Get zoom ready with vitamins

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As millions across the world continue to interact online, people are spending a record amount of time video chatting.

This means that you often spend hours every week seeing yourself far more than you did pre-Covid, often leading to you paying greater attention to how you look. With this in mind, Pharmacy2U, the UK’s largest online pharmacy, have compiled a list of the best vitamins to make sure you’re Zoom-confident!

Phil Day, Superintendent Pharmacist at Pharmacy2U, the UK’s first and largest online pharmacy, gives us which vitamins help with what:

Vitamin A

All cells need vitamin A for growth: this includes hair, which is the fastest growing tissue in the human body. It also helps your skin to produce an oily substance called sebum which helps to moisturise your scalp and keep your hair looking healthy. It has also been found that people that are deficient in vitamin A may experience hair thinning and hair loss.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C can be found largely in both the epidermis (outer layer of skin) and the dermis (inner layer of skin). It has antioxidant properties and plays a key role in producing collagen, which helps to keep skin healthy. This is one of the key ingredients found in many anti-ageing skincare products. It helps to heal damaged skin and also has the ability to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, help to repair hair and prevent dry skin. It’s also great for healthy hair, again linked to its role in producing collagen, which is an important part of the hair structure.

Vitamin D

Typically we get the majority of our vitamin D in the summer months; the skin makes it when it’s exposed to sunlight. However, with most of us stuck indoors and with the gloomy winter weather many of us may be deficient at the moment. Vitamin D is used throughout the body, including the skin, where it plays an important role in skin tone, as well as preventing premature skin ageing. It also promotes healthy bone growth, with some studies showing that it can help with dry skin, eczema and psoriasis. Low levels of vitamin D have also been linked to hair loss, with research showing that vitamin D may help create new hair follicles.

Vitamin E

Similarly to vitamin C, vitamin E possesses antioxidant properties, helping to prevent the skin from sun damage. Vitamin E absorbs UV light, minimising the damage done by UV rays, preventing dark spots and wrinkles. If you have particularly dry skin, vitamin E can help to counteract a lack of sebum, as well as to help in the treatment of skin inflammation.

Vitamin K

Vitamin K is vital in helping the body’s ability to form blood clots, which helps the body to heal bruises, wounds and any areas that have been affected by surgery. It is thought to help skin conditions including scars, stretch marks and dark eye circles.

Some vitamins should not be taken in large doses, and some may clash with prescribed medicines. Before taking any new vitamin supplements, talk to your pharmacist for advice if you need it.”

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Staying safe after COVID-19 vaccination

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How the vaccination could make you feel and what to do after you’ve had it. Comments from Phil Day, Superintendent Pharmacist at Pharmacy2U, the UK’s first and largest online pharmacy:

“Like all medicines, there is a potential for side effects. These are generally mild and disappear within a day or two, and not everyone who has the vaccine will be affected. The most common side effects include fatigue, having a tender arm where you had your injection, and general aches and flu-like symptoms. These are common for many vaccines; the vaccine cannot give you Covid-19. It’s important to remember that if you experience mild symptoms after the first dose, you still need to get the second dose.

You must continue to take all recommended precautions to avoid infection

“It will take a week or two for your body to build up protection from the first dose of vaccine. No vaccine is 100% effective, and we still don’t know how much the vaccine prevents transmission of the disease, so you must continue to take all recommended precautions to avoid infection. In order to minimise any risks, for you, your family or other people you may come into close proximity with, you should continue to practise social distancing, wear a face mask, wash your hands frequently and follow the current government guidance.

“Although the fact that such a vast number of the population are receiving their vaccination is hugely positive, it’s important not to get complacent. By doing this, we can continue to alleviate pressures on the NHS. There is still a long way to go before life returns to pre-Covid normality and you can play your part in getting us all thereby sticking to the national guidelines.”

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How daylight savings affect your sleep

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Three ways daylight saving affect your sleep — and what you can do about it

The clocks go forward on March 28th — marking the start of daylight savings. Unfortunately, this means one less hour in bed, so prepare to feel extra sleepy that day!

As it turns out, this lost hour can have a greater impact than you may initially think on your sleep cycle. To help you prepare, we’ve identified three ways daylight savings affects your sleep, plus three ways you can fix it.

It disrupts your rhythm

Our bodies use circadian rhythm, a sort of internal body clock, to keep track of the time. It takes things like sunlight, how often we eat, and other aspects of our routines to determine when we should be awake and when we should be asleep. So, the hour lost from daylight savings could throw us off track and impact our nightly rest.

Maintaining a routine is crucial if you want to fall asleep easily

Solution: don’t oversleep. Try and keep to the exact same routine as you would normally. It may be tempting to lie in an hour past your alarm to ‘regain’ your lost hour of sleep, or even to have a nap during the day to catch up. But, these may be more detrimental to your body’s natural rhythm than if you were to stick to your regular pattern. Instead, it’s better to simply mourn the lost hour and move on, sticking to your usual routine.

