May Half Term Issue 22

FREE DIGITAL MAGAZINE May half term 2022

it's about being a parent where you live!

Diary Dates | Charity Events
Childcare | Half-Term Fun | Articles

CONTENTS

4 22

Local Charity Jubilee
events Celebrations

9 26

Hello Readers, Summer Safety Out & About

Welcome back to our May Issue of 10 Monkeypox 34
KidAround. We have a lot to celebrate in
this issue. Firstly, that we can travel again Active kids
hoorah! Secondly, the Queen's Jubilee
Celebrations. We also have 2 new cities in Money saving tips
Essex - Southend and Colchester, and the
new Elizabeth line running from Shenfield. 16
Back to this issue, we have put together
some ideas on how you can get involved
with the Jubilee (if like me you've left until
the last minute) along with lots of events
and things to do with family.
Remember when visiting events taken from
our listings, please do check full details
direct first as changes can happen and
please do mention us when visiting or
contacting any of our advertisers - it really
does help.
Fingers crossed for some lovely dry
weather and see you in July with our
bumper Summer Holiday Issue.

Contact Us

(We are a friendly bunch)

[email protected]

[email protected]

Tel:07557 053044

Anna xx /kidaroundmagazine /kidaroundmag official.kidaround

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Tel: 07557 053044 | [email protected].

Disclaimer:The copyright and contents of this magazine, including artwork, adverts, logos and articles, when generated by the KidAround team remain with Trew Publishing.Views expressed in
editorial and articles are those of the contributor or advertiser and not necessarily of the publisher. The listings, content and advertising in the magazine are for information and advice only.
Inclusion does not imply a recommendation from Trew Publishing or its staff. All advertisements and editorial content are accepted in good faith and on the basis that the advertised goods and

services are as stated by the advertisers.

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Supporting your local charity

Lennox Children's Cancer Fund 30th Arthur's Sword on the Stone
Anniversary Masquerade Ball Saturday 25th June at 7:30 p.m.
Put on your dancing shoes, grab a partner
Friday 24th June at 6:30 p.m. and come dance the night away at Golf World
A Spectacular Masquerade Ball to celebrate Stansted. Experienced Ceilidh band Lochnagar
the amazing milestone 30th Anniversary of will talk you through traditional Scottish dances,
Lennox Children's Cancer Fund. so if it’s your first, or tenth Ceilidh, you're
guaranteed to have a great time.
A magical night where supporters and A BBQ will be provided along with some sweet
friends of Lennox Children's Cancer Fund will treats, with a bar running throughout the night.
celebrate the charity's milestone 30th year All funds raised will go towards Arthur's Sword
anniversary. in the Stone campaign - raising funds in the
hope to provide surgery and physio for Arthur,
Set in the beautiful house and grounds of aiming to reduce the effects of cerebral palsy
Boreham House in Essex, the evening will and give him a chance to be able to walk. For
begin at 6.30pm with welcome drinks, followed more information, please see Arthur's Sword
by a three-course meal, live music, DJ and in the Stone Just4Children page: https://
a special surprise to help set the tone of the just4children.org/arthurs-sword-in-the-stone/
evening. Golf World Stansted Ltd, CM22 6FL

Raffle and live auction will take place during Find out more here
the evening. Guests will be seated at tables of
ten. Attire: Evening gowns and dinner suits with
masquerade masks, full costumes encouraged.

Boreham House CM3 3HY

Find out more here

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Local Charities

help to provide a safe place to stay for people
aged 16-25, many of whom become homeless
through family breakdown, abuse or poverty.
They work alongside young people giving
access to longer-term accommodation and a
package of tailored support to improve their
mental health, provide access to education,
training and job opportunities.

The Colourthon Find out more here A

Saturday 2nd July
A two events in one, the Moonlight walk
being a half marathon and the Twilight a 10k
challenge.
Both events are fun walks around Southend by
night with the emphasis being on fun and fund
raising! They both kick off at 6pm (just ahead
of the sun setting) and everyone is encouraged
to dress as brightly as their imaginations will
allow! Remember, there will be spot prizes
for those who impress us with their costumes!
Registration open NOW

Find out more here Vintage Day Out Essex
Sunday 10th July
2022 Ride London – Essex 100 Shoppers and classic vehicle enthusiasts,
Sunday 29th May start your engines as we invite vintage and
A 100 mile route taking in the capital and retro lovers to roll back the years and dress to
surrounding countryside. The event will impress for our annual Vintage Day Out.
start on Victoria Embankment and finish to Food and drink will be available to purchase
rapturous applause at Tower Bridge, with 65 including hog roast, cocktails and prosecco
miles through some of Essex’s most beautiful from The Tipsy Grey Ltd, ice creams from Molly
countryside and villages in between. This is to Moos Ices and Afternoon Teas from Lavender
raise essential funds for Depaul UK, a national Blue Vintage Teas, among others.
youth homelessness charity and we need your Celebrating all things vintage from a bygone
era, Cressing Temple Barns near Braintree play
DON’T FORGET TO MENTION US WHEN CALLING host to this annual event, all to raise valuable
funds for your local Helen Rollanson cancer
charity.
Tickets on the day cost Adults £6, Concessions
(age 65 +) £5, Children 16 and under £1. But if
you pre-book your tickets online you can save
£1 each! Well behaved dogs on leads are also
welcome.

Find out more here

www.kidaround.biz • May half-term 22• 5

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KIDAROUND

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KIDAROUND

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ACTIVE KIDS

Inspiring Children Every Day!

Ultimate Activity Camps provide outstanding Ofsted-registered activity day camp childcare for children aged 4-14
during the school holidays, where the children’s welfare and fun are at the heart of all they do! Children will
enjoy a fantastic range of sports, games and art activities every week led by engaging staff at amazing locations
in Colchester and Brentwood!

