Page 85 - Phonebox Magazine July 2014

The School Run
Something For The Kids
Samantha Smeraglia
This last half-term is dominated by sports day in the school calendar. It’s usually well attended at Olney Infants Academy, but I knew I
was in trouble last year when some of the parents brought their own running shoes for the parents’ race. It was my first time, and I didn’t realise it was taken every bit as seriously as the Pancake Race. Even the childrens’ granny decided to put her heels back on and sit out of the races. Thankfully, there was a lot less pushing and puffin in the childrens’ events. It was much more fun to see them holding hands as they ran or chatting too much so they missed the start of the race.
The sports day at Olney Middle School is very different. There are less parents standing around the field, failing to spot their little darlings as children are shepherded into a pen in the middle. This is followed by long, cold hours watching your child take part in the herd, while other run around the outside. Finally, having braved the freezing winds and drizzle, you are rewarded by the sight of your children moving in parks through a series of activities at the edge of the field. But it’s quickly the parents’ time to race, heading over to the Infants Academy and back to the Middle School to pick them all up. Locally, there is plenty for families to do with active football, rugby and tennis clubs. Both Johnson’s Field and the Recreation Ground in Olney offer great places for riding bikes, swings, slides or running around with a ball. The Bull, The Carlton Club, Cowper’s Oak and The Two Brewers offer beer gardens that can be fun for a drink while the children play on hot days. The long summer holidays are fast approaching, so here are some other suggestions for keeping the kids entertained.
Bletchley Park
Free entry for children under 12, and the park offers Family Fun Wednesdays every week during the summer holidays, as well as a multimedia centre. Call (01908) 640404 or go to bletchleypark.org.uk.
Mini-Strikers
They run sports afternoons every Wednesday from 2-5pm at the Olney Youth Centre. At £9 per session (siblings are half-price), they are designed for children from Reception until Year 4. Activities include football, hockey, cricket, golf and dodgeball, and there’s even a bouncy castle. Call (01525) 403981 or go to ministrikers.co.uk.
Castle Ashby
The 10,000 acre estate offers season passes and has a farmyard, a childrens’ play area, a butterfly garden, a Fuschia house and an Orangery. Call (01604) 695200 or go to castleashbygardens.co.uk.
Diamond School of Performing Arts
Based at Newport Pagnell Youth Club, it offers weekly (and some holiday) classes in singing, drama and dance (including ballet, tap, freestyle and hip- hop). Call (01908) 618950 or go to diamondschoolofperformingarts.co.uk.
Emberton Park
This 200-acre park offers free pedestrian access, season vehicle passes and has three picnic/playground areas, with walks, camping, fishing and boating. Call (01234) 711575 or go to milton-keynes.gov.uk/ leisure-tourism-and-culture/emberton- country-park.
Cowper and Newton Museum
Free entry for children under 16 and for just £5, adults can get an annual pass. The museum has an active calendar of events, with many aimed at children. Call (01234) 711516 or go to cowperandnewtonmuseum. org.uk.
MK Gallery
Based in the MK Theatre district, it offers free admission, workshops, Tuesday Start-To-Art toddler sessions and weekly Saturday Mini- Maker drop-ins, for children five and older and their families. Call (01908) 676900 or go to mkgallery.org/events/childrenandfamilies.
Tae Kwon-Do Summer Camp
Run by Proaction Martial Arts (who have Monday classes in Olney), this is for children six and older and is open to non-members. Call Linda Johnson on (07717) 116115, email enquiries@malessons.co.uk or go to martialartslessons.co.uk.
Phonebox Magazine 85