What's Good To Do Hampshire - Issue 2 - September to November 2014

FREE

Covering the areas of Hampshire and surrounding counties

SEPT - NOV 14

IN THIS ISSUE:Hampshire attractions reviewed

Spooky Halloween event diary

Fireworks events in the South

Get set for Winter

Theatre Land

PLUS:Win tickets to the PSP Southampton Boat Show

Win Mary Berry’s new MaryBerry Cooks The Perfect Cook Book

…And much more!

Autumn issue

Mottisfont by Simon Newman : Courtesy of National Trust images

Hampshire

www.whatsgoodtodo.com [email protected] Tel: 01264 889592

Welcome to Autumn and the September/November

edition of What’s Good To Do Hampshire. Despite the

ever colder days and the shorter nights, we hope you will

enjoy all of the great seasonal events that this glorious

technicoloured month has to offer. #WGTDHampshire is a

FREE Glossy A5 magazine published as a result of the

success of whatsgoodtodo.com which offers

product/venue reviews and competitions as well as a

nationwide searchable online directory where users can

search for things to do in their local area.

Best wishes

Kerri Chard

Editor - What’s Good To Do Hampshire

What’s Good To Do Hampshire is produced to provide a

forum for local businesses to promote themselves to

residents and visitors of Hampshire.

To discuss advertising opportunities or to submityour venue for review, please contact on:Email: [email protected]

Tel: 01264 889592

What’s where...Page 2 –

Page 4 – Hollycombe Steam Museum Review

Page 6 – Winchester Science CentreReview

Page 8 – Cholderton Charlie’s FarmReview

Page 10 – Dates for your diary

Page 10 – WIN: Southampton Boat Show Tickets Competition

Page 12 – Halloween Events Diary

Page 14 – Halloween Product Roundup

Page 15 – Fireworks Advice by Peter Burks

Page 16 – Fireworks Events Diary

Page 18 – Mary Berry - Gorgeous Chocolate and Ginger Cake

Page 19 – WIN: Mary Berry Cook Book Competition

Page 20 – Get Set For Winter

Page 22 – Product Reviews: Baby Special

Page 24 – Christmas Gift Guide

Page 28 – Theatre Land

Page 30 - Reader Stories

3

Dear Readers...

All information in this publication is accurate at the time of print. We would

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Our company is not paid to write reviews, but our reviewers often receive

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What’s Good To Do ... your local what’s on guide 4

Hampshire is lucky to have

Britain’s largest collection of

working steam on its doorstep.

Sat on the Hampshire and

Sussex Border Nr Liphook,

Hollycombe Steam in the Country

is a magical place where the past

comes to life and is a wonderful

day out for the whole family.

We were really pleased to be

visiting Hollycombe during its

Fairground weekend and

mechanical organ gathering, and as

soon as we parked up we were

greeted by the pleasant sounds of

distant mechanical organs playing

vintage music which hit us like a

wave of nostalgia. What is really

lovely is that for most young children

this is a completely new sound. I can

only vaguely remember when I

heard a mechanical organ for the

first time but I distinctly remember

the uplifting feelings the music

provokes, and have enjoyed the

bubbly tunes many times since at

events such as the Great Dorset

Steam Fair. It is these rare moments

in life that stay with us for years to

come, and have the ability to conjure

forgotten emotions and feelings.

Already I was very excited to see

what Hollycombe had in store.

You are greeted by a fairly modern

building on arrival which serves not

only as a ticket office but also as a

Cafe, Gift Shop, Toilets and

Education Centre. It is here that you

can start to gain an insight into

Hollycombe’s rich history which

contributes to making the visit all the

more enjoyable, especially for

youngsters, as it really drives home

the reality of all they are about to

experience. At this point I should

point out that tickets prices are

extremely reasonable, starting at

only £10.00 for a child’s tickets.

Hollycombe is a registered charity

that relies on entry frees to ensure

the continued maintenance of the

museum to keep the steam powered

exhibits alive for future generations

to enjoy. We also popped our head

into the café to check out the menu

and prices and were surprised that

food prices were very reasonable.

We had brought along a picnic so

this quick stop was purely for

information sakes.

Stepping out of the modern building

we were instantly transported back

in time and found ourselves facing

the platform of the Quarry Railway,

we were in luck because a train was

scheduled to depart in 5 minutes so

we jumped on board. Hollycombe’s

railways are a historic collection of

items in their own right. The 2ft

gauge Quarry Railway features

ex-Dinorwig Quarry locos and

ex-Ramsgate Tunnel Railway

coaches dating from the 1930’s (one

of the carriages has a wheelchair

compartment). This attraction runs

high on the hill that Hollycombe is

located on for approx. 1.5 miles

through woodland and fields passing

an old sandstone quarry. It pauses

twice on route so that you can enjoy

the spectacular views across the

Sussex Weald and allowing time to

take some breathe taking photos of

the stunning surrounding

countryside. The chug chug of the

steam engine and the loud bursts of

the horn are a real delight.

Next we took a tour of the

steam-powered Edwardian

fairground which is bright, colourful

and extremely inviting, and we were

amazed at how well preserved the

static attractions are kept. From the

Hollycombe Steam inthe Country Review

www.whatsgoodtodo.com [email protected] Tel: 01264 889592 35

Admission Prices:Adults £14.00

Children (3-15) £10.00

Super saver tickets also available

Book online or pay on arrival

Free parking

For more information visit: www.hollycombe.co.uk

factbox

swinging Steam Yacht to the Steam

Chairoplanes there are plenty of

rides to really capture the heyday of

the fairground. The Ferris Wheel,

which is celebrating its 100 year

birthday, is a marvel of engineering

and a fantastic vantage point from

which to view the complete grounds

of Hollycombe and take some

stunning photographs. The

traditional Galloper roundabout has

been the most popular ride at

Hollycombe since its introduction

back in 1987, whilst Hollycombe

boasts being home to the world’s

first white knuckle ride – The Razzle

Dazzle. This is well worth a try as

not only can you see where a lot of

modern spinning rides got their

inspiration from but also it is a whole

lot of fun (peek through the looky

hole under the ride to see the steam

engine in action). As well as steam

powered rides the fairground also

hosts attractions such as: a hall of

mirrors - which a wandering

peacock was enjoying on our visit;

an original Ghost house – very

different from what you can expect

of a modern day ghost ride; and a

replica Bioscope (travelling cinema)

with hourly showings or some very

old film (like Mickey Mouse).

After all the excitement of the fair,

we decided to make our way to the

woodland gardens for our picnic.

Despite the forecast of heavy rain

and generally stormy weather we

were enjoying some glorious

sunshine which brought the

woodland gardens to life. With

towering Rhododendrons and

beautifully blooming Azaleas the

gardens were tranquil and delightful,

full of colour and heady scents, and

just a hint of organ music trailing

from the nearby fairground. There

are a few picnic benches dotted

around or take along your own

picnic blanket to that you can

choose to plonk in 50’s picnic style

wherever you wish.

If one steam powered train ride isn’t

enough, there is another waiting to

take you around a pint sized track

which is ideal for youngsters. This

miniature railway sees you

straddling a miniature locomotive

down towards an old sawmill. We

sat right at the front and came off

with a splattering of coal, all part of

the experience in our opinion. Also

available to see on site are some

educational points of interest such

as the Waterwheel and Beam

engine. You can also chat with a

very happy and animated character

who is feeding coal into a steam

engine (which we found out was

powering the Galloped roundabout

ride).

There is plenty to see and do at

Hollycombe for all ages, although

we would argue that it would be

most enjoyed with kids in toe. I

have no doubt that children will walk

away from Hollycombe with a lasting

memory that they will treasure.

Highly recommended

A WGTD rating of 4/5 stars

The sounds and smells of the working steam attractions areextremely emotive. Hollycombe offers a rare glimmer into adwindling past that has been triumphantly brought back to life.


