stalbanslife

PLAY IN THE PARKS,  ST ALBANS

This is free to all parents and children each summer. Running from 26^th July until 1^stSeptember, your 5-12 yr olds can go along to any of the 15 open spaces across the district. However, under 8’s need to be accompanied by a parent.

Activities include Drama Workshops, Creative Games and Sports Specific Sessions. For further details, maps etc, click on www.stalbans.gov.uk .

WILLOWS PARK FARM, LONDON COLNEY

Willows is just magical for children and whatever the weather, there is always plenty to do. The ever-popular ‘maize’ maze activity runs from 24^th July until 5^thSeptember. There is Woollys Jumper Play Barn, the Sheep Show (my kids favourite!), Daft Duck trails, Fun Fair Rides. You can hold the Guinea-Pigs, drink a smooth latte or play Frisbee Golf. Lots more information on events, times and prices on www.willowsfarmvillage.com .

THE SNOW CENTRE, HEMEL HEMPSTEAD

It might be summertime but why not get ready for the Ski Season? The Ski Centre is a 15 minute drive from St Albans and offers Holiday Courses from £60. The kids use up their energy on the slope while you unwind in the Edge Café Bar and look on! It’s a win/win situation! Click www.thesnowcentre.com .

Note; Our local newspapers, The Herts Advertiser www.hertsad.co.uk  and The St Albans Review www.stalbansreview.co.uk  have the latest info on theatres, arts and sports events.

Pineapple Performing Arts School has been delivering first class tuition at the world famous Pineapple Studios for over 10 years. They are now bringing our unique formula to St Albans and offering young people a week of performing arts with industry professionals and West End Performers. Head tutor will be Nadine Cox who is direct from the Original London Cast of smash hit musical ‘Wicked’. There will be three age groups: 8-10years, 11-14 years and 15+ years. The whole week will be spent learning new skills and building up to the final showcase on the last day. Be sure to secure your place, call 02083518839 or 07881988672 for more details and to book your place on the hottest Summer School in St Albans!

The summer holidays are fast approaching – but don’t panic as Willows Farm Village near St Albans is holding their Summer Spectacular event with plenty to keep children busy from the 18^th July to 6^th September.

Willows’ farmer Andrew Wolfe has planted an A-maize-ing Maze – grown completely from maize. Finding your way around the maze is an exciting adventure the whole family will enjoy, but make sure you don’t get too lost and are out in time to take part in some of the other fun activities that are taking place this summer at Willows.

There will be traditional sports day races, including egg and spoon and sack races, with certificates for all children who take part.

Also returning to Willows this year is the fun Summer Panto which takes place in Woolly’s Showtime Theatre with a new show and the popular Sing-a-long-a Woolly sessions which see Farm Village mascot Woolly Willow the Sheep leading children in well-known nursery rhymes.

Outdoors, there are all the farmyard animals to see, and children can let off steam on Woolly’s Workout agility play trail before trying their hand on the new Frisbee Golf course. If the weather takes a turn for the worse, there is still plenty of fun to be had with Willows’ indoor play barn, Woolly Jumpers, featuring active play, ball pools and three exciting slides.

Andrew Wolfe, farmer at Willows, says: “The nice spring weather we have had has allowed the maize maze to grow really well this year – making it harder than ever and even more fun to find your way around!

“Tristan, our Runaway Tractor, helped me with the ploughing and planting of the maize this year but he is rather forgetful and managed to misplace lots of his things in the field. Visitors can help search for Tristan’s lost belongings and fill in a form as they find their way through the maze. We will draw a winner from the completed forms to win a £100 Farm Shop voucher.

“Farms are wonderful in the warm summer months. There is plenty of space to run around, and the animals are all very relaxed and enjoy meeting the children every day. Now is also a great time to come back to the farm and visit the baby animals from the spring – children will be amazed at how much they have grown!”

The Summer Panto shows are scheduled to take place in Woolly’s Showtime Theatre at 11am and 4:15pm daily. Sing-a-long-a Woolly takes place in the sheep show stand at 12:45pm and 2:45pm daily with summer sports day races at 3pm each day.

For the full programme of events and activities visit www.willowsfarmvillage.com or call 0870 129 9718.