Family Life - Nottinghamshire County Council

Transcription

2015
Family Life
Welcome to your
Family Life
Packed with features, listings,
and tips for the whole family.
How adoption can make a difference
Tips to keep your children safe online
12 page ‘What’s On’ pull out
Celebrate the name of your new child
nottinghamshire.gov.uk
0300 500 80 80
FREE childcare
places for two year olds*
nottscc.gov.uk/childcare
0300 500 80 80
*Worth up to £2,900 a year (check website for details)
Family Life
Family Life
3
03
Welcome to Family Life
Contents
I’m delighted to introduce the second edition of Family Life. We had a great
response to the first edition and based on what you said you wanted to see,
we’ve improved this latest copy.
Your County News
4
Summer fun in libraries
6
As the summer holidays approach, the What’s On pull-out section in the centre
of the magazine provides some great ideas for a family day out with many of
the events free of charge. Our headline event is the ever popular Robin Hood
Festival in the heart of Sherwood Forest, which this year celebrates its 31st year
with a week full of medieval fun.
Adoption creates happy families
8
The stars of the magazine are Nottinghamshire people with real-life stories
that are both inspiring and entertaining. The feature on adoptive carers (pages
8-9) shows what a difference these amazing and selfless individuals make to
the lives of vulnerable children; and at the same time reduce huge costs to the
Council that would otherwise be needed to look after these children in care.
The young people featured in this edition demonstrate we have a positive future
in Nottinghamshire with such resourceful, hardworking and talented individuals.
The County Council is committed to helping young people and the volunteering
and apprenticeships schemes illustrated in Family Life are just a few examples
of how we’re doing this.
At Nottinghamshire County Council we’re currently busy building our new
website which we will launch this autumn. The new website will have a
responsive design so you can view it on your mobile phone, tablet or personal
computer; it will also be much easier to search and use. Whilst the digital world
brings many opportunities there are also risks and the tips on page 29 will help
to keep your children safe when online.
I hope you enjoy reading this copy of Family Life and welcome your feedback,
so we can continue improving and developing the magazine with what you’d
like to see. Let us know what you think by completing our reader survey at
nottinghamshire.gov.uk/familylife and be in with a chance of winning cricket
tickets for Trent Bridge.
I hope you and your family have a great summer, that we have some good
weather, and that you find Family Life interesting and useful.
Apprentice’s success story
10
Summer What’s On guide
11
Applying for a school place
23
Archaeology volunteers tale
24
Naming ceremony for
25
baby Gracie
Young dancer inspires others
26
Pupils get recycling
28
Online safety tips
29
Broadband helps family life
30
Win cricket tickets
31
It costs 25p per copy to produce, print and
distribute 88,300 Family Life magazines to key
locations around the county.
The magazine provides useful information about
Council services which affect you and your family,
including helpful advice and guidance. There’s
also a What’s On supplement featuring almost
100 events and activities.
Family Life is printed on paper which is sourced
from well-managed and sustainable resources
conforming to the Forest Stewardship Council’s
standards.
If you would like to receive Family Life in a
different format, please call 0300 500 80 80.
Alan Rhodes
Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council
If you are interested in advertising in Family
Life magazine please take a look at the media
pack on our website for full details or for other
opportunities to promote your business. Visit
nottinghamshire.gov.uk/advertise
All information is correct at the time of print,
June 2015.
Front cover photo: The photo on the front cover
was taken at Rufford Abbey Country Park.
Family Life
04
Your County News
Top marks for school meals
School meals across Nottinghamshire
are considered better value than
Starbucks, KFC and Greggs!
This was one of the findings from
a recent schools catering survey.
More than 900 pupils and 190 head
teachers were asked what they
thought about Nottinghamshire school
dinners, including their rating for the
quality of food (which scored 88%)
and their menu choices (91.5%).
The positive survey results follow the
presentation of the Soil Association’s
Food for Life Catering Mark ‘Gold
Standard’, with Nottinghamshire
being one of only a handful of
local authorities to have earned the
accolade.
The Gold Standard recognises the
progress made to buy organic and
serve fresh food rather than frozen
meals. Produce selection has been
key to this success with the extensive
use of seasonal vegetables and fruit,
and searches across the region to use
the very best quality local produce to
make exciting meals.
Following the introduction of free
school meals for infant-aged
children last September, the number
has risen to, on average 47,000
Nottinghamshire pupils enjoying a
school lunch provided by the County
Council’s school catering service
each day. You can visit our website to
see what’s on the current menu.
i:
For more information visit
nottinghamshire.gov.uk/
schooldinners or call
0300 500 80 80.
Newly extended archives welcomes families
In May, Nottinghamshire County
Council’s Archives re-opened to the
public with an Open Day that had
something for everyone. From local
history buffs keen to see the building’s
new look to families designing their
own coats of arms.
The new building can accommodate
thousands of additional historic
documents, adding to the four million
already cared for, and includes
specialist storage for photographs
and digital media.
There is also an additional new
meeting room and multi-purpose
learning space and an improved
computer suite for accessing digital
heritage and free public wi-fi. The
building’s graphics tell the stories of
Nottinghamshire’s past, using layers
of photographs, documents and
images to show how archives can be
used to build as complete a picture of
the county’s heritage as possible.
Nottinghamshire Archives have
launched their latest events
programme with something of interest
for everyone, from family history
activities to fascinating talks and a
Magna Carta/Civil War themed Open
facebook.com/nottinghamshire
Day. Find out more about forthcoming
events and how you can play your
part in building up the history of
Nottinghamshire on our website.
i:
Find out more at
archives
@NottsCC
Find out first... emailme
Family Life
Family Life
5
Helping families get healthy
In Nottinghamshire it is estimated that nearly 166,000 adults aged
16 and over and more than 20,000 children (aged 2-15) are obese.
In response to this Nottinghamshire County Council is working with
public health specialist, Everyone Health, to help families across
the county to get fitter and healthier.
ChangePoint is the new county-wide obesity prevention and weight
management service, which launched in April this year to support
Nottinghamshire adults, children and families to make informed
decisions regarding their weight and ultimately, to lead healthier
lifestyles.
Community-based services will offer personalised care packages
for people who are overweight, obese or at high risk of obesity,
including advice on healthy eating, physical activity and lifestyle
changes.
Family weight management sessions will take place in school
holidays and health coaches will support and ‘buddy’ families to
help them to keep up with the changes they make in their lives.
Families and individuals are being referred to ChangePoint by
health practitioners, so if you feel you could benefit from the
service, talk to your GP, health visitor or midwife.
i:
Find out more about healthy living and tips on some easy
changes you can make, visit nhs.uk/change4life
New support services online directory
A new online information and advice directory has been launched
to help people find support from a wide range of services across
Nottinghamshire. From discovering local activities and groups
that you can get involved with, to accessing information on how to
arrange care for someone that you know nottshelpyourself is the
one-stop place for the latest information.
