Nailsea parents (and grandparents) summer holiday competition results

LOTS of lucky Nailsea people have won fun days out during the school summer holiday by entering our fabulous competition.

Three families won tickets for four people to LEGOLAND®, the fabulous theme park near Windsor, another family won a day pass to see the animals at Noah’s Ark zoo farm, Wraxall, and two adults and two children will be spending a super day at the spa and gym at Doubletree by Hilton Cadbury House.

The LEGOLAND ticket winners are:

1)    Caroline Sparks, of Station Close, Backwell. Caroline said: “We would like to win LEGOLAND tickets because it's my son's fifth birthday on Sunday, September 5 and this would make his year.” She forgot to include her son’s name but we hope he has a very happy early birthday present from Nailsea People.

2)    Six-year-old Kristian Mikulic, of Trendlewood Way, Nailsea, wrote a lovely email. He said: “I think I deserve a bit of luck as I spent my Easter holidays ill in bed, for the May half term my mum was away on business so we could not go anywhere and I just found out that we will not be able to go on holiday as my parents cannot take time off work so tickets for Legoland would mean a world to me. As I have no brothers or sisters we would take one of my friends with us as well.” Well Kristian we think you deserve some luck too.

3)    Melanie Watson, of Keedwell Hill, Long Ashton, said: “I am the mother of Ed who is seven and Will who is four. They both love Lego and have built some fantastic things, like a whole house complete with a man in the shower and a woman (with her cat) sat watching a plasma TV. They would love to go to LEGOLAND in the summer, and I'd love to take them, but cost is an issue.” Not anymore Melanie because you have won free tickets.

The Noah’s Ark winner is Karen Irish. Karen, of Mayflower Gardens, is the mother of three primary-age children. She said: “The reason I would love to win free family day out tickets is a simply one. When I tell the children their wide eyed smiles and cheers will say it all. Our preference of tickets would be Noah's Ark.”

And last but not least Kish Ladwa, of Scotch Horn Way, Nailsea, said: “Our family likes to have fun - that's our reason why we would like to win.” Well you have won a free fitness and fun day pass to the swimming pool and gym at Doubletree by Hilton Cadbury House. This is the hotel and health club at Congresbury where the Godfather of modern cooking, Marco Pierre White, will be opening his new steakhouse, bar and grill in September.

All the winners will be contacted about ticket arrangements by the companies who have kindly donated free passes for our competition.

We are sorry not every who entered could be lucky this time but watch out in future for more competitions with Nailsea People.

And for those looking for ideas of what to do during the summer holidays here is an updated list of what is available locally.

BOOKWORMS

Parents and carers are invited to take children between the ages of four and 12 to join the Space Hop challenge at Backwell or Nailsea library.

Space Hop coincides with the 350th anniversary of The Royal Society’s scientific endeavours and the 2010 BBC Year of Science.

The challenge is to read six or more books by Sunday, September 19.

Children will receive a moving image card, a bookmark, a poster with nine stickers to collect, a glow-in-the-dark mobile spinner and a rainbow pencil as they complete the read more books.

Every child who completes the challenge receives a medal and a certificate and can also be entered into a draw to meet children’s author Julie Sykes at a celebration event in Portishead in October.

FLOWER SHOW

Nailsea & District Horticultural Society annual summer flower show is on Saturday and Sunday, August 7-8 at Golden Valley playing fields in a marquee.

It will be opened by Lucy Tegg, of Radio Bristol at 1.30pm on Saturday.

It offers hundreds of flowers, potted plants, vegetables, arts and crafts with displays and lots of things for the children.

The RSPCA dog show is on Sunday.  

Get a schedule from the library or PS Travel.

LEGOLAND

If you feel like going further afield a trip down the M4 to Windsor will take you to LEGOLAND near Windsor which has always been a hit with our family.

This fantastic150-acre theme park in Berkshire is our favourite day out.

LEGOLAND has more than 55 amazing interactive rides, attractions and live shows for the whole family. 

Featuring a staggering 55 million LEGO bricks, it’s more fun than you can imagine for children aged three to 12-years and their families.

With huge plastic bricks made into fun displays, water rides and Ferris wheels for toddlers to early teens this is a super day out in a child-friendly environment.

NATIONAL TRUST

Tyntesfield communications and advocacy officer Jo Isaac said: "Ooh, we have lots to do for summer holiday boredom.

“You can climb our viewing tower, try your hand at croquet, pick up some fresh vegetables and flowers in the kitchen garden or explore the beautiful woodland.

