger audience to The Donkey Sanctuary website, raising awareness of donkeys’ needs, whilst increasing sponsorship for the real donkeys on which the animated characters are based.

The whole idea is to engage with a younger audience and players will be able to sponsor the real donkeys Barney, Bramble and Mopsy who are currently living at the Sanctuary and become their most dedicated fans.  Children can even visit the donkeys or watch them on the webcam!  The game is now live at www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/meandmydonkey.  For details about the Donkey Sanctuary near Sidmouth call 01395 578222.