Weston Hospicecare "Strawberry Jam" Bike Riding Fundraiser

Over the last few weeks the fundraising team at Weston Hospicecare have been busy planning a new and exciting event called the ‘Strawberry Jam’. The event is a cycling event and is suitable for families and keen cyclists alike. The Hospice hopes to raise over £10,000 from the event which would pay for all the medication to keep patients pain free in the Hospice In-patient Unit for well over 12 months.

The Hospice is a lifeline for people with life-limiting illnesses all over Weston-super-Mare and the surrounding communities such as Burnham on Sea, Cheddar, Wedmore, Yatton and Congresbury. The Hospice sees 1300 patients and their carers through their doors every year and without it a lot of these people would have nowhere else to turn. The funds raised at the Strawberry Jam will contribute to the £3 million that the Hospice needs to raise every year to keep its services running – Only 20% of these costs are funded from the NHS.

One team that is getting really excited about the event is the team in ‘Cupcakes’ the new Hospice café that opened in Weston-super-Mare this summer.

Mark who heads up the team at Cupcakes says “I started working for the Hospice in the summer and I absolutely love it. I am from Weston-super-Mare and being local it has always been an organisation very close to my heart, I am very proud to now be part of it. There will be a group of us taking part in the Strawberry Jam including the volunteers that help out in the shop. We are being very ambitious and are going to have a go at the 50 mile route, we have started to get sponsorship in already and are determined to raise as much money as we can so there is no going back now!”

If you would like to take part in the event either on your own, as a family or as part of a team it takes place on Saturday 2nd October and you can choose from 3 routes.

10 Mile: The Strawberry Line - Yatton Station to Cheddar (passing through Congresbury, Sandford Winscombe and Axbridge)

25 Mile: From Cheddar to Uphill - through Cocklake, Wedmore, Blackford, Mark, Burnham on Sea, Berrow, Brean, Lympsham and Bleadon

Or for the toughest test of strength and endurance the…

50 miler which smashes through the Strawberry Line section and out into the 50 mile all out circuit! You will pass through Hutton, Locking, Banwell, Puxton, Congresbury, Wrington, Claverham.

Olly Joseph who is organising the event says “We have had amazing feedback from this event which is great as its new this year. We have been very careful to make sure that it is suitable for everyone so whether you are a family with young children or a keen road biker there is a route for you. Spaces are limited so hurry to ensure that you have your space reserved, you can pop into cupcakes to pick up your registration form and talk to the team there about the event or give me a call - I guarantee it’s going to be a fun day!”

To register for the event call the fundraising team today on 01934 423960 or visit the website www.westonhospicecare.org.uk/strawberryjam

A free day of FUN at Weston's new Water Park

Woo-hoo!! This week we spent an afternoon at the new Water Park on Weston’s sea front.

It’s free. Completely free. Doesn’t cost a penny. And for this reason alone, I was ready for absolute mayhem. It must be chaotically busy right?

Well, yes, there were certainly a lot of people enjoying the July sunshine, children everywhere, darting from swing to slide, from fountain to fountain, mums and dads all over the place, changing nappies and drying little bodies. But, no, the Tardis-like size of the place means that there is enough room for everyone and, in fact, it was a relaxing experience.

There are enough trees to find some shade and the wall that runs all the way down the left side of the park means that you can easily rest against something solid. Everyone seemed to be taking the fun in their stride and the sound of laughter and excited screams dissolved up into the skies above. I don’t even think I heard anyone crying.

We bumped into a few other Weston-super-Mums with children ranging from babies to four years old (the Summer Holidays had not yet started but the Park invites anyone under the age of 13, let’s see whether the tempo changes now schools have broken up). The café offers inexpensive snacks, drinks and toys and I was amazed to pay only 30p for a Mini-Milk!

My four year old went on just about everything and three hours were taken up in the blink of an eye. We met a boy called Sportacus, who showed us his talents for standing up on the zip wire, so that My Girl had to follow suit and proceeded to stand on the adjacent zip wire, on the regular swing AND at the head of the snake swing that sits at least four kids at a time. She insisited on taking off her wet swimsuit and replacing it with her dress, in order to whiz down the curly slide atop the climbing frame castle and she made music on the upright glockenspiel type instrument.

I stood with her in the water pool, which has no depth at all and is suitable for those not yet old enough to walk. The water levels go up and down and I hadn’t noticed that I was standing on a floor fountain until it hit me from below, quite a surprise – but a funny one! Even more entertaining to see it happen to others.

This is a must-visit for the summer and I felt so at ease with this excellent and safe playground that, next time we go along, I am sure to take a book to read.

:0)

By Becky @ http://www.docbec.com/

Weston-super-mums first monthly meet up

On Saturday July 3rd, The Purple Sheep Centre on Hughenden Road threw its doors open to the Weston-super-Mums for our very first monthly weekend meet up. It was a particularly special day for me, as my girl Ruby had turned one a couple of days before, so we were kicking off her weekend birthday celebrations here.

