What's On in East Herts 11/7/2014

Make the most of your days by checking out our calendar of events in and around Hertford, Ware and Hoddesdon.

We’re spoilt for choice this coming week, with local events for chidden - and some just for parents - in Ware, Hoddesdon, Hunsdon and Hertford. And check out the upcoming charity events at Haileybury College for Muscle Warriors, the Ware CC pro celebrity match for Help 4 Heroes and the Run 4 Mama event at Wodson Park.

Every week we’ll bring you an update on local events and what to do with the kids in the East Herts area. If you’d like to submit an event or activity for inclusion, email editorial@parentingdaily.co.uk…

Saturday July 12^th 11am-4pm: LoveWare: LiveWare Free Activities Day, King George Playing Fields, Ware

http://www.lovewareliveware.org

Saturday July 12^th, 7.30pm onwards: Chocolate Bingo, Tower School, Ware

http://www.lovewareliveware.org

Saturday July 12^th 2.30: Teddy Bear’s Picnic, Priory Park, Ware

http://www.waretowncouncil.gov.uk/Core/Ware-TC/UserFiles/Files/teddy14.pdf

Saturday July 12^th, noon onwards: Ware Riverside Real Ale Festival

http://www.waretowncouncil.gov.uk/Core/Ware-TC/UserFiles/Files/real%20ale%20keep%20calm.pdf

Saturday July 12^th: Meet Mike The Knight, Paradise Wildlife Park

https://www.pwpark.com/event-post/general_events/mike_the_knight

Saturday July 12^th, 12-2.30pm: Fun Day, Rye Park Nursery School, Hoddesdon

http://www.ryepark.herts.sch.uk

Saturday July 12^th, 1-4pm: Hunsdon Village Fete & Dog Show, Village Playing Field, Hunsdon

http://www.hunsdonvillagehall.org/announcements/villagefete2014

Saturday July 12th: Cotter Irish Dance Classes, Hornsmill Community Centre, Hertford

http:www.thecotterschoolofirishdancing.co.uk

Sunday July 13^th 2pm: Pro Celebrity Cricket Match, Ware CC vs Bunbury, Widford

@WareCricketClub

Sunday July 13^th: Muscle Warriors 10K Race, including 1K Wheelchair Race & 1K Family Toddle, Haileybury College, Hertford

http://www.musclehelp.com/event/haileybury-run-their-lives

Tuesday July 15^th: Toddler Tuesday – Knights & Princesses, Hertford Museum

http://www.hertfordmuseum.org/news.php

Wednesday July 16th: Yoga With Abi, Hornsmill Community Centre, Hertford

Follow @yogawithabi for more details

Wednesday July 16^th, 7-9pm: Yummy Mummies Sewing Course, Creative Sanctuary, Hertford

http://www.thecreativesanctuary.co.uk/collections/all-workshops/products/yummymummiesafterstorytimesewingcoursefourweeksjuly2014

Friday July 25^th: Run 4 MAMA Event – Wodson Park, Ware

http://www.lilyandme.co.uk/blog/2014/07/06/run-4-mama-event-wodson-park-ware-25th-july/

Saturday July 26^th: Ready, Aim, Fire! Hertford Museum

http://www.hertfordmuseum.org/news.php

Teaching Kids To Play Music

‘’Where words fail, music speaks.”― Hans Christian Andersen.

Teaching a child a musical instrument can be one of life’s greatest gifts, not only a useful skill in later life should they wish to enter into teaching (or God forbid, playing in heavy metal bands – see earlier blog). But, as recent surveys show, children who learn a musical instrument tend to have a better attention span and are also better disciplined than children who aren’t quite as fortunate to learn an instrument at an early age.

But what instrument(s) should be considered? Gone are the days when the school musical instrument department consisted of one battered French horn, one just as battered violin and a dozen recorders.

In recent years, developments in Chinese manufacturing have seen an influx of musical instruments that deliver on both price and playability. Plus, a new national campaign scheduled for Autumn of this year by Fresh One (the production company behind Jamie’s School Dinners) will see internationally renowned pianist James Rhodes trying to persuade government officials to increase budgets when it comes to musical education, as well as encouraging members of the public to donate unwanted instruments to schools around the country - ensuring future musical talent from these fair isles.