The nights are shorter

This is the time of year where nights start to get shorter. By this, we mean that there are more hours of daylight, which is great for packing in loads of fun activities during the day. But, it can make sleeping difficult when the sun streams into your bedroom at times when you’d usually be trying to rest and recharge.

Solution: separate day from night. Darkness is key for sleep, as it tells our bodies to produce a soporific hormone called melatonin. So, at this time of year, you may wish to try installing thicker curtains or blinds to keep the light out and closing them around two hours before bedtime, so you can start to get sleepy when you need to.

Additionally, it can help to try and get as much light during the day as you can so that your body produces enough melatonin to keep you asleep through the night (NIH).

The weather is warmer

Summer sun is definitely something to look forward to, and the clocks going forward is signal that warmer weather is on the way. Unfortunately, this can mean sticky, sweaty nights and disrupted sleep, which can certainly put a damper on things. According to experts, the optimal temperature for encouraging sleep is between 15 and 20 degrees, much cooler than you might expect (Sleep Foundation).

Solution: keep it cool. The best solution would be to open your windows, as not only will this let the heat out, but the circulating air can make it easier to breathe too. You should also make sure you have a breathable mattress, as well as a lighter tog duvet than you would use in winter. A good summer duvet is generally around 4.5 tog, or anything up to 7.5 if you prefer a heavier blanket.

“The clocks going forward can make you feel off kilter for a few days, but it can have an even bigger impact on your sleep if you let it. Remember that sleep is a cycle, and maintaining a routine is crucial if you want to fall asleep easily and stay out of it until the morning.

“I always think of daylight savings as the start of summer, but, while longer days and warmer weather are a definite plus, if you’re not sleeping well, you can’t even enjoy the sun properly. Fortunately, by taking steps to make sure our bedrooms are the perfect environment for sleeping, we can enjoy a good night’s rest and longer days at the same time.”

Phil Lawlor, sleep expert at Dormeo. For more info please visit dormeo.co.uk

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Jess Gillam chats about Investec 2021

Liz Nicholls

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Jess Gillam tells us about music’s power to connect us and looks ahead to the Investec International Music Festival which will take place in Surrey Hills as soon as safely possible.

Music is intrinsic to our humanity. It has been a form of expression since the beginning of time and it has the power to unite, to console us and to bring light in what often seems like a broken world. Music can provide us with a space in which to exist, a place in which to be renewed and perhaps a moment of solace – which is what many people have needed throughout these bleak and uncertain times. Music can offer us the thing we are all longing for most: connection.

When my diary was wiped clean of concerts, workshops and performances pretty much overnight in the first lockdown, I wanted to try to find a way to unite people and provide a bit of that sense of belonging, identity and hope that music often gives us. So, I set up the Jess Gillam Virtual Scratch Orchestra – an online project publishing parts for different pieces (Let It Be by The Beatles, Where Are We Now by David Bowie and Sleigh Ride by Leroy Anderson) on my website.

Music can offer us the thing we are all longing for most: connection.

Anyone, of any ability, could send in a video of themselves playing along (with a click, of course, to keep us all in time!). We then created an orchestra out of all the videos and then I played along too. It was a big online party for musicians and we had just under 3,000 people aged between two and 95 participating over the three projects.

The response was absolutely fantastic from both participants and the audience, with many people commenting on how the project had given them a sense of community. Although technology can sometimes be endlessly frustrating, it really can (especially in these times) offer us a way to come together on a mass mission!

Thanks also to technology, I also released my second album, TIME, last year. We finished the recording four weeks before the first lockdown. The concept behind the album – to reflect the arc of energy in a passing day and to give listeners a moment away from a manic world seemed to become strangely more pertinent in the weeks to follow. Unfortunately, because of the pandemic, the album could not be toured but I will perform some of the music from this album at the Investec International Music Festival which I’m excited about!

As we start to move towards a world in which live performances become possible again, I hope we’ll all cherish the direct sense of communication music can provide and that we have missed in recent times. I’ve been lucky enough to give a few concerts to live, socially distanced audiences and in an odd way, these have been some of the most memorable performance experiences of my life so far; the heightened sense of anticipation, communication and sharing in the halls has been so special. Nothing can replace the electrifying energy of live music, which is why I cannot wait to perform in Surrey!

For more details & updates on the 2021 Investec International Music Festival, please visit iimf.co.uk

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Channel 5’s Skin A+E Needs Wiltshire

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5 Star and Boom are looking for people from Wiltshire with various medical conditions to appear on SKIN A+E which is returning for its second series.

