The torch will travel through the area early in the morning on Wednesday May 23, carried by a group of local inspirational people.

It arrives in North Somerset on day five of its national tour beginning at 6.20am on the A370 Station Road in Flax Bourton. The relay continues along the A370 to Backwell, turning right to Nailsea along Station Road. Once in Nailsea the torch will travel along Queens Road, Mizzymead Road and then onto the High Street at 7.18am. The torch will leave Nailsea along Clevedon Road from Stock Way North.

The next opportunity to see the torch will be in Failand on the B3128 Clevedon Road at 7.33am. Finally, before it returns to Bristol, the torch will visit Leigh Woods travelling along the A369 into Bridge Road before crossing the suspension bridge back into Bristol.

Local people are being encouraged to get up early and come and line the streets to watch this once in a lifetime experience, cheering on the torchbearers as they carry the torch through North Somerset.

There will be a rolling road closure to ease the torch’s journey, avoiding the need for lengthy road closures; roads will be closed for a few minutes at a time as the torch passes by.

Here are some top tips if you’re planning on watching:

• Allow yourself time to park away from the route and walk to it
• Find a safe place to stand while you wait for the convoy to go by
• Remember that until the convoy passes, traffic will be travelling at normal speeds
• To get the best view, stand on the side of the road in the direction of travel of the relay
• Take your rubbish home or find a bin to put it in.

If you’re not planning on watching the torch relay but use the route to travel to work, you may want to allow extra time for your journey, or think about finding an alternative route. Clifton suspension bridge will be closed on the day from 6 to 9am.

Find out more at  www.london2012.com/olympictorchrelay

During the 70 day tour, the torch will be carried by 8,000 torchbearers who each have a story of personal achievement or made a contribution to the local community.

And don’t forget that  the Olympic flame will come to Weston seafront on the same day as the torch passes through.

The flame is due to arrive on the seafront at 10.15 in the morning and will be on the prom outside the Grand Pier for about 20 minutes.

• Take a buggy even if your toddler normally walks. It will be useful for long day trips and help with carrying the bags.

• Before you go put together a list of possible activities that vary in time and are suitable for different weather conditions. Let the kids take it in turn to make choices from the activities list.

• In any journey, allow time for exploring. Plan a route around the capacity of your youngest child and your ability to carry them. Try to choose a route where the scenery will change frequently. Good choices for walks or rides include following a river or canal towpath; there are no hills to negotiate, and there’s the possible bonus of water to
play in and birds to feed. It’s also a good idea to combine walks or rides with an activity such as swimming or taking a short train ride.

• Children might get more exposure to sunshine than adults if carried in backpacks or on a child seat on a bike. And they’ll get colder than everyone else if they’re not cycling themselves as they won’t be warmed up with exercise. Protect them accordingly and have layers to pull on and take off.

• Apart from taking photographs, there are lots of ways to help your children preserve memories of your trip. You could buy a postcard for each destination Top tips for trips with kids and help them to note a single memory on the back, alongside the date or their age. You could also get them started on collections of things that can be found in most places, such as badges, paperweights, model cars and boats or toy animals.

• If your children are keeping a journal, encourage them to draw and list things they see and eat; they could also collect autographs and doodles from people they meet as well as ticket stubs and labels to stick in. If free mini-maps of places you visit are available, get extras for the children to stick into their books, and help them circle the places you’ve seen. If you’re encountering different languages, put in lists of new words and add more as they learn one set. Once you’ve chosen your holiday, here are some
ideas and advice to help along the way

Weston Twins & More is a group for parents with twins, triplets or quads, to swap advice on raising multiples.

The group launched in January 2012 and founder Marita Bonillo-Farias expected only a handful of twins to attend but was over whelmed when 31 sets of twins arrived.

Since then the group has grown at an alarming rate outgrowing its former base at Christ Church in Montpellier.

However, The Winter Gardens has come to its aid offering the group a meeting base every month in its new Kids Hut, which is open to the public.

Peter Undery, general manager, said: “Our new Kids Hut is open daily from 10am offering an adventure play area for the under 5s and will allow Weston Twins & More to meet up every month.

“We are delighted to assist the group and to mark the link up Marita will conduct our official opening ceremony to the public, on May 26, from 11am onwards.

“Kids Hut is open to the public and is free to attend so parents can pop in for a drink or a bite to eat while their children have a play.”

Marita said: “The Kids Hut has certainly come to our rescue in supplying us with an exciting new venue to meet.

“The Weston Twins and More Group have currently 73 sets of preschool multiple birth children who live either in or around Weston.“With the year on year increase of multiple births within the UK, it is vital that the Weston Twins and More continue to have a meeting place for the essential emotional and physical wellbeing of all their family members.