There is also such a selection of good instruments on offer these days for all ages, you can be sure of finding something of interest. 15 years ago school assembly would have played out to the sound of the recorder; while still popular this has given way to the impressive rise of teaching the ukulele to early classes in recent years.

While clarinet and flute still figure highly on the older children’s musical instrument classes, so too has there been a steady rise of other instruments such as guitar, bass and piano. Again, helped by recent developments in technology, most instruments can now be studied in silence helped by headphone sockets (there are even electric drums for the more adventurous parents).

Most local music shops can offer advice on beginner instruments and also teachers in the area. Gig Gear in Harlow is a firm favourite and offers a fantastic selection of instruments, with knowledgeable staff on hand to help with any questions. PlanetSound in Ware (formerly Playsomething) offers lessons onsite, also with a good selection of instruments to choose from. The Guitar Studio in Hertford has been running now for two years and also offers a good range of stringed instruments and lessons from beginner intermediate and advanced level onsite.

Talking of drums... while most parents would run a mile at the thought of his/her child learning such a monstrously loud instrument, drums are actually one of the most instant of all instruments to learn to play and also one of the most enjoyable – instilling a sense of rhythm that can be developed further with other instruments. Just avoid the neighbours…

Lisa

Sonisphere 2014: Good, clean heavy metal fun for the whole family?

Iron Maiden. Metallica. The Prodigy. Lounge Kittens. Carcass.

Not exactly cornerstones of a fun family weekend away, right? 

Well, actually it turns out maybe they are. You see, I was at Sonisphere this past weekend - a three-day heavy metal festival at Knebworth ("Hellooooooo Hertfordshire!") at which the above bands were among those performing.

Now, I’ve been going to heavy metal gigs since I was 14 years old (I’m now 37), but - and I’m somewhat ashamed to say it - this was the first time I’d actually attended a festival. You know, proper camping and stuff.

My expectation for the Sonisphere crowd was based on all the gigs I’ve been to - a demographic ranging from teenagers up to your seasoned rock vets, reflecting the age and the peak decades of the bands in the line-up.

What I wasn’t expecting was the sheer number of families and pre-pubescent kids (including a fair few buggies) that were also in attendance.

My initial reaction to this was ‘cool’. But two of the three mates I was with - all with kids of their own aged 3-10 years - didn’t agree. In fact, they remained firmly in the ‘I wouldn’t bring my kids here - it’s not right’ camp all weekend.

The third did in fact bring his own 10 year-old, but on a day ticket rather than for the whole weekend and, chatting to both him and his lad, the two of them had a bloody good time.

I also know people who take their kids to Glastonbury every year too - in fact, that seems quite a normal occurrence for that festival.

So who’s right in the case of the Sonisphere ‘yes’ and ‘no’ camps? Having pondered it myself over the weekend while at Knebworth I’m definitely in the ‘yes’ camp.

Having chatted to my more reticent mates, their objection seemed to be based on a) the crowd being too big for small kids, and b) the potential noise damage to their ears.

Certainly there were no worries in terms of the type of people at Sonisphere - us metallers are a good bunch and, while it can get a bit lively in ‘the pit’, you’ll never see much trouble at a gig. At least I certainly haven’t.

And in terms of crowd size, well, young kids go to big football matches of similar crowd sizes all the time and that’s not frowned upon.

As I say, we were camping and the facilities - at least those in the Rock Royalty camping area where we were - were first class. Though I admit the 'arena' toilets were best avoided, regardless of age.

Which leaves us with the noise thing. And it’s a valid point. I should know as I have (not necessarily noise-inflicted) tinnitus, which I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemies. Well, maybe a couple of them.

But there are precautions that you can - and most people did - take, namely specialist ear defenders and ear plugs. You wouldn’t put your child into a car without a seat belt/car seat. Same thing, really - it’s just basic, responsible parenting.