Following on from the success of the first series, which can be viewed here: SKIN A+E SERIES LINK

The doors to the Skin A+E clinic will be open for a second time, where a team of top UK dermatologists will give participants a FREE consultation, advice and medical treatment if appropriate.

If you, or someone you know, has a skin condition that you would like help with then the team at Boom would like to hear from you.

Perhaps your condition doesn’t qualify for treatment on the NHS? Or your treatment has been delayed?

Have you been unable to find the right treatment for your skin condition?

Or are you on a long waiting list for a referral to a dermatologist?

Their team of dermatologists would love to help you!

Applicants who are picked must be willing to talk openly and frankly about their condition and be available for filming for one day in April or May 2021. All applicants must be legal residents of the UK, currently live in the UK and be aged 18 and above.

To get more information and fill in an application form please email the production company at:
[email protected]

Deadline for applications is Friday 30th April 2021

We welcome applications from all sections of the community. Boom will process your information in accordance with its privacy policy (Boom Privacy Notice for Contributors) Applicants should be aware that due to the high volume of responses we cannot guarantee to reply to everyone.

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Guildford inspires Alice In Wonderland stories

Liz Nicholls

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Take a journey through the looking glass and discover a new story based on the Alice in Wonderland tales just released by a Guildford author.

Alice Ventures Beyond Wonderland written by Robin G Smith introduces a host of new creatures to an audience of children and adults alike.

Guildford has been associated with Alice in Wonderland since author, Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, aka Lewis Carroll, completed the sequel, Through the Looking Glass.

Robin has written children’s books as well as adult science-fiction and factual titles, for 20 years, but it wasn’t until lockdown he turned his skills to reimagining the world that Carroll created. Alice Ventures Beyond Wonderland introduces a new audience to a world of intriguing creatures through strange encounters yet also touches on difficult issues that we are all too familiar with today, such as bullying and identity.

Robin says: “I have always loved the two Alice in Wonderland books and wanted to see if it was possible to write something similar. I had been collecting ideas for years and lockdown gave me the opportunity to concentrate on completing the project. I’m delighted with the response I’ve already had from adults and children alike, who seem to enjoy its blend of subtle humour and contemporary issues.”

He is already planning the sequel to Alice Ventures Beyond Wonderland. Alice Ventures Beyond Wonderland is illustrated by Helena Chessher and available to buy now in hardback, paperback, and e-book from Amazon or www.treefirecreative.com

For a preview, visit www.alicebeyondwonderland.com

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Faringdon Art Society free highlight

Liz Nicholls

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Founded in 1964 for all those interested in art in Faringdon and The Vale, Faringdon Art Society (FAS) is run on a “not for profit” basis and has 100+ members.

The society welcomes anyone with an interest in shape, colour, form, movement, texture and the expression of it in paint, ink, pencil, stone, clay, pottery, wood etc, whether they are a leisure artist, a professional, or just someone that enjoys seeing how artists work.

As a gift to the local community, Maggie Hollinshead will welcome you, 3-4.30pm via Zoom, to discover or rediscover the joy of creativity.

For more information about the group or to join for £10 a year, please visit faringdonartsociety.co.uk

http://www.faringdonartsociety.co.uk

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Scrubs help

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Ready, steady, sew!

Volunteers are using their love of sewing to help make scrubs for health care workers

There’s no end of people putting their skills to use during the coronavirus crisis and that includes those handy with a sewing machine who have been making scrubs for health care workers.

Madeleine Steele, pictured, is just one who has been helping. She set up the South Oxfordshire and Berkshire Scrub Hub from her home in Crowmarsh making garments and masks for the NHS and people working in social care.

She said: “It was a Facebook post on Easter Monday that I saw about people making scrubs and I thought that’s a great idea, I’ll see if I can join in. There weren’t any other ScrubHubs in our area so I called my old school friend and asked her if she wanted to set it up with me.”

The South Oxfordshire and Berkshire Scrub Hub is a network of volunteers operating in Abingdon, Didcot, Wallingford, Henley, Reading, Caversham, Woodley, Earley, Winnersh, Wokingham and Tilehurst.

Their aim is to plug the gap as an emergency helping hand by supporting our health care professionals without scrubs during the current crisis.
The volunteer network ‘who love to sew’ is operating all over the country answering calls from workers through their networks and communities. The scrubs are made to order by experienced volunteers, working safely within the guidelines of the lock down, often with donated materials.

To find out more visit scrubhub.org.uk/south-oxfordshire-berkshire

If you are member of the public and you’d like to sponsor their efforts visit the GoFundMe page.

Donations will help support the NHS Practitioners health service who care for and support the mental well being of NHS workers, who are doing such a selfless job during this time.

Facing the challenge

Local schools are supporting NHS frontline workers in the battle against coronavirus
with the production of face shields and protective screens

PPE – before the coronavirus most of us would not have heard of this or indeed be aware of its importance – now we hear of the need for it on a daily basis.