By the time we arrived, there were plenty of people already there and taking full advantage of the glorious weather. Outside The Purple Sheep Centre is a great space with loads of outdoor toys and play equipment. In such a safe environment where the kids could run free, the mums and dads at the event were able to relax and have a coffee and cake whilst their kids played. There was a really welcoming vibe to the place, and it was great to see a few new faces who I have not met yet at other meet ups and playdates.

We decided to make the most of the fact that most of the action was happening outside by having a cheeky go on the bouncy castle. I have been to The Purple Sheep a couple of times before, but it has always been too busy to take Ruby on the castle. Today with most of the kids being under 5, it was the perfect time. Also, I couldn’t let her on on her own, could I?! (I LOVE bouncy castles….) I was able to let Ruby off to explore, and she loved it, laughing her head off when others were jumping on it and flinging her around. She was only ever in danger when 3 over excited four and three year olds wanted to take it in turn holding her whilst bouncing. She gave me a look as if to say “quick, mummy, SAVE me…” so we jumped off and back out into the sunshine.

After blowing it out candles and eating birthday cake, we all carried on playing, chatting and enjoying the sun. It was amazing to see how a simple chocolate cake could make all the kids gather in one spot so quickly though…..

When the time came to leave, none of us could believe the event had gone so quickly. We all reckoned most of the kids could have gone for at least another hour of play. Its safe to say that the first super mum gathering was a roaring success and we can’t wait for the next one!

Weston-super-Mum will be having a monthly meet up at The Purple Sheep Centre on Hughenden Road in Weston on the first Saturday of each month. For more details of the next event, keep an eye on the website, www.westonsupermum.com

Where the fun never ends!

My Girl isn't yet of school-age so I haven't done a half-term proper but she is at pre-school five mornings a week. "What do parents do in the holidays?" I've always thought.

If they're a Weston-super-Mum, they wouldn't have been stuck for choices, that's for sure. Half-term was, no other word for it, full-on!

Bank Holiday Monday saw us camped up in Grove Park, watching the very talented Klair singing live at the bandstand. She belted out a fair few numbers, from Shania Twain to Queen to Carole King and Amy Winehouse. Fabulous! Most of us took a picnic and the cafe must have practically sold out of ice-creams. It was a real family affair in the sunshine - friends, food, song and blue skies, what more could a parent wish for?

The kids? They all collected themselves on the steps of the bandstand - as Weston-super-Dad, Mike, pointed out, looking like they were following the Pied Piper, magnetised to the music. And that voice.

Tuesday lead us to Hutton Moor Leisure Centre where Debbie had organised a couple of hours of inflatable fun, more music, lots of bouncing, followed by a buffet-style dinner for the little people. Thanks Debbie :)

Wednesday. Ah, Wednesday. An amazing Funday at the Purple Sheep in Hughenden Road, Milton. This was a laugh a minute: face-painting, an 8 foot hedgehog, more bouncing, garden toys, stalls, pizza and BBQ'ed food and a fire engine. With real-life fire-men. The kids got to sit in the big red truck and put on the yellow helmets, while some of the mums managed to hose down one fireman with particularly big muscles. A treat for all.

It's Friday - slap on the sunscreen and head over to Ashcombe Park with a picnic for hours of play and chatter. Well done to Gin for getting us together for this one.

And then Sunday, a truly magnificent event by the team at North Somerset @Play Forum. There was so much to do up there in Worlebury Woods by the Water Tower. But this deserves a whole blog post on its own - please check into our Weston Mercury Blog sometime later this week to read all about it.

For upcoming events, please check our Events Board on http://www.westonsupermum.com/

Badge Design Competition

After searching the town, high and low, for talent amongst the little people of Weston-super-Mare, we are pleased to announce that we have our winners.

A very cheery thank you to staff at the Purple Sheep Cafe in Hughenden Road and Baby Break Parent and Toddler Cafe at Victoria Methodist Church for hosting fun Arts and Crafts sessions for us during February and March and to all those who took part.

The finalists were displayed at the Children's Corner of Central Weston Library and here's to Librarians Tricia and Tricia for hanging the entries on their wall and for encouraging members of the public to vote.

The badges will be used on our Community, twitter and Facebook sites and .....

here they are:

WINNER - Caitlin Heathcote

Family ticket to Court Farm Country Park

Runner Up - Neve Tait

Family Ticket to Puxton Park

Runner Up - Celeste Condron

2 Film Passes to the Odeon, Weston

Introducing Amy Nation!

Amy Nation, tells us all about life as a Weston-super-Mum to her baby daughter, Lexie.

Hi Amy! How's life? A bit topsy turvy but OK.

What do you like about living in Weston? I like the fact that there are plenty of child-friendly places to take children and that you can go down onto the beach and have a bit of fun before all the tourists turn up.

