Thursday 30 August 2012

Cheese & Ham Muffins

Last week I picked up a supermarket recipe card for these savoury muffins and it reminded me that when DS was little and just learning to eat, I used to make lots of savoury muffins for him in the hope that he would think he was eating "cakes" while he was actually getting some goodness inside him!  For the most part it worked too. 

Now times have changed and this week I am packing him a lunch box for his swimming club.  Last night I whipped these up and today I am sending DS off with two of these, and they look quite yummy!



Ingredients (makes 6)
125g self-raising flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp paprika
1 egg
150ml buttermilk
25g mature cheddar, grated
25g ham, torn
50g courgette, grated

Method
Sift the flour, baking powder and paprika into a mixing bowl.  Whisk the egg & buttermilk together in another bowl then fold into the flour mixture along with the cheese, ham and courgette.  Mix well and grind in some black pepper.

Divide the mixture into 6 muffin cases and top with a sprinkling of grated cheddar.  Bake at 180 (160 fan) for 30 mins.

These should keep for a good few days in the fridge, and always freeze well so you can make them ahead.

Wednesday 29 August 2012

Breadcrumbs

As I passed the packaged breadcrumbs in the supermarket this morning, I remembered back to the time when I would have bought them when a recipe called for them to be added...until somebody showed me how to make my own.  So just in case any of you are in the same boat, read on and you will never again need to buy them ;)

I always use the crusts from the loaf, mainly because nobody in our house eats them (unless we are really desperate!) but also because you get a good amount of crumbs from them.  Lay the slices out on a baking tray and "cook" them in the oven at 180 for around 20-30 mins.  If you can snap them in half with any trace of softness, they are ready - if not, pop them back in for another 10 mins but watch them closely so they don't burn.


Break the slices up into pieces so they fit into the food processor and give them a blitz.  Voila!  Easy as pie.


Store them in a Tupperware box in the fridge and they will last for weeks at a time.  You can also add Parmesan, herbs or spices to liven them up too.

Sunday 19 August 2012

Gingerbread Biscuits

I baked these for the kid's birthday party yesterday and they went down a treat! 

Ingredients
200g plain flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons ground ginger
100g brown sugar
50g butter
1 small egg
1 tablespoon golden syrup

Method
Sieve the flour, baking powder and ginger into a bowl.  Rub the butter into the mixture until it resembles breadcrumbs and stir in the sugar.  

Mix the egg and syrup in a small bowl and add to the centre of the dry mixture.  Mix well until you have a dough and knead until it becomes smooth.

Roll out the dough on a flour surface (or directly onto baking paper) and cut out your desired shapes.  Bake for 10-12 minutes at 180C until golden and let the biscuits cool on a wire rack before eating.

Saturday 11 August 2012

Slow-cooked Coq au Vin

I love Coq au Vin but have never attempted to make it myself.  Not sure why though as this was so easy!  Note that you can buy bouquet garni "tea-bags" in the supermarket (amongst the herb aisle) so don't worry about using the real deal.  Don't forget of course that you have to open red wine to make this dish & although that did make me a little queasy at 9.15am when I was putting this in the slow cooker, it was a bonus that evening that I already had an open bottle!

Ingredients (serves 2)
2 chicken breasts
50g butter
3 rashers of bacon, chopped
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 onion, chopped
225g button mushrooms, halved
1/3 bottle of red wine
1 tbsp plain flour
300ml chicken stock
1 bouquet garni

Method
Melt the butter in a large frying pan and brown the chicken on both sides.  Add the bacon for the last 2 mins then remove both and set aside.

Add the onions and garlic to the pan and cook for 5 mins until soft.  Stir in the flour and add the red wine, then bring to a boil.

Put the mushrooms in the bottom of the slow cooker then add the chicken & bacon.  Pour over the hot wine mixture.

Add the chicken stock - there should be enough to cover the chicken completely.  Add the bouquet garni and ensure this also is underneath the liquid.