Schools across Berkshire have been working to produce face shields and screens for use in GP practices and hospitals.

One project was the brainchild of Leighton Park School’s Head of Design and Technology, Mark Smith who began making the protective wear in the Reading school’s workshop with an original target of 200.

Mark said: “We are fortunate at Leighton Park to have access to tools and resources that can make a difference and keep our keyworkers safe: I just had to do something.”

Using the laser cutter to create re-usable plastic headbands he then attached disposable A4 PVC sheets donated by Reading-based stationery suppliers Frasers Office Supplies.

A plea for additional laser cutters was met by other schools in the area and there is now a network of manufacturers involved including the University of Reading, Neal’s Export Packaging Ltd, in Silchester, and rLAB, a community workshop space.

School partners include Denefield School, Edgbarrow School, Prospect School, Reading Blue Coats, Shiplake College, Holme Grange School, The Forest School, Brackenhale School, Waingels College, The Bulmershe School, Luckley House, Warriner School, Little Heath, Ranelagh and St Joseph’s College.

Since starting production on April 2nd they have supplied more than 80 organisations with shields.

The Oratory school near Woodcote has also risen to the challenge to help the local community after it was approached by Dr Amanda Gemmill, a GP and the school’s Head of PSHE. She asked the Design LabOratory to construct protective screens for the Goring and Woodcote surgeries to offer protection to reception staff.

The Design LabOratory began with three polycarbonate screens which were installed on a Saturday to ensure the surgery was not disrupted.

Word of the screens spread and Strawberry Hill Medical Centre in Newbury put in a request which required more material and a more robust construction. They have since made screens for surgeries in Woodcote, Goring, Newbury, Henley, Wokingham and Abingdon with orders from two practices in Oxford.

The Design LabOratory is now producing face shields with the use of 3D printers and has delivered to medical practices in Woodcote and Goring, to Marcham Road Surgery in Abingdon, Sue Ryder in Nettlebed and Townlands Hospital in Henley.

Working together

Buckinghamshire schools come together to make PPE for healthcare workers

Schools and colleges across the county have been playing their part to support the NHS and other local health services to help keep frontline staff safe. Using their 3D printers they have created safety visors for the NHS and donated PPE equipment to support healthcare staff.

Thanks to the fantastic work of schools from all parts of the county, hundreds of visors have been produced and distributed to frontline healthcare professionals. Many local businesses played their part too, donating items such as lab coats, goggles and gloves, after hearing about the work schools were doing from parents or teachers.

Many schools across the county, including Buckingham School, Stowe School, Westbury School, Sir Thomas Fremantle School, Holmer Green School, Sir William Borlase’s School, Wycombe Grammar School, Wycombe High School, Highworth Combined School and Sir William Ramsay School have also produced (using their 3D printers) or donated essential PPE equipment such as goggles and lab coats.

Buckinghamshire UTC has also donated 30 protective goggles and their Principal Sarah Valentine personally bought six lab coats from Amazon for delivery to Stoke Mandeville Hospital.

Cllr Anita Cranmer, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, said: “I’m hugely impressed by the time, effort and heart that our education community has put into creating and donating PPE for our healthcare workers.

“This is a fantastic example of how Buckinghamshire is coming together and a tribute to our hardworking and dedicated healthcare workers who are helping to keep us all safe during these challenging times. Another amazing initiative that shows just how #ProudofBucks we are.”

In addition, Aylesbury High School, The Grange School in Aylesbury, Beachborough School at Westbury, and the University of Buckingham have also got involved in the production and donation of PPE to local NHS trusts.

Vince Murray, Headteacher of The Grange School, said: “As a school we were more than willing to respond to the call for PPE equipment through the collection of goggles and laboratory coats. It was also lovely to see some of our students making ‘scrub bags’ for the NHS, alongside their teacher (Miss Friend) while they were in school.

“We see ourselves as a community school. We were only too happy to contribute, in a small way, to maintaining the safety of other key workers looking after those in our hospitals, and providing essential care for others at a time when they need it most.”

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Scrubs help

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Sew essential

Mel Downing is one of a consortium of local curtain makers who came together to make scrubs for healthcare workers

At the end of March we were aware there was a real shortage of scrubs – all healthcare workers were going to need them and due to the contagious nature of Covid-19 would need several sets each and wash bags for them to be put in once taken off and laundered.

A consortium of local curtain makers set up a Justgiving page to raise money to buy rolls of washable polycotton, within days we had raised a few thousand. The total now is more than £15,000.

I have run Melanie Downing Interiors, a busy curtain design company for 25 years and one of my blind makers Julie Knaggs had trained as a pattern cutter. We decided the best way forward was to bulk cut the fabric and then hand out kits for people to sew depending on their skills.

