allsorts for families in Doncaster

Your local guide Family days out What’s on Young cooks Fun things to do and make..

...and allsorts more!

Something for the whole family!

Winter 2012

See page 14 for our great competition to Win a £20 Toys R Us voucher

See pages 11 & 12 for a listing of Christmas Fairs, Fetes, and special events happening over christmas in and around Doncaster

FREE

Inside Story... Craft with Mimi 4 Last minute gifts 6 Young Cooks 7 Good reads for kids 10 What’s on for Families 11 Bake your own decorations 14 Toys R Us COMPETITION 14 Christmas Quiz 15 Index of Advertisers 15

Welcome to the winter 2012 edition.

allsorts... I hope that you enjoy your handy, free magazine. It is packed with what I hope you will find to be useful information and great ideas.

Allsorts reaches 7500 families in the Doncaster area, most of them with children aged 0-12 (thank you to all the schools, children’s centres, nurseries and businesses involved in its distribution).

Published ahead of the main school holidays, each issue will be packed with topical features & businesses advertising their activities, products and services.

This is ‘your’ magazine, call me on 01302 744278 or email paula@todaypublications.co.uk If you would like to contribute.

Paula Mickley Editor

Is published by Today Publications Ltd 01302 744278 and printed by Warwick

Printing Company Limited, Caswell Road, Leamington Spa, CV31 1QD.

01926 883355

allsorts

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that data in this publication is accurate, the publisher cannot accept any liability to any party for loss or damage caused by errors or omissions.

Today Publications Ltd does not officially endorse companies, products or services appearing in this magazine. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced without the prior permission of the publisher.

Please mention allsorts when contacting an advertiser allsorts | 3

MATERIALS NEEDED:

Black wool, oddments of orange, yellow, white and red wool (double knitting). 4mm needles, darning needle, stuffing, sewing pins, cardboard if you want your penguin to stand up. (Cereal packet cardboard is fine)

Body and Head: Using black wool cast on 18 sts. Knit 28 rows. Break off wool and thread through the stitches and gather up tightly, fasten off securely. Join side seam. If you want your penguin to stand up cut 2 x 3cm cardboard circles,

stick them together and place centrally on the gathered

part before stuffing firmly. Gather up cast on edge of penguin

tightly and sew up securely. Sew a strand of black wool

round for the neck approx. 3.5cm down from top. Pull

up tightly and sew ends into

the neck. This makes the neck and shoulder shape.

Chest: Using white wool cast on 8sts. Knit

10 rows. Cast off leave a long end. Pin onto the front of the penguin’s body

having the cast off edge at top and sew in place.

Beak: Use orange cast on 4 sts. Knit 1 row break off the wool leaving an end. Using a darn-ing needle, thread through the stitches on

the needle and pull up tightly fasten off. Sew the row ends together. Sew half way down the head. Sew a French knot or just do one cross-stitch in white for each eye just above beak.

Feet: (make two) Using orange or yellow wool cast on 6 sts. Knit 2 rows. Break off wool and thread wool through the stitches. Pull up tightly and fasten off. Attach to penguin just below bottom of white chest.

Wings: (make two) Using black, cast on 8sts and knit 7rows. Cast off. Sew one set of row ends on each wing to sides of body just below the neck.

Bobble hat: Cast on 22sts. Knit 11 rows break off wool and thread onto the darning needle. Thread through the stitches and pull up tightly, fasten off securely. Join side seam and fasten off securely.

Bobble: Cast on 4sts. Knit 4 rows. Break off wool and thread onto darning needle. Do run-ning stitches all round the edge of the piece of knitting, pull up tightly to make bobble. Sew on the middle of the hat. Pop penguin’s hat in place, and sew onto penguin. Attach a loop so that you can hang penguin on your tree, make sure you take the wool through the hat and the head.

Scarf: Cast on 40sts using a bright colour, knit one row. Cast off. Place round penguins neck, it will stay in place or you could stitch it in place.

Make a family of penguins with different coloured hats and scarves!

cute little Percy Penguin decorations!

Method: · Use a blob of the glue to attach your decoration onto the inside of your lid. (Ask an adult to do this for you, making sure they put the decoration where you want it) Allow glue to dry thoroughly . · Use the jug to pour the distilled water into the jam jar. Fill to near the top. · Add two teaspoons of Glycerine, half a teaspoon of washing up liquid and two or three teaspoons of glitter to the water.

· Add more distilled water so that jar is full to the very top.

· Carefully place the lid onto the jar and screw it tightly in place. The jar needs to be watertight!

· You can seal round the edge of the lid with a layer of

silicone sealant (bought from craft shops.) Give your decoration a

shake and wow your snowstorm looks

brilliant!