Cook on low for 8-9 hours.  Discard the bouquet garni before serving with rice.

Friday 10 August 2012

More Playdough

I agreed to provide some play dough for a local Charity Fun Day so this week I've been busy making different batches.

Using the play dough recipe I previously featured, I tried some different variations including cinnamon scent and lavender water, and various colours of glitter and food colouring.  Here are the results:






Yellow with green glitter, red with black glitter, pale green scented with cinnamon, and turquoise with multi-coloured glitter and lavender water.

I also discovered that if the dough is too sticky, you can add more flour to get a better result.

I hope the kids at the Fun Day enjoy playing with them!

Summer Veg Pasta with Chicken

Sometimes I get stuck in a rut with our dinners, making the same things every week so I thought I would try something new.  This was lovely, really light and clean tasting with all the fresh vegetables - I will definitely be doing this one again.  Plus the kids loved shelling the broad beans with me!


Ingredients
2 chicken breasts, diced
1 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, chopped or crushed
150g creme fraiche
1 tsp mustard
20g Parmesan, grated
1 tbsp fresh chopped chives
1 tbsp fresh chopped mint
200g broad beans
200g peas
250g asparagus
300g pasta

Method
Bring a pan of water to the boil and cook the broad beans for 3-4 mins.  Drain and remove outer skins.  

Heat some oil in a pan and cook the chicken for 5 mins.  Add the onion & garlic and cook for another 5 mins.  Stir in the creme fraiche, mustard, 3/4 of the cheese, the chives and the mint and cook for 2 mins (or until the chicken is cooked through).  

Cook the pasta according to packet instructions, adding the peas and asparagus for the last 2 mins.  Drain, keeping 200ml of the water.  Add the pasta, peas, beans, asparagus and the water to the chicken mixture and stir thoroughly.

Serve immediately with the remaining Parmesan sprinkled on top.



Tuesday 7 August 2012

Week To View: 8 - 14 August


Wed 8 August

Event: Magnificent Flying Machines
Time: 10.30 – 12.30 / 1.00 – 3.00
Cost: £2 per child
Booking: Not required
Two craft activities on the theme of butterflies and dragonflies.

Event: Mini Beast Safari Day
Location: Birdworld
Time: 10.00 – 6.00
Cost: Included in admission price
Booking: Not required
Join the Birdworld keepers to meet their slithering and crawling critters plus arts and crafts, trails and lots more fun.

Event: Wiggly Wednesdays
Time: 10.00 – 5.00
Cost: Included in admission
Booking: Not required
Hug-a-Bug will be bringing along some Creepy Critters …snakes, geckos and other slimy things for all those brave little monsters!

Event: Family ARTventures
Location: Witley Common
Time: 11.00 – 4.00
Cost: £2.50
Booking: Not required
Pick up and play activities and nature trails.  Bring a picnic and enjoy Witley Common.  Meet outside the Witley Centre on Haslemere Road.

Event: Experiments with Renewable Energy
Location: Shalford Mill
Time: 11.00 – 4.30
Cost: Admission + £1.50
Booking: Not required
Fun with water, wind and bicycle power.

Event: Get Wild on Wednesdays
Location: Polesden Lacey
Time: 11.00 – 4.00
Cost: £4
Booking: Advisable 
With a different theme each week, children will work together to explore anything from minibeasts to den building with our exciting Ranger-led activities. Each session lasts about an hour and can be booked on the day but there is a limited capacity for each session.

Event: Out To Lunch - Crazy M: Fabulously Funny Clowning
Location: Portsmouth City Museum Gardens
Time: 12.00 – 2.00
Cost: FREE
Booking: Just turn up
Bring a picnic & join in the family fun.