This saved us so much time and also very little wasted fabric. It was really important we sent out beautifully made scrubs that were made to last. We created a Facebook page and very quickly had an army of more than 80 volunteers from curtain makers, dress makers, costume makers, and even a tutu maker.

Local hubs were established in Farnham, Guildford, Haslemere, Petersfield, Petworth and Godalming to try and reduce journeys and volunteer drivers co-ordinated delivery and collection.

Realising the phenomenal demand we also enlisted the help of Mint Velvet who delivered 800 sets to Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford, for us.
We have supplied more than 2,500 sets to The Royal Surrey, Frimley Park, Basingstoke Hospital and Hospice, Haslemere, Petworth, Milford and Alton Community Hospitals, Phyllis Tuckwell, Marie Curie, Macmillan, Meath Home, Ticehurst Care Home, Aldershot Community team and numerous GP surgeries as well as several private requests.

It has been an incredible logistical challenge to achieve so much in such a short space of time but worth it to know it is being used.

There are so many talented people in the area and the team spirit has just been such a positive experience. I feel lucky to have been able to use my business experience and skills to co-ordinate such an important project with the help of so many really amazing people.

We are now starting to make masks which will be distributed primarily via local food banks and hope these will be sent out with a wash bag and soap stressing the importance of continued hand washing.

Most of the professional seamstresses in the team are currently unable to work due to restrictions re visiting people’s homes but hoping we can soon get back to work!

Contact Mel Downing – www.melaniedowning.co.uk 01428 713868; Coleen Smart – www.honeybeehandmade.co.uk 01483 577168; Caroline Lockie – Sewn – 01483 425577; Jo Martin – www.josephineellen.co.uk; Julie Knaggs – www.montaguesadles.co.uk

Stitches in time

A teacher has set up a volunteer sewing group to make scrubs for health care workers

Sewing enthusiasts have been taking to their machines to answer the call for scrubs, masks, scrub bags and gowns to help support front line workers.

Head of Design & Technology at Glebelands School in Cranleigh, Tamsin Mitchell (pictured), heard local frontline workers were faced with a drastic shortage of scrubs, masks, and similar equipment, and decided to pitch in.

Having seen a Facebook post from a nurse who works for Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guildford, she contacted her to see if there was anything she could sew to help.

“She wanted scrubs bags, so people can change at hospital and take their uniform home in the bag and pop it straight in the wash. I went online to see if I could get more people on board, and I found a national group called For the Love of Scrubs. They had subpages for local areas, and there wasn’t one for Cranleigh. So I volunteered.”

Tamsin formed NHS Sewing Cranleigh and Dorking to mobilise local sewing enthusiasts including Glebelands pupils. The group already has more than 65 members, who have together produced items for St Joseph’s Specialist School and College and more than half a dozen other local organisations, including care homes and medical practices.

Tamsin said: “It’s a real community effort. Everyone is stepping up to the plate and helping each other. In a time of need, it’s the practical and creative skills that make a difference.”

Anyone in need of items or wanting to join the group should contact Tamsin through the NHS Sewing Cranleigh and Dorking group on Facebook.

Supporting Surrey SAR

The science department at King Edward’s Witley donates PPE to Surrey Search & Rescue

In 2010, relies solely on donations to purchase vital lifesaving equipment and provide training for its team.King Edward’s Witley has delivered much-needed supplies of personal protective equipment in response to an urgent appeal from Surrey Search & Rescue.

Woking-based charity, Surrey SAR – a voluntary specialist search team – posted a request on Facebook for vital supplies of PPE to protect their responders as they help Surrey Police and the county council at this time, checking on the welfare of vulnerable members of the community.

King Edward’s science department technician, Alison Hill sourced, sterilised and packed boxes of protective goggles and disposable gloves which were given to the charity.

Head of Science, Jim Culbert said they were delighted to be able to support Surrey SAR: “This is an amazing organisation. During the current coronavirus pandemic, Surrey Search & Rescue is playing a pivotal role in checking on the welfare of those who are deemed particularly susceptible to the virus, ensuring they remain well and lending a caring and sympathetic ear when people need it most.”

Surrey SAR assists the emergency services in the search for missing vulnerable adults and children. Volunteers, assisted by search dogs and drones, deliver an on-call response service 24 hours a day across Surrey and surrounding areas, when the emergency services need their specialist skills.

On average 2,100 people go missing in Surrey each year and as such Surrey SAR is one of the busiest search & rescue teams in the UK. The charity, which was formed in 2010, relies solely on donations to purchase vital lifesaving equipment and provide training for its team.

You can donate or read more about Surrey Search and Rescue here.

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Happy bunnies…

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You’re never too old to enjoy an Easter egg hunt which is lucky for you as there are some cracking ones to enjoy!

