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In June, to coincide with our first anniversary, we launched the first ever Mum's guide to Harpenden 2013 Awards to celebrate everything great about the area we live in. The votes have now been counted and it's time to declare the winners (drum roll please)....
Here’s who you think makes Harpenden and surrounds the special place that it is:
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Best Activity Class or Group for Under 5s: Tick Tock Music (Runner-up: Busy Babes)
Best Activity Class or Group for School-age Children: Hurst Children's Theatre Group (Runner-up: Louise Sheaves School of Dance)
Best Holiday Club or Class: Making Waves (Runner-up:Great Sports)
Best Pre/Post-natal Support Service: Harpenden Children's Centre (Runner-up: Harpenden NCT)
Best Pampering Service for Mums: Breathing Space (Runner-up:Lavender & Stone)
Best Party and Celebrations Provider: Harpenden Sandwich Company (Runner-up: Busy Babes)
Best Restaurant for Families: Pizza Express (Runner-up: Strada)
Most Family-friendly Café: The Gingerbread Man (Runner-up: The Oval Cafe)
Best Local Shop: Threads (Runner-up: The Spotty Dinosaur)
Best Family Day Out: Whipsnade Zoo (Runner-up: Stockwood Discovery Centre)
Congratulations to all the winners - keep up the good work! And thank you to the hundreds of you who voted!
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ACTIVE CREATIVE CELEBRATES 10 YEARS!
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Hi, I'm Lorry Edwards, founder of Active Creative Ltd… Dinky Dancers (2-4 year old), Boogaloo Boogie(5-7 year olds), Motion Commotion (8-12 year olds) and The Performing Arts Club (5-14 year olds). I wanted to let you know about the passion we have for teaching your children! We love, love, love our classes because we know how important it is to foster lifelong interest in physical activity in children. 10 years ago we started an amazing, committed journey with thousands of children. As a PE teacher, I felt concerned as scientific evidence indicated declining levels of physical activity in children were associated with adverse impacts on health, including obesity levels, diabetes, and heart disease. In response to this (and I had 4 young children of my own!), I felt drawn to promote health in children through physical activity, also encouraging parents of younger children to become actively engaged with their children's enjoyment of creative physical movement....and that's what we do! Active Creative has been growing for 10 years, with classes across the country, winning business, industry and education awards and we've been given 'Outstanding' grading by OFSTED on several occasions… BUT what makes us get up enthusiastically every day with a smile, is working with your children in Community Classes, Nurseries, Children Centres and Schools week by week. Dinky Dancers is on Mondays & Thursdays in Harpenden, and for older children Boogaloo Boogie and Motion Commotion classes run in Kimpton School, The Grove School and are soon to be starting at Harpenden Free School. This Summer Monday 29th July - Thursday 1st August is the tenth anniversary of The Performing Arts Club Harpenden for 5-14 year olds. So why not find out more? We'd love to see you. [email protected] Lorry Edwards 01438 831281 www.active-creative.com |
ASK THE EXPERT!
Joan Mills was an NHS nurse for many years and is now a qualified Reflexologist, a Doula and a certified HypnoBirth practitioner. Here she talks about her HypnoBirthing courses.
I'm pregnant and have heard lots of horror stories about birth - I'm now frightened what can I do to help myself?
Firstly stop listening to other people's stories, they are other people's stories and not yours.
And secondly start to prepare for your baby's birth with this unique antenatal programme called HypnoBirthing. It will teach you how to relax properly and you will learn breathing and massage techniques but most importantly you will learn not to be frightened.
The name HypnoBirthing makes it sound a bit weird
It's not at all weird or strange. It's a really practical helpful course that teaches you real skills to enable you to stay calm and in control of your birth.
Will my midwife know about HypnoBirthing?
More and more midwives are learning about it and celebrities are using it which always raises the profile of something that's relatively new or not well- known. Lots of media reporters are even suggesting that Kate Middleton is practicing it for the birth of her royal baby due in July. Watch this space!
When is a good time to do the course and how long is it?
Between 20 and 30 weeks of pregnancy is preferable but even as late as 36 or 38 weeks you can still learn ways to help have a calm and comfortable birth.The course is taught over 4 sessions each one 2.5 hours long so 10 hours in total with an opportunity to have a refresher class closer to the estimated due date if required.
Joan teaches HypnoBirthing courses on a Wednesday evening in Harpenden and on a Thursday evening at the Veralum Clinic in St Albans. Visit her website for more information. |
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firm and tone the jawline with lavender & stone beauty rooms
The CACI jowl lift facial has been developed to specifically target muscle laxity around the jawline. The CACI Jowl Lift facial uses new Quad Probe applicators designed to double the lifting action of the CACI treatment system, thereby enhancing results and reducing treatment time.
