Vampire Pleasure Beach & Turtle Time Take Over in Blackpool! 

 

Get ready for the screams from our rides and attractions and shrieks from the horror maze as Vampire Pleasure Beach returns on Oct 31st. Join us for frighteningly good live music plus a host of horrible zombies and vampires await to guide you through Pleasure Beach.  Don't forget kids, if you come in fancy dress you can ask for your Trick or Treat in the Nick Shop!

For all Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fans, Blackpool Pleasure Beach is the place to be this half term as Turtle Time takes over Nickelodeon Land. Join Leo, Mikey, Donnie and Raph as they appear every day until October 31st . Step into adventure with the TMNT, with the magic of green screen we take you deep to the depth of the New York sewers to the Turtle lair.   You can also dive deep into Turtle Ooze to find a prize, have your picture and get up close and personal with the canister that holds the Mutagen that created the TMNT, and step inside the TMNT crime-fighting machine, the Shellraiser.

 

After a busy day on park, if you are still looking for some great family fun, you can visit the Horseshoe for Russ Brown's Carnival of Magic. Take a magical journey as the Carnival rolls into town. What lurks deep within the Ghost Train? What secrets are to be revealed in our side shows? This Carnival is packed with magic and illusion around every corner. Enjoy a fantastic evening with award winning magician Russ Brown at his Carnival of Magic and who knows, you could even be the star of the show.

 

For more info, visit www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com

Speed the Thames this Half Term... 

 

The Thamesjet experience combines sightseeing and a high-speed tour of the Thames. Military-grade and highly maneuverable boats driven by experienced skippers give you the aquabatic ride of your life! On the river you'll see big landmarks on the sightseeing stage, then go speeding to the limits. Brilliant family day out!

Start at Westminster Pier, two minutes walk from Big Ben, and at the speed we travel you'll appreciate the waterproof clothing we provide. You can speed up the Thames 50 unforgettable minutes or the ultimate high speed thrill 75 minutes up to Thames Barrier.

 

Click here for more information http://www.thamesjet.com

 

Special offer for Thamesmax! Family ticket (2 adults, 2 children) for £99 instead of £118. For more details visit http://www.thamesjet.com/thamesmax.aspx

Hunt for the World's Most Expensive Super 4 Figures 

• Download the Super 4-themed trails from Monday 19th October to find the gold figures
• Re-enact the adventures of the Super 4 characters from CITV's hit series
• Launching the first ever Super 4 toy sets of the PLAYMOBIL-inspired TV series

To launch its first ever toy range of the smash hit PLAYMOBIL-inspired CITV series, Super 4, PLAYMOBIL has hidden the world's most expensive Super 4 figures across London. Download the free Super 4 adventure trails from Monday 19th October at super-4.co.uk to embark on a quest - just like the characters do in the programme - for a chance to find the gold. Parents and children have the chance to join Alex, Ruby, Gene and Twinkle to crack the clues and help complete a mission; whilst having a lot of fun and learning along the way.

 

Over October Half Term and right up to Christmas, young adventurers have the chance to find the limited edition hidden treasure across all four trails. Print or download the free maps to your smartphone or tablet to help you find where the gold figures may be hidden. To find out more about what the trails involve visit super-4.co.uk to see more details.

FREE Workshops with Explore Learning 

Parents looking for ways to entertain the kids in the half term are invited along to Explore Learning centres across the UK* where there will be FREE, fun and interactive workshops for children aged 5 to 14 on Tuesday 27th October. The English and maths tuition provider will be holding maths, arithmetic, problem solving and personalised sessions from 12pm until 4pm in a centre near you!

The schedule is:

• Fun with Phonics (ages 5-6) 12pm-1pm
• Number Bonds (ages 6-7) 1.30pm- 2.30pm
• Problem Solving (ages 8-10) 3pm - 4pm
• Personalised Session (ages 5-14) All Day

The free personalised sessions are available for one hour at any time throughout the day.  This offers families the opportunity to sit down with an experienced tutor and see how exciting learning can be as well as discuss their individual needs to help them unlock their full potential. Children from all over the UK are welcome to come along to their nearest centre but places are limited so to secure your slot please call your local Explore Learning. For a full list of centres and their opening times visit www.explorelearning.co.uk.

*Explore Learning centres in Leicester will be holding their open day on Tuesday 20th October while those in Scotland will be held on Tuesday 13th October. 