Event: Silly Summer Headgear
Time: 1.00 – 2.30 (4-8 yrs) / 3.00 – 4.30 (8-16 yrs)
Cost: £6.50
Booking:  Required
Create your own funky headgear using new and found materials.  Under 8s must be accompanied by an adult.

Event: Teddy Bear’s Picnic
Time: 1.30
Cost: £3 (on top of admission)
Booking: Not needed
Fun filled teddy bears' picnic with storytelling and songs to delight young and old.


Thursday 9 August

Event: Funky Racers!
Location: Farnham Maltings
Time: 10.00 – 12.00
Cost: £9
Booking: Essential
Build your very own funky racing car model.  Let your imagination race away with you.  For ages 6-10.

Event: Activity Thursday
Time: 10.000 – 5.00
Cost: Included in admission
Booking: Not required
A variety of fun things to do for accompanied children - find out about traditional crafts, trades, chores and pastimes.

Event: Junior Club – Shadowy Shapes
Time: 10.30 – 12.00
Cost: £7 (£5 for members)
Booking:  01428-642112  
Learn about the art of the shadow theatre and make your own shadow puppet.  Suitable for ages 5-11.

Event: Ugly Bug Ball
Location: Dapdune Wharf, Guildford
Time: 11.00 – 5.00
Cost: £2 per child
Booking: 01483-561389
Bug hunting, bug sculptures, build a bug home, make wings and antennae, bug music, but above all, come dressed up!

Event: Dance School
Time: 11.00 – 12.00
Cost: £7
Booking: Essential
High energy fun “dance school” for ages 6-9.

Event: Out To Lunch – Stories & Craft
Location: Portsmouth City Museum Gardens
Time: 12.00 – 2.00
Cost: FREE
Booking: Just turn up
Storytelling fun with Michael O’Leary.  Bring a picnic & join in the family fun.

Event: Funky Fairy Wall Hanging
Location: Farnham Maltings
Time: 1.30 – 3.00
Cost: £7.50
Booking: Essential
Come and create a beautiful wall hanging for your room.  There will be lots of sparkly things to choose from.  Dress for mess – for ages 6-10.

Event: Drawing in the Courtyard
Time: 1.30 – 4.00
Cost: £2 (suggested donation)
Booking: Not required
Come and make large-scale drawings inspired by the Centrepiece exhibition.  For ages 4+ with an adult.


Friday 10 August

Event:  Fun Day
Location: Applegarth Farm
Time: 1030 - 1600
Cost: £5 per child
Booking: Just turn up
Fun day in the garden with a trampoline, bouncy castle and face painting - ages 1-9 years.

Event:  Pony Magic
Location: Hatchlands Park
Time: 1100 - 1600
Cost:£2.50 per ride
Booking: Not required
Pony Magic aim to provide a truly magical experience with beautiful, safe ponies and experienced handlers. 3-5 minute ride. Suitable for 2 -11 year old children.

Event: Bubble Fun
Time: 1330 - 1600
Cost: FREE
Booking: Just turn up
Make your own funky bubble wand to use in the Courtyard and take home. 

Event: Summer Holiday Fun!
Location: Winkworth
Time: 2.00 – 3.30
Cost: Admission +£1
Booking: Not required
Be a nature detective and follow a different trail each week.  Be inspired to write poetry, take photographs or create art of your fascinating discoveries and submit them for the Closer to Nature exhibition in October.


Saturday 11 August

Event: Northchapel Working Steam Show
Time: 10.00 – 6.00
Cost: Adult £6 / Child £4
Booking: Not required
This year’s show will feature working steam exhibits including ploughing , threshing, stone crushing and wood sawing. There will also be a fairground and craft marquee.

Event: Family Bushcraft Day
Time: 10.00 – 4.00
Cost: Adults £25 / Under 16 £15 / Under 3’s FREE
Booking: Essential
Learn the secrets of the forest as a family.  From fire lighting to shelter building and a spot of open fire cooking.