So I’m all for it. And I’d like to think when my boy’s old enough I can take him to Sonisphere as part of his rock appreciation lessons (we’ll start with Led Zep, maybe a bit of Sabbath and go from there).

And hats off to the Sonisphere organisers for assembling some of the heaviest bands on the planet (plus did we mention Lounge Kittens?), but still being able to put on a event that’s accessible for the whole family, particularly in the area our tent was in.

Metal is good for kids. And remember, if you're looking for a family-friendly festival check out Lollibop this August - more info in our article here.

Master of Muppets, anyone?

- Stuart

Blush - Pampering Mums AND Dads in Hertford

Blush Face & Body in Hertford this year celebrates ten years of massaging, manicuring, tanning and generally pampering locals. East Herts Parenting Daily speaks to owner, Arlene Armstrong, about the most popular treatments she offers, why more men are visiting the salon, her tips for getting beach-body ready, and why St Andrew Street is such a hotbed of beauty parlours...

When did you open Blush?
I opened Blush on December 12th 2004, so coming up for ten years soon - can hardly believe it! Prior to this I had about 8/9 years’ experience in the beauty industry, spanning from High Street salons to golf club spa. This allowed me to become experienced using various product ranges which ultimately helped me to use the existing ranges and treatments which we provide at Blush.

What are the most popular treatments you offer at Blush?
Treatments vary greatly throughout the year. For example, in autumn and winter clients like to be especially pampered as they suffer more from coughs, colds, sickness, etc and are generally more stressed due to the lack of sunshine and vitamin D production - so they crave a nourishing facial or soothing hot stone body massage.

Then moving into spring/summer and more of our bodies on display so waxing, tanning and nail treatments are top of the list. Also clients’ social calendars are much busier with BBQs, weddings, races, etc. 

What are your top tips for local mums who want to get 'beach-ready' for summer?
The most effective way to get that beach-ready body is definitely to firstly exfoliate - if not daily, then three times a week. This is great for eliminating cellulite, raising the melanin to the surface of the skin (which helps more effective tanning) and also, prior to waxing and self tanning, improves the results of these salon treatments.

Secondly is hair removal - most successfully done by waxing (this is more successful if done regularly).

For those of you who don't like to sunbathe, a spray tan from St tropez or a Decleor Sunrise treatment is a must! With these treatments you can lay on the beach bronzed and beautiful without any effort at all! Perfect for those quick little weekends to Marbella!!! 

What are your top anti-ageing tips?
Anti-ageing these days is such a massive area, if not the biggest, these days. Clients as young as 21 are concerned with fine lines and that look of perfection.

We do offer aesthetic injectable treatments at the salon, all carried out by a qualified nurse. For a more natural treatment our range of Decleor and Crystal Clear facials enable clients to have superb results and, by having regular treatments, can maintain a younger healthier skin.

Salon treatments like these - combined with a healthy diet, sleep (yes, that's why it's called beauty sleep!), and of course lots of water -are key to the appearance of our skin in the ageing process.

Do you offer treatments for men too? What are popular?
In recent years we have seen a vast increase in the number of male clients. Men of all ages are now appreciating the benefits of skincare - the importance of it and from a well-being point also. Like women, in the recent recession the extra stresses in the workplace have made men realise they too need to invest their quality time in a facial or back massage.
Also for the younger generation of men they are increasingly aware of their appearance, so eyebrow shaping and back/ chest waxing are very popular. Men also now realise that their skin needs as much, if not more, TLC than their wives/girlfriends, so facials and skincare are on the increase also in this sector. 

And finally, why are there so many beauty salons in Hertford - in particular, in St Andrew Street?
St Andrew Street is probably the prettiest street in Hertford, so is it any wonder there are so many of us?! 

Personally, I think it's great as there is a good car park, some lovely shops and restaurants on the street and it is one of the quaintest streets left in Hertford which I think clients love.
All the salons offer different types of product and treatments and, like restaurants, clients will go to the salons which supply the specific product or treatment they are seeking.

Find out more about Blush Face & Body by clicking here.

What's On in East Herts 4/7/2014

Make the most of your days by checking out our calendar of events in and around Hertford, Ware and Hoddesdon.