Anything you’d change? I think I would change the selfishness of people when you are trying to walk around town with a buggy, also the lack of slightly cheaper baby clothes shops

Where would you like to be right now? And who with? I would like to be at the Harry Potter Theme Park over in America with Lexie, her dad and her godparents.

You’re involved with the Children’s Centre in Central Weston. Tell us about that It's great. I take Lexie to the ‘Stay and Play’ every Monday morning. It lets us meet other mums and their children and I’m able to get my confidence up. It’s a brilliant place for Lexie as well, as she gets used to the environment of having other children around, some older than her and others the same age so she gets to grow up and make friends her age. The Centre also holds a health visitor drop in clinic, allowing us to get Lexie checked up easily without having to go to our doctor’s.

So how, as parents, can we take ownership of what happens in our local community? I guess by making our voices heard about important issues, as we need to make sure this community is safe for those growing up in it. By either making a Parent Committee that meets up once a month, then having one or two representatives and taking our concerns to the Council.

Tell us about your work at Weston Hospital. Well, I do paid work there at the holiday club. There is a nursery at the other end of the building and more often than not the children come to us from them but, in the past year and half or so, we have started taking on children outside of the hospital so everyone is welcome. I often work from 8am - 6pm about 2 days a week and have done for the past 5 years. During the summer holidays, we take the children on two trips. Just to break it up a bit. We also do things at Christmas and Easter and we make the weeks themed as well so we do different activities on different days like cooking or arts and crafts. The kids love coming every holiday, they sometimes don't want their parents or who ever brings them to leave but, once they start playing with the other children, they go home with the biggest smiles on their faces, most of all when they have made something. It’s a fantastic feeling to know that you have helped them make something. It’s a long day but its themost rewarding job and its made me realise that I want to go into childcare full time.

Share a Mummy Moment with us. When I go into town for something and I don't get Lexie a little toy or some clothes, I feel guilty. Also when she is crying for me and she launches herself from her daddy's lap just to get to me faster then gives me a filthy great big grin.

What are your hopes for the future? For Lexie to grow up big and strong and to be herself.



Click here to see what's on at your local Children's Centre

Introducing real-life super-Mum, Karen Blake

What makes you smile? Monty Python, The Mighty Boosh, Bill Bailey, Vic and Bob, and my baby girl Ruby, who is swiftly developing into a little comedy genius to match those already mentioned!

What annoys you? The current obsession with “celeb culture”, amongst so many other things, but that is a whole blog post in itself!

Where, in Weston, do you like to take Ruby? – She is a real outdoors girl, so we are loving all this good weather. We like walking in the woods, on Sand Bay, around Knightstone, and up to The Old Town Quarry where I have my art studio. Also love going to Grove Park, which is near where I live. It’s all got so much more interesting now she is crawling!

Who has been your biggest inspiration personally? I can’t pick out anyone specifically, but I was really inspired by all the artists I met and had the opportunity to work alongside whilst I was a volunteer artist at Studio Upstairs, a mental health charity and arts community based in Bristol. (http://www.studiosupstairs.org.uk/)

Who has been your biggest inspiration professionally? An American artist called Keri Smith. She is into guerrilla art, (nothing to do with monkeys!) and writes about how to free your creativity and get out of creative ruts through being more playful and rebellious in the way you work. She is also a fairly new mum like me, and I can really relate to her struggles to keep on being creative whilst balancing her role as a mum.

How do you juggle your art and motherhood? It’s difficult trying to fit it all in, but my art is such an important part of my life I have to try. I remember just before Ruby was born lots of people said with absolute certainty that I would abandon my art as soon as she arrived. I’m pleased to say I proved them wrong, and I’m currently busier than ever. It helps to have a great support network of grandparents, and her very “hands on” dad who relishes time with Ruby at weekends so I can get to my studio.

How would you best describe your paintings? That’s a toughie, as my work is pretty abstract. I always tell people to have a look at my website so they can see what I do. So! If you want to know, go to http://www.karenart.co.uk/.

Tell us what’s happening in the world of Karen Art then! Like I said, I’m pretty busy right now. I am currently designing some fabric for American company Pansy Maiden Bags (www.pansymaiden.com) for their Autumn collection. I am also involved in the forthcoming Donkey Parade (www.donkeyparade.co.uk) that will be hitting the streets in Weston over the summer. 40 life size donkeys will be appearing in a sculpture trail all over town, and I am painting one of them! Lastly, I have an exhibition coming up with Camilla Stacey at Loves Café in September as part of Weston Arts Week. Phew! It’s manic!

What’s the best compliment you’ve ever had? A woman who approached me during an exhibition and told me that she had felt inspired to paint again after 20 years because of seeing my work. That felt great!

What are your hopes for the future? Simple really. To keep painting, to watch my family grow, to stay true to myself and to be happy. I want Ruby to be proud of her mummy!