Autumn Crafts at The Bishop's Palace & Gardens 

 

The Bishop's Palace & Gardens in Wells has been home to the Bishops of Bath and Wells for over 800 years and this stunning medieval palace is open for all to enjoy. Surrounded by a breath-taking moat (with resident swans) visitors can cross a flagstone drawbridge, walk under the portcullis and experience a true hidden gem in the heart of the City of Wells. There are 14 acres of gardens to explore, including the beautiful well pools from which the city takes its name; family events, guided tours, a gift shop and a café with the best views in Wells!

 

28 October: Family Activity Day - Autumn leaves

Get into the Autumnal mood with our fabulous Family Crafts in the Stable Yard Room. Children can explore their artistic side by creating conker crafts, leaf creatures or jar lanterns.  When they've finished, they can follow our new autumn family trail around the Palace and Gardens.

 

6 to 8 Nov: Craft Fair - Get Crafting for Christmas!

This November come along to The Bishop's Palace to try your hand at something new!

The Bishop's Palace Craft Fair will offer a range of drop-in workshops, craft supplies, craft-based stalls and an array of stalls offering pre-made artisan gifts, all ready to inspire your Christmas shopping! Stalls will include decoupage, furniture upcycling, jewellery making, woodwork, ceramics, children's craft (at the weekend) and many more.

For more details click www.bishopspalace.org.uk or telephone 01749 988 111

WIN! A Family Pass (2 ad + 2 ch) valid until October 2016. Visit our Facebook page to enter!

Medieval Tournament to Celebrate the Battle of Agincourt 

 

There will be a thrilling tournament of fully-armoured knights in battle, precision archery displays, graceful dances and accomplished musicians. Join Plantagenet Medieval Society to celebrate the 600th anniversary of the Battle of Agincourt. 

Starts: 24 October @ 11:00 am

Ends: 25 October @ 4:00 pm

Caldicot Castle

Church Road, Caldicot, Chepstow, Monmouthshire, NP26 4HU 

Phone: 01291 420241

More details at: http://www.caldicotcastle.co.uk

Trick or Treat Run to cast spell over Richmond Park

  

Spooky surprises and ghastly ghouls will greet runners at the first ever Trick or Treat Run on Sunday 1 November in Richmond Park. This brand new event promises to get families active and running together to complete 2k, 5k or 10k through the spectacular Royal Park with fancy dress highly encouraged. Created by Human Race Events, who were also responsible for the massive sensation London Winter Run in February, this closed roads experience is sure to be a huge half term hit.

 

Throughout each course runners of all ages will encounter zones populated with different eerie characters. These will feature an area filled with scary skeletons, a zone housing wicked witches, a section of zany zombies and finish with a party of fist pumping pumpkins. Brave souls who are bold enough to complete any of the creepy courses will be rewarded with a Trick or Treat Run medal and goodies.  Prizes will be offer for the best costumes on the day, with a surprise unique element still to be announced.

 

Children under the age of 6 go free, and family discounts are available. To secure your place at the must-do family experience this autumn visit www.trickortreatrun.co.uk

Halifax Comedy Festival : 23rd to 31st October

  

The inaugural Halifax Comedy Festival will see the handsome, historic town echo with laughs from every cobbled corner, with a week of established and up-and-coming comedians, as well as free film screenings, creative workshops and a hefty dose of the unexpected. 

Young children can enjoy a fun farmyard frolic with Marty Macdonald's Farm, a musical performance directed by Iain Lauchlan, creator of The Tweenies and featuring the voice of Justin Fletcher of 'Mr Tumble' fame. The Storytelling Performance is a great family event as the Festival's very own story-teller transports the audience to a land of comic characters and strange happenings. Young fans of comic crime escapades will enjoy The Falcon's Malteser, a hilarious family film noir pastiche which follows the adventures of hopelessly inept detective Tim Diamond and his sharp-witted brother, Nick. The saying 'kids say the funniest things' will be put to the test at the 'Stand-up for children' event where children will have the opportunity to flex their comedy muscles live on stage. For tickets and prices visit www.halifaxcomedyfestival.com.

Coming Soon... CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG at the West Yorkshire Playhouse

  

Casting has been announced for the West Yorkshire Playhouse and Music & Lyrics Limited production of the much-loved Sherman Brothers musical CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, opening at West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds on 2 December, for a nine-week season finishing on 30 January 2016. 

 

Jon Robyns (Memphis, Spamalot, Avenue Q) will play Caractacus Potts, with Amy Griffiths (Everyman, Stephen Ward, The Pajama Game) as Truly Scrumptious.

 

CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG has music and lyrics by Richard M Sherman and Robert B Sherman, who were also responsible for Mary Poppins, The Slipper and the Rose, The Aristocats and The Jungle Book.  The Sherman Brothers have won two Academy Awards with a further nine nominations, two Grammy Awards and they have received 21 gold and platinum albums.

