Next Hall date: Monday 8th of March @ 12:30 - 3:30pm

Rock Creatures,Fortune Tellers,Collaging

Come and bring a rock or stone to life! If you have an unusual shaped stone that's crying out to be made into a face or creature please bring it with you. Also making paper fortune tellers and collaging with pulses and beans and maybe even some baking! Each week anyone is welcome to bring an activity in too to add to the above!

We also have Table Tennis each week, a Pool Table, Air Hockey and Dart Board!

Hall dates for the new year:

March: 8th and 22nd and 29th

April: 12th and 26th

May: 10th and 24th

June: 7th,14th,28th

Please email lizelle (lizelle at lizellevdb dot com) if you want to know more

Cost is £3.50 per family or £15.00 for 5 sessions. All ages are welcome. Teens included.

To find us go down the High Street, from the end where the station is and take the 4th turning on the left, unfortunately it's a hill but not a long one, and you'll see the Toc H in front of you at the top.

Parking is available a couple of minutes walk away from the hall at the Great Hall by Calverley Grounds or the one above the old Safeways store by the station.

The Toc H Hall has the benefit of a garden with potential for a vegetable plot/herb garden that we will be allowed to use. All the usual crafts,toys, games,tea and chat! There is a fully equipped kitchen that we can use including a cooker, microwave, kettle etc.

Please email Lizelle for more information

Next bowling meet: Thurs 4th of March 2010 @ 11:45
Bowling is at the North Farm estate in Tunbridge Wells at the Bowlplex complex, Knight's Park Leisure Complex.

Come and have a go!
We have a secured reduced rate for home educators for children and adults with a flat rate of £2.50 per person per game.
Toddler ramps available.
All ages welcome!
Please email Lizelle for more information

Bowlplex
Knight's Park Leisure Complex
Longfield Road
Tunbridge Wells
TN2 3UW

Next workshop date: Monday 15th March 2010
**meet at Calverley Park at 12.00 weather permitting**

Weather permitting we will be meeting in Calverley Park before at 12pm so the children can have a runaround. There is a fantastic very reasonably priced cafe there too!

The workshops are themed and then followed by an art/craft activity.

Please ring Katrina 01892 554171 or email: Katrina.burton@tunbridgewells.gov.uk to book places.
The workshops are free but donations are always welcome.

Mon 15 March – Tunbridge Wells Rocks 1.30-3pm

What is so special about the rocks in Tunbridge Wells?  A creative and practical session based around the Tunbridge Wells Rocks exhibition.

A celebration of the astonishing sandstone outcrops of Tunbridge Wells and the surrounding High Wealden countryside : Friday 26 February – April

The High Weald sand rocks have fascinated residents and visitors for over 6000 years.  They have provided an unchanging backdrop for a story that stretches from prehistoric hunter-gatherers, through Georgian and Victorian holidaymakers, to the present day.  This exhibition uses historic images and objects from the Museum collection, along with newly commissioned art work, to explore how generations of people have responded to the rocks as places of wonder and mystery.

Mon 19 April – Theme to follow later

Please ring Katrina 01892 554171 or email: Katrina.burton@tunbridgewells.gov.uk to book places.
The workshops are free but donations are always welcome.

For any more information please email tracey

Next date: Generally every 1st Tuesday of the month

**please note that its best to confirm with others from the group before you set off for Bedgebury, as this meeting is mainly attended by home educators from a different area and so we're not able to absolutely confirm every meeting - it is a lovely meet though and all is welcome!**

From 11am in the adventure playground which can be found right next to Go Ape! Children can discover the exciting new play equipment amongst the trees. Bedgebury’s specially designed play area is themed around the great plant-hunters of the Victorian era. Children can discover the shipwreck, the native village, the tree house, the butterfly climbing wall, the giant spider and webs, the dragonfly, the huge rope swing, the tree stump and tunnels, and the campsite. Cost for the day parking/entrance is £7.50 per car. There is a cafe and of course all the conifer forest to explore!

Next date will be in March 2010 @ 12:45pm - date to be confirmed asap!

Wear m Out-Tonbridge

Dates for the next few months: 18th February and 11th March

Unit 6a,Botany Trading Estate, Sovereign Way, Tonbridge

Wear m Out-the Children's playcentre.
All children 12 and under are welcome to go on the equipment although anyone over 1.6 metres is generally not.

