There’s more to Action Stations than you think…

Action Stations at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is now offering special interest tours focusing on the fascinating history of the historic building, Boathouse No. 6.

Lasting approximately two hours, the tours focus on the history of Boathouse No.6, from construction in 1848 until the installation of the present Action Stations attraction in 2001.

Boathouse 6 was designed by Lieutenant Roger Beatson, Royal Engineers, Portsmouth Dockyard’s Superintendent of Civil Engineering Work, and built between 1845 and 1848. It was used for the building, repair and storage of small ships’ boats. These were pulled up one of the three slipways outside the front of the building from the Mast Pond by hand using block and tackle, and then brought into the building through large wooden doors. Some of the rings used still survive along the front of the building and set into the ground floor. The building was in use as a boathouse until the Portsmouth Blitz in March 1941, when a bomb destroyed much of the rear part. A temporary patch was added to make the building serviceable and was not replaced until the conversion into Action Stations in the late 1990s.

All this history and more can be seen throughout the building and this specialist tour will encourage visitors to view Action Stations in a way they have never done before. They may also discover that walls really can talk and tell their own unique story…

Tours will begin in either Boathouse No.7 or the Mezzanine Café with a complimentary tea or coffee upon arrival before a guided tour of the building.

Special interest tours are priced at £7.50 per person (4-10 people) and £5.50 per person (11+ people). Alternatively, if looking for something a little more special, then Action Stations can provide exclusive evening tours at £10.50 per person, giving private access to the building after normal opening hours. All tours are a minimum of 4 people per tour and include entry to the Action Stations attraction.

Please note all tours must be booked a minimum of 72 hours in advance.

Some areas within the tour are not accessible by a lift.

For further details on the specialist tours or to book please contact the Action Stations Operations Manager on: (023) 9289 3318 or email: enquiries@actionstations.org

Also available at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is the world famous HMS Victory, one of the UK’s leading maritime museums – the National Museum of the Royal Navy, HMS Warrior 1860 – the first iron-hulled ship powered by steam and sail, the Mary Rose Museum[i] and a Harbour Tour. For further details, please contact 023 9283 9766 or visit the website www.historicdockyard.co.uk.

ZUMBATOMIC KIDS GET FIT, ROCK OUT AND HAVE A BLAST.

Zumbatomic® classes are high-energy fitness-parties that offer real results. Packed with specially choreographed routines and the latest music, like hip-hop, reggaeton and cumbia, Zumbatomic classes increase focus and self-confidence, boost metabolism and improve coordination. More than just a great reason to head to the gym, Zumbatomic classes make getting fit a fun family experience too. Join Tiffany to have a fun filled half hour class either at :-

Sandown Youth centre ( youth club )

Mondays

3.30-4pm

4-4.30pm

Or at

St John’s church ( the Beverley community hall)

Thursdays

3.15-3.45pm

3.45-4.14pm

Adult zumba classes and ‘mens only’ classes available call for details Contact Tiffany on 07810544577 tiffwightzumba@hotmail.co.uk

Zumbatomic parties can also arranged

‘Get Happy, Get Healthy & Get Dancing!’ This October with ‘The Island Dance & Theatre Company’ Classes available from age 2½ years old to Adults (Boys very welcome) In: Ballet, Tap, Freestyle, Gymnastics, Cheerleading, Street dance, Musical Theatre, Various Adult classes & the Award winning ‘Dance with A Difference’www.dancewithadifference.co.uk ‘Dance with A Difference’ won ‘The Best New Activity for Children‘ In www.whatson4littleones.co.uk in their national Award ceremony in June Dance is now part of the National Curriculum. Dance is a major feature in the physical education programme that can be taken by all school children under 11 years old. Dance is an excellent way for children to explore movement, gain confidence and learn about cultures the world over. The Island Dance offers children the chance to take part in our annual show (Next show Peter Pan), Exams with the IDTA, Workshops, etc… To join our friendly School in Godshill or Brading Please E-mail: enquiries@theislanddance.co.uk or phone: 01983 863615 or 01983 868769 Dance with Qualified Teachers of the IDTA, NATD and RAD (Enhanced C.R.B, PLI & PPL Licence, First Aid) 30 Years of Professional Teaching (Past Pupils include Dancers & Singers in the Professional World) Our Patron: Actress Julie Peasgood www.theislanddance.co.uk

Wightliving the island’s exciting new discount website offers you the very best handpicked offers with massive savings.

