where local parents meet
Wednesday, 21 April 2010
Monday, 19 April 2010
Introducing real life super-Mum, Claire Palmer
At home, Claire is mummy to her 3-year old son, Leo. At work, Klair is a singer with soul. Here, the Dutty Girl gives us a window on her busy life.
What makes you smile? My little son Leo :)
What annoys you? Judgemental people who don’t give you a chance!
Where, in Weston, do you like to take Leo? In the summer, the beach and Grove Park and other times, Baby Break Cafe and the Purple Sheep Centre
Who has been your biggest inspiration personally? My parents: they are awesome. They are grafters and they give so much love to all of our family.
Who has been your biggest inspiration professionally? My dad. He was in a band when I was growing up. He now has a recording studio and has always helped me to focus on becoming a professional singer. He helps me out a lot. Thanks Dad!!!!
How do you juggle work and motherhood? It’s hard sometimes, but I manage. Leo’s a good boy and my parents are superstars!!
How would you best describe your sound? Soulful, Heartfelt and Powerful!
Tell us about Dutty Girl. Dutty Girl are a crew from Bristol that musically span a multitude of genres from Hip Hop, Dubstep to Grime, Drum n Bass, Bassline, Funky and Dancehall. We do things our own way, with our own sense of home-girl haute couture style! Providing our audiences with an alternative from the overtly male-dominated scene and bringing a light-hearted, cheeky and feminine approach whilst always taking seriously our music and our audience's enjoyment.
What’s the weirdest gig you’ve ever done? Probably my first big gig with my friend Emma. That felt weird!!! It was a charity gig in Clevedon ...... on a trailer!! One minute the place was dead, the next thing we knew the entire sea front was full of people watching us! We even got called back on to do another set!!!
What’s the best compliment you’ve ever had? “You’re the best singer we’ve ever heard!’’
Who would you most like to meet? Beyoncé
What are your hopes for the future? Simply to make a good living out of what I enjoy doing, to be happy and to make Leo proud of me
Klair will be performing her very own set live at Grove Park Bandstand, Weston, on Bank Holiday Monday, May 31st, 14:30-16:30
Tuesday, 23 March 2010
Weston-super-Mum Does Sports Relief
A few of us met at the Silica, aka the Carrot, so that we wouldn't get lost in the crowds, though the way a couple of us were dressed, that was unlikely to happen.
For Sports Relief this year, Debbie Smith organised a small but dedicated group of Weston-super-Mums to join the rest of Weston in running a mile from the Grand Pier to the Seaquarium along the beach and then back again on the promenade.
We were all so excited to step onto the half-built Grand Pier dressed as Superheroes, among us Wonder Woman, an unimpressed 9-month old Princess Leia, two Supergirls (one of whom maybe should know better, the other was three years old), Sportacus, SuperFairy, an extra cute Superbaby and Glasto Girl, plus one dad and three Supergrannies without costumes but with amused expressions.
We got our foot in the door of the Pier, amid the near-frenzy of hundreds of fellow Westonians, some serious in their running shoes and shorts and others, like us, in ridiculous fancy dress: the prize really should go to the man dressed as a Curly Wurly, even though he scared the superpants off of one of our younger team members.
You could tell that our team was more serious about dressing up and having fun than about coming in in record time as we waited, fizzy drinks in hand, chatting instead of doing our warm up exercises. And then we were off. Well, in fact, we weren't because we thought we should wait until those with stopclocks and determination on their faces got their race well underway first so as not to get trampled underfoot.
We dutifully took our place near the back of the hoards, pushing buggies and holding tiny hands. The sun shone down gloriously, quite remarkable considering the weather 24 hours before. Wonder Woman was thrilled that Theo Paphitis spoke to her as we passed him but 3-year old Sportacus got a strop on about a totally unrelated incident, I'm sure.
We didn't run the mile, we didn't even walk it, we toddled - our very own Sports Relief Toddle. One circuit equalled one mile and so we were overtaken by the fit people running the three mile race: in fact, some madmen and women overtook us twice! A very nice man dressed as a horse chased Superfairy and Sportacus until they looked a little worried and we witnessed 5 girls painted blue tied together so they only had six legs between them fall over time and again.