Event: Lithics Weekend
Time: 1000 - 1700
Cost: Adult £7 / Child £3
Booking: Just turn up
The annual gathering of flint knappers.  Watch tools being craft from flint, and even have a go!

Event: Crafternoon: Dream Catchers
Time: 2.00 – 4.00
Cost: FREE
Booking: Recommended
An afternoon of crafty fun using the natural materials found at Sayers Croft as well as a few extra bits and pieces provided by us. Parents and children will work together to gather their own materials and make a unique product under guidance from one of our instructors.

Event: Museum in the Park
Location: Churchfield’s Recreation Group, Compton Cresent, Chessington
Time: 2.00 – 4.30
Cost: £1.50 per child
Booking: Not required
Celebrate all things Ancient Greek with boat building, chariot racing and theatrical mask making.


Sunday 12 August

Event: Lithics Weekend
Time: 1000 - 1700
Cost: Adult £7 / Child £3
Booking: Just turn up
The annual gathering of flint knappers.  Watch tools being craft from flint, and even have a go!

Event: Northchapel Working Steam Show
Time: 10.30 – 5.00
Cost: Adult £6 / Child £4
Booking: Not required
See Saturday’s entry.

Event: Teddy Bear’s Picnic
Time: 11.00 – 5.00
Cost: Included in admission
Booking: Not required
During the afternoon there will be Punch & Judy and Magic shows by Prof Ray Sparks.  Free Teddy Bear trail around the collection with a small prize for correctly returned forms.  Also Bouncy Castle and Face Painting (small additional charge).

Event: Crafternoon: Edlerwhistle
Time: 2.00 – 4.00
Cost: FREE
Booking: Recommended
An afternoon of crafty fun using the natural materials found at Sayers Croft as well as a few extra bits and pieces provided by us. Parents and children will work together to gather their own materials and make a unique product under guidance from one of our instructors.


Monday 13 August

Event: Razzle Dazzle Cheerleading Holiday Workshop
Location: Albury Village Hall
Time: 10.00 – 3.00
Cost: £30
Booking: Essential
Participants will be taught a series of dances using cheerleading, street dance and gymnastics and will perform a  show at the end of the day.  Suitable for ages 5-11.


Tuesday 14 August

Event: Flowers
Location: Magical Rooms, Grayshott
Time: 10.00 – 12.00 / 10.00 – 3.30
Cost: £10 / £25
Booking: Required
Summer arts and crafts with a flowers theme.  Suitable for age 5+.

Location: Applegarth Farm 
Time: 11.00 – 1.00
Cost: £12.50
Booking: 01428-609340
Tinkerbell will lead a 2 hour workshop getting creative with arts and crafts.  Lots of dancing and games, and Tinkerbell will sprinkle her magical fairy dust!  If the weather is good, there will be a Pirate Treasure Hunt in the garden.  Suitable for ages 3-6 years. 

Event: Family Film – Snow White & The Huntsman
Location: Farnham Maltings
Time: 11.00, 2.30 & 6.00
Cost: £5.50
Booking: Advisable

Event: Out To Lunch – Games & Toys
Location: Portsmouth City Museum Gardens
Time: 12.00 – 2.00
Cost: FREE
Booking: Just turn up
Play with a variety of old style toys and games.  Bring a picnic & join in the family fun.

Event: Falconry Display
Time: 1.00 – 4.00
Cost: £4 non-members / £2 members
Booking: Not required
The FalconHigh Falconry Display Team will give an interactive flying display at 2pm and 3.30 plus talks and static display, for real close ups at other times.

Event: Junk Sculpture
Location: The Lightbox, Woking
Time: 1.00 – 2.30 (4-8 yrs) / 3.00 – 4.30 (8-16 yrs)
Cost: £6.50
Booking: Required
Use new and recycled materials to create your own unique sculpture.