Every week we’ll bring you an update on local events and what to do with the kids in the East Herts area. If you’d like to submit an event or activity for inclusion, email editorial@parentingdaily.co.uk…

The big one this weekend is the Ware Carnival and Fair which kicks off Ware Festival month. The Carnival parade kicks off at 1.20pm, followed by the fair at Priory Park. But prior to that, head to the river where you’ll see over 70 decorated boats gathering for the Lea & Stort branch of the IWA River Festival. The theme of the carnival is Cartoons & Superheroes. Kapow!

Friday July 4^th, 2.15pm: Toddler Tales, Ware Library

http://www.hertsdirect.org/libraries

Friday July 4^th: Hertford Independents’ Day Late Night Shopping

http://www.hertford.gov.uk/events/retail-independents-day-late-night-shopping-7/

Saturday July 5th: Cotter Irish Dance Classes, Hornsmill Community Centre, Hertford

http://www.thecotterschoolofirishdancing.co.uk

Saturday July 5^th: Stay and Play Saturday, Hertford Museum

http://www.hertfordmuseum.org/news.php

Saturday July 5^th, 4-10pm: Sawbridgeworth Summer Prom & Firework Extravaganza, Leventhorpe

www.sawbridgeworth-tc.gov.uk

Saturday July 5^th: Ware Carnival, from 1.20pm

http://www.waretowncouncil.gov.uk/Core/Ware-TC/Pages/Ware_Festival_4.aspx

Tuesday July 8^th 7pm: Simon Balle Grand Summer Concert, Broxbourne Civic Hall

www.simonballe.herts.sch.uk

Wednesday July 9th: Yoga With Abi, Hornsmill Community Centre, Hertford

Follow @yogawithabi for more details

Wednesday July 9^th, 7-9pm: Yummy Mummies Sewing Course, Creative Sanctuary, Hertford

http://www.thecreativesanctuary.co.uk/collections/all-workshops/products/yummymummiesafterstorytimesewingcoursefourweeksjuly2014

 Thursday July 10^th: Nit and Natter, Hertford Museum

http://www.hertfordmuseum.org/news.php

Saturday July 12^th 2.30: Teddy Bear’s Picnic, Priory Park, Ware

http://www.waretowncouncil.gov.uk/Core/Ware-TC/UserFiles/Files/teddy14.pdf

Saturday July 12^th, noon onwards: Ware Riverside Real Ale Festival

http://www.waretowncouncil.gov.uk/Core/Ware-TC/UserFiles/Files/real%20ale%20keep%20calm.pdf

Saturday July 12^th: Meet Mike The Knight, Paradise Wildlife Park

https://www.pwpark.com/event-post/general_events/mike_the_knight

Saturday July 12^th, 12-2.30pm: Fun Day, Rye Park Nursery School, Hoddesdon

http://www.ryepark.herts.sch.uk

Saturday July 12^th, 1-4pm: Hunsdon Village Fete & Dog Show, Village Playing Field, Hunsdon

http://www.hunsdonvillagehall.org/announcements/villagefete2014

Parenting Daily World Cup Diary - Day Four: Anyone for rugby?

So after all that, Luis Suarez apologised.

Except it was an apology so contrived and full of cynicism that it wasn't worth the paper his lawyers wrote it on.

And without wishing to labour the point, it should serve as a cautionary tale to impressionable youngsters: If you go around biting people and generally being a bit despicable, you will get your comeuppance in the form of a £50m transfer to Barcelona FC and £250k a week in wages.

Oh.

So, the World Cup. I'll be honest, we're on the second of two 'rest' days and I've kind of lost interest.

I've no particular allegiance to the teams that are left, based on the fact that I can easily find reasons to dislike most of each nation's star players.

Mrs East Herts Dad is grateful for the respite though, given her intense hatred for both football and footballers. I'm starting to think she's got a point, so I've been wondering what other sports we could get the nipper involved with in a couple of year's time.

Let's start with the obvious options. Rugby could end up being his thing (if, indeed, he's into sports at all). One half of the family is Irish and likes its rugby - his mum likes Brian O'Driscoll really rather a lot. Maybe a little too much.