It was great fun and we all deserved an ice-cream at the finish line! Furthermore, we raised over £150 for Sports Relief: Ker-pow!! A super-douper thank you to everyone who sponsored us.
Saturday, 6 March 2010
All Aboard
Activity is high at Weston-super-Mum, with memebers really making the place home, joining in discussions and organising events. Super Grandmother, Kay Blake, created the group Into the Arena, where we can tell others about those bargains that we have seen around town and household tips that we just can't keep to ourselves. On our Forum you can share tips on how to be green-minded. Some funny comments have appeared on the discussion "Mummy Moments," about those odd times when it really hits home that you're a parent - like when you go clothes shopping for yourself and come back with bagfuls of stuff for your little one instead!
Karen Blake hosted a play-date at Central Weston Children's Centre and Emma Tait organised a super-Mums get together at Milton and Old Worle Children's Centre, while Gin got a few of us together for a picnic at Ashcombe Park, for which, miraculously, the sun shone bright!
The Arts and Crafts Afternoon at the Purple Sheep Cafe in Hughenden Road brought in a number of colourful entries for our Logo Competition - many thanks to Chris, Claire, Shane and Kayleigh at the Purple Sheep, who all made us feel very welcome, and to all of you who manned the event or who brought your children along. The competition hasn't closed yet, so there's still time to get your entries in!
In fact, it's all gone a bit Competition Loco over on the Community. We're running a blog writing competition for our Weston Mercury online slot. So if you want to be in with the chance of winning a family ticket to Puxton Park, tell us all about a place you like to visit in North Somerset with the kids and mail it to us at info@westonsupermum.com Closing date is 14th March.
At the end of March, one lucky Community member, picked at random, will receive a game of Cluedo, which has been kindly donated by Lloyds Toys in Weston High Street. To enter the draw, simply sign up as a member of Weston-super-Mum :)
We're organising charity events too - Debbie S has brought us together to dress up as superheroes and raise money for Sports Relief on our Toddle from The Grand Pier to Seaquarium with other entrants from all over the region. It's not too late to sign up. Alternatively, if you'd like to sponsor the Weston-super-Mum Team, you can do so here: http://www.mysportrelief.com/TeamPage.aspx?Lang=en-CA&TSID=17280
Please support us!
Exciting news from Weston Hospicecare! Olly Joseph and the team at WH are ready to organise a Family Fun Day in the summer, with entertainers, face-painting and the like. We need as many people to sign up for the group dedicated to Weston Hospicecare so that the event can go ahead. Olly welcomes any suggestions you may have to make this a day designed for YOU and would also like to know whether any of us would like to take a more active role in the preparations and staging of the event. Sign up to the group to ensure that the Fun Day can be staged and tell us your views on it.
In other WsMum news, Kelly has launched her very own website, http://www.notjust4baby.co.uk/, which sells homemade nappy cakes and beautiful wooden gifts, perfect for Mother's Day and beyond. And Claire Palmer aka Klair appeared on HTV news in her role as one of the Dutty Girls and and their excellent work in "encouraging young women to express themselves through music to boost confidence and self esteem." View it here!
If you have any news you'd like us to share with the Community, sign up to our site and tell us all about it.
Happy Parenting in Weston!
Karen Blake hosted a play-date at Central Weston Children's Centre and Emma Tait organised a super-Mums get together at Milton and Old Worle Children's Centre, while Gin got a few of us together for a picnic at Ashcombe Park, for which, miraculously, the sun shone bright!
The Arts and Crafts Afternoon at the Purple Sheep Cafe in Hughenden Road brought in a number of colourful entries for our Logo Competition - many thanks to Chris, Claire, Shane and Kayleigh at the Purple Sheep, who all made us feel very welcome, and to all of you who manned the event or who brought your children along. The competition hasn't closed yet, so there's still time to get your entries in!
In fact, it's all gone a bit Competition Loco over on the Community. We're running a blog writing competition for our Weston Mercury online slot. So if you want to be in with the chance of winning a family ticket to Puxton Park, tell us all about a place you like to visit in North Somerset with the kids and mail it to us at info@westonsupermum.com Closing date is 14th March.
