Finalists Announced for the What's On 4 Junior Awards

Finalists Announced for the nation's most

celebrated kid's activity awards - the What's On 4 Junior Awards

The Finalists have today been announced for the 6^th National Annual What's On 4 Junior Awards, to be held in Sussex on the 15^th June 2012.

These prestigious awards, sponsored by Konfidence, reward and recognise companies, organisations and individuals who provide the very best activities for children throughout the UK. A record 45,467 votes were taken this year an increase of 40%.

Amongst the 19 categories, the Finalist include: Best National Baby and Toddler Development Activity; Best Local Activity for Under 5's and Most Outstanding Activity Leader Under 5's. (by region). Over 250,000 parents view the awards pages, nominate and vote and a record number of votes have already been received in one of the most exciting campaigns to date.

Organisers www.whatson4littleones.co.uk, www.whatson4schoolkids.co.uk and www.whatson4kidsparties.co.uk play a major role in inspiring and encouraging parents and their little ones to keep active, meet new friends, get fit and have fun! Their annual awards celebrate the crème de la crème of providers in this very important sector at a time when concerns regarding childhood obesity are at their highest and as we approach the Olympics!

The awards ceremony takes place on Friday 15^th June at the Hilton Avisford Park Hotel, Arundel, Sussex. This exciting event will be presented by Lucy Piper, TV star, host of major parenting and fashion events and busy mum of two.

Lucy says, “As a busy mum, I know how much classes and kids activities can mean to parents and little ones! Getting out and about, meeting new people and having fun makes such a difference to our lives and that's why I am delighted to be presenting the 'What's On 4 Junior Awards'. I am really looking forward to meeting all the finalists and winners on the day and celebrating their success!'

Community Award winners will take home a range of fabulous prizes to include some very special gifts from Humphrey's Corner, award-winning Tiddley-Pom natural baby spa range and a luxury Reviver break courtesy of Ragdale Hall Health Hydro and Thermal Spa and a selection of WOW Toys.

Media supporters are Prima Baby and Pregnancy Magazineand First News theaward-winning newspaper for children.

Award Categories and Sponsors:

Best Pre/Post Natal Activity sponsored by Tiddley Pom Natural Baby Spa

Best National Baby & Toddler Development Activity (newborn to 2 years) sponsored by Konfidence

Best National Pre-schooler Development Activity (2 to 5 years) sponsored by lawyers4mumpreneurs

Best Local Activity for the Under 5s sponsored by Hilton Avisford Park

Most Outstanding Committee Led Pre-School sponsored by Humphrey's Cornerand The Children's Trust

Most Outstanding Baby and Toddler Group sponsored by Prima Baby & Pregnancy magazine

Most Outstanding Activity Leader for the Under 5s - South* sponsored by Music Bags

Most Outstanding Activity Leader for the Under 5s - West & Wales

Most Outstanding Activity Leader for the Under 5s - East

Most Outstanding Activity Leader for the Under 5s - Northern Ireland & Scotland

Best National Activity for children aged 5 to 12 Sponsored by BusinessFit Club

Best Local Activity for children aged 5 to 12

Most Outstanding Activity Leader for children aged 5 to 12 - Sponsored by First News - the Weekly Newspaper for Kids

Best After School or Breakfast Club Sponsored by Get In The Press

Best New Activity for Children sponsored by Amy Taylor Accountancy

Most Outstanding Community Group Volunteer for children sponsored by Magic Moments Direct

Best Children's Party Entertainment

Best Children's Party Supplier

Best Family Day Out sponsored byNaomi Richards - The Kids Coach

Escape To The Country?

We all know moving is one of the most stressful things we can do, but it can be made even harder if you are leaving your network of friends and family and moving to a completely new area.  The desire to help people moving away connect with new friends and contacts is the inspiration behind LifeAfterLondon.com a new website and forum designed to make that move a little easier!

LifeAfterLondon.com has been set up by a full time mother of 3 small children after hearing the endless chatter from friends making the move out of London.  Understanding how long it has taken to build a network in London the thought of leaving that behind is daunting so LifeafterLondon.com serves to create an online network for people making a move to a new area.

“Life After London is quite simply the formalisation of the age old tradition of making personal introductions – when friends move to a new area we all find ourselves putting them in touch with people we know” says Belinda Aspinall, founder of LifeafterLondon.com

On the website you can ask questions about local schools, where to find a builder or what to do in the area on a wet day.  If you know exactly where you’re going and you’ve got even more questions the County Contacts have made themselves available through private messaging.  By registering on the site you gain access to the map with over 100 registered county contacts all of whom you can contact through the site.