Under 5's are £3.95 and over 5's £4.20. We have negotiated a 10% discount on 10 or more children and 20% discount on 20 or more children which will reduce the price per child even more but we have to enter as a group to receive it. If you arrive after 1pm then this is fine but you won't be able to receive the discounted rate. There is a reasonably priced cafe too!
www.wearmout.com

This is mainly a summer event, but if you are feeling positive about the weather and would like to meet up during the week, please don't hesitate to contact us and arrange a picnic or walk in the park any time!

During Summer we will be meeting regularly at a park for sunshine and play.

Hilbert and Grosvenor Park
Grosvenor
Toilets located next to the bowls pavilion in the middle of the park, Play area, Lake, Bowling green and pavilion, Kick around area with a goal post, 2 basketball hoops

Hilbert
Adjoining Grosvenor Recreation Ground, Hilbert is an extensive grassed open space.
There is an exciting wheeled sports area located here, suitable for skateboards, BMX bikes and rollerblades. This area is going to be refurbished later on this year (2009), when all existing equipment will be taken out and brand new equipment installed.

Hilbert Woods and adjoining grass areas are designated a Local Nature Reserve managed by Kent High Weald Partnership www.khwp.org.uk.

The main entrances can be found in Auckland Road, Upper Grosvenor Road and Hilbert Road. More information here.

Grove Park
We are meeting in Grove Park in Tunbridge Wells, near Mount Sion. There is a lovely playground there and also some green space! Come and join us if you're at a loose end and if it isn't pouring with rain!
For any more info please email tracey

Dunorlan Park
With its beautiful lake where you may hire a boat - rowing or peddle!
There is a reduced rate for Home Educators - £4 for half an hour out on the water instead of £6!!You can get up to 4 or 5 in each boat so this is very cheap when shared with other families.
For those who haven't been before but would like to come and you would like some more information about the park before hand here is a link.
There is also a cafe, with some cover underneath in case of rain!
It is a really beautiful park with fantastic views, and lots of places waiting to be explored!

Calverley Park - with its bandstand,shrubs and trees for the children to hide and play in.There is a very reasonably priced cafe too selling meals and drinks.

Please check emails on the day or just before in case of cancellation due to bad weather.

Thursday 8th April - 10.15am
Friday 16th April - 10.15am

This is fully booked though please ask Melanie if you are
interested in being added to a Reserve list.

The charge is £4.90 per person - they recommend we do not bring under 5's as
inside the castle is made up to represent Medieval times with life sized models
in the gloom - she really pressed this as a concern - the room is quite small
and a screaming child who wants to get out quick is of no joy!!! Though she
reluctantly agreed that you can bring them if you have to :) - I made a point
that some may have to!
This charge includes use of the Education facility.

On the day they split us into 3 groups - 1 will go round the
grounds on their own (I will need a responsible person in each group to help
with this!!!), 1 will go round the Castle with a tour Guide and the other will
have use of the Education facility - then we'll swap until we have all been
everywhere!!! Each part takes about 3/4 hour which gives us a 3 hour day!!
For more information please ask! - Please email Melanie

Another one of these popular walks organised by Tracey!

When: Thursday 15th of April @ 12.30pm

Where: Happy Valley and Toad Rock 

With the spring weather now getting closer we have arranged a nature walk with Steve Budden -warden to the Tunbridge Wells Commons Conservators.

He took us on a few last year and they were very enjoyable and he has a wealth of knowledge about the rocks which are spread around Tunbridge Wells Common.


We will begin with a to visit HAPPY VALLEY -- One of the town's chief beauty spots in Victorian and Edwardian times. Said to be ‘as beautiful a view as England affords’ from the traditional viewpoint marked today by a clearing to the east of the Hundred and One Steps to caves and rocks ready to be explored. This place is seeping in history.  We will then take a walk over to the famous TOAD ROCK of Tunbridge Wells.
You might like to visit the website where there are some lovely pictures and information about the area. www.twcommons.org

If you would like to come we are going to meet at St Paul ’s Church next to Happy Valley where there is easy parking. 12.30pm. 

Directions are quite easy; Coming from the bottom of Major Yorks Rd, travel all the way up until you get to the top where there is a mini roundabout, turn left towards Langton Green/ go past Rusthall Rd on the right and in about 150m there is a left turn marked by white stones. This is the entrance to St Paul ’s and Neville Pk , there is a blue sign for the church at the end of the drive. Drive towards the church and we will park on the drive itself. 