05
Free childcare places –
are you missing out?
Since September 2013, parents of over
2,250 Nottinghamshire children have taken
advantage of up to 15 hours a week of free
childcare for two year olds.
The scheme was extended in September
2014 to enable even more children to have
free places. As of spring term 2015, 64% of
eligible children have taken places through
the scheme and the number is increasing all
the time.
The free childcare gives parents more time
for leisure, work and other responsibilities.
The scheme provides up to £2,900 worth of
childcare. This works out at 570 hours of early
education and play, which has been shown
to help support children’s development and
social skills to make new friends.
If you are on a low income, certain
government benefits, your child is ‘Looked
After’, receives Disability Living Allowance, or
has an Education Health Care plan, you could
be eligible. Places are available for up to 15
hours per week for 38 weeks per year (term
time only).
Places are available with Nottinghamshire
childcare providers rated good or outstanding
by Ofsted.
You can use the directory to find out more about health, social care
and your community. Search the directory by location, post code or
type of support that you are interested in, for example:
• see what help is available to help you improve your health
and wellbeing
• look up information about housing, carers’ support and transport
• search for local groups, activities and support services.
i:
Find out more at
nottshelpyourself.org.uk
i:
Find out if you are eligible, or
apply at nottinghamshire.gov.uk/
childcare or call 0300 500 80 80.
Family Life
06
Books and volunteering,
the perfect mix for Karl
18 year old Karl Southern is a well-known face at Newark
Library, where he has been a regular visitor ever since his
family moved to the area five years ago.
Karl has always been a fan of the
Summer Reading Challenge, taking
part every year until he was 11 (the
oldest that children can participate)
and then volunteering since he
became eligible at age 14. “Reading
is a very big part of my life” says
Karl enthusiastically “and I would like
to think that my volunteering helps
encourage more children to read, so
it can become as big a part of their
lives as it is mine.”
Karl helps out for three to four hours
a week over the six week holiday,
including signing children up to the
Challenge and handing out rewards.
His favourite bit though is when
children come back in to tell him about
the books they’ve read. “Mostly they
talk about what they’ve been reading
and what they’ve enjoyed, then I can
advise on what they can read next.”
Karl
Karl continues “It’s great meeting the
same children each year and seeing
how they’ve developed and matured
normally the youngest volunteer, but
over the years, it really goes to show
now more and more young people are
how the Challenge does help.”
helping” says Karl.
Every spring the Council recruits
volunteers for the Challenge,
especially young people, as anyone
aged 14+ can apply, “I was really
pleased to find that last year lots of
other teenagers helped out, I was
Karl is taking his A levels this year and
hopes to go to Durham University to
study computer science, in his spare
time he also volunteers at Oxfam
and writes computer programs.
His passion for reading has clearly
helped with his education but most
importantly has provided a hobby that
will go on giving pleasure for
a lifetime. “I find it really
disappointing that very
few people carry on
reading once they’ve
left school, that’s one
of the reasons I think
it’s so important to get
children into reading.”
i:
Karl helping young readers
“I think it’s
so important
to get children
into reading.”
For information on volunteering
at your local library visit
volunteering or call
0300 500 80 80.
07
© Dave Warren Picture Team 2015 for The Reading Agency and with thanks to Southwark
Libraries, Canada Water Library and the children from Alfred Salter Primary School
Family Life
The Summer
Pop up theatres visit
Reading Challenge Nottinghamshire libraries
returns
A brand new play especially for families
Children can sign up for the free
Challenge at their local library from
11 July. They will collect a poster and
choose their first two books, then
collect rewards as they finish and
return books up until 6 September.
Everyone completing the Challenge
will get a certificate and medal.
There will be special visitors to some
Nottinghamshire libraries, lifesize
images of actual record breakers,
so children can see how they would
measure up against the world’s
biggest horse or tallest man!
i:
Find out more at
summerreadingchallenge
or visit your local library.
has been written by Stewart Melton,
based on the brilliant children’s book
‘A Boy and a Bear in a Boat’
by Dave Shelton.
The story follows the adventures
of the boy and bear on their epic
voyage out to sea. The play has
been commissioned by The Spark
Arts for Children, in association with
Nottinghamshire County Council
and will tour 16 libraries across
the county this summer. To find out
more about the play and where your
nearest performance will be, visit:
nottinghamshire.gov.uk/boybearboat
Over the coming year there will also be
a range of theatre companies bringing
exciting plays for families to enjoy and
family theatre-making workshops for you
to get creative, in libraries across the
county. The project is supported using
public lottery funding by the National
Lottery through Arts Council England.
Illustration copyright © Dave Shelton, 2012
The Summer Reading Challenge,
organised by the Reading Agency,
encourages children aged 4-11 to
read up to six library books of their
choice over the summer holidays.
This year’s theme, in association
with Guinness World Records™, is
Record Breakers.
i:
To find out where your
nearest library pop
up theatre will be, visit
popuptheatre or call
01623 664943.
Family Life
08
Caroline and Christopher
One big happy family
When Ashfield couple Caroline and Christopher first started fostering, they
never dreamt that 17 years later they would have become a family of eight
and be helping others to start their fostering and adoption journeys.
The couple already had three birth
children when they fostered six month
old twins Alex and Eryn. A year later
the twins came up for adoption.
Caroline explains, “One of the
children had special needs and we
really wanted them to be able to stay
together”.
With the backing of their birth children
and support from Nottinghamshire
County Council, Christopher and
Caroline decided to apply to adopt
them and have never looked back.
The couple have since adopted Lucy,
who they fostered for several years
since she was only six weeks old.
Now Caroline and Christopher are
helping the Council to encourage
more people to foster or adopt
children across Nottinghamshire and
have featured in a video telling their
story.
Caroline explains that they were
both keen to help the Council with
the videos. “We think a lot of people
know about adoption, but don’t really
understand it. They think all children
needing homes are going to have lots
of problems, but that’s not the case.
It’s not their fault that they need a new
family and every child deserves to be
loved.”
Caroline and Christopher’s story is
just one of the inspiring and moving
videos on the Council’s website. All
stories (previewed on the opposite
page) help to explain what’s really
“Every child
deserves to
be loved.”
Caroline
Family Life
09
Online videos
telling real stories
We think a
lot of people know
about adoption,
but don’t really
understand it. They
think all children
needing homes are
going to have lots of
problems, but that’s
not the case.
Adopting a child can make a real difference to both your life and theirs.
The videos highlighted below, and available on the Council’s website,
reveal real-life-stories from adoptive parents and a social worker. The
videos illustrate what’s involved in adopting a child, how it can be so
rewarding and the support provided at every stage.