 

CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG will begin a UK and Ireland Tour on 10 February at Southampton Mayflower. Further details of the tour to be announced.

 

For more information, visit www.chittythemusical.co.uk or contact the West Yorkshire Playhouse on 0113 213 7700. You can also keep up to date on Facebook: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang The Musical and Twitter:  @ChittyMusical (#chittymusical)

No Tricks, Just Treats...with Aldi Halloween Special Buys! 

Whether you're trick or treating, or hosting this year's Halloween party, Aldi has a ghoulishly good range of Halloween costumes and accessories in store on 1st October, while stocks last.

Bloodcurdling Costumes

Aldi has something for everybody including Children's Dressing Up Sets (£3.99) from witches and 'baterella' costumes to vampire and skeleton outfits. The range includes a Halloween Tutu Set (£1.99) and freakishly cool Children's Halloween Tights (£1.29) in black and red stripes.

Trick or Treat Tins (£1.79) come in a choice of four fun designs, making candy collecting even more exciting this year.

If you'd prefer a family fright night indoors, get into the spirit with Children's Halloween Pyjamas (£3.99), available in a choice of two designs. There's these Children's Halloween Boppers (£1.79) including ghoulish headbands and spectacles so the little ones can have fun scaring parents. On top of that, Aldi's spooky selection of Halloween DVDs (£3.99) will set an eerie mood for the whole family to enjoy.

 

Haunted House

Aldi's Halloween Inflatable Characters (£12.99) will transform your cosy home into a fittingly terrifying destination for trick or treaters. With a choice of Frankenstein, witches, skeletons or ghosts, the products even come with three LED lights, ground pegs and rope, making this creepy cast that much more authentic. 

Get into the Halloween spirit with Aldi's Dancing Skeleton (£7.99), available in DJ, banjo player, boy skeleton or girl skeleton. The fright-tastic Door Knocker / Musical Doorbells (£6.99), come in a range of styles and can talk, light up and even stick their tongues out!

It wouldn't be Halloween without pumpkins, and Aldi's excellent quality Pumpkin Carving Kit (£1.49) comes with a handy instruction booklet and four tools, perfect for getting the entire family involved.

Halloween decorations have come a long way since cotton wool webs and ghost cut outs. Aldi's Halloween Spider's Web (£0.89) and Halloween Gel Stickers (£0.89) look wonderfully wicked draped around door frames or stuck on windows. The Halloween Battery Operated Lights (£3.99), LED Tealight Holders (£1.79) and Halloween Berry Lights (£3.99) will darken the mood of even the brightest homes.

If you're up for hosting this year's beastly bash, don't forget the finishing touches with Aldi's great value Assorted Partyware (from £0.89). A selection of tablecloths, 12 packs of plates, mugs, napkins, bowls or loot bags are available in two fearsome designs. Not forgetting devilishly good looking Halloween Serving Dishes (£6.99) and Halloween Drinkware (£2.99) on sale and available in a choice of terror-ific designs.

Aldi Specialbuys Halloween range goes into stores on 1st October, but be quick as once they're gone, they're gone! For more details visit www.aldi.co.uk

Hot & Spicy Prawns from Whitby Seafoods -  A Fiery Halloween Treat   

 

Whitby Seafoods and their delicious hot and spicy prawns make the perfect quick and easy dinner! They're also right on trend for a fiery Halloween treat and currently on special at Tesco and Sainsbury's!  If you're throwing a Halloween party, delicious serving suggestions include plating with buttery corn on the cob and a juicy tomato salsa or with crunchy, steamed veg and hot, fluffy chips. 

Whitby Hot & Spicy Prawns (RRP £2.50 per 215g pack) are sourced from the warm waters of Southeast Asia, the prawns are then coated in a punchy marinade and crisp golden crumb.

Sail over to www.whitby-seafoods.com for more information and recipes.

Enjoy (Spine) Chilling Cherry Cocktails this Halloween  

 

Make your spooky parties frightfully fun this year with Cherry Good Juice

Halloween is almost here which means it's time to riffle through your dressing up box for a suitably scary costume and decide what kind of horrific-ly delicious treats (or tricks) you can welcome your guests with. Whether it's a blood thirsty cocktail for adults or a hair-raising devilish delight for little ones, Cherry Good has a range of thrilling recipes to enjoy.  

Vampire Blood Fizz 

1 carton of Cherry Good + 1 bottle of lemonade + Crushed ice + Jelly worms + Jelly teeth

Preparation:

Find a big punch bowl. Add some of the crushed ice. Pour in the Cherry Good. Add in a few jelly worms over the side of the glass and some jelly teeth to decorate