Portsmouth Historic Dockyard has everything to keep you entertained this Winter

Christmas holidays at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard from Saturday 17^th December 2011 to Sunday 1^st January 2012 will offer the perfect opportunity for visitors to enjoy a day out with indoor activities for those cold winter days.

Visitors can take shelter below decks and discover history at the home of world-famous ships, HMS Victory and HMS Warrior 1860; walk through the fascinating exhibitions at the Mary Rose Museum and the National Museum of the Royal Navy; discover the sailor within at the indoor interactive Action Stations and take cover on a Harbour Tours boat as it sails around Portsmouth Harbour and Naval Base (subject to availability and prevailing weather conditions during the winter months).

Whether it’s climbing aboard a ship or up the tallest indoor climbing tower in the UK, devouring the fantastic collections in the museums or the food in the cafes, there is something to keep everyone in from the cold this winter.

During the Christmas holidays visitors can also take part in Tudor games and pastimes and especially for the festive season or enjoy a Family Christmas trail at the Mary Rose Museum.

For full details of ‘What’s On’ over the holiday period (updated daily), please look at the listings at the end of this release and for further information about the extensive year-round events programme please visit www.historicdockyard.co.uk/events.

The ticket for Portsmouth Historic Dockyard includes entrance for 1 year. Tickets cost adults £21.50, seniors £18.35, children £15.80, students £18.35 and a family ticket costs £62.15 (up to 5 members of the same family with a maximum of 2 adults or seniors). Entrance to the Historic Dockyard is free for those wishing to visit the retailers, cafes and Antiques Storehouse.

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard also offer gift vouchers, so if you need a new present idea for a loved one this Christmas, why not buy them some vouchers, so they too, can enjoy the Historic Dockyard? Call 023 9272 8060 to purchase the vouchers

The attractions open at 10am everyday throughout the year, except when closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day

The Earl Mountbatten Hospice 2012 Calendar The Earl Mountbatten Hospice is the only Hospice on the Island caring for over 1300 patients a year. In order to give this special care to our patients we have to raise over £2 million each year. We are continually fundraising and one way is by selling a Hospice Isle of Wight Calendar. The Isle of Wight Photographic Calendar 2012 is now available, with stunning Island views taken by acclaimed local photographer Chris Boynton. Chris has worked with the Hospice for many years raising thousands of pounds for our patient care by producing a yearly calendar and donations from the sale of his Photo cards. This year’s calendar has been redesigned for 2012 with larger photos and a lot more writing space. These beautiful calendars are priced at just £4.50 each and are available at many retail outlets across the Island including the Hospice Charity Shops in Newport, Cowes, Wootton, Ryde, Freshwater and Ventnor and the Hospice fundraising office on 528989.

Welcome to Snowy Letter From Santa Would your child or children ,nephew or niece, grandchild or any friend or family like a personalised letter from Father Christmas or Santa. Our Santa letters are made to a high standard using premium stationery which features our own exclusive Santa design; we have 3 types of letters to choose from. Each letter includes free wish dust added by Frosty the Snowman, before being posted with our Post Office – North Pole” postage stamp and on the reverse of the envelope each letter is sealed with Santa’s own monogram red wax seal.www.snowyletterfromsanta.co.uk Order your letter today for just £4.99

“Priory School is delighted to be able to confirm it will move to Whippingham at Easter 2012 to occupy the school there which was founded by Queen Victoria in 1864, to the designs of Prince Albert, who wished to build a school to educate the children of those who worked on the Osborne Estate.

This move will allow Priory School to enhance significantly the education it offers, with the much greater facilities, purpose-built classrooms, playing fields in the grounds, and central accessibility this new site offers.

Priory School’s ethos of addressing the needs of each child with a combination of academic rigour (as shown by its GCSE results this year with 100% of Year 11 gaining 5 or more GCSEs at A*-C) and pastoral care matches that original concern that led to the founding of Whippingham School, where the welfare and education of the pupils is paramount.

Priory School is committed to this ethic of “the good of each child” and looks forward to continuing and contributing to the long heritage of education that has been sustained on this historic site, and of playing its full part in the life of the community in the area.  ”To contact the school please call 01983 86122 or website www.prioryschool.org.uk

The Family Directory has new ways in which to keep up to date with what’s going on The Isle of Wight. As well as our and magazine, we are on Facebook and Twitter. So please do Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @ Familydirectory and you will be updated with local offers and services on and off the Island. If you have any events you would like us to add to our online calender please just email over to polly@thefamilydirectory.co.uk . Take a look at the website for News and events  this week www.thefamilydirectory.co.uk

‘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

SEAVIEW WILDLIFE ENCOUNTER

Junior Wildlife Experience! September -October 2011!

Due to popular demand this exclusive treat has been created for younger V.I.P. guests  –

JUNIOR WILDLIFE EXPERIENCE was successfully launched earlier this year by Seaview Wildlife and will run until the end of October (including half term week!)