The Council is looking for loving homes, particularly for older children,
sibling groups and children with special needs. The videos are a great
introduction for anyone who may be interested in becoming a parent
through adoption.
Ben
Ben wanted to use his
experience as a professional
carer to look after children with
complex needs. He has adopted
Jack and siblings Ruby and Lily.
involved in adopting a child to give
them a loving home and better future.
Mandy
and Louise
The best advice that Caroline can
give for anyone thinking about
fostering or adoption is to, “Really
look into it and don’t be afraid to ask
questions, even if you think they may
be silly, ask anyway and you will get
lots of help and support from the
Council along the way.”
The couple had always wanted
children. In May 2013 their
dreams were realised when
Mandy and Louise adopted
Alice and her brother Max.
Nottinghamshire County Council is
currently looking for more people to
foster or adopt sibling groups and
older children.
i:
Sheila
Sheila is a social worker and her
video gives an insight into her
work, the support she provides
and the children that are in most
need of adoption.
Find out more online, visit
fosteringandadoption or
call 0845 301 2288.
i:
Watch the videos at
nottinghamshire.gov.uk/adoption
Family Life
10
Say YES to an
apprenticeship!
“I really enjoy
the variety
of the work.”
Keia
16 year old Keia Watson has fitted well into the team at
Grannies tearooms in Cotgrave and it’s all thanks to her hard
work and the apprenticeship scheme which provided her first break.
‘Grannies’ is just one of the 87
Nottinghamshire businesses who
have taken on an apprentice with the
support of the Youth Employment
Scheme (YES) funding from
Nottinghamshire County Council.
The YES scheme offers a grant of up
to £1,500 to small firms taking on an
apprentice for the first time, helping
to give young people aged 16-19 the
opportunity to train in a real job and
Louise
and Keia
Karl helping
young readers
gain a real qualification, laying the
foundations for a successful future.
Louise Beaumont, a director at
‘Grannies’, explains “Keia is very
capable and is now learning some
culinary skills. When we’re busy it’s
great to have Keia working alongside
us delivering the high standards of
service our customers expect.”
Keia is enjoying her role and is hoping
to stay with ‘Grannies’ once her
apprenticeship is completed: “I really
enjoy the variety of the work and I’m
very pleased to have landed such a
great role with such a positive team.”
i:
Find out more about becoming
an apprentice and read more
Nottinghamshire apprentice’s
stories at nottinghamshire.
gov.uk/apprenticeships or call
Nottinghamshire Futures, who
are administering the YES grant
scheme on 0845 850 88 99.
What’s
On
in Nottinghamshire
Summer 2015
Don’t miss
• Medieval fun at the
Robin Hood Festival
• Record breaking Summer
Reading Challenge
• Nottinghamshire Sports
Heritage 2015
nottinghamshire.gov.uk/whatson
Pull-out
and keep.
FREE and
great value
things to do!
Family Life
12
Family Fun
What’s on?
Arts & Heritage
Great Outdoors
Getting Active
Events and activities in Nottinghamshire
between 1 July – 30 September 2015
Drama Night
Wednesday 1 July
7.30pm
BBC Beat Gig
Thursday 2 July
7.30pm
The Old Library, Mansfield
£3/£2 concessions
Part of TOLFest, an arts festival
for young people. Find out more
at nottinghamshire.gov.uk/
countyyoutharts
Conservation Days
Thursday 2, 16 and 30 July
Thursday 13 and 27 August
Thursday 10 and 24 September
10am – 3pm
Bestwood Country Park
FREE
Meet at the classroom near
Alexandra Lodge to join in with
various tasks across the park.
Bring a packed lunch and stout
footwear and dress for the weather.
Tools and gloves are provided.
Booking required, call
0115 975 3782 or email:
sue.mcdonald@
nottscc.gov.uk
All outdoor events are
weather dependent.
Please contact the venue
before visiting if in doubt.
Southwell Library
Poetry Festival
Friday 3 – Sunday 5 July
Southwell Library
With poetry performances
from readings to music (including
LiTTle MACHiNe), and
workshops on subjects ranging
from Dr Seuss to Shakespeare.
Find out more at
southwellpoetryfestival
or call 01636 812148. (W)
Track in a Day
Rock School
Saturday 4 July
10am - 5pm
Singer Songwriter
Academy
Tuesday 7 and 14 July
5 – 9pm
The Old Library, Mansfield
FREE
Work with a professional producer/
musician to create, record
and produce a track, or bring
a composed track to record,
produce and polish. (Note: need
to attend both days at songwriter
academy.) Part of the SONAR
Music Industry Week, find out
more at nottinghamshire.gov.uk/
countyyoutharts
(W) Suitable for individuals
who use a wheelchair
Summerlight
Sunday 5 July
12noon to 4pm
Southwell Workhouse
FREE
A summer’s day concert
featuring performances from
Notts Performing Arts County
Performers and guests.
Bat Walk
Saturday 11 July and
Saturday 22 August
9.30 – 10.30pm
Sherwood Forest
Country Park
£5
Join a ranger on this 1.5 mile
evening walk to learn more about
the bats of Sherwood Forest.
Please bring a low powered
torch and insect repellent is
recommended. Places are limited,
call 01623 823202 to book.
Please note a parking
charge applies at Rufford
and Sherwood Country
Parks at certain times. Visit
countryparks for more details.
@NottsCC
Family Life
13
LiTTLe MACHiNe
Summer Reading
Challenge Launch
with Dave Shelton
Saturday 11 July
11am – 12noon
Worksop Library
(01909 53 53 53)
Saturday 11 July
2 – 3pm
Mansfield Central
Library
(01623 651337)
FREE
Meet the author and illustrator
of the award winning A Boy and
a Bear in a Boat, Dave Shelton.
Look out for special brand new
theatre performances of A Boy and
a Bear in a Boat visiting libraries
this summer (see page 7 and
visit nottinghamshire.gov.uk/
boybearboat). Booking advised.
(W)
Bestwood Health Walks
Summer Reading
Challenge Launch
with Andy Newbound
Saturday 11 July
2pm – 3pm
West Bridgford Library
£3 per child
(accompanying adults free)
Word wizard, author Andy
Newbound, leads a fun packed
session of puzzles and quizzes
exploring some of the weirdest,
wackiest and even record breaking
words. Suitable for ages 7 – 11.
Booking essential, call
0115 981 6506.
(W)
Lego Links
Saturday 18 July
Saturday 15 August
Saturday 19 September
10am – 12noon
Newark Library
FREE
Come and play for free at Newark
Library and see what you can
construct in
two hours at
the Lego Links
Club, for ages
5 - 18. (W)
Exploring the Calendar
Wednesday 22 July
2.30 – 3.30pm
Nottinghamshire Archives
£4
Wednesday Health Walks
Wednesday 15 July
Wednesday 16 September
10.30am - 12noon
Bestwood Country Park
FREE
Illustration copyright © Dave Shelton, 2012
Exploring the Calendar
Meet at the Winding Engine House
car park for a gentle but invigorating
walk. Improve your fitness and
make new friends in lovely
countryside surroundings.