How do you save money in 10 seconds? Well, here’s how: register your email address for free at www.wightliving.co.ouk. You’ll find something for everyone withWightliving from discounted places to stay to fabulous eating out, family entertainment, beauty, fitness, leisure, sports and more. You can also buy any of the voucher deals as gifts, all at bargain prices. So you get real value for money each week. And it’s not too good to be true. Everyone benefits from these discounts – you enjoy big savings while local business reap the benefits. How does it work? All you have to do is register your email address for free. We then keep you regularly updated with new offers. But be quick to grab a deal. Our offers have limited availability, so you must act fast to take advantage of our great discounted deals.  Just decide on how many vouchers you want to buy then it’s a click away to purchase. It couldn’t be easier. We also help take you through every step of the way. So why not treat yourself to a bargain and sign up to Wightliving, the island’s premier discount website. Remember to spread the savings by spreading the word too, even if it’s a tweet or just a natter.

Free Fun Family Shoot

The Wight Studio has been in Cross Street, Ryde for four years and has seen hundreds of families come through their door for Mandy Meadows (Principle Photographer) to capture images that will last a lifetime.

With autumn upon us, they have  turned their thoughts to Christmas and what presents families will be buying.  Over the years they have photographed couples, children, babies and pets and always have a last minute rush for people wanting photographs in time for Christmas.

Christmas can be an expensive time so they would like to help you get some fantastic pictures, without breaking the bank. At the Ryde studio they excel at capturing those fleeting expressions and unique personalities. The studio will take some beautiful images of your family with absolutely no charge!  For a limited time only, The Wight Studio is offering a free fun family photo shoot in the Ryde Studio.

Whether your family is large or small, gather them together, give them a call and theycan book your free session.

Images start from just £10.

So rather than wait until December, book a session before the offer close date of the 29th October 2011 and have everything all wrapped up for Christmas.

www.thewightstudio.co.uk

The Wight Studio 18, Cross Street Ryde Isle of Wight PO33 2AD

Tel:01983 615466

Visitors looking for a top quality tourist attraction this Summer, need look no further than Portsmouth Historic Dockyard as it has just been awarded VisitEngland’s accreditation of ‘Quality Assured Visitor Attraction’.

The assessment was carried out earlier in the year under the current guidelines of the Visitor Quality Assurance Scheme (VAQAS) and was deemed to fully merit the award.

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard was noted “to offer visitors of all ages and interests an overall high quality experience”, with “many aspects of the attraction being excellent, such as HMS Victory, HMS Warrior and the Mary Rose Museum”.

The VisitEngland quality plaque for attractions is recognised as a stamp of approval.  Visitors to England can be assured that if they see the organisation’s red rose logo outside an attraction it has been annually assessed by an independent assessor.

The Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Scheme (VAQAS) is managed by VisitEngland and, through its network of regional assessors, boasts an incredible reputation for instigating, modifying and shaping change to the customer experience at visitor attractions across England.

The Historic Dockyard was assessed on the entire customer journey from pre-arrival telephone contact, website and promotional material, to a mystery visit detailing everything from the initial welcome through to guided tours and key areas such as toilets, catering and retail, plus enticement to return via event promotion.

Jacquie Shaw, Head of Communications and Operations at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard commented: “It’s a vote of confidence for us to be awarded the VAQAS stamp of approval and reassures visitors to expect the best. It also highlights the incredibly talented and hardworking staff we have and of course the world beating attractions we showcase.”

The accreditation follows on from the recent Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) Museum Accreditation Scheme award for HMS Warrior 1860, joining with other attractions on site to have the award – the Mary Rose Museum and the National Museum of the Royal Navy.

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is proving its status as one of the South of England’s best visitor destinations offering a complete maritime experience, all year round.

Visitors can discover history at the home of world-famous ships, HMS Victory and HMS Warrior 1860; walk through fascinating exhibitions at the Mary Rose Museum and the National Museum of the Royal Navy; test skills at the interactive Action Stations and take a Harbour Tours boat trip around Portsmouth Harbour and Naval Base. Whether interested in naval, military, industrial or social history, architecture, culture, or just a way to keep the kids occupied, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is an ideal destination.

www.historicdockyard.co.uk

Family magazine for parents on the Isle of Wight  summer issue is free if you don’t have a copy  of The Family Directory for the IOW then please contact us . The magazine is  full of local information . For your FREE copy please email us  , you don’t have to live here as we post to many parents on the main land that come on holiday here and have holiday homes. Email polly@thefamilydirectory.co.uk we will post for free as well. See our website for thing to do over this summer www.thefamilydirectory.co.uk

PIRATES AND PRINCESSES

Monday 25^th July – Friday 2^nd September

This summer at Chessell Pottery we will be celebrating the fairytale world of Pirates and Princesses.

Join in the fun and have a go at making your own Pirate or Princess inspired pottery designs with the children this summer. Our easy-to-use decorating sponges include crowns, castles, glass slippers and jewellery for the princesses and skulls, swords and ships for the pirates.  The studio will be decked out with the summer theme and pottery examples out on display with lots of ideas to get you started.