“The first Health & Lifestyle survey report in 2008 showed that multiple birth mothers had a much higher incidence of suffering from postnatal depression than single birth mothers.

“Therefore Clubs specifically aimed for parents of twins, triplets and quads are a crucial way in stopping multiple birth mothers and fathers from feeling isolated and alone, helping them to get out of the house and to make friends.

“On behalf of all our members we would like to thank the Kids Hut for hosting our future meetings.”

For further information on the Kids Hut visit www.thewintergardens.com

This is one of the many positive comments from the recent Ofsted inspection of the children’s centre.

The inspector found that staff place a high focus on keeping children and their families safe and ensure that all safeguarding procedures are followed effectively. Staff work well with education partners to meet the needs of disabled children and those with special educational needs.

Staff are also diligent in liaising with partner agencies, especially health and social teams, to ensure that children at risk are supported. As a result, parents have confidence in staff and, with their children, feel safe at the centre.

Overall, health and educational outcomes for children and their parents across the centre’s area are above average and continue to improve. For example, the percentage of obese children in the Reception years is below average and continues to fall and there is an increasing and above average proportion of mothers breastfeeding.

Parents make good progress as they learn alongside their children, enriching their own communication skills and ability to support children’s development.

Centre staff and those from partner organisations provide good levels of support and ensure that the range of services provided meet the needs of the majority of parents and their children well.

The inspector makes two recommendations as to how the centre can improve further: improve the involvement of parents in the governance of the children’s centre by for example establishing a specific parents’ and carers’ group; and develop the services provided to improve parents’ confidence and readiness to access education and employment. This is something the centre has already started working on.

Centre co-ordinator, Vicky Keirle, said: “The whole experience was very positive for the team and centre. I was really overwhelmed with the support from our partners and centre users during the process and would like to thank them.

“I am really delighted with the Ofsted outcome, not only for the communities which we serve but for my dedicated, and passionate staff team. We have learnt a lot from the inspection and look forward to ensuring that Banwell, Winscombe and Sandford Children’s Centre continues to improve and becomes an important part in the lives of our communities.”

The new management promises to give you a festival that is bigger, better and BRAVER than ever before

“We have worked on the event since year one and know what it means to the locals. We have always had our own ideas about the festival and are excited about bringing some new things to the event and we promise to make this year the one to remember!” say Nicola Wood (sand artist/TV presenter) and Alec Messchaert (event organiser)

In the month of May, 15 world class international artists will step onto the beach on and turn 4000 tons of sand into the most impressive exhibition of sand sculpture that Weston, and theUK, has ever seen.

This year’s theme will be “Fun and Games”; revisit games from your childhood and marvel at the toys of today.  See your favourite hobbies, stories and past-times transformed into giant sand art.  From arcade amusements and board games to the wide world of sport, nothing will be forgotten – there really will be something for all ages, genders and backgrounds! You can even visit the website (online soon) prior to the event and make your own suggestions – who knows maybe you’ll find your favourite childhood teddy bear sitting amongst the sculptures.

That is not the only interactive activity on offer; this year we have gone virtual! Check out our facebook page, twitter and you tube channel.  This way we can keep you informed of all our special events and listen to all your inspiring ideas and comments.

Over the years the festival has entertained, excited and inspired over 250,000 people – and this year will be no exception with the addition of several special events, loads of children’s activities, workshops, café area, games, guided tours, ongoing live demonstrations, celebrity visits and many new ways to get involved.

“It is an event that brings people to the town, they see the sand sculpture signs and they say ‘oh let’s go and see it!’. It’s ideal for children, teenagers, up-and-coming young artists that want to try their hand at something different and of course the pensioners who come here on holiday. It’s something for everyone really”  says Keith Fearne president of the Hotel and Restaurant Association in Weston

The festival will open on the Queen’s Jubilee weekend, which will be celebrated by revealing a special “Jubilee Sculpture” of the Queen herself.   This will be the first of our special events at the festival and of course we won’t forget the Olympics so be sure to look out for some surprises.

We want everyone to be involved this year so before you leave the festival be sure to enter our exciting competition.  Design us a “Toy of the Future” sculpture and the winning entry will be created live by one of our World Champion Sculptors later in the year!

There’s also the opportunity to become part of the sand sculptures with unique photo opportunities. Sit next to the Queen on a sand throne or take first place on the Olympic sand podium. An unusual take on the classic seaside photo, perfect for sharing with your friends! So pick up your camera and bucket and spade this summer and head to the beach.  See you there!