Lifeafterlondon.com doesn’t promise to be technologically amazing site but just a way we can all look after people thinking of making a move to a new area.  

You can also 'Like' Lifeafterlondon on Facebook: 
http://www.facebook.com/lifeafterlondon
& 'follow' them on Twitter at 
https://twitter.com/@lifeafterlondon

Father's Day Photoshoot with Jo Wise

"It is important to choose a photographer that your children will feel comfortable with, giving them chance to relax into the shoot and have fun."

With Jo, should you choose a studio or location photo shoot the results will be the same... Jo will make sure that they have plenty of fun thus enabling her to capture true smiles and laughter.

With a wide range of new products and promotions on offer, there has never been a better time to book a shoot and try us out and don't forget Fathers Day.

Jo Wise Photography tel 01903 201411 www.jowise.com

ZARI RESTAURANT SUPPORTS LOCAL SUSSEX PRODUCERS

 FOOD FESTIVAL AT ZARI

SUPPORTS LOCAL SUSSEX PRODUCERS

A food festival exploring the cuisine of the city of Lucknow in India, is being staged by a Crawley restaurant in support of food producers in Sussex.

Zari Restaurant in Ifield, is staging its Lucknow Food Festival throughout May 2012, in conjunction with the Sussex Food and Drink Network.

Left to Right: Rama Mannari, Sadique Miah and Almara Miah from Zari Restaurant,
Hilary Knight from Sussex Food & Drink Network,
Chef George Mathew and Tom Steven and his father Glyn Steven from Wobblegate.

A special menu has been created by chefs experienced in the cuisine of Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh, home to the Taj Mahal and birthplace of Sir Cliff Richard.

Almara Miah, Proprietor of Zari, which has been established for 25 years said: "We want people to explore with us the cuisine styles of India which they may not have experienced in the UK before.

Lucknow is rich in culinary history, mainly driven by the cuisine of the royal rulers, the Nawabs, renowned in India for their ostentatious, dishes in silky smooth sauces. It is the home of the famous Dum Pukht Byriani, slow-cooked  in airtight vessels sealed with dough to retain the richest flavours and aromas. This renowned dish is also on our festival menu.”

Zari Restaurant was founded in 1990 by Sadique Miah, husband to Almara who co-runs Zari with his wife.  

During May, Zari will be hosting Lucknow Cooking Master classes to educate customers in Lucknawi cooking techniques.

The restaurant will also taking the region’s food into the community and at farmers markets.

Local produce involved in the festival includes South Downs lamb, Wobblegate apple juice, local meat from Flanagans Master Butchers, and fruit and vegetables from Laines Organic Farm.

Hilary Knight of the Sussex Food and Drink Network said: "It has never been more important to support local producers for many reasons; food and drink businesses are at the very heart of the rural economy and their survival is paramount in ensuring that we continue to produce food in Sussex and also to provide employment in the rural areas and maintain our landscape.

Left to Right: Sadique and Almara Miah from Zari Restaurant
Hilary Knight from Sussex Food & Drink Network and Tom Steven from Wobblegate.

There is a huge market and many opportunities to sell Local produce via the retail sector both independent and multiples as well as in the hospitality sector – restaurants, caterers, hotels, cafes, pubs etc. Serving Sussex produce really does offer an opportunity to support the producers aswell as giving the customers what they deserve.

Zari is a wonderful example of how a restaurant can use locally sourced seasonal ingredients but not cooked in a traditional or ‘local’ way.”

Zari Restaurant can be found at 212-214 Ifield Drive, Crawley, West Sussex

RH11 0DQ   Tel: 01293 525 107

HypnoBirthing in Hertfordshire!

Events

Why not attend a FREE Information night and find out for yourself how HypnoBirthing can help you achieve an easier more comfortable birth experience?

You will meet and hear from mums that have used these amazing techniques for labour and birth. Seeing is believing!!

Where: The Backhouse Room,116 Handside Lane,WGC,AL86SZ,Herts

Time: 7.30pm

Booking: Please book your place by sending an email to info@birtheasy.co.uk. Space is limited.

Dates for 2012: Wednesday evenings.

May 23rd
June 27th