At the end of March, one lucky Community member, picked at random, will receive a game of Cluedo, which has been kindly donated by Lloyds Toys in Weston High Street. To enter the draw, simply sign up as a member of Weston-super-Mum :)
We're organising charity events too - Debbie S has brought us together to dress up as superheroes and raise money for Sports Relief on our Toddle from The Grand Pier to Seaquarium with other entrants from all over the region. It's not too late to sign up. Alternatively, if you'd like to sponsor the Weston-super-Mum Team, you can do so here: http://www.mysportrelief.com/TeamPage.aspx?Lang=en-CA&TSID=17280
Please support us!
Exciting news from Weston Hospicecare! Olly Joseph and the team at WH are ready to organise a Family Fun Day in the summer, with entertainers, face-painting and the like. We need as many people to sign up for the group dedicated to Weston Hospicecare so that the event can go ahead. Olly welcomes any suggestions you may have to make this a day designed for YOU and would also like to know whether any of us would like to take a more active role in the preparations and staging of the event. Sign up to the group to ensure that the Fun Day can be staged and tell us your views on it.
In other WsMum news, Kelly has launched her very own website, http://www.notjust4baby.co.uk/, which sells homemade nappy cakes and beautiful wooden gifts, perfect for Mother's Day and beyond. And Claire Palmer aka Klair appeared on HTV news in her role as one of the Dutty Girls and and their excellent work in "encouraging young women to express themselves through music to boost confidence and self esteem." View it here!
If you have any news you'd like us to share with the Community, sign up to our site and tell us all about it.
Happy Parenting in Weston!
Friday, 19 February 2010
Gaining momentum
It’s been another busy week for the Weston-super-Mum community. The site keeps gaining momentum, with another twenty members joining this week.
We have had lots of involvement from our very active members on the site. Kate R has set up a breastfeeding support group where members can share their thoughts, feelings and experiences of breastfeeding. Already, members of the group are starting to share their thoughts on places in Weston that are breastfeeding friendly, but so far it looks like Weston-super-Mare is a pretty welcoming place for breastfeeding mums!
Apes has also set up a Health Support Group online this week. This supportive and friendly group is already helping members to share experiences and gain support from others who are experiencing physical or mental illness.
Lucy F has been keeping our community up to date with what is happening with the campaign to save Weston museum. A protest was held this week at the museum, and the story can be seen in this weeks Mercury.
Kay B has posted a heart-warming account of her experiences of being a new grandparent in the blogs section of this site. Its great to see that we have lots of super grandparents and aunties joining our community too.
Lots of members had news to share this week. Debbie S’ sister Angie is opening up a brand new hair salon in Clevedon Road called ‘Angie’s Hair Obsession’. The salon opens on Saturday 20th Feb, so why not pop along and see her? Not only will you be supporting a Super-mum, but you could have a bit of pampering time too, and we all know how important that is as a busy mum!
Shane Dean has had an article published in this weeks Mercury where he talks about his experiences of young people with antisocial behaviour problems. He wants to spark a debate with local and national politicians to come up with positive solutions to the problems faced.
Also, congratulations go to Maxine, who passed her driving test this week, and was telling us about the freedom this will bring her in getting out and about with her children.
This week has been another busy social one for the Super-mums. On Wednesday, a play date was held at Court Farm. Although the weather was against us and kept some of the mums with prams away, a few brave souls still met and enjoyed a day out with the kids. Thursday night saw an altogether more adult gathering, as around twenty of us had drinks, food, giggles and good conversation at The Manor Inn in Worle. Thanks to Debbie S for organising the night so we could let our hair down without a child in sight!
Next week is looking busy, with a Monday morning knitting group organised by Camilla, an arts and crafts afternoon on Thursday at The Purple Sheep café for your little ones to design a logo for our competition, and then a play date at Weston Childrens centre on Friday afternoon. For more information about these events, pop over to Weston-super-Mum and see us!
Have a good week.