I remember when WinchesterScience Centre was known asIntech. Having attendedKings School on RomseyRoad Intech was only astone’s throw away and aplace that the school choseto visit regularly. The newcentre on the outskirts ofWinchester is much largerand as you walk up the drivetowards the building youcannot miss the dome shapeconstruction of theplanetarium, a new additionsince the relocation, whichstands proudly against thesky line.

We were invited to attend the

Winchester Science Centre to

experience a special live

presented show in the centre’s

Planetarium. Part of the

Winchester Science Centre’s After

Dark themed evenings for adults

only. There are various shows

available to see, all of which are

hour one long including an

intimate Q&A session with the

presenter. We attended an

evening named ‘Cosmic Time

Capsules’.

On arrival you will find plenty of

free parking just a short walk from

the centres entrance, and very

welcoming, friendly staff. If you

arrive early you can wander

around the centres entrance foyer

which offers comfortable seating

as well as plays hosts to the gift

shop. The gift shop is a collection

of educational and wacky, fun toys

all very reasonably priced (well

worth a visit for Christmas

stocking fillers for small and big

kids alike!).

As the show was about to begin,

we were ushered into the

Planetarium; a large, impressive

space with smart black reclined

chairs perfectly positioned for

optimum observation of the

domes 360° screen so that you

are not cricking your neck to see

the show. The chairs are

extremely comfortable and clean.

The Planetarium is air conditioned

which was a blessing on the day

we attended when outside

temperatures were up in the high

20s even in the late evening.

Our presenter introduced herself

and then took her position at the

back of the Planetarium so that

we were left to immerse ourselves

in the presentation. The

presentation is absolutely mind

blowing. You really have to see it

to believe it. Using an accurate

scale model based on data from

various sources including NASA

the presenter navigates a virtual

universe in order to demonstrate

various real time space travel

scenarios and more whilst

delivering a compelling and

informative tutorial with passion

and enviable knowledge. During

our one hour presentation we

discovered: the official difference

between an Asteroid and a

Comet; the oldest particle found in

space and exactly how old it is;

how planets and Asteroid belts

form and behave; what is a dwarf

planet, plus much more!

Without giving away too much

content from the presentation, I

was particularly engrossed by the

information provided regarding a

space mission happening right

now, called the Rosetta Mission,

which in short is the intention to

land on and ride a comet. It is

absolutely fascinating to see how

this can be accomplished and

incredulous to realise even that

these sorts of missions are taking

place right now. It will take 10

years for the spacecraft to reach

the target comet, but as it set off

in 2004, it is expected to send

down the research lander on the

11th November this year. You can

follow the Rosetta Mission online

and it has recently been talked

about in the News.

We were also informed of key

dates in the calendar when it is

most worthwhile to be watching

the skies for events happening

visible to the naked eye, such as

shooting star displays and when

the Super Moon will occur. I am

sure the presentation would be

consistently updated with new and

exciting events for stargazers to

set their sites on.

The Cosmic Time Capsules

presentation was followed by a 20

minute Full Dome film called Cell,

Cell, Cell (this is an optional

extra). We felt as though a more

adult friendly film would be more

suitable for an adult only event,

but that said, we did enjoy the

immersive experience of seeing a

Saturday Night at the Winchester Science Centre a


Winchester Science Centre &

Planetarium, previously

INTECH Science Centre is a

unique, exciting interactive

centre administered by the

educational charity, The

Hampshire Technology Centre

Trust Ltd, with the specific

purpose of promoting the

knowledge and understanding

of science, technology,

engineering and mathematics

(STEM).

The Astrium Planetarium hosts

various shows regularly

throughout the day. Daytime

Planetarium shows can be

booked separately from the

exhibition.

Planetarium tickets are £5 per

seat, or just +£2.20 in addition

to main exhibition entry. The

Planetarium also offers

Chatterbox showings where

chatting and calling out is

allowed. These are

recommended especially for

younger children or anyone

else unable to sit quietly.

After Dark (Adults Only)

Admission Price: £10.00

For upcoming event dates

please check the What’s On

section of the Science Centre

website.

www.winchestersciencecentre.org

For more information visit

www.winchestersciencecentre.org

fact box

film on the full dome and would

highly recommend this for children

at a day time showing. The film

plot, albeit based around two

animated characters which most

adults will find unnecessary, is

very informative and certainly a

good refresher course in some

basic human biology which

parents with young children will

find extremely useful if they want

to swat up in order to help out with

homework. Be warned, it you are

easily seasick then some of the

fast moving footage may leave

you feeling a little queasy.

If an educational, highly

informative Saturday night out is

your cup of tea then the

Winchester Science Centre and

Planetarium is a wonderful place

to visit. The prices are extremely

reasonable and the experience of

the 360° dome unforgettable. Our

only quibble is that the science

centre’s activities weren’t open as

we would have liked to have taken

the opportunity to make a longer

evening of our visit and had a

chance to ‘play’ with the

experiments in the adult only

environment that the Saturday

Night at The Planetarium offers,

(although we are reliably informed

that there are After Dark events

when the exhibits are open).

e Planetarium and Planetarium Review

Highly recommended

A WGTD rating of 4/5 stars


Cholderton Charlie’s Farm issituated just off the A303 nrAndover. It is well sign posted

and offers plenty of free parking

on arrival. To enter the farm first

you must navigate past the gift

shop, here you will find a

reception desk as well as

entrance to the café.

On arrival we had to wait several

minutes for a member of staff to

serve us and when they did so,

they didn’t seem to be very

knowledgeable about the

entrance pricing nor did they offer

us any sort of activity schedule

so we were forced to enter the

farm none the wiser. We weren’t

offered any animal feed but

having been to the farm before I

knew to ask for this otherwise we

may not have known it was

available which would be a real

shame for the kids.

The farm itself is looking a little

tired if I am completely honest.

Having been in the past I felt that

it has been neglected since my

last visit. There didn’t seem to be

as many animals, and some

areas such as the large

woodland play park had even

been closed off. Generally I felt

as though a bit of cleaning, a

focus on customer service and bit

more staff attentiveness would

improve a visitor’s experience.

That said, the kids don’t notice

these niggles and they love the

Cholderton Charlie’sFarm Review

Indoor Barn Play

farm. On a good day there’s lots

to see and do, and when you

have an activity schedule to hand

the kids can enjoy some

wonderful farm yard activities

such as tractor rides, pig races

and animal petting. We

fortunately spotted the chick

petting at the right time so the

kids got to hold and stroke a new

born furry chick. All of the petting

areas are furnished with facilities

to wash hands after handling

animals. The pig races are great

fun as they really engage the kids

– they can run alongside the

pigs, choose their favourite to win

and cheer them on – the louder

the better.

Aside from scheduled activities

you will find plenty of animals to

feeds and pet. Mostly goats and

pigs. The kids spent a lot of time

trying to feed the smaller goats

but found it quite difficult and got

quite angry with the larger goats

barging the smaller goats out of

the way to get their feed. There

are also ponies and donkeys,

rabbits and a lot of chickens to

see.

There are a number of play areas

both indoor and outside (all of

which could do with a bit of care

and a tidy up). These include;

sand pits, an outdoor adventure

assault course, trampolines and

bouncy castles, play areas with

swings and climbing frames, and

an indoor soft play barn. You can

lose the kids in the soft play barn

for a good hour or so if you

wanted. It is a well-equipped,

three storey maze of fun activities

including slides and rope swings

which is well padded so

completely safe for kids of all

ages. There are a few tables so it

is a good time to put your feet up

or have an indoor picnic.

