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Wednesday 30 August 2023

That's Food and Drink: Dangerous TikTok trends warning to parents

That's Food and Drink: Dangerous TikTok trends warning to parents: Parents of young children and teenagers are being warned of the most dangerous trends going around on TikTok and are advised to keep track o...

That's Food and Drink: Dangerous TikTok trends warning to parents

That's Food and Drink: Dangerous TikTok trends warning to parents: Parents of young children and teenagers are being warned of the most dangerous trends going around on TikTok and are advised to keep track o...

It's the ultimate family adventure destination: Beale Wildlife Park and Gardens

School holidays may be ending, but the fun doesn’t stop there. What is Berkshire's leading animal sanctuary, Beale Wildlife Park, is home to over 500 animals from Armadillos and Capybaras to Wildcats and Zebras, across their 350-acre riverside estate. 

Their newest additions to the park, two Lynx kittens and three young Arctic Foxes, have added extra cuteness to the whole experience.

Open all year round, Beale Wildlife Park offers a wide variety of family entertainment at affordable prices. 

With the cost of living affecting just about everyone, Beale Park has worked hard to keep their family- friendly prices to a minimum. Entry to the park costs £15.50 for an adult and £12.50 for children.

Lucy Costello, who is the CEO of Beale Wildlife Park, says: "It's incredibly important to us everyone feels welcome here at Beale Wildlife Park. 

"Our keepers and our team work hard to ensure families embark on a journey of exploration, learning, and fun which will create cherished memories for years. With over 109 species of animals from around the globe, we offer an immersive experience that will leave both young and old amazed."

At Beale Wildlife Park, prepare to witness the wonders of the animal kingdom up close and personal. Whether you are strolling through enchanting woodlands, picnicking by peaceful, tranquil lakes, or exploring themed gardens, every corner of the park offers unique opportunities to appreciate the wonders of the outdoors. It goes beyond a simple zoo experience. 

A selection of interactive experiences has been introduced for this year to ensure future generations continue to care for and protect animals. 

These include Animal Experiences (getting up close with the animals), Zoo Club (an after-school program for budding zoo-keepers) and a new five-week program designed to support 12-15-year-olds interested in animal-focussed careers. 

A combination of theory workshops and practical activities will include topics such as animal behaviour, welfare nutrition, conservation and enclosure design.

Lucy Costello continues, "We want Beale Wildlife Park to inspire people of all ages to learn something new about nature and help protect the future of the planet. By engaging with children from an early age and providing experiences that grow with them we aim to educate and instil a sense of responsibility for the planet's biodiversity in the hearts of everyone."

Young ones can burn off energy at the adventure playgrounds, while older children and adults can enjoy educational trails that provide insight into the park's conservation efforts. Plan your trip today.

For more details visit www.bealepark.org.uk or follow them on Instagram and Facebook.

(Image courtesy of Beale Wildlife Park)

ABBA Disco Wonderland UK Club Tour Returns This September!

The ABBA Disco Wonderland returns to the UK this September for it's annual club tour!

Experience a night dedicated to one of the greatest pop bands of all time, ABBA. Mixed with incredible venue transformations which turn every space into a Disco Wonderland, you can expect the most magical club experience. Apart from ALL of ABBA's hits you can expect to hits Disco & Pop bangers mixed by resident DJ's ABBA Kadabra, DJ Bjorn Hub & DJ FABAULOUS.

Besides these fabulous resident DJ's you can expect live tribute bands, hosts & performers as well as incredible special FX.

The night is hitting 16 locations across the UK from September to October including London, Glasgow, Bristol, Coventry, Norwich,. plus many more!

Learn more information here: https://fixr.co/organiser/discowonderland

Back To School Book Sale - extra 10% off

Save on essential Back to School books and more besides!

• An extra 10% off in the Back to School sale

• Limited Edition Boxes for KS1 & KS2 – only £14.99 each (10 books inside)

• Books selected by their in-house teacher in ‘Teacher’s Picks’

• Parents unsure about books for their child can email teacherspicks@books2door.com for suggestions

As children head back to school ensuring they have their essential items is every parent's top priority, the more bargains that can be found, the better, obviously!

Online children’s retailer, Books2Door, have been busy finding different ways to make back to school books even more affordable including an extra 10% off in their sale.

Parents can also email their teacher (Jasleen) directly at teacherspicks@books2door.com with questions about which books are suitable for their child.

(Image courtesy of Steve Buissinne from Pixabay)

Saturday 12 August 2023

Aardvark Books the bookshop and café near the Welsh border

Aardvark Books is a unique bookshop and café which is situated in the Shropshire village of Brampton Bryan, which is near Bucknell. 

It's home is The Bookery, Manor Farm, the postcode is SY7 0DH. It's midway between Leintwardine and Knighton on the A4113 road. There is a Transport for Wales train service to Knighton which is approximately six miles away. You can book rail travel here https://tickets.trc.cymru

Opening hours are usually Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm, though some bank holiday Mondays they might be open, call them on 01547 530744 for details or to confirm.

There's free parking for coach parties, plus up to 50 cars, there's wheelchair accessibility and cyclists, walkers and dogs are welcome.

Bus services might be available check here for details  https://www.minsterleymotors.co.uk

Aardvark Books has in excess of 50,000 books in stock, from the latest releases to second-hand and rare titles.

