Slightly Fat Features - Variety in the Tobacco Factory Theatre, Bristol

We got to the Tobacco Factory Theatre early to bagsy prime seats in the centre front row of the auditorium. And then, I couldn’t help but wonder whether this was an ill-advised move at a comedy variety show.

They were kind. Although, as we left the theatre, the Slightly Fat Feature’s drummer, Matt, did comment that my 5-year old looked a bit less scared now it was all over. She wasn’t scared but I did get my fair share of cuddles of unsurety throughout the performance, especially when said percussion man had offered her one of his knocked out Tic-Tac teeth (we’d just eaten a whole box between us, coincidentally).

As is her way, she sat opened mouthed through much of the utter silliness before her. I giggled throughout the majority of the evening. The show reminded me of being in a festival circus tent, such as Watchet has to offer: nothing too rude, definitely OK for young children, in all its pantoesque innuendo.

Initially, I cringed mirthfully when two of the performers put a row of toy dogs in a line to smash them with a hammer to play out “How much is that doggie in the window.” She got it. I got it. We were there.

50 magical tricks in 5 minutes, all completely awful and fun – congratulations. Evel Kenil on his unicycle jumping 4 double decker buses, so slapstick. A duel for the love of Anna, a female member of the audience, entertaining and a little jumpy up there at the front. Escapology, what a build-up. A Vegas Elvis harping on about healthy eating, spear that pepper! Miniature Cowboy, please sit on my lap next time.

Guest performer, Les Bubb, was excellent. Mime and comedy done well. “Balloons aren’t really that heavy, are they, Mummy. Is he pretending?” No flies on my daughter.

On our way back to the car, she gave thought to how a man could really be sawn in two. “Maybe there were two men. One on was on his knees and another one in the other box?” she said sleepily. You’d have to stay up all night to catch these kids out. Wayne Marvell, you were her absolute favourite, something about the eyes ...?

Slightly Fat Features in the Factory runs at the Tobacco Factory Theatre until Saturday 29^th October. And yes, it’s very much recommended if you like a laugh, whatever your age.

Review by Becky

Back to the Meadow, come and play ...

Can you remember a time before the X Box, when children skipped and played in the street? Well just for one day, Saturday the 22^nd of October, Meadow Street (from Alfred Street to Orchard Street) will become a playground, so come along and join in the fun!

Bring your family and enjoy the day that time forgot. From 11-4pm you are invited to join Central Children’s Centre and local businesses and traders to come and play on Meadow Street.

Come in fancy dress to claim your free party bag:

Weston-super-Mum is running hula hoop competitions and Sustainable Weston are planting trees (in pots to take home) There will be face painting and henna tattoos, story time from Weston libraries, baby massage in the children’s Centre, a Lego workshop, badge making from Warm Families

There will be prizes and balloons and bunting and so much more.

Atlantic Fish Bar are providing fun activities for the children and a special menu including fishy shaped chips. RM Signs & Textiles will be holding a raffle, first prize a hoodie, second prize a t-shirt and 10 runners up prizes of baseball caps! ‘Chance 2 Dance’ will also be joining in the fun with Street Dance Performances’. There are also activities in Weston-super-Mare Museum on Burlington Street, which is just around the corner and in case of very bad weather some of the activities will be moved in to the Museum. Whatever the weather there will be fun and activities in the street, so if it’s raining come along, wear your willies’ and have fun. Can’t wait to see you there.

To find out more about what is on and how you can join in call Mary Morgan from the Neighbourhoods Team on 426998

Little Chill

We've just spent four days of pure, exhausting fun at Big Chill Festival at Eastnor Castle Deer Park.

This was a very well organised event: entry to and exit from the Festival was effortless, the Crew helped us lug our bags from the car to a camping pitch in the Family Area and two of them even lent a hand in putting up our tent, a feat that is always difficult alone on a (slightly) windy day. The weather was generally OK, with some heavy downpours of rain that didn't spoil the fun as there were so many undercover activities to enjoy.

The crowd was friendly and we met some new friends, the acts were excellent and the Little Chill Kids' Area offered a range of exciting things to do - painting, circus acts, bands, sandpit, model and costume making, storytellers, yoga, Baby Chill, dance ....

And we completed most of the challenges set by you. Thank you to all who took part in our Festival:

On Facebook, Laura said, "Challenge Lestie to skip on stage, and you to host a dinner party!" Sorry Laura, this is the closest we got to this one #fail:

Sweet Meal with Lynette and Tom

Swinging Poi at Deer Park Stage

@CocoBrownsCafe tweeted, "I want to know what your favourite food & drink was or just the best you see @BigChillFest. Inspiration for me!"

Lebanese Mezze of Fool Madamas, Batata Harrah, bulgar and salsa

On the original Weston-super-Mum blogpost, Keith Ramsey said, "Just go with the flow, relax and do whatever feels right"

Home sweet Home

Wheelbarrow Girl, Asleep

On twitter, @KarenBlakeArt said, 'Id like to see a phot of BOTH of you in the circus area of Little Chill, trying something new":

Spinning plates at the Big Top

Unicycle
Proud on our stilts Look! I can do it!

Thank you so much for these challenges, they made the experience all the more enjoyable at a Festival to be 100% recommended!