You could take part in the egg-stravaganza at more than one spot – it just depends how many you want to shell out on!

SURRREY

RHS Garden Wisley, GU23 6QB

Celebrate the launch of The Secret Garden starring Colin Firth and Julie Walters (in cinemas from Friday, 10th April), by visiting the garden trail experience and many other family activities.

Albury Vineyard, Silent Pool, GU5 9BW

Visit Albury vineyard for a family-friendly open day with self-guided tours of the vineyard and a glass or two of bubbly. Entertain the little ones with a vineyard ‘bunny run’ toy trail and craft activities.

Hatchlands Park, Guildford, GU4 7RT

Visit Hatchlands Park in the first flushes of springtime for the popular Cadbury Egg Hunt which can be enjoyed throughout the school holidays. There’s also the natural play area with a tree house and bug burrow to explore.

Runnymede, SL4 2JL (SatNav: TW20 0AE)

This picturesque open landscape beside the Thames was witness to King John’s historic sealing of the Magna Carta in 1215. Follow the Cadbury Egg Hunt for hidden clues across the meadows and along the slopes of Runnymede.

Gilbert White’s House, Selborne, GU34 3JH

Visit this beautiful historical site for an Easter Egg hunt with a difference between 4th & 19th April. Hunt for the painted eggs which are all based on the eggs of the birds which nest in the grounds. Learn about where different species of birds nest as you explore the gardens and meadow. Find them all and claim a chocolate egg! This costs just £3 on top of the general admission price.

Dapdune Wharf, Guildford, GU1 4RR

Stroll along the River Wey tow path and admire the barges, or why not take a boat tour? On Good Friday you can also try the Easter trail with Toad, Ratty, Mole and Badger and enjoy sports day races and craft on Friday 10th, 11am-5pm.

Painshill, Cobham KT11 1JE

Over the Easter holidays follow the trail to find
big statues of eggs, in colourful and crazy designs, around Painshill Park. See if you can spot the unicorn egg or the one that is painted like a pirate.

Winkworth Arboretum, Godalming, GU8 4AD

Put your adventurer’s hat on and explore 149 acres of woodland following a rainbow of clues on two different routes. At the end of either return to the kiosk with your completed trail sheet for a delicious prize. Saturday, 28th March to Monday, 13th April. Usual admission applies + £3.50 per trail. Put your super senses to work and see what you can discover from 28th March to 13th April.

HANTS

Hindhead Commons, GU26 6AG

Hindhead Commons and the Devil’s Punch Bowl are home to abundant wildlife and a great place to explore the natural world. Pick up the Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt trail as you explore the countryside and claim your choccy treat at the finish.

Swan Barn Farm, Haslemere, GU27 2HU

Escape the bustle of Haslemere’s high street this Easter at Swan Barn Farm. On Easter Saturday 11th, explore the woodlands and meadows, while solving nature clues to receive your chocolate prize.

Gilbert White’s House, Selborne, GU34 3JH

Join an Easter Egg hunt with a difference – can you find the painted eggs all based on the eggs of the birds which nest in the grounds? Learn where different species of birds nest as you explore the gardens and meadow. Can you spot the odd one out among the species featured? Find them to claim a chocolate egg!

Petworth House and park, Petworth, GU28 9LR

Join in the Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt, every day of the school holidays and look out for clues in the Pleasure Ground left by Sir Percy the Petworth Bunny and earn your chocolate reward.

Hinton Ampner, Alresford, SO24 0LA

Hinton Ampner’s Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt will have little ones exploring the nooks and crannies of the grounds for signs of nature. With flowers blooming and birds singing, there’s lots to tick off as they use their senses to find the clues on the trail, in return for a chocolate reward.

Uppark House & Garden, Petersfield, GU31 5QR

Complete the nature-themed Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt around the grounds of 17th century Uppark to collect a yummy chocolate treat.

The Vyne, Basingstoke, RG24 9HL

Uncover some of the spots that animals call ‘home’ on The Vyne’s Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt, and claim your prize. Kids can find out about wildlife homes to have in their own gardens too, such as bug hotels and bird boxes. Join the Ranger Rabbit trail to find out how the busy rangers protect wildlife, try the ideas at home, from log piles to bat boxes.

Winchester City Mill, SO23 9BH

The gardener has lost all the spring plants he needs to put in the mill’s garden. On this new spring trail, kids can turn ‘plant hunters’ as they help seek out plants hidden around the mill. Join the Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt over the Easter weekend.