A woodland walk is available if

you want to take yourself on an

adventure and during the

summer the Maize maze opens

up for additional entertainment. If

you want to get food on site the

café offers a good menu of hot

and cold food, which all seemed

reasonably priced, and on a hot

day the availability of ice lollies is

very welcome. Here again we

were a little disappointed by the

staff, as it seemed to take a very

long time for anyone to get

served and none of the tables

had been cleaned off despite

there not being any other

customers when we sat down to

eat our ice creams.


Cholderton Charlie’s Farm Park is a Rare Breeds Farm

located on the Wiltshire and Hampshire border. They

offer a fun-filled family day out for all ages: from an indoor

three-storey play barn, to a café and gift shop; from

feeding and cuddling baby animals to tractor rides.

During peak times, the farm offers lots of hands-on farm

activities, from walking a goat to cuddling a little fluffy

baby chick! Tractor rides are a big hit as well as their

infamous PIG RACING! Here is the Summer activity

timetable:11.00 Animal Handling (Rabbit & Poultry unit)

11:30 Pig Race (next to play barn)

12:00 Tractor Ride (at tractor stop £1 per person)

12:30 Animal Walking & Grooming (Baby Unit)

13:00 Animal Handling (Rabbit & Poultry unit)

14:30 Pig Race (next to play barn)

15:00 Tractor Ride (at tractor stop £1 per person)



16:30 Animal Handling & Grooming (Rabbit & Poultry unit)

Winter opening hours: 10:00-16:00 7 days a week

Summer opening hours: 10:00-18:00 7 days a week

Adults £6.95 each

Children (2-16yrs) £6.95 each

Family admission (2 adults and 2 children) £25

www.choldertoncharliesfarm.com

fact box

A WGTD star rating of 3 out of 5

We would have liked to have

scored Cholderton Charlie’s farm

higher based on our previous

visits but a lack of staff, customer

service and general maintenance

let them down on this day. We

would still recommend it as a

place to visit with young children.

We guarantee they will have a

good time, but bear in mind that

there are other farms available to

visit in the Hampshire area.

Stable Quiz

Chick Handling


Dates for your diary...Here is a snapshot of some of the main events taking place in Hampshire this Autumn.

Come and join us on Facebook and Twitter for regular event news and venue reviews, and

to share details of your own local events with our loyal followers.

PSP Southampton Boat Show

Mayflower Park, Southampton

12th - 21st September

www.southampstonboatshow.com

The biggest marine event hits the South Coast in

September, so whether you're an expert or only just

finding your sea legs, PSP's Southampton Boat Show

is not to be missed. The show offers a fun-filled, action-

packed day out, for families or individuals old and

young! Stroll around the show's spectacular marina,

where you can see over 300 boats of all classes,

shapes and sizes. Browse the very latest products and services from

boats and fashion to electronic gadgets and equipment from over 500

exhibitors.

Portsmouth Shopping

Festival

12th – 28th September

www.visitportsmouth.co.uk

Shop until your drop this Autumn at Portsmouth’s very first Shopping Festival. From boutique and high

street to top designer stores the festival will showcase Portsmouth’s unique shopping experience whilst

offering residents and visitors special offers, discounts and incentives for the duration of the festival.

There will also be street markets and free live entertainment in the Guildhall square. Be sure to visit the

website and Facebook page before you visit to receive event updates and discount vouchers.

WIN We have two tickets for the PSP Southampton Boat

Show up for grabs. Head to the competition page on our

website for details and to enter. Closing date: 11th Sept


Romsey Show

Broadlands Park, Romsey.

13th September

www.romseyshow.co.uk

The Romsey show is one of the last agricultural shows of the summer, and

one of the oldest in England. Showcasing the best of British farming and

highlighting traditional countryside activities visitors can enjoy seeing cattle,

goats and sheep compete for glory in the livestock classes as well as

displays of falconry and gun dog training. 500 trade stands be offering

everything from quad bikes to compost, the Food Zone will be selling award

winning local produce while a family dog show and marching band is sure to

provide entertainment. This year’s special theme commemorates the start

of World War 1 and the unique links between the war and the surrounding

area.

Winchester Cathedral Ice Rink & Christmas Market

Cathedral grounds, Winchester

20th November 2014 – 4th January 2015

www.winchester-cathedral.org.uk

Don your hat and gloves and head to Winchester's Christmas ice

rink this Winter. Experience an exhilarating skate against the

magnificent backdrop of Winchester Cathedral. The open-air real

ice rink can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities. Ice

skating sessions last for 1 hour and free skate hire is included.

The ice rink is surrounded by the Christmas Market until Sunday

21st December. Recognised as one of the best in Europe and

renowned for its spectacular location, the Winchester Cathedral

Christmas Market brings high quality exhibitors, wonderful

Christmas gifts and an abundance of festive foods.

Please also see our Halloween and Fireworks

event diary features in this issue for more

ideas on What’s Good To Do this Autumn.

Please see pages 12 and 13 and pages 16

and 17

Halloween and Fireworks EventsWant to see your

event listed on these pages?

Send details to our editor

[email protected]

01264 889592


Halloween Spooky events taking place in and aroundHampshire this Halloween.

HollyCombe Fairground at Night 11th OctoberHollycombe Steam in the Country museum is more than just a working steam museum, it’s a place

where the past comes to life. Situated on the Hampshire and Susses Border it is easy to travel to and

offers visitors the atmosphere of a traditional fairground as well as lots of fun attractions for all the

family, including a steam railway. Throughout Autumn Hollycombe will open its doors at night,

presenting its Fairground at Night events, and on the 11th October visitors can enjoy a spooky theme

to celebrate Halloween. Experience the magical nature of the Edwardian fairground as the sights,

sounds and smells all come alive as darkness falls! Not to be missed.

Fairground at night event dates: 13th Sep, 20th Sep, 27th Sep, 4th Oct.

For more information visit www.hollycombe.co.uk or call 01428 724900

Halloween at the Sea Life London Aquarium 31st OctoberLocated on the popular South bank of the River Thames right next to

the London Eye, SEA LIFE London Aquarium is home to one of

Europe's largest collections of global marine life and the jewel in the

crown of the UK SEA LIFE attractions. On 31 October, the Fish Witch

will be making a special appearance at The SEA LIFE London

Aquarium. Guests can meet the fishy, green marine crone who only

comes out on Halloween to cook up a cauldron full of ghostly fun and

tell her eerie stories of the sea.

Plus, there is lots to learn with talks and feeds throughout the week.

For information visit www.visitsealife.com/london or call 08716631678

Brick or Treat at Legoland Windsor 18th October – 3rd November'Brick or Treat' at the LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort this October promises

more LEGO-tastic Halloween fun than ever before. Enter the Forest of

5,000 Pumpkins, an eerie, misty woodland with spooky lighting and

creepy soundtrack. Brick or treaters should keep their eyes peeled for the

LEGO spiders who live here and they can build their very own Halloween

LEGO pumpkins deep in the heart of the Forest. Then it’s time to join bolt-

necked Frankie, the friendliest monster in the world, as he leads the

dancing at Frankie’s Monster Ball. Orange Brick is also paying a special

Halloween visit to help judge the daily fancy dress competition. And for

littler ones there’s a special Spooky Puppet show over at the DUPLO®

theatre where the puppets will don their very own Halloween costumes.

For more information visit www.legoland.co.uk or call 0871 2222001


events...

Half Term Hauntings at Beaulieu 25th October – 2nd NovemberThis October Half Term Halloween descends on Beaulieu with plenty of themed activities to enjoy.

Hear Spooky Stories from the costumed guides in Palace House, take a lucky dip in the Witches

Cauldron and be given a Gruesome Face Painting. In the National Motor Museum: follow the

Halloween Trail and see some of the 250 vehicles on show. Visitors can also take a ride on the

scary high-level Beaulieu Moan-o-Rail, which travels through the roof of the museum complete

with Halloween themed commentary. All of these activities can be enjoyed as part of a visit to the

whole Beaulieu attraction, featuring the National Motor Museum, World of Top Gear, On Screen

Cars, Beaulieu Abbey and Palace House.