We have had lots of involvement from our very active members on the site. Kate R has set up a breastfeeding support group where members can share their thoughts, feelings and experiences of breastfeeding. Already, members of the group are starting to share their thoughts on places in Weston that are breastfeeding friendly, but so far it looks like Weston-super-Mare is a pretty welcoming place for breastfeeding mums!
Apes has also set up a Health Support Group online this week. This supportive and friendly group is already helping members to share experiences and gain support from others who are experiencing physical or mental illness.
Lucy F has been keeping our community up to date with what is happening with the campaign to save Weston museum. A protest was held this week at the museum, and the story can be seen in this weeks Mercury.
Kay B has posted a heart-warming account of her experiences of being a new grandparent in the blogs section of this site. Its great to see that we have lots of super grandparents and aunties joining our community too.
Lots of members had news to share this week. Debbie S’ sister Angie is opening up a brand new hair salon in Clevedon Road called ‘Angie’s Hair Obsession’. The salon opens on Saturday 20th Feb, so why not pop along and see her? Not only will you be supporting a Super-mum, but you could have a bit of pampering time too, and we all know how important that is as a busy mum!
Shane Dean has had an article published in this weeks Mercury where he talks about his experiences of young people with antisocial behaviour problems. He wants to spark a debate with local and national politicians to come up with positive solutions to the problems faced.
Also, congratulations go to Maxine, who passed her driving test this week, and was telling us about the freedom this will bring her in getting out and about with her children.
This week has been another busy social one for the Super-mums. On Wednesday, a play date was held at Court Farm. Although the weather was against us and kept some of the mums with prams away, a few brave souls still met and enjoyed a day out with the kids. Thursday night saw an altogether more adult gathering, as around twenty of us had drinks, food, giggles and good conversation at The Manor Inn in Worle. Thanks to Debbie S for organising the night so we could let our hair down without a child in sight!
Next week is looking busy, with a Monday morning knitting group organised by Camilla, an arts and crafts afternoon on Thursday at The Purple Sheep café for your little ones to design a logo for our competition, and then a play date at Weston Childrens centre on Friday afternoon. For more information about these events, pop over to Weston-super-Mum and see us!
Have a good week.
Saturday, 13 February 2010
Bumper Week at Weston-super-Mum
We are delighted to welcome the 50 or so new members who have joined Weston-super-Mum this week and, phewie, what an active and interesting bunch they are!
Lucy Frampton has added the "Save our Museum" group, in protest of the threatened closure of our Burlington Street Museum (the one and only museum in Weston) and is continuing to post updates - supporters of the museum will be meeting at there on Weds 17th Feb admist much fanfare: the local press and news channels will be on site. Please go along if you can to show support and keep our museum where it is!
Natasha Sykes is furious about the state of her local park in Walford Avenue, Worle, and through a discussion dedicated to this subject, "Get our park Fixed!" finds that she is not alone in her wish to improve facilities there.
Everyone's getting excited about the new Water Park promised for June of this year at a sea-front location, while the new inflatable centre due to open in March on the Oldmixon, Bounce!, is still creating much positivity.
Magdelena H is our first member from Poland and she shares with us her new blogs: http://czteryrece.blogspot.com/ and http://www.do-jasnej-anielki.blog.pl/. At the top right hand of these blogs, google will translate from Polish into English for you, just click. And self-confessed History geek, Melanie, has a stunning blog, "Kill them all, God will know his own" all about the French Revolution: it's well-worth a look.
Groups have now been set up for those living in Milton, in Weston Village and in the Oldmixon, so if you live in these areas, please join your respective group and meet others living very close to you. Also Karen Hoodinott has created a supportive group for all working mums.
Our Friday play date at Central Weston Children's Centre in Meadow St, Weston, was so popular that Health and Safety dictated that we couldn't have squeezed any more parents and children in! We were also thrilled to see 2 dads at the event. Another has been arranged for Friday 26th Feb, 1-3pm.
