Family

Ballet/Dance classes for 2 year olds (Nov 2011)

Posted by Louise NorthHantsMum on in Babies, Classes, Exercise, Things to Do, Toddlers 1 Comment

Baby & Toddler Dance classes in North Hampshire Vicky asked the question on NorthHants Mum on Facebook: can anyone recommend ballet/dance classes for 2yr olds? I’m not able to recommend any specific classes but I’ve done some research about what is available at the moment. Details are below. If you have any recommendations, please don’t hesitate to add them. Vicky – thanks for your question, hope this is what you were looking for.

Ballet Classes

Basingstoke Academy of Dancing One of the more professional dance schools in Basingstoke.  They hold Mother and Toddler Classes – 18 mnths – 3yrs, Monday morning 9.30am to 10.30am

J.L.D. School of Dancing

They say: Being easily accessed from anywhere in Basingstoke & Deane, J.L.D. School of Dancing has 50 scheduled classes per week and offers dancing lessons for boys and girls from 2 – 18 years of age. Dance classes for children aged 2 – 5 years are lively and fun, exploring music, movement and mime.

Lynden School of Dance

I couldn’t find the timetable online for this dance school but I know they do Ka Motion classes at Basingstoke Sports Centre for little people and I’m sure they will have classes for under four’s. To find details you can contact them through their website.

Chandelle Stage School

I don’t have any further details about this apart from that it’s based in the Sycamore centre in Winklebury.

Stage School’s

There is also a stage school in Basingstoke: http://www.basingstokestageschool.co.uk/ Please add a comment if you know of more dance classes for toddlers in or near Basingstoke. Thanks!  

Unwanted Baby Items – Recycle/Reuse/Sell

Posted by Louise NorthHantsMum on in Clothes, Fundraising 0 Comment

What do you do with all of those baby items that you no longer need but don’t want to throw away? If you don’t have friends with babies whom you can pass the items on to, then the linky’s below might help. Regardless of the state of the material, someone, somewhere, will be able to make money from it, even if the item is no longer salvageable. So don’t throw those baby clothes away, just take them to the textile bank/bin.

Recycle/Reuse

(I’ve used Freegle many times as it gives me a little buzz when I’ve made someone’s day by giving them something that they need, for free!)

Give them to charity

(If you are looking for furniture for your children’s play room then this is a great place to pick up cheap sofas, cheap tables, etc.)

Charity Shops in Basingstoke

  • British Heart Foundation – Wote Street
  • RSPCA – London Street
  • Cancer Research UK – Wote Street
  • St Michaels Hospice Shop – Kings Road
  • Shaw Trust – Wote Street
  • St Michaels Hospice Retail Ltd – Chineham Shopping centre
  • Annies Charity Shop – Elmwood Parade, Winklebury

Donate them to North Hants Hospital Maternity Ward

I don’t have the details for this but it’s on my list of things to find out about. I think they will take newborn clothes, sterilising equipment and donations of unused pre-packaged formula. If you are breastfeeding and are very lucky to have “extra” they are also desperate for breastmilk donations for SCBU (Special Care Baby Unit). However, the closest breast milk bank is at the Princess Anne Hospital in Southampton. 

Sell Them

(There are also Nearly New Sales coming up in Hartley Wintney and Fleet, Woodley, Yateley and Farnham)

(I’ve used this site to sell goods that are priced less than £50)

Does anybody have any other suggestions for recycling, reusing or selling unwanted baby items?

Facebook Selling Networks

Farm Shops in Basingstoke/North Hampshire

Posted by Louise NorthHantsMum on in Basingstoke, Food, Health, North Hampshire, Shopping 0 Comment

Farm Shops are great places to look for organic/local produce for your children to eat. Several shops sell weaning boxes at reasonable prices. April 2013 Post: Pick Your Own Farm’s in North Hampshire and Berkshire September 2013 Post: Review: NorthDown Orchard Deliveries

Local Farm Shops

Manydown Farm Shop – Worting Road, Basingstoke Family run award winning butcher, pie and sausage maker and farm shop.