For more information visit www.beaulieu.co.uk or call 01590 612345

Halloween Festival at Marwell Zoo 25th October - 2nd NovemberGet ready to be spooked...enjoy a trip on the ghoulish ghost train, design

a pumpkin for carving and watch the animals

at Marwell explore and eat their

pumpkin treats.

For information visit www.marwell.org.uk or call 01962 777407

Terrifying Trail at Mottisfont Abbey 25th October - 2nd NovemberMottisfont, nr Romsey, turns monstrous for Halloween this

half-term with lots of scary beasties and monsters in every

nook and cranny of the garden. But don’t fear - they have a

special family trail which if completed can defeat them.

Mottisfont Abbey is a historical priory and country estate operated

by the National Trust. About 200,000 people visit each year. The site

includes the historic house museum, regular changing art exhibitions,

gardens and a river walk.

For information visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk or call 01794 344020

Wizard Weekend at The Watercress Line 31st October - 2nd NovemberWatch the Watercress Line transform in to a place of magic and mischief on

Halloween! Walk in Harry Potter's footsteps over the railway footbridge

where he received his Hogwarts Express ticket; the famous film location

from Kings Cross station that is now here at the Watercress Line!

Come dressed as a witch, wizard or Halloween spook and find out about

bats, owls and all things magical! With craft activities, face painting,

Mr Wizard magic shows, witches Besom brooms and

daily shows from the Falcon High display team.

For more information visit www.watercressline.co.uk or call 01962 733810


Beating Heart PrankWant to freak out a friend? Try

the Beating Heart Kit – frights

guaranteed! It’s easy to set up -

construct the two halves of the

heart, attaching the pump tubes

as you go. Then fill the heart up

with fake blood, and mould a

gooey outer cover for your heart

to make it look authentically gross.To finish, place the heart into the

donor organ box included and

invite a friend or family member to

open it while you make it pump!

Perfect for giving friends or

siblings a shock!

£9.99www.johnadams.co.uk

Stack the Bones GameChallenge your family to this

frightfully fun game from the

Natural History Museum this

Halloween. With a steady hand

and nerves of steel each player

takes a turn to remove a bone and

place it on top of the pile, making

sure not to knock off the skull.

Essentially Jenga with a

Halloween twist.

£25.00www.nhmshop.co.uk

Rotten Tricks!There’s nothing more fun than a

few good old fashioned pranks.

The Galt Really Rotten

Experiments includes 10 fiendish

pranks for you to make before the

party begins this Halloween. Hide

a cockroach in the soap, mould a

fake poo or create your own vile

vomit to shock your party guests!

£15.99www.galttoys.com

Zombie Face PaintsFace paints are great for creating ghoulishly ghastly zombie and monster faces,ideal for Halloween. This kit includes special effects wax to model realistic scaryscars, plus a brush, sponge and guide to create frightening faces. Suitable forchildren aged 5+

£4.99 www.galttoys.com

Halloween wouldn’t be complete without partygames, dressing up, tricks and treats, so here are afew ideas and some information to inspire you....

If you are looking for a fantastic costume for a Halloween party, here is a list of fancy dress shops in Hampshire.

The Dressing Up Shop, Aldershot –www.thedressingupshop.com

Worn to be Wild, Botley, Southampton –www.worn2bwilder.co.uk

Express Yourself, Netley Abbey –

www.expressyourselfcostumehire.co.uk

The Party Shop, Wickham – www.thepartyshop.eu

Hampshire Wardrobe, Winchester - www.hants.gov.uk

The Joke Shop Fancy Dress, Farnborough –www.thejokeshop.co.uk

Stage Wardrobe, Fleet – www.thestagewardrobe.com

Giggles, Fleet – www.gigglesfancydress.co.uk

Alice Blue, Waterlooville – www.alicebluecostumes.com

Peter Burks, Horticultural Expert at the virtual garden centre Potter

and Rest says if you’re enjoying bonfires and fireworks this

November it is important to check for wildlife including hedgehogs

before setting them alight.

Bonfires make great shelter for hedgehogs and other small animals

as they like to crawl into the wood piles to hibernate. Unfortunately

this can lead to injury or death if the bonfire piles are not checked

before they are lit. It is crucial to check your bonfire or if possible

re-site it before igniting.

You can safeguard your bonfire from critters by putting a one metre

high chicken wire fence around the bottom of it. Hold it in place with

stakes so the wire slopes outwards at an angle to make it difficult for

wildlife to climb.

If you do come across a prickly resident in your bonfire then pop on

a pair of garden gloves to pick it up. It’s important to also take as

much of the nest as you can and place the hedgehog in a

high-sided cardboard box with plenty of newspaper. Ensure there

are air holes and that the lid is tightly secured.

Put the box in a safe place with some meaty cat/dog food and fresh

water. Once the bonfire is completely dampened down, release the

hedgehog under a hedge, bush or behind logs with more food and

water.

Because Hedgehogs are in decline this is of great importance.

Please take care.

About Peter Burks:Peter Burk is the immediate past Chairman of the Garden Centre

Association and has been running garden centres for more than 30

years. He has a degree in horticulture from the University of Bath

and is a whizz on all gardening related advice.

About Potter and Rest:Potter and Rest is a new ‘true’ virtual garden centre featuring all the

usual products and plants an ordinary store and nursery stocks as

well as more unusual ones. Their aim is to be the largest true

garden centre online, and offer gardeners free expert advice via

telephone and social media as well as a five-year plant guarantee.

www.potterandrest.co.uk

SAVE THE

HEDGEHOGS!

Remember, remember…before lighting yourbonfire this 5th Novemberplease take care to readthe following advice onlooking out for wildlife...


Peter Burks


Official City Fireworks Displays 2014Portsmouth City Fireworks - 5th NovPortsmouth will be holding its annual family

bonfire and fireworks display on Wednesday,

5th November at the King George V Playing

Fields, Cosham, Portsmouth, PO6 3TJ

For information: www.visitportsmouth.co.uk

Winchester Bonfire & Fireworks - 8thNov21,000 Winchester residents are expected to

attend the 56th Winchester Bonfire and

Fireworks 2014. The event will start with some

entertainment outside the Guildhall, followed by

a torch lit procession through town and on to

River Park. The bonfire will be lit by the Mayor

and then fireworks will follow at around 7.45pm.

This is a charity event and run by Winchester

Round Table with the support of other local

community organisations. All proceeds go to

charity, with none of our members being

remunerated for their efforts. Tickets cost £3 in

advance, available from various venues

throughout the city or via the website

alternatively you can buy tickets on the night at

a cost of £5. Tickets go on sale at the beginning

of October.

For information:

www.winchesterbonfire.co.uk

Southampton Fireworks - 9th NovThe Mayflower Park Fireworks in Southampton

is held annually and is organised by

Southampton Round Table 4 in order to raise

Firework eventsOne of the great seasonal events in Autumn is the celebration of GuyFawkes. Think hot jacket potatoes, sticky toffee apples, kids writing theirname in the air with sparklers, stunning fireworks displays andimpressive bonfires. Here are some of the main events taking place inHampshire for you to enjoy this year. Join us on Facebook and Twitter forinformation about more Fireworks events taking place near you.

Facebook @whatsgoodtodohampshire Twitter @WGTDHampshire

funds for local charities. This year’s event

includes a fun fair, Fireworks and live

entertainment. The event starts at 3pm and

ends at 10pm. Adult tickets cost £6, a child’s

ticket £4 and under 5’s are free.