We're collaborating with dad and WsMum member, Shane Dean, to bring you a special event called "Arts and Crafts Afternoon: Design a Logo" at the Purple Sheep Cafe in Hughenden Road on Thurs 25th Feb, 1-5pm. The cafe and all facilities at the Purple Sheep will be open as usual, so you have a cup of tea while the kids get arty or bounce around on the castle. Winning entries will receive either a family ticket for Court Farm Country Park or Puxton Park or film passes for the Odeon. If you are unable to attend the afternoon, you can still bring your child's entry along to any other one of our playdates or email us on info@westonsupermum.com.
And ...
We've just announced a blog writing competition. Write a blog about where you like to take the kids in North Somerset for Weston-super-Mum to be published at the Weston Mercury and enter into a draw to win a family ticket to Puxton Park. All entries can be posted to info@westonsupermum.com before the closing date of Fri 12th March. The lucky winner will be picked at random and announced on our site on Mothering Sunday.
DON'T FORGET our Sport's Relief Toddle on March 21st, brainchild of Debbie S, where we will be walking with the children from the Grand Pier to the Seaquarium with the rest of the town. Our fancy dress theme is superheroes. Sign up here.
Look out for our exciting March draw in conjunction with Lloyds' Toys on Weston High Street!!
Happy parenting in Weston!! :-)
Lucy Frampton has added the "Save our Museum" group, in protest of the threatened closure of our Burlington Street Museum (the one and only museum in Weston) and is continuing to post updates - supporters of the museum will be meeting at there on Weds 17th Feb admist much fanfare: the local press and news channels will be on site. Please go along if you can to show support and keep our museum where it is!
Natasha Sykes is furious about the state of her local park in Walford Avenue, Worle, and through a discussion dedicated to this subject, "Get our park Fixed!" finds that she is not alone in her wish to improve facilities there.
Everyone's getting excited about the new Water Park promised for June of this year at a sea-front location, while the new inflatable centre due to open in March on the Oldmixon, Bounce!, is still creating much positivity.
Magdelena H is our first member from Poland and she shares with us her new blogs: http://czteryrece.blogspot.com/ and http://www.do-jasnej-anielki.blog.pl/. At the top right hand of these blogs, google will translate from Polish into English for you, just click. And self-confessed History geek, Melanie, has a stunning blog, "Kill them all, God will know his own" all about the French Revolution: it's well-worth a look.
Groups have now been set up for those living in Milton, in Weston Village and in the Oldmixon, so if you live in these areas, please join your respective group and meet others living very close to you. Also Karen Hoodinott has created a supportive group for all working mums.
Our Friday play date at Central Weston Children's Centre in Meadow St, Weston, was so popular that Health and Safety dictated that we couldn't have squeezed any more parents and children in! We were also thrilled to see 2 dads at the event. Another has been arranged for Friday 26th Feb, 1-3pm.
We're collaborating with dad and WsMum member, Shane Dean, to bring you a special event called "Arts and Crafts Afternoon: Design a Logo" at the Purple Sheep Cafe in Hughenden Road on Thurs 25th Feb, 1-5pm. The cafe and all facilities at the Purple Sheep will be open as usual, so you have a cup of tea while the kids get arty or bounce around on the castle. Winning entries will receive either a family ticket for Court Farm Country Park or Puxton Park or film passes for the Odeon. If you are unable to attend the afternoon, you can still bring your child's entry along to any other one of our playdates or email us on info@westonsupermum.com.
And ...
We've just announced a blog writing competition. Write a blog about where you like to take the kids in North Somerset for Weston-super-Mum to be published at the Weston Mercury and enter into a draw to win a family ticket to Puxton Park. All entries can be posted to info@westonsupermum.com before the closing date of Fri 12th March. The lucky winner will be picked at random and announced on our site on Mothering Sunday.
DON'T FORGET our Sport's Relief Toddle on March 21st, brainchild of Debbie S, where we will be walking with the children from the Grand Pier to the Seaquarium with the rest of the town. Our fancy dress theme is superheroes. Sign up here.
Look out for our exciting March draw in conjunction with Lloyds' Toys on Weston High Street!!
Happy parenting in Weston!! :-)
Monday, 8 February 2010
Winter Draws to a Close
Is it really only two weeks since the last post? If so, two weeks is a long time in the world of Weston-super-Mum.