No need to book, just turn up.
The different ways our ancestors
counted days, months and years
are crucial for understanding how
documents are dated. Examine
different techniques and get exploring
original documents to see how
dates have been written in the past.
0115 958 1634 or email
archives@nottscc.gov.uk
(W)
For even more events
visit nottinghamshire.
gov.uk/whatson
Don’t forget to look out for fun family activities every school holiday, visit nottinghamshire.gov.uk/whatson for details.
Family Life
14
Regatta Lake
Big Swim Nottingham
Saturday 25 July
All day
National Water Sports Centre
Outlaw Triathlon
Sunday 26 July
All day
FREE for spectators
FREE for spectators
See competitors take to the
Regatta Lake for an open water
swim. Everyone from novices to
experienced open water swimmers
and Olympic athletes can take part
and choose to swim a distance of
1,500m, 2,500m or 5,000m.
www.nwscnotts.com
(W)
The renowned one day endurance
challenge returns, competitors take
on a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike
ride and 26.2 mile run.
Contact: www.nwscnotts.com
(W)
Butterfly Hunt
Saturday 25 July
10.30am – 12.30pm
Sherwood Forest Country Park
£3 adults, £1.50 children,
(£3 parking)
Join one of our Rangers on a
butterfly stroll to see how many
species we can find. Then make a
butterfly feeder to take home and
hang in your garden. Call
01623 823202 to book a place.
In The Footsteps of
Robin Hood
Sunday 26 July
From 11am
(Storywalk 2.45 – 3.45pm)
Worksop Summer Safety Roadshow
Doncaster Wheatsheaf
Singers
Sunday 26 July
2 – 4pm
Rufford Abbey Country Park
FREE (£3 parking)
The ladies from the Doncaster
Wheatsheaf Singers will be
performing in the Coach House
Courtyard at Rufford Abbey. (W)
Summer Safety
Roadshows
Monday 27 July
Mansfield Central Library
(mansfield.library
@nottscc.gov.uk)
Adults £3, children £1.50
(£3 parking)
Thursday 6 August
Worksop Library
(worksop.library@nottscc.gov.uk)
Between 2.45pm and 3.45pm
join Robert of Wentbridge on a
gentle wander through the forest
as he tells tales of Sherwood’s
most famous outlaw. For additional
information call the Visitor
Information Centre: 01623 823202.
Thursday 20 August
(westbridgford.library@
nottscc.gov.uk)
12noon – 3pm
FREE
Join local firefighters, East Midlands
Ambulance Service, Notts Road
Safety, Ambulance Heritage
Society, Notts Police and St John
Ambulance for fun and education in
the library with hands-on activities
for all and visits from emergency
vehicles. (W)
@NottsCC
Family Life
15
Reading Old
Handwriting
(Early English)
Wednesday 29 July
2.30 – 4pm
£4
This workshop will get you exploring
the handwriting used in different
documents from the 16th and 17th
centuries, with tips on how to read
scripts from a wide selection of
records. Booking essential, call
0115 958 1634 or email
(W)
Yoga in the Park
Sunday 2 August,
Sunday 6 September
10 – 11am
£6 (£3 parking)
Experience yoga in the great
outdoors with yogadawn. Mixed
ability class. Please bring a yoga
mat or exercise mat and layers of
clothing. Meet outside the Savile
Restaurant at 9.45am. To book
your place call 07941 206952 or
email yoga.dawn@virgin.net
Monday 3 – Sunday 9 August
Walk with the Hawks
Wednesdays: 29 July,
12 August, 19 August,
26 August
2.30 - 4pm
Adults £5, children £2.50
(£3 parking)
Take a walk on the wild side
with falconer Chris Miller and
his birds. A chance to get up
close and personal with these
beautiful creatures and learn some
fascinating facts. Pre-booking
essential, call 01623 823202.
Sorry no dogs. Maximum distance
1.5 miles.
FREE
entry
Mill Adventure Base
Summer Holiday Club
3 - 21 August
(weekdays only)
8.30am – 5.30pm
The Mill Adventure Base,
Sutton-in-Ashfield
£25 per day
Enjoy at least three adventurous
activities each day with supervision
throughout from qualified and
experienced staff. For ages 8 - 12.
Bring your own refreshments and
lunch. Advanced booking is required,
email outdoor.environmental@
nottscc.gov.uk, call 01623 556110
or visit nottinghamshire.gov.uk/
themill
£5 car parking
charge applies
each day
Discover a host of medieval
merriment including archery,
jousting and jesting in a
fun-filled week for all the family!
Find out what’s happening
every day at
robinhoodfestival
or call 0300 500 80 80
Reading Old Handwriting
(Latin)
Wednesday 5 August
2.30 – 4pm
£4
This workshop will explore
documents written in Latin, giving
you essential advice and help in
reading different handwriting styles
used in earlier documents and
interpreting Latin. Booking essential,
call 0115 958 1634 or email
(W)
Family Life
16
Creative Writing
Workshops:
Write You By The Lions
Saturday 8 August
9.30am – 12.30pm
£8
Using documents held at
Nottinghamshire Archives, this
workshop by Nottinghamshire
Writers’ Studio will use the history
of Market Square and the city
centre to inspire writing about the
people and buildings who have
shared the space over the ages.
0115 958 1634 or email
(W)
Midland Kite Flyers
Saturday 8 –
Sunday 9 August
10am – 4pm
Rufford Abbey
Country Park
FREE (Kite making £2)
(£3 parking)
Come and see these expert kite
fliers and pick up some tips.
A kite workshop will be open each
day where you can make your
own kite for £2. Flying displays
will vary depending on wind
and weather.
(W)
Flintknapping at
Skylarks
Tuesday 11 August
9.30am – 4pm
Skylarks Experimental
Archaeology Centre,
West Bridgford
FREE
Join expert Karl Lee for a day
in prehistory, learning about flint
tools and their uses. You will
see demonstrations and have
the opportunity to make tools of
your own. Spaces on this popular
workshop are very limited so
book early. Not suitable for young
children. Contact the Community
Archaeology team 0115 993 2590
or email community.archaeology@
nottscc.gov.uk
Creative Writing
Workshops: Writing The
Lifeless Body
Wednesday 12 August
1.30 – 4.30pm
£8
This workshop by Nottinghamshire
Writers’ Studio uses documents
held at Nottinghamshire Archives
to inspire stories about sudden
death in the nineteenth century and
generate ideas for writing stories.