For information:

www.mayflowerparkfireworks.co.uk

Basingstoke Fireworks - 1st NovThe annual Basingstoke fireworks display takes

place at the War Memorial Park. Gates open at

6pm and the Fireworks display is due to start at

7.30pm. There will also be a fun fair to enjoy

until 10pm. Adult tickets cost £8, child’s tickets

are £4 alternatively a family ticket is available

for £20.

For information see www.basingstoke.gov.uk

Winchester Fireworks - credit Simon Rees


Other events to consider in the SouthBeaulieu Fireworks - 1st Nov - 3pmonwardsBeaulieu’s annual Fireworks Spectacular, one

of the largest fireworks displays in the South,

will be taking place on Saturday 1st November.

Enjoy all the fun of the fair: As well as an

explosive and dynamic fireworks display, which

this year will be set to a Rock Legends theme,

visitors can also have fun on the Beaulieu

Rides and Drives and Old-Time Fairground

Rides, all at good-value extra charges. Hot food

and drinks are available both inside and out as

well as roast chestnuts and candy floss, and

live music will be performed throughout the

evening. Why not go fancy dressed? There are

prizes up for grabs for the best dressed!

Explosion - Navel Museum

Legoland Windsor

Event tickets are available to buy on the day

from 3pm priced at:

Adult £13, Child (aged 5 – 17) £8,

Plus a great value family ticket for 2 adults and

up to 3 children, at £37.

To make savings on advance tickets call 01590

612888 or buy online at

www.beaulieushop.co.uk

Legoland LEGO® LEGENDS OFCHIMA™ FIRE AND ICE THEMEFireworks 18th/19th, 25th/26th October and

31st October/1st Nov

Don’t miss the much-anticipated end of season

fireworks at Legoland at Winsor which this year

has been extended to six nights. Themed

around LEGO Legends of Chima™, the skies

will light up with a stunning fire and ice inspired.

Plus there’s; over 55 interactive rides, live

shows - including the LEGO Legends of

Chima™ 4D movie experience, NEW Pirate

Shores, the famous LEGOLAND Driving

School and the world’s first underwater

LEGO Submarine Aquarium experience,

Atlantis Submarine Voyage.

For more information and ticket prices visit

www.legoland.co.uk or call 0871 2222001

Museum of Naval Firepower, ExplosionFireworks Spectacular - 2nd NovExplosion! The Museum of Naval Firepower knows how to

wow visitors with entertaining displays of

firepower so their Fireworks display should be

an awesome demonstration of explosive

proportions. We can’t think of a better venue to

enjoy a professional fireworks display! Events

throughout the evening begin at 5pm including

a children’s fun fair. The Fireworks Spectacular

starts from 7pm. Tickets, which are available to

buy in advance now, include free admission to

Explosion’s Award Winning Galleries which

provide a complete visitor experience. Adult

tickets cost £6 or a family ticket (2+3)

costs just £15.

For more information: www.explosion.org.ukor call 02392 505600


Mixing chocolate and a hint of ginger together creates an intriguing blend offlavours in this moist, rich cake. To make sure the ginger doesn’t sink, it’simportant to chop it finely.

Gorgeous

Ginger and

Chocolate Cake

Series 5 of The Great British Bake is in full

swing. If you feel inspired and want to have a go at

a delicious recipe by expert baking judge Mary

Berry here is a taster from Mary’s new cook book

‘Mary Berry Cooks the Perfect’ which is available

to buy from the 1st September. Yummy!

Instructions1- Preheat the oven to 180oC (fan 160oC/350oF/Gas

4). Grease the sandwich tins and line the bottom of

each with baking parchment. Put the cocoa powder

into a large, heatproof bowl. Stir in 6 tablespoons of

boiling water, then add the milk. Mix to make a smooth

paste (see Smooth mixture).

2 - Add the remaining cake ingredients and combine

using an electric hand whisk for 1–2 minutes only (or 3

minutes with a wooden spoon); do not over-mix, or the

cake may not rise.

3 -Divide the cake mixture equally between the

prepared tins and level the tops. Bake for 25–30

minutes or until the cakes shrink away from the side of

the tin and spring back when lightly pressed in the

centre. Let the cakes cool for a few minutes in their

tins, then turn them out and peel off the

paper. Turn the cakes the right way up and leave to

cool on a wire rack.

4 - Make the filling and topping: sift the icing sugar into

a large bowl. Add the butter, stem ginger syrup, and

milk, and beat together using an electric hand whisk (or

wooden spoon) until well blended. Transfer one of the

cakes to a serving plate and spread half the icing over

the top. Place the second cake over the filling and

cover the top with the remaining icing. (See Evenly

iced cakes.)

Use the palette knife to draw large “S” shapes to give a

swirl effect, then decorate the edge with the shredded

stem ginger

Special equipment2 loose-bottomed, round sandwich tins,

20cm (8in) diameter and

4.5cm (13⁄4in) deep

488 calories per serving

Serves 10

Ingredients• 200g (7oz) butter (room temperature) or

baking spread (at least 70% fat), plus

extra for greasing

• 50g (13⁄4oz) cocoa powder

• 4 tbsp full-fat or semi-skimmed milk

• 3 eggs

• 175g (6oz) self-raising flour

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 1 tsp ground ginger

• 250g (9oz) caster sugar

• 2 pieces of stem ginger, finely chopped

For the filling and topping

• 225g (8oz) icing sugar

• 115g (4oz) butter (room temperature)

• 2 tbsp stem ginger syrup


• 2 pieces of stem ginger, finely shredded

For the filling and topping

• 225g (8oz) icing sugar

• 115g (4oz) butter (room temperature)

• 2 tbsp stem ginger syrup


• 2 pieces of stem ginger, finely shredded

COMPETITION


We have 3 copies of

Mary Berry’s new cook

book ‘Mary Berry Cooks

the Perfect’ to giveaway.

Head to

www.whatsgoodtodo.com

for details on how to

enter.

Keys To PerfectionSmooth mixtureCocoa powder can be lumpy, so mix it to a smooth

paste with boiling water, then milk before adding the

remaining ingredients.

Use a wooden spoon to break up any lumps.

Evenly iced cakes Make sure the butter for the icing is at room

temperature, so it will spread easily. Use equal amounts

of icing between the layers and on top of the cake, and

cover right to the edges.

Buying and using cocoa powderThis cake looks and tastes very chocolatey, but it

doesn’t actually contain any chocolate – it’s made with

cocoa powder. Buy a good-quality cocoa powder,

preferably an organic one. This will be darker than the

less expensive varieties, and will ensure that your cake

has a deep, rich chocolate colour and flavour.


Get set for WinterWith temperature plummeting now’s the time to think about being prepared for the cold winter

months. Upgrade your heating system, stock up on fuel before the inevitable extortionate winter

price rises and kit out your house with some comforting accessories.

NEWS WOOD BURNING STOVES – Hwam 3420We love this stylish wood burner from Euroheat, with windows

on the sides as well as a large viewing front viewing pane, the

unique Scandinavian design of the Hwam 3420 means the

embers of the fire can be seen and enjoyed from almost any

angle in the room, making this stove a true focal point of the

open plan setting. What’s more the stove’s innovative air wash

technology ensures that the view of the fire will never be

interrupted as it keeps the glass effortlessly clear and

soot-free. All Hwam stoves are also fitted with an auto-pilot,

guaranteeing maximum efficiency which means more heat for

your money. Prices for the Hwam 3420 start from £2,627.

Also consider the Rika Twist for large open plan spaces as it

rotates a full 360 degrees to ensure all areas of the room are

enveloped in warmth. Whether you’re preparing a meal, dining

with the family or relaxing in front of the

TV at the end of the day, the Twist can also be focused

to suit your movements, so you are never left out in the cold.