  • Scrapps Hill Farm, 550 Worting Road, Basingstoke, Hampshire
  • Tel: 01256 460 068

Newlyns Farm Shop – North Warnborough, Hook Newlyns Farm is an award winning farm shop located in North Warnborough and Andover, both in North Hampshire.

  • Lodge Farm, Hook Road, North Warnborough, Hook
  • Tel: 01256 704 128

Portland Farm Shop (no website) – North Waltham Farm shop selling free range eggs, seasonal local vegetables,fruit, honey and preserves. Some PYO when fruit is ready.

  • Portland Farm, Popham Lane, North Waltham, Basingstoke, Hampshire
  • 01256 398593
  • The Wellington Farm Shop – Hook Offering the highest quality locally sourced fresh meat, cheese and produce, Wellington Farm Shop provides discerning rural residents a shopping experience synonymous with the fine food stores of London.
  • Park Corner Farm, Welsh Lane, Hook, Hampshire, RG27 0LJ
  • Tel: 0118 932 6132

Mill Farm Organic Shop – Alton We are a small traditional family run farm, farming to Soil Association Organic Standards. We have had our full organic status for 6 years now. We have two farm trails/walks open throughout the year on and around the farm.

  • Mill Farm, Isington, Alton, Hampshire, GU34 4PN
  • Tel: 01420 22331

Birth Reflections in Basingstoke

Posted by Louise NorthHantsMum on in Post Natal, Pregnancy, Wellbeing 0 Comment

The Birth Reflections service is offered to all women who have delivered at the North Hampshire Hospital.

The service gives mothers an opportunity to discuss with a midwife, any aspect of their antenatal, labour or postnatal experience. On telephoning the number below, the mother will be offered an appointment either in her own home, or at the hospital and the midwife will hope you resolve any problems within an hour-long first meeting.

Further details or an appointment please telephone 01256 313327 and leave your name and number and your call will be returned within 48 hours. You can also email: Birth.Reflections@hhft.nhs.uk

https://www.hampshirehospitals.nhs.uk/our-services/az-departments-and-specialties/maternity-services/postnatal-information-1/birth-reflections

 

Luxury Afternoon Tea in Basingstoke

Posted by Louise NorthHantsMum on in Food, Gifts, Outings, Restaurants 1 Comment

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For those days when you really need spoiling! These are some ideas for Luxury Afternoon Tea in and around Basingstoke.

Audley’s Wood Hotel

Alton Road, Basingstoke, Alton, Hampshire RG25 2JT

At Audleys Wood Hotel we delight guests with our traditional afternoon tea in Hampshire. What better place to enjoy this fine tradition than in the grand drawing room of this historic country house. Gaze out the ceiling high windows whilst savouring each of our carefully prepared cakes, dainty sandwiches and the finest leaf tea, served to perfection.

  • Full Afternoon Tea costs £15.50 per person and Cream Tea costs £8.50 per person.
  • Upgrade to a Royal Afternoon Tea and enjoy a glass of Champagne for £24.50 per person.

Tel: 01256 817555

The Four Seasons Hotel

Dogmersfield Park, Chalky Lane, Dogmersfield, Hook, Hampshire, RG27 8TD

Located in the Manor House, The Library has been restored to its former glory as an elegant, beautifully appointed residents’ lounge. Decorated in warm earth tones, The Library boasts an abundance of lush armchairs, supple sofas and coffee tables for relaxation and luxury.

  • Traditional afternoon tea, The Library’s speciality, is served daily from 3-5pm.

Tel: 01252 853000

Tylney Hall

 Rotherwick, Hook, Hampshire, England, United Kingdom, RG27 9AZ

Cream tea £15.00 per person –  Scones, preserves and tea (available Monday to Friday)

  • Full tea £22.00 per person – Sandwiches, cakes and scone (available Monday to Sunday)
  • Champagne tea£30.00 per person – Sandwiches, cakes, scones and a glass of Canard Duchene (available Monday to Sunday)

Afternoon tea is served from 3.30pm until 5pm from Monday to Saturday and from 4.00pm – 5.00pm on Sundays.

