Focus on Bury
Regularly throughout the year we will be focusing on a different area of Greater Manchester , Cheshire or Lancashire, and providing an in depth look at what events are coming up or what facilities are on offer for children. If you have any suggestions or if you’ve found any hidden gems then please don’t forget to email to us your ideas. This month to kick start the page we are focusing on the borough of …
BURY
Theatre
Radcliffe Civic Suite
Jollity Farm 23rd February 2011 @ 1pm at
Billed as a fun, bright and colourful show aimed at 3 – 7 year olds – a panto style story, which has good versus evil, and will be educational too. There are larger than life characters such as Freda the Freisan, Naughty Norman, Martha the Milkmaid living down the farm doing battle with the arch villains Freddy the Fox and Willy the Weasel.
Tickets available at Radcliffe Civic Suite priced £6.50 adults and £5 concessions.
Tel: 0161 253 7812 http://www.bury.gov.uk/LeisureAndCulture/BuryVenues/RadcliffeCivicSuite.htm
Bury Met
Various productions on various dates There are plenty of productions for children in February
Who’s Been Sitting in my Chair Ages 3-7 Sat 5th Feb @1pm.
Enter the world of witches, puppetry and ventriloquism with plenty of audience participation by going to see A Little Bird Told Me, Snail Tales Ages 3-11, Sat 19th Feb @ 1pm
How Koala Learned to Hug, Age 4+, Monday 21st , 1pm
Elmer the Elephant, Ages 4+, 25th February, 1pm
Tickets are available from The Met Box Office
http://themet.biz/next/
Theatre Royal, Ramsbottom
Rammy’s Got Talent 4th and 5th February 2011 Rammy’s Got Talent is back for it’s second year and this year is open to children and adults. Performances and auditions to be held at the Theatre Royal, Ramsbottom. Hosted by BBC’s Martin Henfield and with professional judges on the performance nights! So whether your talent is singing, dancing, juggling or playing an instrument we want to hear from you!
http://www.rammysgottalent.com/
Walks, Trails and Parks
Heaton Park - view review
21st 25th Feb ½ term
Range of free school holiday activities for children 8-16 years such as orienteering, nature walks and angling. Booking essential. 01617731085 ext 207
Valentines Fun Fair Sat 12th to Sun 27th Feb 12 Noon to 5pm The Irwell Sculpture Trail
This is one of the largest public art projects in the country having some 20 sculptures in all. The trail runs from Salford along the Irwell Valley through Ramsbottom, on to Bacup and beyond.. It includes a Tilted Vase, created by Edward Allington. Other sculptures in the Ramsbottom locality are 'Seek And You Will Find', a series of carved wooden sculptures by Kerry Morrison located in Nuttall Park. 'The River' is located at the Wharf. For more information please contact the Irwell Sculpture Trail Project Officer on 0161 228 3322 or Bury Tourist Information Centre on 0161 253 5111. e-mail touristinformation@bury.gov.uk.
The Ramsbottom Duck Trail is an easy walking circuit of about one kilometre looking at the ducks and other wildlife on three areas of water. Suitable for the young and not so young. Leaflet available from Ramsbottom Heritage Centre, Carr St Ramsbottom T: 01706 822620.
A Climb up Holcombe Hill Free and always open, check out our review.
Eating Out
For a good pub lunch in a child friendly pub head to The Shoulder of Mutton in Holcombe Village. We visited here recently with friends and six children after a walk up Holcombe Hill, and were met with a warm embrace of roaring fires, delicious smells and happy cosy people all soaking in the atmosphere and relishing the fabulous food; perfect after a cold winter walk. It is often busy with children, walkers and dogs at weekends so you may have to wait for a table if you haven’t booked. The pub featured in The Telegraph’s Top 100 Famous Pubs in October 2010.
http://www.theshoulderofmutton.net/
Other restaurants include: Roma, Metro Café, Croma, Pizza Express, Nandos, The Chocolate Café, Slatterys
Macc’s Bistro
A suggestion for a stop off on route into or on the way back from Manchester for lunch or a quick snack is Macc’s Bistro in Manchester Maccabi’s Community and Sports Club . We at Babies in the City recently visited and found a relaxed atmosphere with plenty of toys, high chairs and a children’s menu making children feel welcome. Their website states that the restaurant is under full Kosher supervision. Open from 10am until 9.30pm. http://manchestermaccabi.org/bistro.aspx
Ranger Activities
Mask making at Nuttall Park, Ramsbottom 21st February 2011
Booking essential. Bookings are not being taken until 1 January. Time given when booking.
Contact: Bury Ranger Service T: 01706 82 3358 email: buryrangerservice@bury.gov.uk
Marvellous minibeasts at Burrs Activity Centre, Burrs Country Park, Bury 22 February 2011
Drop in for 10 minutes or stay half an hour to make some crafty bugs with the ranger . No booking necessary.
Time: 9:45am to 11:15am Contact Bury Ranger Service T: 0161 253 7984
Bottle rocket making, Whitehead Park, Ainsworth, Road, Bury, 21st February 2011
Join the rangers in designing your own rocket and then launch it. Please bring a two-litre fizzy pop bottle with you. Booking essential. Time given when booking. Contact Bury Ranger Service T 0161 763 1628
Crazy cress heads at Manchester Road Park, Wellington Road Park, Bury, 23rd February 2011
Have a go at making and decorating your own cress head with the rangers. No booking required.