0115 958 1634 or email
(W)
Rhubarb Theatre
present The Bookworms
Wednesday 12 August
10 – 11am
(Performance and workshop)
11.30am – 12noon
(Performance only)
Newark Library
FREE
Join The Bookworms at Newark
Library as they worm their
way into twisty and fantastic
adventures through imaginative
worlds. Suitable for ages 5+.
Interactive workshop follows 10am
performance. Booking advised, call
01636 703966 (W)
Archaeology Walk
at Rufford
Wednesday 12 August
11am - 12.30pm
FREE (£3 parking)
Join the Community Archaeologists
for an illustrated, guided walk
around Rufford Country Park.
There will also be artefacts from
recent excavations on show.
Please note some of the areas
in the Abbey are unsuitable for
wheelchair users and pushchairs.
For even more events
visit nottinghamshire.
gov.uk/whatson
@NottsCC
Family Life
17
Medieval Forest Life
Fire Lighting Workshop
Thursday 13 August
11am – 1pm & 2 – 4pm
£2 (£3 parking)
Under the guidance of the
Nottinghamshire Community
Archaeology Team, learn how
our ancestors made fire without
the use of matches, and how it
transformed our lives, then have
a go at making fire for yourself.
01623 823202.
Medieval Forest Life
Weekend
Saturday 15 and
Sunday 16 August
11am – 4pm
FREE (£3 parking)
Step back in time as the Savile
household recreate a medieval
forest encampment featuring a
range of crafts people, combat
and archery displays, as well
as cooking and wood turning
demonstrations, all against the
backdrop of the mighty Major Oak.
(W)
weather dependent.
Tobias Ringwood
Dyes and Textiles
Workshop
Saturday 15 August
Time 10am – 3pm
Archaeology Centre,
West Bridgford
FREE
A day of investigating ancient
textiles and dyes. A mixture of
teaching sessions and practical
activities will introduce you to
how textiles were made and
dyed without the use of modern
machinery. Spaces are limited so
book early. Unsuitable for young
children. Call 0115 993 2590 or
email community.archaeology@
nottscc.gov.uk
Summer Reading
Challenge:
Wildest Creatures
Monday 17 August
10am – 12noon
Bingham Library (01949 837905)
Tuesday 18 August
10am – 12noon
Beeston Library (0115 925 5168)
2 – 4pm
Hucknall Library (0115 963 2035)
FREE
Join artist Gordon MacLellan from
Creeping Toad to invent your own
record-breaking animal. Make your
animal and help create a Big Book
of Beasties. Please allow at least
30 minutes to finish your creation.
Suitable for ages 5 – 11.
Tobias Ringwood – WW1
Recruiting Sergeant
Sunday 16 August
11am – 3pm
FREE (£3 parking)
Take a step back in time to 1915.
Sergeant Tobias Ringwood of
The Notts and Derby Regiment is
waiting to convince you to enlist.
See the latest weapons in use
by our forces and also enemy
equipment. (W)
For even more events or further details, visit nottinghamshire.gov.uk/whatson
Make a creature
Family Life
18
Mansfield Town FC Summer Football
Firelighting Technology
at Skylarks
Tuesday 18 August
10am - 12noon &
2pm - 4pm
Archaeology Centre,
West Bridgford
FREE
Learn how our ancestors made
fire without the use of matches,
and how it transformed our
lives. Have a go at making fire
for yourself. There will also be
a demonstration of how
prehistoric pots would be fired.
Booking is essential. Call
0115 993 2590 or email
community.archaeology@
nottscc.gov.uk
Family Archaeology Day
Thursday 20 August
11am - 4pm
Archaeology Centre,
West Bridgford
FREE
A wide variety of family-based
drop-in activities will take place
throughout the day, such as
making a prehistoric pendant
and reconstructing artefacts.
Call 0115 993 2590 or email
community.archaeology@
nottscc.gov.uk
Mansfield Town FC
Summer Football
Spectacular
Friday 21 August
11am – 3pm
FREE
Test your footy skills in our inflatable
football pitch and don’t miss the
chance to take a shot at the radar
goal. Have a go at our keepy-uppy
challenge and see if you can be a
record breaker! Call 01623 651337,
mansfield.library@nottscc.gov.uk
(W)
Club Relay Triathlon
Saturday 22 –
Sunday 23 August
All day
The National Water Sports Centre
FREE for spectators
Club Relays revolve around teams
of four using a tagging format
where everyone swims, everyone
bikes and everyone runs - with a
500m swim, a 15km bike and a 5km
run. www.nwscnotts.com
(W)
Nottinghamshire
Beekeepers’ Association
Sunday 23 August
10am – 4.30pm
FREE (£3 parking)
Meet the members of the
Nottinghamshire Beekeepers’
Association as they give an insight
into the science of beekeeping.
See the live honey bees in the
observation hive, candle rolling
demonstrations and even the
chance to sample and buy local
honey. (W)
Falconry Demonstration
Day – Hawks Of Steele
Sunday 23 August
10am – 4pm, flying display
at 12noon & 3pm
FREE (£3 parking)
Meet the resident falconers from
Hawks of Steele. Listen as they
explain why and how the birds of
prey are trained and
how they can
entice them to
perform the most
amazing aerial
displays. (W)
(Note flying displays
are weather
dependent.)
@NottsCC
Family Life
19
Canoeing Sprint Regatta
Prehistoric Pottery Workshop
Prehistoric Pottery
Workshop
Wednesday 26 August
11am – 1pm or 2 – 4pm
£2 (£3 parking)
The Community Archaeologists will
teach you about pots in prehistory,
and then you can have a go
at making your own to ancient
designs. Booking essential,
call 01623 823202. (W)
Drumming For All
Wednesday 26 August
11am – 3pm
FREE (£3 parking)
Join Neil McCarthy from ‘Let’s Get
Drumming’ and enjoy this free hand
drumming session for children
and families. You don’t need any
experience to join in and a good
time is guaranteed. (W)
Get the latest events with our
what’s on emails. Register at
nottingamshire.gov.uk/
emailme
Jazz Live in the Libraries
– Nottingham Jazz
Orchestra
Thursday 27 August
7.30pm
£10 / £8 concessions
We’re excited to welcome
professional musicians from the
Nottingham Jazz Orchestra for a
special summer jazz gig. This band
is on fire, demonstrating what is
possible when the best music is
played by the best musicians. Not
to be missed! Booking essential,
call 0115 981 6506. (W)
Living History Camp –
The Falchions
Saturday 29 –
Monday 31 August
11am – 4pm
FREE (£3 parking)
Come along to the living history
camp down by the Major Oak
and meet the Falchions as they
depict life in the 14th Century. Get
up close to weavers’ fletchers,
armourers and woodworkers. (W)
emailme
For even more events or further details, visit nottinghamshire.gov.uk/whatson
Steel Pantastic
Sunday 30 August
2 – 4pm
FREE (£3 parking)
Bring your own folding chair, get
comfortable, close your eyes and
listen to the talented members of The
University of the Third Age, Worksop
based ‘Steel Pantastic’. This steel
pan band will take you on a tour of
the sunny Caribbean! (W)
British Canoeing Sprint
Regatta
Saturday 5 –
Sunday 6 September
All day
The National Water Sports Centre
FREE for spectators
Watch races on the 2km Regatta
Lake. Sprint racing is one of only
two canoeing events included in the
Olympic Games and races take place
over 200, 500 and 1,000 metres.
www.nwscnotts.com
(W)
weather dependent.