BERKS

Beale Park, Pangbourne, RG8 9NW

Find out more about the resident birds thanks to the Egg-stravaganza family trail from 4th to 19th April. Workshops on offer this month include learning how to make a bug box and insect sessions. Call 0118 976 7480 or visitbealepark.org.uk

Marwell Zoo, Colden Common, SO21 1JH

Always a brilliant day out for animal lovers, plan in an Easter visit to admire the snow leopards, giraffes, hippos and more or book a sunset safari. Call 01962 777407 or visit marwell.org.uk

Highclere Castle, Newbury, RG20 9RN

Enjoy the Easter Egg Hunt and Bonnet Parade on Saturday, 18th April (11am-3pm) in aid of The Murray Parish Trust. Enjoy a spring walk, too. Call 01635 253204 or visit highclerecastle.co.uk

Dinton Pastures, Hurst, RG10 0TH

Follow the Easter Eggstravaganza orienteering trail on foot or bike around the country park to find the clues on Sunday, 12th April. No need to book, just find the instructors behind the café garden. Call 0118 974 6343 or visit dinton-pastures.co.uk

The Vyne, Basingstoke, RG24 9HL

Uncover resident animals’ homes on the Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt or create a bug hotel or bird box. Or join the Ranger Rabbit trail to find out how the busy rangers protect wildlife. Call 01256 883858.

Bucklebury Farm Park , RG7 6RR

There’s always lots of fun on down on this charming farm, especially over the school holidays. Hunt for the Giant Easter Eggs, feed the orphan lambs, book in for a deer safari and much more on this stunning 77-acre site. Call 0118 971 4002 or visit buckleburyfarmpark.co.uk

Cliveden, Taplow, SL6 0JF

This National Trust beauty has teamed up with Cadbury again to host another Easter Egg Hunt every day from 3rd to 20th April. Call 01628 668561 or visit nationaltrust.org.uk/cliveden

LEGOLAND® , Windsor, SL4 4AY

Hop on the world’s first DUPLO rollercoaster and meet Dexter the Dog. Over the weekend (10th-13th April), enjoy Easter fun & build your own LEGO daffodil. Join a Where’s Ollie? badge hunt and try the LEGO® City Deep Sea Adventure. Call 01753 626 416 or visit legoland.co.uk

Wellington Park, Riseley, RG7 1SP

Enjoy Easter crafts and a circus spectacular over Easter weekend, 10th-13th. Call 01189 326 444 or visit wellingtoncountrypark.co.uk

BUCKS

Odds Farm, Wooburn Green, HP10 0LX

Newly hatched Chicken World invites you to enjoy the feathery friends. Take your wellies for the newly reopened H2Odds Water Play and, between 4th & 19th April enjoy the Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt . Call 01628 520188 or visit oddsfarm.co.uk

Cliveden, Taplow, SL6 0JF

This National Trust beauty has teamed up with Cadbury again to host another Easter Egg Hunt every day from 3rd to 20th April. Call 01628 668561 or visit nationaltrust.org.uk/cliveden

Windsor Great Park, SL4 2HT

Enjoy Easter fun for all the family between 4th & 13th April thanks to James Horton’s vintage fair and Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust’s puzzling nature trail. Call 01753 860222 or visit windsorgreatpark.co.uk

LEGOLAND® , Windsor, SL4 4AY

Hop aboard the world’s first DUPLO rollercoaster and be among the first to meet Dexter the Dog. Plus, over the Easter weekend (10th-13th April), enjoy Easter fun with the chance to build and take home your own LEGO daffodils. Join a Where’s Ollie? badge hunt and try the revamped LEGO® City Deep Sea Adventure Call 01753 626 416
or visit legoland.co.uk

JC Farming, Little Kingshill, HP16

Watch live chicks hatching, cuddle and bottle feed little lambs and enjoy cuddles with the animals with a handling session. Have a go on a tractor-and-trailer ride, hunt bugs in the woodland walk. Visit jcfarming.co.uk

Runnymede, Egham, TW20 0AE

This picturesque open landscape beside the Thames was witness to the Magna Carta in 1215. Follow the Cadbury Egg Hunt for clues across the meadows, 10th-13th April. Call 01784 432891.

Bekonscot, Beaconsfield, HP9 2PL

The world’s oldest original model village, opening for the first time in 1929, is a great and timeless day out for grandparents & their brood. Call 01494 672919 or visit bekonscot.co.uk

Wellington Park, Riseley, RG7 1S

Enjoy Easter crafts and a circus spectacular over Easter weekend, 10th-13th. Call 01189 326 444 or visit wellingtoncountrypark.co.uk

Beale Park, Pangbourne, RG8 9NW

Enjoy the Egg-stravaganza family trail from 4th to 19th April. Workshops on offer this month include building a bug box and insect sessions. Call 0118 976 7480 or visit bealepark.org.uk

OXON

Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, OX20 1PP

From 10th to 13th April the Pleasure Gardens will transform into an Easter wonderland with a traditional fairground, dressing-up tent, princess meet & greet, Punch and Judy, fairy stilt walkers.Embark on an Easter Bunny Walkabout, take part in a circus skills workshop, have a go at archery and test bouncy castle or bungee trampoline! Call 01993 810530 or visit blenheimpalace.com