I've posted more photos on my Weston-super-Mum profile

The Big Chill Festival Website





- by Becky Condron

Pitch-a-Tent at Puxton Park

We erected our tent at Puxton Park to overcast skies on a thankfully dry evening. We hadn’t brought very much with us: you learn to camp light when you need to and, anyway, we’d only be here for 18 hours – the doors opened at 4pm on Saturday and all tents were packed away by 10 the next morning, plus the burger bar complimented the fruit and biscuits we’d bought from the Farm Shop there, which took the whole cool box and stove carrying out of the equation, though some people did light their own barbeques.

In all, 17 tents were pitched at the circumference of the ‘Main Arena,’ leaving plenty of space for the kids to run and play, if needed. But really, with so much to do here, we only went to the camping area to sleep.

Our first stop {and one we returned to often over the hours that followed} was the jumping pillow and, with so few people at Puxton, I was able to bounce as hard and as high as I could, delighting my daughter. This may have been the best part of spending an evening as a camper – we felt as though we had the place to ourselves. The Play Barn was open till 9:30pm, which is also when the toilets closed. Throughout the evening, three keen young lads strummed their guitars and sang barely audible numbers at the entrance to the building, next to the burger van on the other side of the doors. We slid, bounced, crawled, swung and squealed our way through a couple of hours.

At 8:30pm we passed the cows, goats, sheep, ponies, chickens and alpacas and all trotted down to the Twilight Zone for a highly entertaining owl display, where we learned a few things about these creatures’ habits. Children and adults got to be hand perches for a range of birds and the Owl Guy, who clearly loves his job, had us all taking part in some way, even if only through our laughter and listening.

Then we went back outside for a sheep race. We were giving betting slips, so C decided on Sheep Number 6, who didn’t win but that was fine because everyone got a lollipop prize. Next we were treated to a slightly wild trip around the Park on a cart, pulled along by a big red tractor, The Wurzels playing loudly in our ears. Completely bizarre and very Somerset. We absolutely loved it.

I barely had time to catch my breath when she pulled me over to the wooden fort as the sun went down. Finally it was time for bed with no resistance from a happily exhausted almost 5-year old.

We awoke to full sunshine, had a touch of breakfast in The Meadows restaurant and then made our way to The Barn for some more sliding and twisting – all by 8:30am. We found our way once more to the jumping pillow, where she perfected her gambol, and then we went to say ‘Hello’ to the adorable new-born piglets, snuggled up with Mummy Pig. A quick look in the Falconry Centre and time for one more swing before collapsing the tent and packing the car. Another stop at the Farm Shop for Sunday’s bread and milk to take to our home, just 10 minutes away.

My only problem with this £10 a night Pitch a Tent at Puxton Park is that they don’t do it more often. We would go at every available opportunity. It’s the most relaxed camping trip that we have ever been on. And that’s saying something.

A big thank you to all the staff, who were so friendly and very helpful. And to Clover the Cow :-}

Puxton Park website

- by Becky

Sunrise Celebration Festival - 2-5 June 2011

- By Becky Condron

I am stupidly excited!

We're going to the Sunrise Celebration Festival, held not far from Weston on a farm close to Bruton in our very own Somerset countryside. Next week - 2nd to 5th June!

I have no worries that my 4 year old daughter and I will be travelling to and arriving at this very chilled out, family friendly festival on our own. It promises to be the sort of place where it's so easy to meet other, like-minded families with plenty of new friends for us to play with.

Part of the vision of Sunrise Celebration is to strengthen communities and I'm a great believer in that, it's exactly what Weston-super-Mum is achieving after all.

But which arena to try first? Besides the music there is just so much to do. The Forest Garden sounds interesting - a school area, plenty of opportunity for fun learning and the Green Man story teller. Or there's the Village Green with its playground, twinkling labyrinth and scented garden. There's even a Conscious Birthing Group, though maybe I should give that a miss, as even I can get broody.

The Sunrise Kids' area has workshops and a child-friendly cabaret. So much colour, life and spectacle to be experienced.

As for Performance Art, we're promised "wandering minstrels, sword-drawing cavaliers, stilt walkers, fire dancers and poets." Wow. "Expect the unexpected," is just about the best warning I have ever heard, given the context.

There is also a fancy dress theme. Ready? .... Steampunk Time Travelling. Erm

I have a favour to ask and I know that I could live to regret this but I invite all of you to set me a challenge. Head over to the Sunrise Celebration website (link below) and think of something that you'd like us to do at the Festival. Something ridiculous, wacky, daring or exciting. Please bear in mind that I have a 4 year old with me so keep it safe, inexpensive and practical and leave your challenge below. The winner will be pulled out of a hat and announced by Brad Burton from 4Networking on Tuesday 31st May at Weston-super-Mum's Go Wild in the Woods at the Water Tower. OMG, OMG, OMG!!

I will take loads of photos to evidence us rising to the challenge and, on our return, I'll let you all know how we got on. How could I not?

I'd also like to ask for your advice. I have been to plenty of festivals and I'm savvy but I've never been with a young child before. Do you have any tips to make this even more enjoyable than it promises to be anyway? Food to take? Accessories we might need? How to pace ourselves? What to do if she gets tired? Thank you.

And if anyone else is going, please send me a FB message (Becky Condron) or look me up on WsMum and we can hook up, if you like. I have space for 3 max in the back of my car if anyone wants to lift-share.





Here's Sunrise Celebration's website: http://www.sunrisecelebration.com/

They also have a Facebook page, just type "Sunrise Celebration" into the search box











Look forward to reading your tips and challenges. I think ;-)