Hopefully the weather will be dry but you may still want to wear or bring wellies/boots, a packed lunch and mac!

Please email tracey (tracey_verney at yahoo.co.uk) if you would like Tracey's contact number so we can wait for anybody or give directions if you happen to lose your way!

Thursday May 6th 11.15am

WHERE THE PAST COMES TO LIFE!

 Immerse yourself in a fabulous trip down memory lane.

Yesterday’s World in the historic market town of Battle offers students a wonderful nostalgic look into the past.

Packed with over 150,000 genuine artefacts and authentic sounds and smells along the way, children are given a unique opportunity to take a walk back in time to experience the look, feel and smell of life as it used to be at the turn of the century.

Journey along the cobbled high street of yesteryear where you’ll find shops and displays including a 1930’s grocers and post office.  Children can hear the rumble of horse and cart in the busy market place.

Breathe in the delicious scent of ‘penny twists’ in Mrs Bumble’s Chocolate Shop and the air is filled with the aroma of spices where the hard-working cook

visit their website here: www.yesterdaysworld.co.uk

The prices are as follows:

Child/Student: (5-15)    £3.50 (15+ in group – 1 adult free per 5 children)

Additional adults £4.50

Under 5's are free

Payment will  have to be in advance please otherwise it's going to be pretty chaotic trying to sort it all out just before we go in! The free adult places will go to those on a first come first served basis from when i receive payment and i will then work out which of the adults are entitled to a free place and i can either re-imburse you on the day or if/when i see any of you before then. Just to clarify; please send payment including for any adults for now.

If you would like to come then please email me and i can put your names down and give you my address for payment. Thanks.

They do not have a maximum number but they do prefer to split down the bigger groups into groups of about 10 or 15 as some of the rooms are very small.

There is  a brilliant country garden and play village outside where  we can have lunch and tea room too!

Please be at the entrance for 11.15am prompt as must go in as a group.

For those coming by car, please visit their website for details of directions and car parks close by.

For any more info please email tracey

Thursday 3rd June and Thursday 9th September with our local bug expert - the children enjoyed this outing enormously last year and we are very much looking forward to having Ian exclusively for our group for two full sessions this year! Don't miss out on this one - places are limited.

For any more info and to book your space, please email tracey

Thursday 3rd June @ 11.30-1pm

Mini Beast Safari with Ian Beavis:

Join us at St John's Recreation Ground for another fantastic insight into the bugs, insects and plants that surround us, led by expert Ian Beavis. Bring  your bug boxes and wildlife identification books etc... This  is a free event  but numbers are limited to a maximum of 25. So places will be on a first come first served basis.  Please email me to book a place. If you are unlucky and do not get a place on this one then  you could always join us afterwards at the  superb playground and skateboarding area!

You might like to bring along a packed lunch too.  

The main entrance to St John's Recreation Ground is in Beltring Road off St John's Road, Tunbridge Wells and we will be beginning the walk at 11.30am.

Facilities include:

Extended play area.

Multi ball-games area.

Bowls green. 

3 tennis courts.

Meadow land.

Toilets located to the left of the park

Thursday 9th September @ 11.30-1pm

Nature Walk with Ian Beavis

This time join us at Dunorlan Park (Pembury Road Entrance) for another fantastic insight into the bugs, insects and plants that surround us, led by expert Ian Beavis. Bring  your bug boxes and wildlife identification books etc... This  is a free event  but numbers are limited to a maximum of 25. So places will be on a first come first served basis.  Please email me to book a place. If you are unlucky and do not get a place then you could always join us afterwards from 1pm for a play at the park with its excellent boating lake and use our agreed reduced home education rate for the boats. 

The cafe also does very lovely reasonably priced food!

Features of the park include: lake (with boats in the summer),  model boats, cafe, meadows, fishing (in season) and events field. Please visit the boathouse for  boat hire.

Toilets are located near the Pembury Road entrance and at the cafe.

Where: The Hop Farm, Paddock Wood, Tonbridge  Kent TN12 6PY

When: Saturday 10th-17th July

More info: www.hesfes.co.uk

Be there: This year South East Home Educators have reserved a group camping space for families that might like to join us! If you would like to camp with us then please email either tracey or Melanie as then we can ensure you get a space with us!