Materials needed: Clean jam jar with screw top lid Distilled water/ de-ionised water Glycerine Washing up liquid Silver or White Glitter Jug and a teaspoon Christmas decorations or a plastic animal Strong waterproof glue

snow storm..

allsorts... Crafty creations

Take care - remember it is made from glass

Why not book

your lunch or tea

with Santa at Time2Play?

See our website for more details of

our party packages

Take care - remember it is made from glass

6 | allsorts T: 01302 744278 E:: paula@todaypublications.co.uk

ARE YOU READY FOR CHRISTMAS? Are you so organised that you bought everything in the January sales for gift-giving twelve months later? If you answered “yes”, then there’s no need to read on. However, if you’re like me, Christmas has once again taken you completely by surprise. I suspect we all go into denial at the point when the first Christmas decorations arrive in the shops around about August!

Normally we’d panic and snatch the first vaguely suitable gift from the nearest available shop. But wait! Last minute gifts are never well thought out, are they? The adage “it’s the thought that counts” is actually incredibly important. People would rather receive a small, carefully chosen gift than a hastily grabbed box of bath products that scream “this will do”!

Don’t panic. Most shops will be open on Christmas Eve, so you can really leave it until the absolute last minute if you plan a little first. Make a list of who you need to buy for and spend time really thinking about those people. What do they like? What would they appreciate? Keeping the recipient in mind and choosing a thoughtful gift is the only way to succeed at this late stage.

Some people are just downright impossible to shop for which is why you’ve put off buying anything until now. In this case, present them with a written promise to take them shopping for something they really want. For some people it really is better to get their input before buying.

Another heartfelt refrain is “what do I get the person who has everything?” The answer is… a box to put it all in. Whether this is an unusual jewellery box, a useful sewing chest or colourful, personalised storage containers for children.

Donate the gift of your time. Offer to babysit so parents can take a well-deserved break. Spend a day gardening for someone. Buy tickets for a concert, cinema, sporting event or a play and take the family. Look around these don’t have to cost the earth. Organise a surprise weekend break and present the tickets on Christmas Day.

Bring some nostalgia to Christmas with family-friendly board games. Introduce extra food with a gourmet gift hamper. A beautiful tree ornament will hold memories every year when it comes out again.

If you’re still stuck, there are always gift vouchers. Spa-breaks, restaurant vouchers, experience days, animal adoption and cookery courses are unusual vouchers to give.

Last minute Christmas gifts don’t have to come from the shops. Use your imagination and take a moment to think about what they would really welcome.

Have a happy and stress-free Christmas!

The Last Minute? It’s not too late to find the perfect gift

Please mention allsorts when contacting an advertiser allsorts | 7

Method: Break chocolate into a bowl. Cut the butter into chunks and

add to bowl. Microwave GENTLY to melt. Mix well and set aside to cool to

room temperature. Whilst waiting crush biscuits into

crumbs. Don’t crush too much otherwise you will be left with powder!

Cut cherries to the same size as the cranberries - use scissors .

Stir biscuits and all the fruit into the chocolate mixture.

Chill for 2 hours until almost solid.

Spread sheet of cling film onto worktop.

Scoop out half of the mixture and shape into a long roll on top of the cling film.

Wrap in the cling film and roll into a sausage shape the diame-ter of a £2 coin.

Repeat with the rest of the mix-ture, using another sheet of cling film. Put in poly bags.

Chill overnight to firm up. Will keep in the fridge for 3 days

or frozen for 2 months (just pop the rolls in the freezer). Unwrap each roll and slice into 16 rounds.

The biscuits are very rich so don’t cut too thickly!

Everybody loves them, yummy!

...for crushing biscuits Pop them into a freezer bag and bash with a rolling pin!

Ingredients: 200g white chocolate 125g butter 6 Rich Tea biscuits 4 green glace cherries (or angelica) 50g dried cranberries 2 tablespoons raisins Cling film

tutti-frutti rounds

top tip

allsorts… Young Cooks

8 | allsorts T: 01302 744278 E:: paula@todaypublications.co.uk

Our facilities include: NEW Beginners Area for under 10’s

Foam Pit Free Wi-Fi

Café Chill out area

Party Room Parents Room

Viewing Balcony Toilets

Coat/Bag hooks Check our website for

Christmas holiday

opening

www.northbridgeskatepark.co.ukwww.northbridgeskatepark.co.uk

Parties our Speciality Call Greer on 07725 029 388

Visit soon

Family built and run Fun for all

Now offering lessonsNow offering lessons

allsorts of reads for kids... Dear Father Christmas by Jeanne Willis & Rosie Reeve

This picture book follows Mary as she writes her Christmas letter. Her wishes are rather different, as she doesn’t need any more toys – but an everlasting hamster and self tying shoelaces would come in rather handy. Of course, there is a twist in the tale, but we certainly didn’t see it coming, and it has been read over and over again – even at the height of summer.