Family Life
20
Woodland Festival
Brass Band Sunday –
Hucknall and Linby
Brass Band
Sunday 6 September
2 – 4pm
FREE (£3 parking)
There is no finer way to spend a
Sunday afternoon than to relax
and listen to a traditional brass
band. Please bring a chair (some
chairs will be provided) relax,
make yourself comfortable and
listen to Hucknall and Lindby
Brass Band.
(W)
Three Shires Clog
Dancers
10.30am – 12.15pm
(approx.)
FREE (£3 parking)
Come along and be entertained
by six clog dancing groups as they
perform around the Abbey. (W)
Terry Pratchett:
a celebration
12noon – 4pm
FREE
As the final Discworld novel by Terry
Pratchett hits bookshops, join us to
celebrate the life and works of one
of the best-loved and best-selling
authors of the last thirty years.
With authors JG Parker, a writing
workshop and themed activities.
Major Oak
Woodland Festival
Saturday 12 –
Sunday 13 September
JDRF Charity
Photoshoot Day
Sunday 13 September
11am – 4pm
Participation requires a donation
to JDRF charity
(£3 parking)
Amateur and professional
photographers will be permitted to
photograph approximately 10 - 12
models at various locations within
the country park. All monies raised
will go to the Juvenile Diabetes
Research Foundation (JDRF).
For details and to book your place
please call 07752 755527 or
email rob.ferrol@sky.com
FREE (£3 parking)
Meet the Wild Man of the
Woods, and enjoy heritage
crafts, traditional toys, hurdle
making, outdoor learning,
charcoal making, bee keepers,
conservation organisations,
traditional tool and chainsaw
demonstrations and much more!
Photo - Dave Mangan
Rufford Abbey
@NottsCC
Family Life
21
FREE music, dance,
sport and art activities
for 10 – 19 year olds
Jake McMahon
Jazz Steps Live in the
Libraries present:
Jake McMahon Quartet
Tuesday 15 September
Worksop Library
01909 53 53 53
Wednesday 16 September
Southwell Library
01636 812148
Thursday 17 September
West Bridgford Library 0115 981
6506
All performances start at 7.30pm
£10/£8 concessions
This exciting quartet features
saxophone, clarinet, piano, bass
and drums. Jake has toured Europe,
America and Australia giving
this quartet a melodious mix of
mainstream and modern jazz with
a hint of vocals. Booking essential.
(W)
Nocturnal Nature
7 – 9pm
£5
Join our ranger team on a two mile
walk to try to find and see those
elusive creatures of the dark.
Please bring a low powered torch.
Sorry no dogs allowed. This event
is not suitable for young children.
01623 823202.
Image credit: Red Zebra Photography
On The Home Front,
1939 – 45
Saturday 26 –
Sunday 27 September
11am – 4.30pm
FREE (£5 parking)
Experience the sights, sounds,
emotions, glamour and humour
of wartime Britain with period
vehicles, living history shows, troop
manoeuvres displays, weapon
firings, an air raid scenario, puppet
show, Home Guard drill, Baby Boot
Camp, live music shows, swing
dancing, a 1940s market and a
flypast of wartime aircraft.
Nottinghamshire Sports
Heritage 2015
Saturday 26 September –
Sunday 4 October
For full details visit
nottinghamshire.gov.uk/4uth
Tuesday 28 –
Thursday 30 July
3 – 7pm
Various locations in
Newark and Sherwood
FREE
Saturday 11 July
12noon – 7pm
The Canche Park, Worksop
FREE
Saturday 1 August
2 – 9.30pm
myplace@Westfield
Folkhouse Young People’s
Centre,
Mansfield
FREE
Cost dependent on event
We are supporting the National
Campaign for Sports Heritage and
holding a week-long celebration of
our county’s sporting past through
a series of events and activities
at various venues throughout
Nottinghamshire. Find out more
at nottinghamshire.gov.uk/
sportsheritage
Picture opposite:
Nottingham City Ladies football team.
www.picturethepast.org.uk
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YOU CHOOSE?
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Country Parks
are officially
excellent!
There’s now another
reason to visit two of
Nottinghamshire’s most
popular visitor destinations.
Rufford Abbey Co
untry Park
TripAdvisor have recently
awarded the 2015 Certificate
of Excellence to both
Sherwood Forest
Country Park
Rufford Abbey Country
Park and Sherwood Forest
Country Park. The award
is for consistently receiving
great reviews from
TripAdvisor travellers.
For more information about the
parks visit nottinghamshire.gov.uk/
countryparks
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Family Life
23
Admissions to schools
If you live in Nottinghamshire it will soon be time to
apply for your child’s school place for September 2016.
The easiest way to apply is online at nottinghamshire.gov.uk/schooladmissions.
Online applications will be acknowledged straight away and then on the offer date
(shown in table below) you will receive a decision by email. Alternatively you can
apply by phone on 0300 500 80 80.
Your application will need to include your top four preferred schools. Visit the
website to search for schools near your home. All applications must be received
by the closing dates shown below.
Admission
Apply online from
Primary to secondary transfer - year 7
10 August 2015
31 October 2015
1 March 2016
Admission to studio school,
university technology colleges - year 10
10 August 2015
31 October 2015
1 March 2016
First admission to school - reception
2 November 2015
15 January 2016
18 April 2016
Infant to junior transfer - year 3
2 November 2015
15 January 2016
18 April 2016
facebook.com/robinhoodfestival
Closing date
@NottsCC #robinhood
Offer date
FREE entry
£5 parking
Family Life
24
Digging into the past
Last summer, during a week-long archaeological dig, student
Gabrielle Hames got more than she bargained for as the team
unearthed remains of a medieval church and even some monk’s teeth.
The 21 year old from Hucknall, who
volunteers with Nottinghamshire
County Council’s community
archaeology team, attended the
Council’s week long archaeology
field school at Rufford Abbey Country
Park. “Each day started with a talk
or demonstration in the morning,
where we were taught how to use
certain tools or identify bits of pottery,”
explains Gabrielle. “Then in the
afternoons we got busy digging in the
trenches.”
Archaeology volunteering is not just for
people studying or with a background
in archaeology. Gabrielle says “It’s
really interesting and anyone can do
it, you don’t need any experience. A
lot of people came up to me at the
dig last summer and said they wished
they’d had a go before, but thought it
was too late now, but it’s not at all.”