Prices from £3,416. www.euroheat.co.uk

Log suppliers in Hampshire

Southcoast Firewood – www.soutcoast-firewood.co.uk 01329 836361 or 02392 350988

Winchester Logs – www.winchesterlogs.co.uk / 01962 623948

Hampshire Wood Suppliers – www.hampshirewoodsuppliers.co.uk

Logs Direct – www.logsdirect.co.uk / 01524 812476

New Forest Firewood – www.newforestfirewood.co.uk / 01425 403230

The New Forest Firewood Company – www.newforestfirewood.com02380 284825

The Woodland Firewood Co. – www.woodlandfirewood.co.uk 01794 389603

A1 Logs – www.a1logs.com

Winchfield Logs – www.winchfieldlogs.co.uk / 01252 844759

LOG STORAGE SOLUTIONWhile a woodburning stove makes a

stunning centrepiece in any room, you

can also make a feature of your log

storage with a stylish wall-mounted log

holder from Euroheat. Available in a

choice of either a stylish black or

aluminium finish

(pictured), the Nestor

Martin log holders can

be easily mounted on

to the wall near the

stove to ensure that

clean, dry wood is

always to hand when

the fire needs

re-stoking. Prices from

£113.

www.euroheat.co.uk


RADIATOR REFLECTOR - RadflekRadflek is a revolutionary energy saving radiator

reflector that reflects 95% of the wasted heat energy

radiated from the rear of a radiator back into your room.

No need for removal of radiators, professional installers,

or any sticking to the wall – Radflek just hangs from the

wall brackets behind the radiator. Installation is quick

and simple, only taking minutes.

Radfelk prices start from as little as £21.99 for a pack of

3 sheets (enough for 3-6 radiators) which we think is a

small price to pay considering you could save up to 45%

on your energy bills.

www.radflek.com

• Stock up on De-Icer and ground salt as well as a snow shovel.

• Keep a supply of non-perishable, easy to prepare food in the cupboards. (Don’t forget pets)

• Keep a good supply of medication if there is a possibility you will not be able to travel to

collect more

• Insulate pipes with lagging - especially outdoor pipes to avoid freezing, Seal up drafts

(letterboxes, Windows, Doors…) install door curtains especially older doors with

single glazed glass panels

• If you live in an area prone to flooding, cover up airbricks and have sand bags ready to

blockade doorways etc

• Make sure you have a working torch and radio – plus lots of batteries to keep them running

• Dig out as many candles as possible and keep matches in the kitchen drawer

• If you are going away, leave the heating set to a low temperature to avoid pipes freezing

prepare for a cold winter

NEW URBAN RADIATORS – The Radiator

CompanyStriking the perfect balance between sleek style and

superior function, The Radiator Company has launched

three innovative and contemporary radiator designs, Halo,

Seta Line and Seta Groove. These handsome and enduring

designs depict iconic style with a contemporary feel, whilst

delivering excellent efficiency.

Intuitively designed for low level positioning, the cylindrical

shape of the Halo is ideal for open plan spaces with large

expanses of glass. Prices start from £902. The Seta Line

radiator is angular in form and the Seta Groove features

more curvaceous contours. Both Seta designs feature

hollow tubes that draw air in from the bottom and out

through the top, allowing for greater air circulation and heat

distribution. Prices from £1144 and £1212 respectively.

All three new ranges give rooms a distinctly urban feel,

whilst offering excellent energy efficiency.

www.theradiatorcompany.co.uk


Oo baby baby...Review: Cool it MamaBody SpritzRevitalising

“Cool It Mama”

Spritz containing

naturally derived

ingredients has

been developed

by the Midwives

at Natural

Birthing

Company with

comfort in mind.

It immediately

cools, soothes

and revives the

face, body and

mind with a

wonderfully uplifting aromatherapy

spray of pure essential oils, flower

essences and hint of Menthol

helping to relieve a multitude of

woes from; pregnancy nausea

and swollen heavy legs; to battling

the “baby blues” and cooling hot

and bothered mamas during

labour.

It has been a sweltering summer

and I was so grateful to have this

bottle of instant relief in my

handbag ready to cool me down.

Thankfully because it is all natural

you can use Cool It Mama as

often as you like throughout

pregnancy and labour. Although

this has been designed for

pregnancy, I offered the bottle

around to friends and family on

really hot days and they too

enjoyed the relief and soothing

scent of Cool It Mama.

I recommend Cool It Mama for all

although it is slightly pricey in my

opinion.

4/5 RRP: £15.99www.naturalbirthingcompany.co.uk

Review: Bundle BeanBundleBean Ltd offer an innovative range of ingenious travel products to

protect your little bundles in all weathers. The highly acclaimed 5-in1-

travel cover, BundleBean Go! is a result of an entrepreneurial mum who

was overwhelmed by the amount of ‘kit’ required to travel with babies:

foot-muffs, blankets, sling covers, ponchos, coats, rain covers… It is one

compact product that is designed to fit all types of appliance, is

waterproof, durable, practical and has no fiddly bits! A runaway success

this fantastic Do It All product has won multiple awards and made

thousands of parents’ lives easier.

When I received Bundle Bean

Go! I was astonished by the

simplicity of the design

considering its versatile claims.

However the ingenious

‘universal fit’ quickly became

apparent when I started to play

around with zips and straps

which are cleverly incorporated

to enable the Bundle Bean Go

to transform into multiple guises

in a few easy to follow steps. By

pulling up two zips you can

create an elasticated pouch that

can either be fitted around the

bottom of a buggy, bike seat or car seat, or to simply hook over a baby’s

feet. Velcro tabs can be affixed behind tiny legs to keep a baby all

wrapped up cosily, and can be looped around the bars of buggies /

carriers. The straps can even be utilised to wrap over your neck to

create a carrier. BundleBean can also be opened out flat to be used as a

picnic or play mat.

The Bundle Bean is available in various designs to suit tastes. It has two

sides boasting different materials featuring a fully waterproof nylon shell

backing and a cosy fleece lining both of which will keep your baby warm

and dry whatever the weather. There is even a pouch pocket which is

handy for carrying small items or I suspect will be better suited for

keeping hands warm this winter.

The neat all-in-one design of the BundleBean which can be rolled up

into a little bundle is a delight to use, and should be top of every mums

wish list this winter. And best of all is the price! You won’t find a more

cost effective, versatile solution for travelling with little ones.

5/5 RRP: £29.99 www.bundlebean.com

Being 7 months pregnant, I am the perfect guinea pig for testingnew baby related products. Here are some reviews of a few productsthat have been sent into the office recently. You can read more in-depth reviews of the below and more products on our website.


Review: Zippy SuitI absolutely adore the Zippy Suit by British babywear brand Zippy. Why no

one has thought of this before I don’t know. Say goodbye to matching up

pairs of poppers every few hours, the Zippy suit baby grows feature

a single zip along the front reducing the time and stress of every change.

The Zippy baby grow is available in a number of beautiful print designs which can’t be

found on the high street. The designs are fun and quirky, ideal if you want to dress

your new born in something stylish but unique. I received the Pink Flamingo design

baby grow perfect for little girls and instantly fell in love with the vibrant colours and

the eye catching character print which I understand has been lovingly hand-drawn.

Zippy Suits are made of 100% rib cotton that has been woven to a very high

specification to ensure a snug, soft feel against babies’ skin. The softness of the

baby grow is apparent upon first touch, and I was really impressed that quality was

not compromised during the design process of these novelty garments.

A high quality YKK zip really simplifies the task of changing a wriggling baby and I

was glad to see that a zip guard is incorporated to protect baby’s skin and to stop

babies playing with the zip.

The Zippy baby grows also have elasticated ankles which is a welcome

attention to detail. This is designed to keep babies feet in the foot area.

The suits also have ribbed cuffs which keep arms warm and really drive

home the undeniable quality of the garment.

I highly recommend the Zippy Suit for parents with little babies or for anyone

looking to buy a unique and special gift for a new born baby.