If you like the Jolly Postman, then you will love

‘The Jolly Christmas Postman’ by Janet and Allan Ahlberg. As you might expect, there are a range of letters to be opened, with cards, games and even a jigsaw puzzle for the lucky nursery rhyme characters on his rounds. An absolute delight.

For many people, ‘The Snowman’ by Raymond Briggs is their Christmas classic of

choice. I much prefer

‘Father Christmas’ Eloquently told by pictures and relatively few words, it follows a curmudgeonly Santa on his journey around the globe, dropping off presents, struggling down chimneys, trudging up stairs, through all kinds of weather...Merry Bloomin’ Christmas!

By Kath Bennett

Please mention allsorts when contacting an advertiser allsorts | 11

Christmas fair Sunday 2nd December from 12noon

Rosary Hall, Christ the King, Rossington Stalls, refreshments, Santa, Tombola

Everyone welcome

Snow white & the 7 Dwarfs Monday 3rd—Thursday 6th

Doncaster Little theatre A C.A.T.S Production Come and join us with

the booing and hissing and help start the Little theatre’s Panto seaons.

The Big Switch On

Thursday 6th December Bawtry Visit Bawtry to see the lights switch on, late

night shopping, stalls, Santa & fireworks

Christmas Wreaths Friday 7 December 10am-12noon

Brodsworth Community Woodland Join the Forestry Commission Rangers to

make your own Christmas wreath Booking essential on 07768 808432

£5 per person

Christmas Fair Mexborough Children’s Centre

Friday 7th December 4-6pm Stalls with Christmas goods, tombolas, raffle,

mince pies and carols

Carols by Torchlight Friday 7th December, 6pm

Conisbrough Town Centre around the Christmas Tree

Bring your torch. Followed by soup and a roll.

Christmas Concert Friday 7th December, 7pm

Bentley Pavilion The Brass Players £10 to include mince pies. Organised by Thorne Lions, proceeds to local

charities.

An Audience with Father Christmas

Saturday 8th December Brodsworth Hall

Dress up warm. Shop for unique gifts and sample food & drink from National Heritage’s

own range too

Conisbrough Christmas Market & Fairground

Saturday 8th December 10am –4pm Church Street, Conisbrough

Santa Weekend Saturday 8th & Sunday 9th December

The Trolleybus Museum Lots happening all weekend, displays, tours,

simulators, shop & refreshments For more info see www.sandtoft.org.uk

allsorts... of days out for families in Doncaster

Santa Special Boat Trips on the Chesterfield Canal

Every Saturday and Sunday from 1st to 16th December, leaving from the Hop Pole,

Retford, DN22 6UG There’s a present for every child and a drink and mince pie for every adult £6 per person For bookings contact 07925 851569 or email

sethellis@chesterfield-canal-trust.org.uk

Santa Dash Sunday 9th December 11am

Sandall Park, Wheatley In conjunction with The Aurora Centre, Sandal Park are hosting the annual 1 mile Santa Dash Best dressed dog and best decorated buggy

competition Contact 01302 381302 www.theauroracentre.co.uk

Lantern Walk & Carols

Sunday 9th December 3.30-5.30pm Potteric Carr Nature Reserve

Enjoy a majical evening making lanterns and singing carols in the evening with your lanterns all lit up! Normal admission + £1.50 per child

Auckley Christmas Market

Tuesday 11th December 4-7pm Auckley Village Green

Variety of goods, crafts, decorations, cakes, toys, jewellery etc.

Snow white and the 7 Dwarfs

Thursday 13th Dec—Sunday 6th Jan Doncaster Civic theatre

For full details contact 01302 342349 or visit www.doncastercivic.co.uk

Christmas Craft

Saturday 15th December 1-3pm Cusworth hall Museum & Park

A make and take paper craft session for all the family. Normal entry charges apply

An Audience with Father

Christmas Saturday 15th December 12-4pm

Brodsworth Hall Dress up warm. Shop for unique gifts and

sample food and drink from National Heritage’s own range too

Santas on the Run Sunday 16th December

Keepmoat Stadium Doncaster 8.30am warm up 9am start £10 for adults and

£5 for children - includes Santa suit! In aid of Bluebell Wood For more information

contact Rachael on 01909 517367

Santas Grotto Sunday 16th December 10.30am-12.30pm

Potteric Carr Nature Reserve

Visit Santa in his bird hide grotto and join his elves to make some festive decorations. Nor-

mal admission + £1.50per child.

Victorian Christmas Sunday 16th December 2-4pm

Cusworth Hall, Museum and Park Christmas music and carol singing

Admission to the Hall £2 (concessions £1)

Puss in Boots Pantomime 17th—24th December and 27-31 December

Doncaster Little Theatre With matinees and evening performances

through out the Christmas period, this is a treat for all the family.