Tel: 01256 764881

Oakley Hall

Rectory Road, Oakley, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG23 7EL

Afternoon Tea served between 2pm and 5pm, seven days a week, either on the Garden Terrace or in the Library.

  • Afternoon tea is priced at £17.95 per adult and £8.95 for children.
  • Full Afternoon Tea with a glass of Reynier Champagne £26.95 per person.

To Book please contact reception on +44(0)1256 783350 or reception@oakleyhall-park.com

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Home-Start: Group offers aid for vulnerable mums in Basingstoke

Posted by Louise NorthHantsMum on in Basingstoke, Fundraising, Mums, Post Natal, Vulnerable Mum's 0 Comment

VULNERABLE mums in Basingstoke are being offered support through a group set up especially for them by charity Home-Start.

Women with a variety of problems, including post-natal depression, stress, illness and isolation, are taking advantage of the group, who meet every Wednesday between 10am and midday at All Saints Church Hall.

Organiser Sue Bailey, family group lead worker at Home-Start North West Hampshire, said:

“We help mums of all ages with a variety of issues. The groups offer people somewhere to socialise and often gives mums the push to get out there and meet new people.

We currently have eight |regular members who we support, and everyone is welcome. Most of the people we support come through referrals from health workers and GPs, but people can also self-refer.

All of our volunteers at the group are mums themselves and understand many of the difficulties people can face.

The group was started at Easter and meets every Wednesday in term times. Mums of any age can join.

Home-Start is a national charity that works with families, offering support, advice and also offering practical help with looking after children.

For more information about the group or about all the |services Home-Start offer, call 01256 812333, or visit www.home-start.org.uk.

Taken from Basingstoke Gazette Tuesday 5th July 2011

Pushchair Friendly Walks Near Basingstoke

Posted by Louise NorthHantsMum on in Children, Walks 0 Comment

Great Picnic Spots near Basingstoke

Farley Mount – Winchester

  • No toilet facilities
  • Free parking
  • Has an excellent outdoor area for toddlers
  • Farm shop on the way in from Winchester or Waitrose nearby for picnic bits
  • Path’s aren’t distinct but are fairly pushchair friendly
  • See my review of Farleigh Mount from 2013

Basingstoke Canal – Odiham

  • Castle remains are pretty cool although you can no longer picnic inside it, have to sit outside 
  • Path can be quite thin in place but still should still be able to use with an off road buggy.

Frensham Little Pond/Great Pond – Near Farnham

  • Nearest sandy “beach”!

Fleet Pond – Fleet

  • Tiny sandy beach
  • picnic benches
  • jetty’s for feeding the ducks
  • entry road in is a bit hair raising!

Queen Elizabeth Country Park – Horndean

Staunton Country Park – Havant

Royal Victoria Country Park – Southampton

Other Walks

Aldermaston Common – On the road from Basingstoke to Newbury

  • Several Car Parks around the common

Hook Common – Just off Junction 5 of M3

  • Has big red cows with big horns wandering around and often horses grazing, so if have dogs need to keep control of them.

Yateley Common Country Park – Nr Yately

Newbury Race Course/Watership Down – near Kingsclere, RG28 7NJ

Micheldever Wood

    • Head for Winchester on the A30.
    • Go past the Claas (large Farm machinery and tractors) company which is on your right and then take the second left (don’t turn into the first turning, as you can’t park here) sign posted to Northington and The Candovers.
    • Go under the motorway and the car park is up on your left.
    • Oh and it’s NO WHERE NEAR Micheldever! lol
    • Go now, before the bluebells disappear for the year, as they are gorgeous!

Victoria Park

Medstead Forest – Near to Alton

  • Lovely in spring time when the Bluebells are out

Danebury Iron Age Hillfort – Near Andover

Alice Holt

Review: Alice Holt, Farnham