Prices start from £5.95 for pottery items plus a studio fee of £5.50 per person (not per item) which covers all materials, demonstration, glazing and firing of all items decorated that session.

There will be a Pirate and Princesses quiz for children to complete at Chessell to win a small reward plus a ‘Decorate a Treasure Map’ competition to win BIG prizes.  In addition, there will be a free gift for those who dress the part.

Chessell has been awarded ‘Best Island Cream Tea 2010/11’ from the Wight Good Food Guide for the second year running so, if you haven’t done so already, treat yourself to an ‘Ultimate Island Cream Tea’ – now officially the best! This award winning Cream Tea is totally home baked and uses all Island produce. Alternatively, why not take advantage of the summer weather and enjoy a lazy afternoon ‘Chessell High Tea for Two’ in our courtyard garden (booking essential).  Exclusively for the summer, the Café will be serving Pirate and Princess treats for the little people!

The Gift Barn has been specially stocked with Pirates and Princesses toys, games and accessories for the summer holidays as well as a selection of pocket money items.  The Gift Barn sells the largest range of Emma Bridgewater pottery on the Island plus cards, local arts and crafts and locally made preserves.  (Also available online with free p&p!).

All ages welcome. Free entrance. Disabled access. Baby changing. Free parking.

Decorating Studio, Gift Barn, Courtyard Café & Coffee Lounge open daily 9:30-5:30

Brook Road, Chessell nr Calbourne, Isle of Wight PO41 0UE

01983 531248

www.chessellpotterybarns.co.uk

DO IT FOR DAD WEEK

20% off 1 pint mugs

Monday 30^th May – Friday 3^rd June

This May half-term at Chessell Pottery we are hosting the very popular ‘Do if for Dad Week’, with a fantastic offer of 20% off 1 pint mugs, the perfect personalised gift for Father’s Day.

Father’s Day decorating sponges will be out during the week, everything from footballs and rugby balls, to golf clubs and cricket bats, cars, gardening tools and beer bottles. Sketch your design at home, then come to the studio and get creative!  Try baby’s footprints on a mug, or a whole design by the older children on a dinner plate – a special gift for ‘the best Dad in the world’.

Father’s Day this year falls on Sunday 19^th June, so half-term provides the perfect opportunity to ‘Do it for Dad’.  Last day to decorate to have it in time for Father’s Day is Saturday 11^th June.

Prices start from £6.95 for a tile coaster to stand Dad’s drink on, or decorate a two-cup teapot for the tea loving dad for £29.95. For one week only there is 20% off a pint sized Emma Bridgewater mug to decorate, original price £16.95, making it just £13.50. Studio fee £5.50 per person (not per item) covers all materials, demonstration, glazing and firing of all items decorated that session.

Chessell has been awarded ‘Best Island Cream Tea 2010/11’ from the Wight Good Food Guide for the second year running so, if you haven’t done so already, treat yourself to an ‘Ultimate Island Cream Tea’ – now officially the best! This award winning Cream Tea is totally home baked and uses all Island produce. Alternatively, why not take advantage of the weather and enjoy a lazy afternoon ‘Chessell High Tea for Two’ in our courtyard garden (booking essential).

The Gift Barn is fully stocked with the largest range of Emma Bridgewater pottery on the Island plus cards, toys, local arts and crafts and locally made preserves.

All ages welcome. Free entrance. Disabled access. Baby changing. Free parking.

Decorating Studio, Gift Barn, Courtyard Café & Coffee Lounge open daily 9:30-5:30

MOTHERING SUNDAY OFFER Mum’s tea and cake is on us this Mothering Sunday, 3^rd April, for all mums decorating in our studio!

This Mothering Sunday why not bring the children along for some fun in our family friendly studio or treat your own Mum to a creative afternoon out – Mum’s tea and cake will be  entirely on us! Why not decorate a beautiful Emma Bridgewater 1.5 pint jug to pop some spring flowers in, it’s sure to bring a little joy long after Mothering Sunday.

If you’re not feeling up to painting pottery free hand, we have a range of fun and easy to use decorating sponges to help you on your way – these include hearts, flowers, leaves, cakes and stars. Studio fee £5.50 per person (covers all materials, demonstration, glazing and firing), then you pay for whatever you’d like to decorate (prices start at £5.95).

All ages welcome. Free entrance. Disabled access. Baby changing. Free parking.

Decorating Studio, Gift Barn, Courtyard Café & Coffee Lounge open daily 9:30-5:30 from 2^nd April      (closed Mondays in term time)

Brook Road, Chessell nr Calbourne, Isle of Wight PO41 0UE

01983 531248

www.chessellpotterybarns.co.uk