Time: 10:00am to 11:30am Contact: Bury Ranger Service T 0161 797 6524
Kite making at The Barn Countryside Centre, Philips Park, Whitefield, 24th February 2011
Join the rangers in making your very own kite, which you can then fly high in the sky! Booking essential. Times allocated on booking. Contact Bury Ranger Service, T 0161 723 1421
Make a solar system model at Whitefield Park, Stanley Road, Whitefield on 24th February 2011
So where are we in the universe? Find out by joining the rangers in making a solar system model. Booking essential. Times allocated on booking. Contact Bury Ranger Service, T 0161 766 9087
Cardboard dragons at Close Park, Dumers Lane, Radcliffe on 24th February 2011
Make a friendly or scary fire breathing cardboard dragon with the rangers! Booking essential. Times allocated on booking.Contact Bury Ranger Service, T 0161 724 8173
Sweet dreams at Town Meadow Park, off Market Street, Tottington on 25th February 2011
Dream catchers are one of the most fascinating traditions of Native American culture. Join the rangers to make your own dream catcher and capture your sweetest dreams. Booking essential. Times will be issued upon booking. Contact Bury Ranger Service, T 01706 82 3358
Shopping
Markets
You’d be surprised at how interested children can be in food and markets, particularly if they can sample fudge and bread as they go.
The World Famous Bury Market
I’d introduce children to Bury black pudding off the market from the weaning stage. I started off young and used to go with my Mum to Chadwick’s on Bury Market for a treat after school and eat it hot from a paper bag, delicious! Alternatively check out the wonderful sweet stalls where you can get some sweets measured out or one of the colourful fruit stalls or the original Katsouris Deli. Children will much prefer a trip here than the supermarket!
http://www.burymarket.com/
Farmers Market, Ramsbottom
Ramsbottom Farmers Market is held on the second Sunday of Every Month, 10am – 4pm, in the Market Place and inside Ramsbottom Civic Hall. It features more than 25 stalls and brings together farmers and producers from all over the North West. A vast array of local produce is available, including jams, breads and home-made fudge, fresh fruit and vegetables, fish, meat (including ostrich), savoury pies and seafood. Also there are home-made crafts, cards, paintings and other locally made items.
Spruced Goose, Whitefield
If you fancy treating your little ones to some new gear to wear over half term then pop down to Spruced Goose.
A great range of designer baby and girls’ boutique clothing, along with some of the more unusual and funky designer boys clothes as well.
1 Moss Lane, Whitefield, Manchester M45 6QE, Tel: 01617968096, www.sprucedgoose.com The Entertainer, Toy Shop, The Rock, Bury
Opened last year in the new Rock Development it is jam packed with toys. Ranges include pocket money toys, books and major brands.
http://www.thetoyshop.com/stores/bury
Children love books and you’ll find a Waterstones and WHSmith in the centre of Bury which have well stocked children’s sections.
WHSmith - www.whsmith.co.uk - 15 The Haymarket, Bury - 0161 763 4773
Waterstone's Booksellers Ltd - www.waterstones.com - 4 Union Arcade, Bury
Sport Activities and Craft
Fusilier Museum - view review
Over the school holidays there will be fun for all the family at the Fusilier Museum! There will be craft activities, museum trails and more. Go and join in the fun!
Location: The Fusilier Museum, Moss Street, Bury
Date: 21 February 2011 to 25 February 2011
Time: 10:00am to 5:00pm
Contact phone: 0161 763 8950
Roller skating disco and lessons
Get your skates on for a roller skating disco. For all ages. £3.60 per person. Skate hire is included in the price or you can bring your own. From 12.30pm to 2pm and 2.30pm to 4pm.
Following the disco, from 4pm to 5pm, learn how to roller skate. For all ages. £3.60 per person. Skate hire is included in the price or you can take your own.
Location: Castle Leisure Centre, Bolton Street, Bury
Days: Saturdays, 12.30pm to 2pm and 2.30pm to 4pm (disco) and 4pm to 5pm (lessons)
Contact phone: 0161 253 6513
Saturday art activities at Bury Art Gallery - view review
Be inspired by their exhibitions, collections and artistic staff and get creative! Art workshops exploring a range of themes, using a variety of media. £2 per child. For ages 4 to 12 years.
Location: Bury Art Gallery, Museum + Archives, Moss Street, Bury
Days: Saturdays, 2pm to 3.30pm
Contact phone: 0161 253 5878
Contact email: artgallery@bury.gov.uk
Water Babies - view review
Book a course of Baby Swimming Lessons in Hawkshaw.
www.waterbabies.co.uk
Jo Jingles
A baby and toddler group that promotes movement and singing as well as socialisation. £5 per session.
Location: Longfield Suite, Prestwich town centre
Days: Mondays, 10am to 12noon
Contact phone: 0161 253 7227
Little Sport Football Coaching for Kids
For children aged 3 to 5 years old. Little Sport teaches them basic football skills indoors. Call 0161 614 0342 to book a place.
Location: Longfield Suite, Prestwich town centre
Days: Thursdays, 3.45pm to 4.45pm
Contact phone: 0161 614 0342
Funky monkey music
Children’s music classes. Classes are friendly, fast paced and fun. Keeping your child enthralled throughout with instruments, bouncing monkeys, bubbles etc. Classes also teach important life skills e.g. sharing; taking turns; socialising and improving confidence. For babies and children from 6 months to 4 years old.
Location: Phoenix Centre, St Mary’s Park, off St Mary’s Road, Prestwich
Days: Mondays, 9.45am to 10.30am and 10.35am to 11.15am
Contact phone: 07734 040 4881
Little Kickers
Football coaching for little ones at Manchester Maccabi.
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