If you fancy trying your hand at
archaeology or going to one of the
events, then find out more about the
Council’s community archaeology
“It was a successful dig, we uncovered team by visiting the website.
the remains of a medieval church,”
Gabrielle continues, “and the week
after I was there, teeth believed to
Contact the community
have belonged to a medieval monk
archaeology team on
were found.”
0115 993 2590 or visit
As well as hands on digging,
archaeology
Gabrielle’s time spent with the
Family Archaeology Day
Thursday 20 August
11am - 4pm
Archaeology Centre,
West Bridgford
(FREE)
Join community archaeologists
for activities throughout the day,
including making a prehistoric
pendant and reconstructing
artefacts.
i:
archaeologists has included
volunteering at family events across
the county. “I helped children to make
finger puppet monks at a medieval
event at Rufford Abbey and showed
visitors some of the interesting
artefacts the team had taken along.”
You can keep up to date
with their current projects
on facebook.com/
communityarchaeology
“I also helped children with viking
themed craft activities at Worksop
Library, while Emily from the
archaeology team, told some viking
fables.”
Gabrielle Hames
Family Life
25
What a great-great
name for Gracie
What are the chances of having two
great-great grandmothers called
Ellen? Well that’s exactly what
happened for newborn Gracie.
In recognition of this amazing
coincidence, and to celebrate her
family heritage, parents Hollie West
and Eddy Slack chose Ellen as her
middle name.
The Mansfield couple join the Duke
and Duchess of Cambridge in
acknowledging their ancestors in this
special way. Back in May Kate and
William gave Princess Charlotte the
middle name Elizabeth, after her great
grandmother, the Queen.
To confirm and celebrate Gracie’s new
name, the couple decided to have one
of Nottinghamshire County Council’s
naming ceremonies after reading
about it in a leaflet which they picked
up at their local registration office.
The Council’s personalised naming
ceremonies are a great alternative to
christenings and can be very modern
or traditional events. Mum Hollie said
“I didn’t want a christening, because
we are not religious. I wanted it to be
about us and our daughter and we
really wanted everybody to celebrate”.
The ceremonies are also a unique
opportunity for everyone to feel
involved, with friends and relatives
able to promise their love and
support to the child and their parents.
Hollie West and Eddy Slack with
their daughter Gracie
Explaining why they chose to have
their special ceremony in the Oakdale
Suite at Mansfield Registration Office,
Hollie said: “We liked the large room
because it’s simple but classy and
the grounds outside are really nice for
photographs after the ceremony.”
Gracie’s ceremony was really special
for all the family, five life mentors
gave speeches, poems were read
and Hollie and Eddy gave flowers to
Gracie’s grandparents and aunties in
recognition of the roles they will play
in Gracie’s life.
i:
Find out more about
planning your perfect
naming ceremony,
visit celebratein
nottinghamshire.co.uk
or call 0300 500 80 80.
When sending out the invites Hollie
realised a lot of people hadn’t heard
of a naming ceremony before, but
she has since recommended them to
others. Hollie says “For us it was just
perfect. The registrar made it very
special, I really enjoyed the day and
we got a lovely certificate.”
The
ceremonies
are a unique
opportunity for
everyone to
feel involved.
Family Life
26
Kyle makes moves to
aid his future and others
Kyle Sterland was 14 years old when he saw a flyer asking for young people to
become dancers. “I was looking for something to do” explains Kyle, “I’d never
even heard of breakdance, I just went along to try something new”.
Five years later and not only has
the Mansfield teenager become
an outstanding dancer, he now
choreographs several street dance
groups at the Council’s County
Youth Arts base, The Old Library in
Mansfield, where he volunteers.
“I’d always had trouble meeting new
people”, says Kyle, “but I soon built
up confidence and made friends.”
Kyle describes MX4, a street dance
crew he works with, as “one big
family”. Kyle says, “When you dance
with people regularly, you get close.”
Kyle found dancing was a great way
“to just get away from things,” and
recommends others go along to see
the County Youth Arts team. “They
give young people a chance to try
something new” says Kyle. “It’s not
just dance, there’s music, art, drama,
singing, there’s all sorts you can do. If
you want to make a go of something,
County Youth Arts will help you any
way they can.”
“When you
dance with
people regularly,
you get close.”
Kyle
For the last two years Kyle had
been a dancer for Xzibit, a young
choreographers’ dance programme.
This year he was chosen to
choreograph for the programme,
accessing master classes with some
of Britain’s top choreographers
and his piece was performed at
Nottingham Contemporary.
The Council are now supporting
Kyle with his ambitions to help other
Nottinghamshire youngsters to get
into dancing. “They’ve helped me
become a volunteer, giving me new
ideas, sorting out my checks so I can
work with young people, giving me
sessions to work at and supporting
me to teach.”
Kyle with other members of MX4
performing in illuminated suits
Family Life
27
It’s not just
dance, there’s music,
art, drama, singing
all sorts you can do.
If you want to make
a go of something,
County Youth Arts
will help you any
way they can.
Kyle takes centre stage
Now aged 19, Kyle has found that his
interest in dance, and the volunteering
time he spends with County Youth
Arts, has other uses. “I always put
it on my CV, if you show you’re
spending time doing something just
for the experience, it shows you’re
willing to get involved and work hard”
suggests Kyle.
Over the last five years, Sam HolgateDavey, co-ordinator at County Youth
Arts has also observed these positive
changes. “I have seen Kyle grow in
confidence from a quiet teenager
to someone who is now capable
of teaching and supporting other
dancers, and he has developed so
much as a dancer through sheer hard
work, dedication and from grabbing
the opportunities as they have arisen”
explains Sam.
County Youth Arts offer a range of
opportunities for young people aged
13 to 19 to get involved in creative
activities.
i:
To find out about County
Youth Arts workshops
and performances visit
nottinghamshire.gov.uk/cya
or call 01623 644377.
Family Life
28
Worms wage war
on waste
Worms are the new best friends for pupils at a Church Warsop
school. Coming in all shapes and sizes, the worms are being
used to compost the school’s waste food, which in turn will
be used to grow flowers and tasty vegetables.
Nottinghamshire County Council’s
Schools Waste Action Club (SWAC)
has been working with Church Vale
Primary and Foundation Unit in
Church Warsop to make school pupils
and staff more aware of their waste
and supporting them in how best to
manage it.
SWAC Education Officer, Lydia Powles
visited the school as part of their
science and maths week, to show
children the magic of composting:
“I started by showing them pictures
of food rotting. All the children were
saying ‘eurgh’, but when I told them
about the work done by lots of little
creatures to turn it into compost,
they were really interested,” Lydia
explained, “especially as I’d taken my
pet worms in to show them!”