The festival opens on June 1^st until September 9^th 2012.  Monday-Friday 10-5 and Saturday & Sunday 10-6.  Tickets are £3.50 for adults, £3 for concessions, £2 for children and £10 for families.  Located between the beach office and the SeaQuarium.

For more information see www.westonsandsculpture.co.uk

or call 01934 626 982

Follow us on twitter @SandSculptureUk

and Facebook: www.facebook.com/westonsandsculpture

Cara the cow from Puxton Park is the official Somerset YFC County Show mascot and has been carrying the YFC torch on her own tour of Somerset, finishing her journey in Langford for the opening ceremony of the ‘Moolympics’ on Saturday 19th May.

‘Moolympics’ is this year’s theme to the annual County Show and Rally to be held at Stepstones Farm, Langford, BS40 5HS.

‘Moolympic’ Chairman Ed Redman wants to put out the word to everyone in Somerset to join Cara and come and experience an excellent day out for all the family, with entry at only £1 per person.

“For those that have not attended a Young Farmers Rally before, it is a day at which young farmers from all over Somerset compete in a range of competitions from the traditional skills, imaginative handicrafts, physical Tug O’ War competitions and comical fun classes!”

“Starting at 10.00am there will be lots for you to see including calf and sheep showing, stock judging, nearly 3,000 handicraft exhibits and various competitions from lawn mowing racing to group dancing.

The highlight of the day will be the main events competitions which this year will witness ‘The On-land Boat Race’ and ‘Cow Polo’ two spectacles never seen before in Somerset! “The ‘Best of British Catering Village’ will provide a range of tasty locally sourced food and the bar stocking local ales and ciders from Butcombe Brewery opening at 11.00am to ensure all are well catered for.”

So if this sounds like your type of event we would love to see you on the day, just follow the road signs from the A38 through Langford and we’ll see you there.

As a Phoenix Trader, you receive an exclusive product range full of beautiful things, a simple and flexible business opportunity and training and support at both a local and national level.

Joining offer: Just £30! You receive the Business Kit (see image) and your first year’s registration. During April and May 2012 you can also help one of our four chosen charities.

Talk to your local Trader, Alison Williamson, today and find out more about joining our team.

Alison Williamson (Independent Phoenix Trader ID-12279)
Tel: 01934 417046
Email: ali.phoenixcards@me.com
Web: www.phoenix-trading.eu/web/alisonwilliamson

The south west adventure park will host a royal spectacular to mark the Queen’s 60-years on the throne in June.

Youngsters are invited to attend the park dressed as Kings or Queens for discounted entry on June 5 and crown making with the park rangers.

Other activities planned include tours of the park in a Royal horse and carriage, face painting, a royal cake and an evening disco with late opening from 6-8pm.

There will also be Royal Cream Teas in Meadows restaurant.

Susie Johnson, Head of Park, said: “Our Royal wedding day was a huge hit last year with youngsters coming along dressed for the occasion.

“The Jubilee is an important milestone for the Royal family and we want to be part if this event by inviting youngsters to play the part of Kings and Queens for the day.

“It should be a bumper packed day out with Royal tours of the park in a horse-drawn carriage and we hope everyone will come along to celebrate the occasion.”

Set in the beautiful Somerset countryside the 70-acre family park is one of the largest visitor attractions in the region offering a pet village, farm animals and a falconry centre.

For play there is an indoor three-storey play barn, outdoor play with an inflatable bouncy pillow, giant castle, maze, adventure course, boating lake, and JCB sand pit.

There is also the award winning Meadows restaurant and a farm shop selling local produce including Somerset grown vegetables, local cheeses and meats from award winning Gerald David Butchers.

For further information please contact reception on 01934 523500, visit www.puxton.co.uk or email marketing@meadgroup.co.uk.

When your newborn is just 5-10 days, photographer Jodie will take some beautiful images of your little one fast asleep capturing how small and teeny tiny they are. JD Photography will provide a range of hats, bands and accessories for the shoot.

JD Photography is offering one lucky reader the chance to win a Teeny Tiny Newborn shoot – normally priced at £155 for the shoot plus a CD of 10 images.

To enter the competition simply email info@mums-diary.co.uk with your details and your due date or comment below with email address, name and due date.

The competition entry closing date is June 1 and the prize is valid for six months. So make sure your due date is between June 1 and November 30. The shoot will take place at the studio in Boulevard, Weston.

Lancaster House, based in Hill Road, Weston welcomes children from four to eleven years in a warm, family environment where a respect for learning and for each other are paramount and fees are affordable.

If you are disappointed with your primary school allocation or you have an older child who is underachieving or unhappy in a large class, why not pay Lancaster House a visit and see what they have to offer? You can can call Sue Lewis on 01934 624116 for more information or visit their website.