More mums, dads, aunties and grandparents have been getting involved in the Community and we are almost 100 strong. Discussions and groups are multiplying: Made in Milla asks us about Child Trust Funds and Lady Martina informs us of a new play centre, Bounce, that will soon open in the Oldmixon. Our chat room is now open, the hours of 8-10pm being reserved for general chat each evening, a natter en masse if you like.
We've had a play-date at the Central Weston Children's Centre, Meadow Street, where it was great to see new faces and some, it has to be said, adorable babies. We will be meeting there again this Friday 12th 1-3pm. It's a comfortable and safe area for all those with children under 5 and you are most welcome to join us.
We launced our Logo Competition in the Weston Mercury this week (page 18) and we have secured prizes from some of the top attractions in the area so it's getting very exciting. Entries designed by the budding young artists in the family can be emailed to us at info@westonsupermum.com. We'll also be organising some arts and crafts play-dates based around our Logo Design very soon - we'll let you know.
Debbie S is busy rounding up entrants for our mile walk for Sports Relief, for which we'll be promenading the seafront in (non-obligatory) super-Hero costumes on March 21st, 2pm, joining other entrants from Weston-super-Mare at the Grand Pier and then heading down to the Seaquarium on our toddle. Join us if you can and help raise money for this worthwhile charity; sponsorship forms can be downloaded and attendance confirmed on our discussion board.
Karen B has written a humourous and heart-warming blogpost for Weston-super-Mum at the Weston Mercury about how her gorgeous baby girl has helped her to fall in love once more with her home town.
That just leaves me to tell you about upcoming events ('What's On' downloadable posters and leaflets are now available on the discussion board).
Friday 12th Feb, 1-3pm - Play-date at Central Weston Children's Centre, Meadow Street. Under 5s
Weds 17th Feb, 10am-2pm - Play-date at Court Farm Country Park, Banwell. All Welcome (half-term week)
Thurs 18th Feb, from 7:30pm - Girl's night out at The Old Manor Inn, Queensway Worle. Child-free!
More mums, dads, aunties and grandparents have been getting involved in the Community and we are almost 100 strong. Discussions and groups are multiplying: Made in Milla asks us about Child Trust Funds and Lady Martina informs us of a new play centre, Bounce, that will soon open in the Oldmixon. Our chat room is now open, the hours of 8-10pm being reserved for general chat each evening, a natter en masse if you like.
We've had a play-date at the Central Weston Children's Centre, Meadow Street, where it was great to see new faces and some, it has to be said, adorable babies. We will be meeting there again this Friday 12th 1-3pm. It's a comfortable and safe area for all those with children under 5 and you are most welcome to join us.
We launced our Logo Competition in the Weston Mercury this week (page 18) and we have secured prizes from some of the top attractions in the area so it's getting very exciting. Entries designed by the budding young artists in the family can be emailed to us at info@westonsupermum.com. We'll also be organising some arts and crafts play-dates based around our Logo Design very soon - we'll let you know.
Debbie S is busy rounding up entrants for our mile walk for Sports Relief, for which we'll be promenading the seafront in (non-obligatory) super-Hero costumes on March 21st, 2pm, joining other entrants from Weston-super-Mare at the Grand Pier and then heading down to the Seaquarium on our toddle. Join us if you can and help raise money for this worthwhile charity; sponsorship forms can be downloaded and attendance confirmed on our discussion board.
Karen B has written a humourous and heart-warming blogpost for Weston-super-Mum at the Weston Mercury about how her gorgeous baby girl has helped her to fall in love once more with her home town.
That just leaves me to tell you about upcoming events ('What's On' downloadable posters and leaflets are now available on the discussion board).
Friday 12th Feb, 1-3pm - Play-date at Central Weston Children's Centre, Meadow Street. Under 5s
Weds 17th Feb, 10am-2pm - Play-date at Court Farm Country Park, Banwell. All Welcome (half-term week)
Thurs 18th Feb, from 7:30pm - Girl's night out at The Old Manor Inn, Queensway Worle. Child-free!
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