Book early to avoid disappointment!

Ages: 6 – 15 years (inclusive)

Duration: Two hours – Mornings from 10.15am – 12.15pm or Afternoons from 2.00pm to 4.00pm.

Availability: Mon – Sat each week excluding Bank Holidays.

A truly wonderful, bespoke, hands-on experience! Guided by a senior member of the Animal Care Team, this is a chance for young animal enthusiasts to get really close-up with Penguins (including the famous Dippy who has his own Facebook Page!), Meerkats, Wallabies, Pigs and Rabbits (other animals/birds can be included depending on individual interests i.e. bugs and reptiles!)

Included at the end of your Junior Wildlife Experience is a delicious slice of home-baked cake and biscuits with a choice of soft drinks, Slush Puppy or tea/coffee.

Cost: £50 per child – maximum 3 children per session (children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult whose admission is free, any additional adults admitted at special voucher rate).

Photos: Images will be taken at no extra charge and the best of these emailed to you as a memento of your Junior Wildlife Experience.

FOR ANY FURTHER INFORMATION please email – info@seaviewwildlife.com.

Kumon Maths and English Free Trial: 1 September – 31 October

Begin your Kumon journey

As the new school year gets underway, what better time to support your child’s learning?

As the UK and Ireland’s leading supplementary education provider, Kumon is committed to helping your child excel in maths and English.  The Kumon method aims to nurture confident, independent learners through programmes that are tailored to the individual student.  By working at their own pace with support and guidance, children gain not only a strong grounding in maths and English, they also develop learning skills such as accuracy, time management, concentration and independence in study. Over time, the seeds of self-confidence are sown and the process of self-learning is established.

Melanie Hersey, mother of Kumon students Alanah, Atalanta and Miranda, says:

“All three of our children have been studying Kumon maths for the last 3-4 years. Kumon has given them a real confidence in numeracy and a very noticeable improvement in their school grades. This has resulted in them feeling positive about maths – one is even planning to study for her maths A level! I rate Kumon as one of the most beneficial extracurricular activities my children have ever undertaken.”

Enrol at the Sandown or Cowes Kumon Study Centre between 1 September and 31 October 2011 to take advantage of the Free Trial and see how Kumon can benefit your child.

For further information and to enrol, call Harry Vernon on 01983 853643 or email cowes@kumoncentre.co.uk or visit www.kumon.co.uk/cowes

West Wight Sports Centre school holiday activities programme starts on July 25th. Throughout the summer swimming is free of charge to Island Resident children.There are also intensive swimming lessons each week - this is an ideal way to give your child a head start in swimming before starting school lessons. We also provide parent and baby and Tots and Toddlers sessions for pre-school children with their parents.Also in the pool will be weekly canoe taster sessions, snorkelling, and raft racing as well as diving lessons giving children the opportunity to learn a basic forward dive right up to a back dive.Street dance sessions for both boys and girls will be every Saturday morning 1100 – 1145.Kick Boxing sessions for juniors and seniors are every Friday evening – ring 07706131596 for detailsMini-movers – an introduction to gymnastics and trampolining for pre-school children and their parents will run throughout the holidays on Wendnesdays 0930-1030.A new school holiday badminton club will be running for three weeks of the holiday for children from age 7 to 16 – more details from Keith Hobbins 07821938109.The junior gym sessions continue every Monday to Friday 4.30- 6.30 – for 14 – 16 year olds. 16′s and over can use the gym at all other times.Our sports hall is available to hire at any time – why not get a group of friends together and hire the whole hall for football or basketball for just £10.50 or just one court for badminton, short tennis or basketball for £4.20.Trampolining taster sessions will run every Wednesday 1100 – 1200. Clare Griffin   Centre Manager   West Wight Sports Centre   Moa Place   Freshwater    Isle of Wight   PO40 9XH  01983 752168 www.westwight.co.uk

Ticketyboo Cupcakes

Got something to say ? Then say it with cupcakes !

Ticketyboo Cupcakes are homebaked and decorated with the finest ingredients. They are all made to order and I always personalise them to ensure you get exactly the cake you want.

With many styles and flavours the combinations are endless -I’m sure you’ll find something to suit that special occasion.

In addition to this we can supply Giant cupcakes with a swirling tower of smaller cupcakes  which make stunning displays for weddings and christenings. A popular design at the moment are Cupcake Bouquets which come in  pots and beautifully wrapped. Kids love our Cakepops and Cupcake Cones – they seem to work really well as take home gifts after parties. On our website ticketyboocupcakes.co.uk you can see pictures of the novelty cakes we design – everything from Spongebob to Boxers and Divers to Hello Kitty.

Our cakes are available in any amount from singles to the hundreds – all beautifully wrapped and delivered free in Newport or £2.50 elsewhere on the Island.

To discuss designs and ideas please contact . Ticketyboo on Facebook, or  website www.ticketyboocupcakes.co.uk Or call 07984280812,