Cotswold Wildlife Park, Burford, OX18 4JP

Always a glorious day out, over Easter weekend (10th-13th April), you can also take in a birds of prey display at 1pm & 3.30pm. Oh, and World Penguin Day is on Friday 24th, FYI! Call 01993 823 006 or visit cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk

Farmer Gows, Longcot, Faringdon, SN7 7PR

Enjoy all the fun of this friendly farm, which hosts handling sessions at 11am & 2pm daily when you can bottle feed lambs, kid sand wriggly pigs and stroke the fluffy chicks and chirpy chickens.
Call 01793 780555 or visit farmergows.co.uk

Waterperry Gardens, OX33 1LA

Until 21st April, join the Big Easter Bunny Hunt around the ornamental gardens to claim your prize (£2.50 per child, who must be accompanied). Call 01844 339226 or visit waterperrygardens.co.uk

Bucklebury Farm Park , RG7 6RR

There’s always lots of fun on down on this charming farm, especially over the school holidays. Hunt for the Giant Easter Eggs, feed the orphan lambs, book in for a deer safari and much more on this stunning 77-acre site where you can go on a tractor ride to feed the deer and hoppy bunnies will love the jumping pillow! Call 0118 971 4002 or visit buckleburyfarmpark.co.uk

Story Museum, Oxford, OX1 1BP

From 4th April visit to enjoy the final wonderful chapter. This month you can also develop your comic-making skills with artist Neill Cameron. Call 01865 790050 or visit storymuseum.org.uk

Cogges Farm, Witney, OX28 3LA

Always a family favourite, with lots of animal fun, on Wednesday, 8th April, enjoy an Egg Drop challenge with Science Oxford. cogges.org.uk

Millets Farm, OX13 5HB

Mingle with the goats, rheas, sheep, cows, horses and alpacas. Over the holidays, try your hand at egg decorating, get puzzled in Farmer Carter’s Courtyard, burn off some steam at Sprouts Play Barn, go wild at the Falconry Centre and gallop on the magnificent Victorian Carousel. Call 01865 392 200 or visit milletsfarmcentre.com

WILTS

Crofton Beam Engines, Marlborough, SN8 3DN

Step into our industrial and social heyday when steam was king at the beautiful Crofton pumping station next to the Kennet & Avon Canal. Over Easter weekend, 11th-13th April, enjoy cracking fun including an Easter trail, craft fun including stained-glass window making and games, followed by a pit stop at the Engineman’s Rest Café fun for all the …

Cobbs Farm Play Barn, Hungerford, RG17 0SP

This bespoke wooden indoor play barn offers lots of fun without weather worries. Farms 2 Ewe will return on Easter Monday, 13th April, 11am-3pm, with some cute fluffy friends. There are also chocolate Easter egg decorating workshops (£14; crack on as these are selling out fast!) – booking essential on 01488 686770. Visit cobbsplaybarn.co.uk for more information.

Great Lydiard Park, Swindon, SN5 3PA

Hop into Easter with a great trail starting at the Coach House activity centre and hunt the clues around the lakes, woodlands and lawns to claim your (non-food) prize. Drop in any time between 10am & 4pm on Easter Sunday, 12th April. Call 01793 466664 or visit www.lydiardpark.org.uk

Highclere Castle, Newbury, RG20 9RN

Enjoy the Easter Egg Hunt and Bonnet Parade on Saturday, 18th April (11am-3pm) in aid of The Murray Parish Trust. Enjoy a spring walk, too. Call 01635 253204 or visit highclerecastle.co.uk

Bucklebury Farm Park , RG7 6RR

There’s always lots of fun on this charming farm, especially over the holidays. Over Easter, you can hunt for the Giant Easter Eggs or feed the orphan lambs on this lovely deer park. Call 0118 971 4002 or visit buckleburyfarmpark.co.uk

Marwell Zoo, Colden Common, SO21 1JH

Always a brilliant day out for animal lovers, plan in an Easter visit to admire the snow leopards, giraffes, hippos and more or book a sunset safari. Call 01962 777407 or visit www.marwell.org.uk

Farmer Gow’s, Longcot, Faringdon, SN7 7PR

Enjoy all the fun of this friendly farm, which hosts handling sessions at 11am & 2pm daily when you can bottle feed lambs, kid sand wriggly pigs and stroke the fluffy chicks and chirpy chickens.
Call 01793 780555 or visit farmergows.co.uk

The Vyne, Basingstoke, RG24 9HL

Uncover resident animals’ homes on the Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt or create a bug hotel or bird box. Or join the Ranger Rabbit trail to find out how the busy rangers protect wildlife. Call 01256 883858.

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