5/5 RRP: £19.00 www.zippysuit.com

Review: Babies all wrapped upBristol-based GP Dr Claire Winslanley’s all-encompassing parent and baby book is

aimed at first time parents. ‘Babies All Wrapped Up’ is full of information and ideas

for your baby, yourself, your relationship, medical problems both for the mother and

baby and even a ‘how-to’ baby proof your home. With the help of midwives, health

visitors, paediatric nurses and paediatricians, Dr Claire Winstanley offers a wide

variety of guidance – and choices – to ensure a happy, healthy baby and a

wonderful experience. It contains a perfect balance of invaluable tips and

professional advice.

I started reading Babies All Wrapped Up as soon as it arrived through the post. The

first thing I noticed was how much is covered within the pages. The comprehensive

detailed Contents span 10 pages, and although I planned on reading the book from

cover to cover, since completing the book I am very glad to have the detailed

contents laid out so that it is easy to jump to very particular sections quickly. The

book is extremely easy to read and I found that once I started I couldn’t stop. It was

really nice to have so much great educational information in my hand and I especially enjoy the tone of the

advice which is suggestive rather than lecturing. It really comes across that the book is written by a

professional that has personal experience as well as training. On completing Babies All Wrapped Up I can

honestly say that I feet 100% more confident about becoming a mum and truly prepared to tackle the

adventure and any challenges that may arise. This book is coming everywhere with me.

Claire and friends have accomplished what I think is the perfect book for first time parents. Forget trawling the

vast and endless amounts of information available online, it is all tucked up neatly in this handy book for you.

Now relax and enjoy the experience of pregnancy and the adventure of parenthood.

5/5 RRP: £12.99 www.babiesallwrappedup.com

Customers can get

20% off if theyenter

WGTD at thecheckout


Christmas sneaks up on all of us. With only a fewmonths to get your shopping done here is a handfulof gift ideas to get you started and hopefully inspire you.

Tatty TeddyUnique and instantly recognisable, Tatty Teddy, the soft,fluffy, grey teddy bear with the iconic blue nose andpatches, is the signature character of the much-lovedMe to You brand. Tatty Teddy offers a timeless messageof warmth, love and happiness. Tiny Tatty Teddy is theperfect choice for little girls and boys and offers a wholerange of gifts suitable from Birth. We love these:

My First Christmas Album RRP £5 My First Christmas Stocking RRP £12 Stockist: Amazon, Boots and Independent Retailers

Guess How Much I Love youFrom the endearing “Guess How Much I Love You” picture bookthis adorable Lullaby Hare features Big Nutbrown Hare andLittle Nutbrown Hare. Turn the key to play a soothing Lullabyand watch Big Nutbrown Hare's head move as he soothes LittleNutbrown Hare to sleep. A perfect Christmas gift that will betreasured forever. We also love the adorable Little NutbrownHare booties which are made from super soft plush with cuteembroidered features and a rattle in each toe. Both are safefrom birthLullaby Hare’s RRP: £24.99 Booties Set RRP £12.99 Stockists: Amazon and all good Independent Retailers

The Very Hungry Caterpillar -Tummy Time Plush Caterpillar From the best selling Eric Carle book "The HungryCaterpillar" this large Tummy Time Caterpillar isdesigned to stimulate baby’s senses and encouragetheir early development. It includes a variety ofsounds including music, rattles, crinkles andsqueaks to delight little ears as well as texturedrings and fabrics for little hands to explore. This60cm toy is safe from birth. RRP: £19.99 Stockist: Amazon and all good Independent Retailers


Bonikka Rag DollsBonikka by Imajo is a beautifully crafted family of rag dolls designed to stand the test of time. The ethos of this toy is to be traditional, ethically sourced and wholesome. Reminiscent of traditional toys from times past, the Rag Dolls are created to be treasured and loved – a breath of fresh air in a world where plastic and throwaway toys dominate. There are a number of collections which offer a variety of dolls to suit any little girls’ personality. We particularly love the Naturals collection featuring; Brook, Honey and Neva, all of which have very traditional designs dressed in beautifully detailed outfits. All of the Bonikka dolls are washable and aresuitable for all ages. RRP: From £17.99 Various reputable retailers

Little Bird Told Me Rocking HorseThese gorgeous rocking horses are made to the highest standards and wouldlook stunning in any child’s playroom or bedroom. If we could go back in timeand ask for anything from Santa this would be it! There are lots of differentrocking horse designs all of which include an additional soft toy made inmatching materials that can be played with separately. These fun and friendlyrocking horses for infants boast a sturdy wooden frame with detachable footrests. It is highly commended by all who have already bought one for theirspecial little one!Prices from £74.99www.borngifted.com www.preciouslittleone.com www.cuckooland.com

Toy Bags by Win GreenA fabulous kids bedroomaccessory, the Toy Bags by WinGreen are lightly padded withvarious embroidered designsincluding; fairies, butterflies and agingerbread ‘cupcake’ design.Designed to keep play time ahappy time, these Toy Bags arepractical as well as beautifullydesigned.RRP £34.00www.cuckooland.com

Scrumdiddlydumptious Roald DahlCushionsWhether your favourite isMatilda, The EnormousCrocodile, Charlie and theChocolate Factory, George'sMarvellous Medicine or Jamesand the Giant Peach, thedesign is now available on thiswonderful collection of RoaldDahl inspired cushions completewith illustrations by QuentinBlake (bed linen also available).Available throughout the UK instores from end of Septemberonwards, this collection willdelight children everywhere andis the easiest way to transforma dull bedroom into the magical world of Roald Dahl.

RRP £20 Various reputable retailers

Wooden Adjustable EaselThis Wooden Easel is the perfect gift for the young artist in your life. Let their imaginationsrun free on this fully adjustable easel featuring a solid wood construction, drying tray, chalkboard, dry eraser board, no-spill paint cups and 25M Paper roll included. The easel folds awayneatly for easy storage.RRP £125.00 www.cuckooland.com

Chuggington Stack Track Train SetsThis Christmas Chuggington is launching brand new Stack Track train sets thatwill allow children to discover the amazing world of Chuggington! The collectionof StackTrack™ playsets are created to spark imaginative play. Star of thecollection is the Brewster Big Build Adventure Set, (suitable for 3yrs+) packedwith action and adventure for HP Brewster and Cormac. The working cranedoubles as an elevator to rescue engines trapped in the trick bridge and liftthem to safety. See the entire range based on the CBeebies hit show atwww.chuggington.com RRP £39.99 Various reputable retailers


Peppa Pig and FiremanSam Giant DominoesChildren can now play dominoeswith their favourite Peppa Pig and Fireman Sam characters.The numbers have been replacedby pictures so that youngchildren can have fun whilstlearning the concept of dominos. RRP £8.99

Available from The Entertainer,WHSmith and Amazon.