“Alternatively, why not try one of our events?”

So why not take the opportunity to visit this spectacular Victorian house and gardens at Wraxall created by the Gibbs family.

All are from 11am-3pm and free with general admission:

Tuesday, August 3 - Victorian toys and games

Wednesday, August 4 - family volunteering day to clear overgrowth and learn about wildlife

Tuesday, August 10 - pebble painting

Tuesday, August 17 - tree hunt

Saturday, August 21 - celebrating citrus - tour of kitchen garden, a citrus sway shop with take home recipe

Tuesday, August 24 – marvellous mini-beasts

Tuesday, August 31 - stained glass detectives

Just down the road is Clevedon Court, the ancestral home of the Elton family. It is open 2-5pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays and bank holiday Mondays from April to September. It has a fine collection of Nailsea glass and Elton pottery. New this season is a family guide and children’s quiz and trail. More details by clicking HERE.

NOAH’S ARK ZOO FARM

Noah’s Ark plays host to the hugely popular reptile fortnight which is back for its third summer.

The event will run until Saturday, August 14. and will include two daily venomous snake shows.

Adults and children will have the opportunity to get face to face with some of the most dangerous snakes in the world, normally only seen on TV that will brought to the zoo courtesy of The Reptile Zone.

Safely behind a custom built barrier, the handlers, Pete Blake and Brian Petrie who are licensed keepers and handlers demonstrate some of the nuances of the snakes and natural behaviour the snakes use in the wild.

They will also explain some of the positive benefits these snakes have to eco systems and human medicine. 

Visitors will have the opportunity to meet some of the reptiles after the shows including non venomous snakes and lizards. 

There will a huge variety of reptiles to meet including the fastest snake in the world; the Black Mamba and the awesome King Cobra.

Amongst others there will also be the world’s most venomous snake- the deadly Taipan, with its venom being toxic enough in a single bite to kill 500,000 mice.

Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm which began in 1999 has more than 130,000 visitors each year.

It is home to lions, giraffe, zebras, rhinos, tigers, gibbons, camels and 100 other animals as well as having planning permission for an elephant house.

As well as the mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates at Noah’s Ark, there are several important species classified as ‘endangered’ to ‘vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List.

These include cotton topped tamarins (critically endangered), white rhinos (near threatened), Brazilian tapirs (vulnerable) and Siamang gibbons (endangered).

PLAY TIME

During the school holidays there are two ‘stay and plays’ arranged by Nailsea and Backwell Children's Centre.

On Tuesday, August 10, you can join the gang at Backwell Lake for a range of activities between 1.30-3.30 pm.

On Tuesday, August 24, there will be a mini play day at the Play Pod, Pound Lane, Nailsea starting at 1pm.  This event is held in conjunction with the Play Forum.

To find out more contact Sian or Beccy on 01934 426710 or email nailseaandbackwellchildrenscentre@n-somerset.gov.uk

Are you aged 23 years or younger? Do you have a child or children who are 0-4 years old? Would you like to meet other parents?

If so a Young Parent drop-in group is starting at Nailsea and Backwell Children's Centre on Monday, August 2 from 1- 2.30 pm.  The group will meet on alternate Mondays.

There will be craft activities and indoor/outdoor play and a chance to make new friends. Our family support worker will be available for advice and information.

Call the centre on 01934 426 710 for more information.

Find out more about children's centres in North Somerset and the wide range of services they offer click HERE. 

SUMMER SCHOOLS

Many summer schools are up-and-running but those still to start are:

• A playscheme with a Christian message will be at Nailsea Methodist Church from Monday to Thursday, August 16-19. It promises four days of fun and games. Call Debbie on 01275 462023 for more details.
• Gemini Gymnastic Club at Blackfriars Road, Nailsea, is bending over backwards for youngsters during the holidays.
• Backwell Playhouse summer theatre for Year 5 and 6 runs from Monday to Friday, August 2-6. Classes in performance technique, stage craft, vocal training, set design, theatrical make-up and prop making. A finale performance to showcase what has been learned during the week will be put on. Call Fiona on 01275 392936 for more details.
• Tingill is staging a theatre academy at Backwell Playhouse. The youth music and drama group is putting on summer workshops in stage combat, acting, lighting and sound, dancing, percussion and much more for boys and girls who like to work front and back-of-house. The junior academy is from Monday to Friday, August 9-13, and the senior academy is from Monday to Friday, August 16-20. Click HERE for more details. 

  There are more ideas about sports activities in the separate article called Let's Get Physical.