Sections include cookery, history, non-fiction, books for children, art and much more besides. Books can also be bought on line, too.

Aardvark books is operated by Sheridan and Sarah Swinson who have been there for nearly two decades.

They also have the Aardvark Café at the very hub of the bookshop. With it's word-burning stove, a tempting range of hot drinks, soups, toasties and home-made cakes served on vintage bone china, it's an ideal place to rest a while after a day of book hunting. The ground floor is accessible for wheelchairs, there's wifi and it's dog-friendly. If you intend to turn up with a party of eight or more, please let them know in advance.

There's also a very special section of The Bookery called BookBurrow, which is an adventure for children of all ages.

They host a range of special events including car boot sales, art events and Christmas fairs.

https://www.aardvark-books.com

Monday 7 August 2023

Leeds Libraries Unite for Festival

Books Up North

Home to in excess of fifty libraries, the city of Leeds has very good reason to celebrate the wide spectrum of support the information and knowledge sector offers its communities, businesses and public organisations. 

With libraries often forming health, academic, arts and heritage subgroups, the Libraries in Leeds network is a unique umbrella organisation in that the common feature of its members is their geographical location.

Not only does the city accommodate a thriving, vibrant public library service, the oldest surviving members’ Subscription Library, four universities and a Conservatoire, it's also the home of national records for DHSC, UKHSA and Royal Armouries. 

The British Library is also working towards establishing a permanent new site in Leeds city centre, powered by its existing site at Boston Spa, which is near Wetherby. Not forgetting the collections of regional and national importance preserved by the Morley team of the West Yorkshire Archive Service, librarians at the Henry Moore Institute and curators at the Thackray Museum of Medicine.

Over the past year the Libraries in Leeds network have been quietly supporting each other, sharing best practice, knowledge and information. This autumn is its first public festival. Everyone is warmly invited to learn, be inspired, get creative and have their say about the future of the public libraries in their own city.

With distinguished guests like Sue Williamson MBE, former director of libraries at Arts Council England, Emma Smith, who is Professor of Shakespeare Studies at the University of Oxford, and Dr Nick Barratt, genealogist and consultant researcher to the popular BBC series “Who Do You Think You Are?”, the talks programme is entertaining, relevant and very informative.

Chief Knowledge Officer for NHS Knowledge and Library Services and Chair of the CILIP Board of Trustees Sue Lacey Bryant will be there, discussing how to access reliable health information and highlighting the dangers of health misinformation. 

Also, taking place on Wednesday 6th will be a talk on the University of Leeds designated Cookery Collection, supplemented by a Cheese and Drinks reception close to the current exhibition “Becoming the Brontes” which will also be open to visitors.

From Monday 4th to Friday 8th September various libraries are offering a number of Backstage Tours, where people will be able to get a sense of a librarian’s working life at some of the city’s libraries and archives. And the launch of an exciting, unique exhibition will enable some of the city’s treasures to be viewed side by side in digital collection for the first time.

Saturday 9th September will be the day for families with a range of drop-in activities at the Central Library including the special screening of “I Believe in Unicorns”, a stage performance by Danyah Miller of Michael Morpurgo’s much loved story that celebrates the power of books and the sanctuary of libraries. 

Meanwhile at the Creatorspace at the University of Leeds families will be able to sign up to a two-hour ‘Get Creative’ session and enjoy seeing their ideas become reality. The festival events are either free or listed on Eventbrite as ‘Pay What You Decide’ to encourage maximum accessibility for everyone.

Not only is the purpose of the festival to raise awareness about the rich collection of resources that are based in Leeds, but the hope is also that local people will understand that the libraries are theirs to enjoy visiting and using. The Libraries in Leeds network’s website usefully highlights each member’s opening hours, visiting policy, contact details, location and a brief description of their offers.

As diversity, equality and inclusion are key to the sector’s continued success, Leeds Beckett University will be hosting an event during #Libraries Week on Thursday 5th October called “What’s it like to work in an academic library?” where a panel of employees from three of the city’s universities will be talking about their different roles and answering questions about their work.

“University of Leeds Libraries are proud to be part of and sponsor the inaugural Libraries in Leeds Festival. The festival celebrates the thriving libraries sector in the wonderful city of Leeds, highlighting the importance of libraries as critical social, knowledge, innovation, and cultural infrastructures. I look forward to our communities making the most of this festival and enjoying the wonderful collections and experiences that our sector offers,” said Masud Khokhar, University Librarian and Keeper of the Brotherton Collection, University of Leeds.

And Andrea Ellison, who is Chief Librarian of Leeds Libraries said "Libraries are pleased to have been one of the founding members of the Libraries in Leeds network. We value the opportunity that this vibrant and innovative network brings for our staff teams to meet and collaborate but also the opportunity through this festival to promote to residents and other stakeholders the rich diversity of the city’s library network.”

Sally Halper, Director of Research Services at the British Library said: “We're thrilled to be involved in the Libraries in Leeds Festival as we work towards deepening the British Library’s roots in Yorkshire and establishing a permanent new site in Leeds city centre. Libraries have a powerful unifying influence and we want to ensure as many people as possible, wherever they are, can discover and use the national collection and our services as part of the wider network of libraries and archives that make Leeds such a vibrant city.”

You can follow the latest developments on social media:

@Libs_in_Leeds

#lovelibraries

http://www.librariesinleeds.org

(Image courtesy of Lauren)