FIGURE SKATER CUTS DASH AT ROYAL PAVILION’S GREEN ICE RINK LAUNCH

The South East’s most beautiful winter ice rink will be the UK’s first ever ‘green rink’, using a green energy tariff to freeze the ice and power up the attraction which opens this Saturday [November 10] at 10am, organisers announced at the VIP launch party last night.

Brighton & Hove City Mayor Bill Randall welcomed the move, saying: “I am pleased that the rink will be green this year and hopefully in the years to come.  Ice rinks do use a lot of energy, but this is a wonderful attraction for visitors and people who live in the city and it just makes it even better to know that green energy will power it.”

Entertainment for guests was hosted by Andrea Fox, kicking off with a jaunty ice dance from 21-year-old former British figure skater Kirstie Newbrook, who has signed up as an ice marshall at the rink for the winter season. Other acts included Actually Gay Men’s Chorus, Euphoria Steel Band and The Argus Appeal’s Father Christmas, whilst guests enjoyed tasters from the menu of Jamie Oliver’s Fabulous Feasts rinkside restaurant before taking to the ice. 

This year’s rink has more exciting features than ever before with a line up of events and special visitors to be announced soon and ‘beginner-friendly’ skate sessions from 10am to 11am daily, with skate marshalls on hand to offer top tips on learning how to skate, from the winter ice rink’s opening day on Saturday.

With the former Royal pleasure palace as backdrop, the 800 square metre rink has space for 250 skaters per session, with a beginners area and skates from ‘just walking’ to adult sizes, extra penguin stabilisers for kids this year and an extended hour of off-peak on weekdays until 5pm offering seasonal fun and a unique and special Christmas experience.

Jamie Oliver recently announced his involvement, saying: “I’m really excited to be teaming up with Brighton’s Royal Pavilion Ice Rink to add some festive flavour! Fabulous Feasts will be serving up a whole range of gorgeous festive drinks and dishes made from great-quality British produce. With the incredible Royal Pavilion as the venue, it’s going to be a beautiful place to celebrate Christmas and get together with friends and family. Make sure you come and see us and get involved in all the festivities”.

Royal Pavilion Ice Rink tickets cost from £10 for adults and £7 for children under 12 and the one-hour skate times run from 10am to 10.15pm daily. This year off-peak prices run from 10am to 5.15pm, one hour longer than last year and schools can buy tickets for £4 per student. Box office is open from 9.30am to 9.45pm, but it is advisable to book tickets in advance.

Buy your tickets now from www.ticketmaster.co.uk/royal-pavilion-ice-rink or call 0844 8472352 or for group bookings of ten or more call 0844 8471512.

SURVEY REVEALS MOST PARENTS ARE RELIEVED WHEN THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS ARE OVER

Despite the break from school runs and  homework duties, a survey has revealed that 60% of parents are ‘secretly relieved’ when the summer holidays are over and their children go back to school, with almost 80% claiming that they feel under pressure to keep their children ‘constantly entertained’ over the summer break.

A total of 2,000 parents were questioned for the survey, carried out in June by family deals website LittleBird, which also revealed that one third of parents put themselves under pressure to keep their children constantly entertained, with pester power and pressure from other parents and the media accounting for a further 37% of responses.

Naomi Bloomstein, co-founder of LittleBird and mum of two says:  “As parents, we can feel that we have to fill each day of the holidays with as many exciting activities as possible.  It’s understandable that parents want their children to have a memorable summer, but a few well-chosen days out and activities will achieve this.  It’s good to balance planned activities with ‘chill-out’ time so that children learn how to make their own entertainment and parents can keep costs down.  Studies have shown that ‘boredom’ actually helps children to develop their creativity and imagination.”

More than three quarters of survey respondents said they also worried about the cost of keeping children entertained over the holidays with over 65% spending up to £150 on an average day out.  However, in general, parents are becoming more financially savvy with 57% saying they budgeted for days out and activities in advance and 86% taking advantage of discount offers available for museums, parks and attractions by actively seeking out vouchers before deciding on their day out.

Naomi adds:  “When you do decide to have a family day out, try to plan ahead as early as possible and always shop around for bargains and discount vouchers beforehand in order to keep costs down.  The money parents can potentially save is definitely worth the extra effort involved.” 

Lavender Farm opening for the Summer 1st June

 

Celebrating all that is good about the glorious English countryside, Mayfield Lavender will reopen to the public on 1st June.

The natural beauty spot, on the North Surrey Downs, provides a picture postcard setting where visitors can enjoy a leisurely stroll through the 25 acre organic lavender fields and escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Perfect to enjoy a picnic, bug hunt with the kids, or to simply enjoy nature’s beauty, this tourist spot is a hidden gem well worth a visit.

Owner Lorna Maye, who runs the site with her husband Brendan, said: “We set up the lavender field in 2006 to help revive the historic lavender industry in the area, which was booming in the 18^th and 19^th centuries.

“Unfortunately increased competition from overseas growers, combined with massive housing development to feed the rapidly expanding London population led to the total elimination of the south London lavender fields in the 1930s.

“We are lucky that our field was one of the original Victorian lavender fields and we have been able to restore it to its original beauty. We run our field totally organically and are proud to be certified by the Soil Association.”

Mayfield Lavender is free to enter and park. There is an alfresco tea shop with light refreshments available.

The attraction can be found on Croydon Lane, Banstead, Surrey, SM7 3BE. From June 1 it will be open every day from 10am to 6pm, and will be open until 2^nd September.

For more information, visit www.mayfieldlavender.com, email info@mayfieldlavender.com or telephone 07503 877707.