Victorian Christmas Evening

Wednesday 19th December Cusworth Hall, Museum and Park

Seasonal music and Carols with the Cusworth Singers Light refreshments Tickets £8

An Audience with Father

Christmas Saturday 22nd December 12-4pm

Brodsworth Hall Dress up warm. Shop for unique gifts and food

& drink from National Heritage’s range

Toy & Train Fair Monday 31st December 10.30am-3.30pm

Doncaster Racecourse Yorkshires largest toyfair, over 350 stalls selling all kinds of toys, models, trains and collectables

Mother Goose

Wednesday 2nd—Saturday 12th January Doncaster Little Theatre 2Act Theatre Company

Santa Specials 1st/2nd/8th/9th/15th/16th/22nd/23rd

December Elsecar Heritage Railways, Barnsley

Ride on the Santa special trains, with a present from Santa for all fare paying

children and Mince Pies and Drinks for Mum & Dad!

To book please telephone (01226 746746)

Please mention allsorts when contacting an advertiser allsorts | 13

starry windows Method 1. Mix sugar and butter together really well using a wooden spoon. 2. Break egg into a little bowl and beat with a fork. 3. Mix HALF the beaten egg into the sugar and butter mix, a little at a time. You don’t need the other half of the egg.

4. Sift the flour, corn flour and mixed spice onto the creamed sugar, butter

and egg mix. Mix together using the wooden spoon.

5. Squeeze the mixture using your hands until a

firm dough is formed. Shape dough into a ball. 6. Sprinkle a little flour onto a surface and roll dough until it is

5mm thick. 7. Using the large cutter cut out stars. Using a fish slice put onto the baking parchment lined baking tray. 8. Make a hole into each star shape by pressing the straw through the

dough near to the top of one of the points. 9. Using a small cutter cut a hole in the middle of each star. The hole should be a little bigger than the size of the sweet. 10. Squeeze all left over pieces of dough into a ball and roll out to make more stars. 11. Place a sweet into the hole in the middle of each star shape. Place tray onto the middle shelf of the oven. 12. Bake shapes for about 12 minutes until the sweets have melted and the biscuits are golden. 13. Remake the hole in the top of the star using the straw if needed. Leave bis-cuits on the baking trays until they are completely cold. 14. Thread thin ribbon through holes and tie biscuits onto the tree.

If you don’t want to hang them you can eat and enjoy within a week!

Ingredients: (to make 12-15) 50g light brown sugar 50g butter - softened 1 small egg 115g plain flour 15g cornflour 1 teaspoon ground mixed spice Solid, coloured boiled sweets Large star shaped cutter or other festive cutters Drinking straw Small round cutter slightly bigger than sweets Baking trays lined with baking parchment

Heat oven to 180°C (160°C fan) or gas mark 4

Children ask an adult to help you when using the oven If you hang the biscuits on your tree DON’T eat them afterwards!

cook your own Christmas decorations!

Competition Time!

In our last issue we featured a competition to win family VIP experience with the Romans when they visited Doncaster Minster in September as part of the Leger Festival celebrations.

Pictured are the winning family together with Caesar and a couple of his army. Thank you to Doncaster Tourism for looking after our VIP family on the day.

If you didn’t come along to meet the Romans then you should look out for the next event -great fun for all the family.

This issue we have a £20 Toys R Us voucher up for grabs!

All you have to do is answer the following easy question

On what date do we celebrate Christmas Day?

Email your answer, together with your name, address and contact number to paula@todaypublications.co.uk By Monday 31st December 2012.

(please insert 'Competition’ in the subject line) A winner will be randomly selected. No cash alternative or substitution.

allsorts... of advertisers

Children’s Activities Hill House Holiday Club 3 Jo Jingles 10 Time2Play 5

Cycles Hudson Cycles 7

Decorating Gelders Painting & Decorating 15

Entertainment Keepmoat 5

Health, Fitness & Leisure Military Training 3

Music & Vocal Tuition Colin Latimer Horn Academy 10 Vivo Music Studio 10

Occasion wear Miss Ella’s Frock shop 15

Skate Park North Bridge Skate Park 8

Solicitors Susan Jubb Family Law 15

Visitor Attractions Boston Park Maize Maze 2 Potteric Carr 13

allsorts... of Christmas Songs quiz How many of these Christmas songs and carols

past and present can you name?

Example G K W = Good King Wenceslas

FTS LIS! LIS! LIS! WC SCICTT SN MCE WWYAMC DDMOH GRYMG AIWFCIMTFT! ISTSCSI TTDOC OLTOB WSWTFBN RTRNR