LEGO® Legends of Chima™ You can’t really go wrong if you give Lego as a gift this Christmas. This classicbuilding toy stands the test of time with new building sets continuallyintroduced into the Lego family. Set to be hot this year is the new range ofChima Lego sets: PREPARE FOR THE UTLIMATE FIRE VS ICE SHOWDOWN! From theIce Vulture Glider (£17.99) to the Flying Phoenix Fire Temple (£89.99) there issomething to suit every budget. We love the Flying Phoenix Temple which features an array of red-hot weaponry,vehicles and includes 7 minifugures. The Fire Temple even transforms into a huge flying Phoenix. Also set to be big thisyear is the new collectable Marvel Avengers Assemble play-set featuring Captain America. Visit www.lego.com to viewthe full range. Oh and if you haven’t see it already, watch the Lego movie – it is ‘Awesome’!Chima LEGO sets from £17.99 Various reputable retailers

Minecraft BooksMinecraft is a construction game taking the gaming world bystorm – it is even being introduced into the classroom as acreative teaching tool. Thankfully there are various books nowavailable to help adults and kids alike to get to grips with themassive online world that Minecraft enables to you to createwhich make fantastic gifts for Minecraft fanatics: The Beginnershandbook provides expert tips on how to make a home, find andgather resources, and craftarmour and weapons toprotect from the terrifyingcreatures that come out atnight; The Official CombatHandbook teaches everythingneeded to know to defendfrom hostile monsters andenemy players; The officialMinecraft ConstructionHandbook is packed with tipsand step-by-stepinstructions on how toconstruct houses, bridges,ships, floating islands androllercoasters of the highestquality. RRP £7.99 eachwww.egmont.co.uk

HannsG All-in-One Android PCDoes your family enjoy the hands onexperience of the Tablet PC but wish you couldplay games, connect with friends etc. on abigger screen? The new All-in-One Android PCfrom display specialists HannsG could be theanswer. Designed to replace the conventionalfamily PC, this new product combines thetouch screen tablet experience with big screencomputing, transforming the standard PC intoan interactive entertainment and businesscentre for all the family. The new HannsGAndroid computing solution features a 23” FullHD touch screen display offering fingertipcontrol at its best and the latest Android 4.4operating systems which provides access tohundreds of thousands of applications todownload from online market places such asGoogle Play. The monitor can be wall mountedor includes a robust stand. It also includesspeakers to create an All-in-One package. RRP £199.99 www.hannspree.co.uk



Theatre Stand-up comedians headlining Winchester Comedy Festival include:

Katherine Ryan who is embarking on her second UK stand-up tour labelled ‘Glam Role model’. Canadian Katherine is fast becoming a recognisable face on British TV with appearances on BBC1’s Live at the Apollo, BBC2’s Mock the Week, QI, Never Mind the Buzzcocks and C4s 8 Out of 10 Cats.

Bridget Christie, winner of numerous prestigious comedy awards including; EdinburghComedy Festival 2013 Best Show winner and 2014 Chortle awards Best Show and BestRadio winner. Bridget is also the top selling comedy act at Soho Theatre ever!Visit the website for a full programme of stand-up acts: www.winchestercomedyfestival.co.ukWinchester Comedy Festival also presents A Comedy Gala, a night jam-packed with comedystars. The Comedy Gala takes place on Saturday 4th October featuring: Tom Deacon, BBCRadio 1 presenter with appearances on The Rob Brydon Show and Dave’s One Night Stand;Aisling Bea, who is the only woman to be nominated for the Foster’s Best Newcomer award atthe Edinburgh Fringe; Andi Osho, who has made memorable performances on MichaelMcIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow and Live at the Apollo; and Brian Gittins, star of C4’s Derekand Gittins who makes his Winchester Comedy Festival debut.

If a show is more your cup of tea then Austentatious: An Improvised Novel may be for you.This hour-long comedy play is spun in the inimitable style of Jane Austen – and based entirelyon audience suggestions. An all-star cast improvise a brand new Austen work before yourastonished eyes (previous works include Strictly Come Darcy, Mansfield Shark). Full ofswooning bonnets, stolen looks and dashing gents, Austentatious is not to be missed: fresh,hilarious and entirely unique comedy.

This October, Theatre RoyalWinchester and DiscoveryCentre host the WinchesterComedy festival. With big head

line acts set to walk the boardsbetween the 2nd and 5thOctober there are shows galore

to suit every comedy taste.

To Bookonline

www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk

Box Office:

01962 840440

Autumn Theatre Highlight

Brian Grittins Katherine Ryan


Twenty years after it took its first steps, a trulyphenomenal piece of theatrical entertainment isback by popular demand. Live Nation is proud toannounce that the Riverdance 20th AnniversaryTour will visit 16 venues across the UK from

September 2014.

This series of dates in 2014 represent a chance forUK Riverdance fans old and new to celebrate anincredible milestone for an incredible . A show thatnever loses its magic Riverdance has performedacross the UK where it has been experienced byover 2.9 million people in well over 1000

performances.

“The success of Riverdance across the whole worldhas gone beyond our wildest dreams,” said

producer Moya Doherty. “The fact that the showcontinues to draw and excite audiences is a tributeto every dancer, singer, musician, staff and crewmember who have dedicated themselves to theshow. This 20th Anniversary Tour is a thank you toour UK audiences and a celebration of what hasbeen an incredible journey across two decades.”Don’t miss this anniversary tour!

Land

In this Area:

SOUTHAMPTON MayflowerMonday 1 – Saturday 6 Dec 2014

Box Office: 02380 711 811 (£26.50 - £43.50 plus

booking fee)

(7.30pm Monday-Saturday, plus 2pm matinee

Wednesday and Saturday)

BOURNEMOUTH BICTuesday 16 – Sunday 21 Sept 2014

Box Office: 0844 576 3000 (£27 - £43.50 plus

booking fee)

(8pm Tuesday-Sunday, plus 2.30pm matinees

Wednesday and Saturday)

For full details and a list of 16 UK venues, and of

course to buy tickets visit: www.livenation.co.uk

RIVERDANCE - The 20th Anniversary Tour

A scene from RiverdanceComposed by Bill Whelan, Produced by Moya Doherty, Directed by John McColgan.

Photo Jack Hartin c Abhann Productions

k


We love to hear about what you think is good to do whether in

Hampshire or afar. Come and join us on Facebook

@whatsgoodtodohampshire to share your stories with us or send

us an email [email protected]

Remember to include pictures and you could be featured on this

page in our next issue.

We hope you enjoy this lovely review of Monkey World sent in

(with the help of his mum) from one of our younger readers:

Monkey WorldBy Owen Cross, Age 8I went to monkey world with my nanny, pops and little sister

Bella. We went on a Monday in the school holidays and it was

lots of fun.

First we parked the car and then we walked to the paying lady

and we paid her 35 pounds* to get into the park. We then

went to see all the different monkeys.

The first monkeys we saw were the Gibbons, they were yellow,

black, white, grey and extremely cute. All the monkeys were in

big, clean cages and looked like they were all having lots of fun.

Except for the Chimpanzees who had made lots of mess but

they looked like they were having the most fun!

Nanny brought a picnic and we ate it on a picnic bench outside

on a field, it was very sunny.

We then saw lots more of the monkeys including Orang-utans

who were very lazy and just sat around. My favourite monkey

was one of the Orang-utans called Lucky.

After seeing all of the monkeys we then went to the park where

there was a big big big slide. We thought the park was awesome!

Overall we had good fun at Monkey world and we would love

to go again.

Reader’s stories...

*£35 is the price of a family ticket

Monkey World – Ape Rescue Centre is home to over 240

rescued and endangered primates including; 5 different species

of gibbons, 2 species of Orang-utans, 8 species of monkeys and

prosimians and the largest groups of chimpanzees outside of

Africa. Monkey World is open every day except Christmas Day

Facilities include; An adoption/information centre, Picnic Area,

café, Viewing Tower and Gift Shop. In addition, regular talks are

held throughout the day and guided tours are available.

For more information, entrance prices and to buy tickets, visit:

www.monkeyworld.org Tel: 01929 462537

MONKEY WORLD INFORMATION:

Request our press pack todayCall: 01264 889592

e: [email protected]

What’s Good To Do is a professionally produced, meticulously

distributed magazine for local businesses and organisations.

We offer prime advertising space at a cost effective rate for whatever

the size of your business.

We have numerous advertising options for you to consider, including

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Pictures from our summer issue Camp Bestival

ticket competition winner. A big thank you to Karen for

sending in these great photos of her family enjoying their time

at Camp Bestival festival. Karen was the lucky winner of a

family ticket for the festival which we gave away in a

competition in our summer issue. Don’t forget to visit

our website for lots of chances to win great prizes.

Documents

What's Good To Do Hampshire - Issue 2 - September to November 2014