And then you've got cricket. I quite like cricket. Nice pace, requires a bit of brainpower. Like rugby, there's lots of good local clubs around.

Golf. I like golf too. I've even got clubs. Can't actually play for toffee though. Still, the idea of afternoons over the range or on the fairway with the boy are quite appealing.

Then you're into your track & field, tennis, swimming, martial arts, motorsport, squash, boxing, a car/kart etc.

Each has it's own pros & cons - and I supposed the biggest consideration for parents of sporting age kids is the cost. Club memberships aren't cheap and then for some of the above you need a lot of specialist equipment - clubs, pads, bats, helmets.

The thing with football that makes it so universal is that it's a simple game - all you need is a ball. Maybe a couple of jumpers for goalposts.

Which is why the Ruggerbugs demo caught my eye at the recent Teddy Bears' Picnic in Hertford.

It's for pre-school kids and isn't so much about playing rugby as using it as an excuse for a bit of social interaction and development of hand-eye coordination. What was particularly noticeable was how much both boys and girls enjoyed it.

It's something that comes up time and time again in relation to the development of football skills in this country, specifically that we put too much emphasis on competition/winning at a young age, when what we should be doing is focussing on technical ability. And having some fun.

We're sure Ruggerbugs isn't alone in it's more developmental approach to sports coaching. So if you run a kids club for football, rugby or any other sport in East Herts please get in touch as we'd love to hear from you - over the next weeks and months we'll be compiling a list of the best clubs and publishing it on our website.

Until then, let's see how the World Cup Quarter Finals pan out over the weekend.

Our money's on France to win the whole thing. Well, it would have been if we'd been bothered to go down the bookies three weeks ago when the odds of such a thing were A LOT longer.

Stuart

A Great Day Out - Simples!

Before Child, I’d not visited a garden centre since, as a whining 12 year-old, I was dragged around Poplars Nurseries by my parents. Bedding plants and border shrubs totes aren’t my thing. I may be slightly more enamoured by soft furnishings and scented candles now that I’m A Grown Up, but my horticultural skills are still limited to liberally spraying the patio with weedkiller and reminding the husband that he needs to mow the lawn every other weekend in the summer.

But one of my favourite places to visit with Charlie nowadays is the Van Hage garden centre in Amwell.

Let’s start with the kids’ stuff first. There’s a mini children’s zoo. I’m not sure if it qualifies as a zoo (I don’t actually know how you qualify a zoo, full stop), but it’s certainly got a good selection of animals for kids to peer/poke at: chickens, monkeys, rabbits, ducks, geese, turkeys, pigs, meerkats, rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens, goats, giant tortoises, peacocks, rabbits, and more chickens. Charlie loves it, although he tends to run around pointing out the animals to other people (we do visit often; did I mention it’s free?).

There’s a miniature train to ride on, too. Again, we’ve been on it countless times, although it’s not stopped being fun just yet (even for me).

And in the run-up to Christmas, the place becomes even more magical. The incredible Christmas displays and decorations aside (one day I hope to be able to afford more than the odd bauble), there’s a real ice rink and a Santa’s Grotto. (I should note that I haven’t visited the grotto with Charlie so far. There’s a booking system and I’m not that organised).

During the summer the centre also plays host to a circus, which takes place this year from August 23rd to 31st. Find out more here.

But the place also has loads to offer adults – even those of us who don’t like plants.

There’s a whole shop devoted to candles, for a start. I could genuinely spend a fortune in there on the Banana Cream Cake Yankee Candles jars.

The Food Hall has an amazing selection of treats and jars of stuff that look pretty, but are unlikely to be used (in my kitchen, at least).

There’s a book section, a clothing store (selling Barbour and Hotter shoes, amongst other brands), home and giftware, and a toy section, which mostly features sturdy traditional toys.

I could spend hours there without ever looking at a shrub. And the café is good and reasonably priced, too.

Even if, like me, you’d rather patio over the garden, you should visit Van Hague. Just leave your purse at home if you can't resist (pricey) scented candles.