Teacher Jo Law recalls, “The children
have remembered a lot from the visit
and really loved digging and finding
out about the worms. I even learnt
some new things”.
Jo explained how the school will be
benefitting from this new knowledge.
“Now we know how to make the best
compost, we will be using it in our
raised beds and growing vegetables
and flowers. Then in autumn the
children will be harvesting the
vegetables they have grown and get
to eat them”.
work together to reduce, reuse and
recycle more of their waste.
Nottinghamshire County Council
provides SWAC sessions free of
charge to Nottinghamshire primary,
secondary and special schools. If
you think your children’s school could
do with a visit from Lydia and her
pet worms, then ask their school to
contact the SWAC team.
i:
To find out about SWAC visit
nottinghamhire.gov.uk/swac
or call 0300 500 80 80.
It’s hoped the children will become
composting champions and pass on
what they’ve learned back home, so
families in Church Warsop can
Four year old Cali-Rae succinctly
described the composting process
after one of the sessions. “You have
to put the fruit in the compost bin so
worms can eat all the leftover food
and then it makes compost! We then
use it to feed plants!” Whilst four
year old Kayden described what he
enjoyed the most, “I liked getting the
little worms and the long worms”.
Digging for worms with
teacher Jo Law
Family Life
29
Keeping young
children safe online
Children love using technology
and are learning to navigate
websites, online games and
consoles and touch screen
technology like iPads and
smartphones from a younger
and younger age.
Latest Ofcom research has
shown that 91% of 5-15 year
olds live in a household with
internet access and over a third
of all 3-4 year olds are now
accessing the internet in their
homes.
These four frequently asked
questions provide useful
information and tips that you
can put in to place at home, to
help keep your children safe
online.
1
Where do I start?
The best way to keep your family safe online, and to understand your
children’s internet use, is to use the internet together. Active engagement
and conversations with your children are key. Be positive and embrace
the technologies that young children enjoy and look for family activities or
games.
2
Should I set any rules?
In the same way that you set rules for most areas of your children’s lives,
establish your expectations regarding online activities. Creating a family
agreement is a useful step, which might include time spent online and sites
that can be visited.
3 Are there tools to help?
There are free parental controls and filters available to help you set safer
boundaries for your children, but you will usually be required to set them
up. Your internet service provider will provide free filters to help block age
inappropriate content for children, and on the UK Safer Internet
Centre website (www.saferinternet.org.uk) you can watch video
tutorials that show you how to find and set these up.
4
What advice can I give my child?
Education is the best tool that a child can have, so discuss with your child the
importance of telling an adult immediately if someone, or something, upsets
them online. Make sure that your children know that they can come and talk
to you (without necessarily getting into trouble), and encourage them to
feel confident enough to do so.
© Childnet International
i:
This information is taken from www.childnet.com
which includes even more information on how to keep
your child safe online. Other useful sites include:
www.thinkuknow.co.uk and www.nspcc.org.uk
Family Life
30
The Skype’s
no longer the limit!
Simon and Samantha Gray and their two boys Charlie (3) and Maxi (2), live in one
of the 50,000 properties which now have access to faster, fibre broadband thanks
to the Better Broadband for Nottinghamshire (BBfN) programme.
Watching our favourite TV programme
online, keeping in touch with loved
ones on Skype and sharing photos
and videos with friends on YouTube
and Facebook have become a way of
life for millions of families across the
world.
to close the digital divide between
different parts of the county, with
more coverage planned between
now and 2018.
Simon, a businessman from the
Rushcliffe village of Bunny said,
“I have no fixed office base and
But a lack of good quality broadband work from home when I can, but
my business was being severely
in parts of Nottinghamshire means
that some of the things we do instantly hampered by the poor broadband
speeds at my property.
online, are still painfully slow or even
impossible for others.
“It caused problems for us as a family
too. We’d sit down together to watch a
The £27m BBfN programme is a
partnership between the County
Council and BT, which is helping
The Gray family enjoying faster broadband
movie on Netflix or Amazon and it
would take an hour before we could
start to watch it – almost as long as
the movie itself!”
Simon added “As soon as I found out
that fibre broadband was available
to me, following a presentation
about BBfN at a Nottingham Means
Business event, I got straight on to it
and it’s made the world of difference”
“Since switching, for just an extra £2
to £3 per month we’re now getting
download speeds of around 30Mbps,
as opposed to the 3Mbps we had
before.
Family Life
31
Simon continued “I can now work
from home whenever I need to, safe
in the knowledge that my internet
connection is more than adequate
for my needs. We can manage our
finances using internet banking,
get the most out of social media
for business and pleasure and
use applications like Skype and
GoToMeeting to communicate with
friends and clients.
“What’s more, I have two very happy
children who can now download
their favourite Fireman Sam episodes
in minutes rather than hours!
“It was only by chance that I
discovered that Bunny had access
to fibre broadband, thanks to BBfN,
so no matter where you live in
Nottinghamshire, I would urge you
to check and see if you can benefit it’s made a massive difference to my
businesses and my family.”
i:
To find out if your home is
eligible for better broadband
visit nottinghamshire.gov.uk/
postcode-checker. If available,
then contact your internet
provider to arrange set up.
No matter where
you live in Nottinghamshire,
I would urge you to check
and see if you can benefit
- it’s made a massive
difference to my businesses
and my family.
Reader Survey - your chance to win cricket tickets!
We want to make sure future editions of Family Life include what’s
important to you and your family. To help us with this please visit
nottinghamshire.gov.uk/familylife where you will find a link to our
online survey. By completing the survey and adding your contact
details you can also be in with a chance of winning four tickets to
Notts Outlaws v Kent Spitfires in the Royal London One Day
Cup match on 17 August 2015 (Closing date: 31 July 2015).
If you don’t have access to the internet you can complete the survey
by calling 0300 500 80 80
ur
er o to
t
n
E
aw
e dr
priz
N
I
W
ws
utla ts
O
ts
Not h ticke
c
mat
Family Life
32
LIFE’S AN
ADVENTURE
Family Fun
this Summer!
From our Family Fun Park
to the NEW Wakeboard
and Water Park, we have
everything you need for
the perfect day out:
25% OFF
WAKEBOARDING AND
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Subject to availability. Valid until 30th September 2015
at Holme Pierrepont Country Park. Redeem this
voucher at the Wakeboard and Water Park Reception.
Terms & Conditions apply.
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Family Life 2015
• Sky Trail High Ropes
• Segways
• Mini Golf
• ECombat Laser Tag
• Wakeboarding
• Canoeing & Kayaking
• Country Park and
Water Park Cafés
Visit www.nwscnotts.com to find out more.
Holme Pierrepont Country Park
Adbolton Lane, Holme Pierrepont, Nottingham NG12 2LU
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A PART OF

Family Life - Nottinghamshire County Council

Transcription

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