Spanning The Week & Ongoing

Event: Blooms & Bees
Time: Mon 13 – Sun 19 August
Cost: Included in admission
Booking: Not required
Buzz around the park on the flower trail, meet our own bees and taste their lovely honey!

Sunday 5 August 2012

PYO

On the way home from buying his new school uniform last week <sob>, DS & I stopped at a PYO farm to pick up some goodies.  I've been meaning to take him for some time, seeing as how we didn't get round to planting our own veggies this year - I'm really keen for him to understand that food doesn't all come from the supermarket!

So we pulled in to Sutton Green Garden Centre on Woking Road (between Guildford & Woking) and made our way round to the PYO fields at the back, collecting a basket on the way.

DS loved it - we picked marrows....


...blackberries..



...and a whole host of other things too!

We saw a couple of other families while we were picking but there is more than enough space so you don't bump into each other.  The strawberries were a bit sparse, I'm guessing they are the most popular thing to pick, but we still found some in the middle of the patch.  The blackberries more than made up for it though...they were endless!

There is a new coffee shop on-site with a small toddler house & slide to play with outside, and a farm shop where you can buy anything you didn't manage to pick in the fields.

Here is our stash (marrows, courgettes, carrots, tomatoes, lettuce, strawberries and blackberries) pictured on the kitchen table once we got home!




Definitely worth a stop if you are passing - since our visit on Thursday, we have used the courgettes in a Spaghetti Carbonara, the broad beans in pesto pasta, had the baby carrots alongside a fish pie on Saturday followed by the strawberries for dessert, and made a pear & blackberry crumble today to enjoy the blackberries!  Best of all, the whole lot was well under £10 ;)

Wednesday 1 August 2012

Week To View: 1 - 7 August 2012

OK, here's the first Week To View blog post.  There was so much to include!  I would love some feedback...what is useful, is there anything different you would like included / to see more of, is the format easy to read - anything you have to say, I want to hear it!  Please let me know too if you find something in here that you hadn't heard about and ended up going, and what it was like.


Wed 1 August


Event: Pre School Drama & Music Workshop
Time: 1000 - 1030 (18m - 2.5 yrs) / 1045-1130 (3-5 yrs)
Cost: £3.70 / £5.20
Booking: 01483-443322


Event: Teddy Bear's Picnic
Location: Birdworld
Time: 1000 - 1800
Cost: Included in admission price
Booking: Just turn up
Bring your teddy along for this favourite annual event at Birdworld. There will be fun, games, dancing and loads of prizes to be won!

Event: Wiggly Wednesdays
Time: 1000 - 1700
Cost: Included in admission
Booking: Just turn up
Hug-A-Bug will be bringing along some Creepy Critters …snakes, geckos and other slimey things for all those brave little monsters!

Location: Secretts
Time: 1100 - 1130 / 1430 - 1500
Cost: FREE
Booking: Just turn up 
Location: Polesden Lacey
Time: 1100 - 1600
Cost: £4
Booking: Advisable 
With a different theme each week, children will work together to explore anything from minibeasts to den building with our exciting Ranger-led activities. Each session lasts about an hour and can be booked on the day but there is a limited capacity for each session.

Event: Baking with the Miller's Wife
Location: Shalford Mill
Time: 1100 - 1630
Cost: Admission + £1.50
Booking: Just turn up
Make a tasty gingerbread person to decorate in whatever style you choose.

Event: Wonderful Wednesdays Children's Activites
Time: 1100 - 1600
Cost: Included in admission
Booking: Just turn up
Hands-on activities to occupy accompanied children of all ages! Have a go at all kinds of interesting and unusual countryside skills, traditional crafts, activities and games. Under cover if wet.

Event: Sculpture
Location: The Lightbox, Woking
Time: 1300 - 1430 (4-8 yrs) / 1500 - 1630 (8-16 yrs)
Cost: £6.50
Booking: 01483-737837
Join artist Jo Carter in this figurative sculpture workshop.