This facial treatment helps to improve the appearance of sagging jowls by using the Quad Probes which have been specifically developed to target the muscles around the jawline.
The Quad probes emit tiny electrical impulses to lift, firm and redefine facial contours. To maximise the firming effect, the Quad Probes are used in conjunction with unique serum filled cotton buds that contain a powerfull skin firming formulation.
For best results a course of 10 treatments is recommended over a five-week period. Once you have compleated your course, results can be maintained with a monthly top up treatment.
Lavender & Stone is currently offering:
£35.00 per treatment.
Subject to availability.
Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer.
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EXCLUSIVE OFFER FROM OLI SPicer
6 sessions of Boot Camp for the price of 5 when you quote "Mum's guide to Harpenden"
For a fun and exhilarating way of achieving your fitness goals why not try Oli Spicer Boot Camp!
Boot Camp is 9.15-10.15am every Tuesday and Friday outside Redbourn Recreation Centre and 9.20-10.20am every Saturday on Redbourn common.
Boot Camp is suitable for all fitness levels and your first session is free!
Come down to give it a try or call Oli on 07875006432 or visit the website for more information.
Don't forget to tell your friends!
Visit our Special Offers page for more offers and money-off voucher codes!
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summer fun dance days!
The children from Gwen Hallam Dance, Harpenden’s newest Dance School, are thrilled to be continuing the success of their first year with some Summer Fun Dance Days running throughout the summer holidays! Each session will consist of different activities, games, crafts, and of course lots of dance and movement. Based around different themes, each day will provide a chance for the children to use their energy and creativity and have some summer fun! For more information please contact: [email protected].
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the parents' show
The Parents' Show is a local weekly radio show on Radio Verulam 92.6FM or online at www.radioverulam.com. The show is live on air every Thursday from 8-9pm covering topics of interest to parents in Harpenden and St Albans. We've dealt with issues ranging from getting into the school of your choice with Schoolsguru to weaning with Annabel Karmel, and sleep issues with Gina Ford. And just this week Mum's guide to Harpenden came into the studio and featured on the programme.
Listen back at itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-parents-show/id443161154 or request a show on a topic of your choice by emailing [email protected].
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Win a photography workshop with ian scott photography!
Wouldn't it be wonderful to be able to take photographs of your family that you are proud of, because you know how to compose and take a great photograph? Enter the Ian Scott Photography, Photography Workshop Competition in association with Mum's Guide to Harpenden and soon you will have the answers!
Anyone who is interested in photography is welcome to enter - during the workshop Ian and Emma will unravel some of the mystery behind your camera. You don't need to have a snazzy SLR camera, a compact digital camera is great too!
The winner will receive a VIP ticket to attend an Introduction to Photography Workshop, either in September, October or November of this year. The two-hour evening workshop is fun, informative and hands on. The workshop covers:
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Understanding the settings on your camera
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How to compose a good photograph
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An introduction to ISO, shutter speed and aperture
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Tips on using natural light
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To enter email Ian and Emma at [email protected] and in a few words describe "Why Photography is Important to Me". The deadline is midnight on Wednesday 31st July!
Sssshhhh! Mum's Guide say ... don’t forget to follow the Ian Scott Photography Facebook page for tips and words they might be looking for!
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enjoy the summer holidays
End of term mayhem has started and the summer holidays are just around the corner. If you're anything like us you'll be looking forward to the break, especially after the hectic last few weeks of term, but also feeling slightly apprehensive about the idea of entertaining the kids for 6 whole weeks (or more)! Don't panic, our website is here to help...
If you're looking for activities for the children (either without you to give you time to recover, or with you if yours are a bit littler) then look no further than our Holiday Clubs & Classes section. There are classes, clubs and camps for tots right up to teenagers.
Or, perhaps you fancy a trip out with the children. If so, check out the Things To Do section for ideas on local days out as well as some that are a bit further afield.
Finally, don’t worry if the kids are driving you mad one morning and you have nothing planned, you need the Events section. It includes everything that is going on in the local area that day, including many drop-in activities. And look out for FREE activities such as Play in the Parks, the Kite Festival at Dunstable Downs, Classics on the Common, Family Mornings at St Albans Abbey and the Teddy Bear's Picnic at Lydekker Park where Mum's guide to Harpenden will once again be having a stand.
So summer is sorted. Now relax, and enjoy it!
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Alison, Angela, Carol & Katie
The Mum's guide to Harpenden Team
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