Location: Winkworth Arboretum
Time: 1330 - 1430
Cost: Admission + £3 per child
Booking: Just turn up
Fun filled teddy bears' picnic with storytelling & songs.


Thursday 2 August


Event: Activity Thursday
Time: 1000 - 1700
Cost: Included in admission
Booking: Just turn up
A variety of fun things to do for accompanied children - find out about traditional crafts, trades, chores and pastimes.


Event: Monster Mini-Beast Hunt
Time: 1030 - 1230 / 1300 - 1500
Cost: £3 per child
Booking: Essential: 02392-595040
Explore the different habitats within the Park. See what lives in the woodland and the meadow. Suitable for 4 yrs and upwards. 



Event: Ugly Bug Ball
Location: Dapdune Wharf, Guildford
Time: 1100 - 1700
Cost: £2 per child
Booking: 01483-561389Bug hunting, bug sculptures, build a bug home, make wings and antennae, bug music, but above all, come dressed up!


Event: Family Drop-in Event - Shells
Time: 1100 - 1500
Cost: £4 (members £2)
Booking: Just turn upCome and marvel at the Museum's shell handling collection, learn about how shells have been used in the past and then enjoy shell related crafts, including make your own whelk and a place for it to live.




Friday 3 August

Location: Secretts
Time: 1100 - 1600
Cost: FREE
Booking: Just turn up


Event: Bubble Fun
Location: The Lightbox, Woking
Time: 1330 - 1600
Cost: FREE
Booking: Just turn up
Make your own funky bubble wand to use in the Courtyard and take home. 



Event:  Pony Magic
Location: Hatchlands Park
Time: 1100 - 1600
Cost:£2.50 per ride
Booking: Just turn up
Pony Magic aim to provide a truly magical experience with beautiful, safe ponies and experienced handlers. 3-5 minute ride. Suitable for 2 -11 year old children.

Event:  Fun Day
Location: Applegarth Farm, Grayshott
Time: 1030 - 1600
Cost: £5 per child
Booking: Just turn up
Fun day in the garden with a trampoline, bouncy castle and face painting - ages 1-9 years.


Saturday 4 August

Event: Food Weekend
Time: 1000 - 1700
Cost: Adult £7 / Child £3
Booking: Just turn up
Celebrating the abundance of the Earth and the start of the harvest.  Demonstrations of food and cooking throughout the weekend. 


Location: The Lightbox, Woking
Time: 1030 - 1700
Cost: FREE
Booking: Just turn up
Free activities will be taking place throughout the day including a drop-in family workshop, exhibition tours and theatrical storytelling performances of ‘The Unlucky Mummy’ a story about the misfortunes surrounding a Mummy which came from Egypt during the 19th Century.’ Brooklands Museum will also showcase some motorbikes and automobiles from the era.

Sunday 5 August


Location: Cranleigh Showground
Time: 0800 - 1730
Cost: Adult £12 / Under 16's £5 / Family £30 / Under 5's FREE
Booking: Reduced price advance ticket
One day agricultural show with entertainment including motorcycle stunt display team, sheep racing, falconry display, gun dogs, Titan the Robot and much more.


Event: Den Building
Location: Leith Hill
Time: 1000 - 1230
Cost: £5
Booking: Essential: 01372-220644
Build your own survival shelter using material from Leith Hill like a true explorer and enjoy popcorn and marshmallows around the campfire.   For ages 7+ with an adult.


Event: Grayshott Village Show
Location: Applegarth Farm
Time: 1200 onwards
Cost: Adult £10 / Child £5 / Under 5's FREE
Booking: Tickets available at Applegarth Farm or Grayshott Books
Falconry display, medieval battle re-enactment, The Sheep Show, duck herding, pony rides, kids corner with carousel & bouncy castle plus Polo matches. 


Event: Family Fun Day - Butterflies
Time: 1030 - 1530
Cost:£2 per child
Booking: Just turn up
Come and learn about the wildlife in the park and have some fun.  Suitable for all ages. 


Event: It's A Naval Knockout
Time: 1100 - 1630
Cost: FREE
Booking: Just turn up (unless you want to enter!)
Fun for all the family throughout the day, with the chance to channel your competitive spirit and enter a team in the afternoon.  Will your team win the Portsmouth 2012 trophy?  All you need is five willing participants - whether you’re usually a five a side footy team or the greatest pub quiz team ever, there’ll be an event you can excel at!  And of course, there’ll be free candy floss…


Monday 6 August


Event: Caterpillar Crafts Big Bug Hunt
Location: Queen Elizabeth Country Park
Time: 1030 - 1400
Cost:£8 per child
Booking: Essential 
Caterpillar Crafts are working in partnership with the Park to offer fun filled day s for children & young people with disabilities or additional needs and their families.


Event: Punch & Judy Magic Show
Location: Secretts
Time: 1100 - 1600
Cost: FREE
Booking: Just turn up

Tuesday 7 August


Event: Bugs & Butterflies
Location:  Magical Rooms, Grayshott
Time: 1000 - 1200 / 1000 - 1530
Cost: £10 / £25
Booking: Essential
Arts & Crafts to make and take away with a Bug & Butterfly theme. Ages 5 to 11.


Event: Junior Club - Compass Discoveries

Time: 1030 - 1200
Cost: £7 (£5 for members)
Booking:  01428-642112  
See what you can discover on our selection of maps and make your own compass.

Location: Secretts
Time: 1100 - 1600
Cost: FREE
Booking: Just turn up 




Location: Applegarth Farm 
Time: 1100 - 1300
Cost:£12.50
Booking: 01428-609340
Tinkerbell will lead a 2 hour workshop getting creative with arts and crafts.  Lots of dancing and games, and Tinkerbell will sprinkle her magical fairy dust!  If the weather is good, there will be a Pirate Treasure Hunt in the garden.  Suitable for ages 3-6 years. 


Event: Out To Lunch: Circus Skills Dickensian Style
Location: Portsmouth City Museum Gardens
Time: 1200 - 1400
Cost: FREE
Booking: Just turn up
Bring a picnic & join in the family fun.


Event: Climbing Puppets Family Workshop
Location: The Lightbox, Woking
Time: 1330 - 1600
Cost: £2 suggested donation
Booking: Just turn up
Build and decorate your own climbing puppet.  For ages 4+ with an adult.


Event: The Big Build Party
Location: St. Catherines Village Hall, Guildford
Time: 1400 - 1530 (2 sessions)
Cost: £5
Booking: E-mail to book
Come and build with Lego, garden building blocks and other building toys.  Art and Craft too. Suitable for age 4-9.







Spanning The Week or Ongoing


Location:  Staunton Country Park
Time: Wednesday 1st - Sunday 5th (from 1030)
Cost: Included in admission
Booking: Just turn up
Start off the holidays in sizzling style lots of fun things to do even if the sun stays away!


Event: Wickham Music Festival
Location: The Festival Fields, Blind Lane
Time: Thursday 2 - Sunday 5 August
Cost: Various (see website)
Booking: Essential
A relaxed & family-friendly outdoor Music & Arts Festival featuring Jools Holland, KT Tunstall. The Levellers & The Proclaimers.


Event: Children's Trail
Location: Claremont
Time: Saturday 4th - Sunday 12th (1000 - 1630)
Cost: Admission + 50p
Booking: Just turn up

Event: Magic Toadstool Mystery Tour
Location: Secretts Farm Shop
Time:  On daily from 0900 - 1700 between 21 July - 2 September 
Cost: FREE 
Booking: Just turn up


Event: Nature Detective Trail
Location: Pick Your Own @ Secretts
Time: On daily from 0900 - 1700 between 24 July - 2 September
Cost: FREE
Booking: Just turn up