Holmwood House, Colchester
Established almost 100 years ago, Holmwood House School is
a leading independent school for boys and girls with first-class
teaching and sports facilities set in extensive grounds. The
school’s facilities are ideal for running activity camps, and include:
• Amazing indoor heated swimming pool
• Tennis and netball courts
• Large sports hall
• Playing fields
• Space for art and craft activities
Summer 2022: Monday 25th July – Friday 26th August
Website: www.ultimateactivity.co.uk/locations/colchester

Brentwood School, Brentwood
Brentwood School is one of the UK’s leading independent day and boarding schools. With almost 500 years
of history, the school is renowned for its exceptional facilities and academic results. Located in the heart of
Brentwood town, the school’s sports centre makes an ideal venue for their exciting holiday camps and facilities
include:
• large heated indoor swimming pool and shallow learner pool 
• extensive sports pitches
• tennis and netball courts
• all-weather astroturf for tennis and hockey
• dance studio
• modern sports hall
• dedicated classrooms for art and craft
• Wooded area for our Ultimate Survival Programme
Summer 2022: Monday 18th July – Friday 26th August
Website: www.ultimateactivity.co.uk/locations/brentwood

GO WILD with Ultimate Survival Camps at Brentwood School
Alongside their multi-activity day camps, adventurers aged 7 to 14 years can go wild during the summer holidays
at Brentwood School with their Ofsted-registered Ultimate Survival programme. With the primary function of
delivering a very high level of care and welfare, children will enjoy fun and adventurous outdoor summer day
camps, being fully-immersed in the natural environment, trying brilliant outdoor activities and games, and
making new friends!
Each week there’s a different theme offering variety no matter what day they attend. Each day they will try
survival skills, and enjoy challenges and games with the added theatre of different scenarios. For the Ultimate
experience, they also offer a Camp Cook Out on a Thursday night.
Summer: Monday 25th July – Friday 19th August
Website: www.ultimateactivity.co.uk/programmes/ultimate-survival-
camp
Ultimate SAVINGS! Book by Tuesday 7th June!
£205 per week – Saving £20 off the standard weekly price of £225
£46 per day – Saving £4 off the standard daily price of £50

Offer ends Tuesday 7th June
Pay by Childcare Vouchers/Tax Free Childcare Account
Move dates for FREE up to 14 days prior to your booking

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ACTIVE KIDS

DISNEY DELIGHTS

MUSICAL MADNESS

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DIARY DATES

Fri 27

Babel at the Naze Tower
Seven musicians from the
innovative Echo Ensemble, each
on their own level of Walton's
iconic Naze Tower, perform
Noah Max's Babel amidst a
wide selection of local artwork.
Wander (quietly!) up and down
the tower and experience the
music at close quarters. Naze
Tower, Walton-on-the-Naze.
READ MORE

KIDAROUND Sat 28 – Sun 5 (Jun) Sat 28 Sat 28 – Sun 5

Lawn Games at The Garden Once Upon a Time Wildlife Week
Hub We are not sure who it was, or Take a peep inside our
Join us this half term to how it happened but someone fascinating bug hotels, try and
commemorate our 50th found the magic lamp. Unknown spot a worm or two hiding in the
Anniversary year and the Queen’s to them they did not realise the wormery and explore our NEW
Jubilee. Competitors of all ages magic or wonderment this would nature pond. Your family can
will love our Games this summer. create! Characters appearing enjoy a magical journey on our
Test your skills at Giant Jenga, from Never Never Land, miniature railway which takes
traditional Quoits, Swedish Arendelle, Wonderland and much you deep into our ancient woods.
Molkky, or see who’s got the best much more. Nevendon Manor, Audley End Miniature Railway.
aim with bean bag throwing. SS12 0QA. READ MORE CB11 4JB. READ MORE
READ MORE
Sat 28 Sun 29
Sat 28 – Sun 5
Hospital Radio Fun Day Wings & Wheels
Kids Rule Enjoy a range of events, Bring the whole family to enjoy
Get ready for a right royal knees- performances, and activities the event. Set in the wonderful
up at our Kids Rule events this for the whole family, including: open space of the Aerodrome,
May half-term. Celebrate the ILAZ Performerz Dance Company, you can view the classic cars,
jubilee half term week by joining Tendring Dog Agility Group, vans and motorcycles, explore
our Victorian Fairy Hunters zorbs, Thurstable School the new Guiding the Empire and
on a very Victorian pass-time. cheerleaders, bouncy castles, Words Without Wires exhibitions,
Immerse yourself in the time charity stalls, funfair rides, face see the Model T Ford(s) up close.
of Queen Victoria by picking painting, donkey rides and lots 11am-4pm. Stow Maries Great
up your quest sheet from our more. Plus, the traditional Rotary War Aerodrome, CM3 6RJ.
Fairy Hunters and search for Club of Colchester Forum 2022 READ MORE
the mystical fairies, imps and Duck Race. Adults £3.00, Children
nymphs hiding in the gardens. – free. 11am – 4pm. Lower Castle Mon 30
Book online and save! Audley Park, Colchester. Free parking in
End Estate. READ MORE King's Meadow. READ MORE Fireman Sam Live! Saves The
Circus
Sat 28 Sat 28 When all of his friends go away,
Norman Price decides to find
Love Your Library Day Solar Gazing adventure in Pontypandy and
Join us for fun with a suitably Join the North Essex become the star of a visiting
royal theme in honour of the Astronomical Society to view circus. But with a tiger on the
Jubilee. Story time, crafts and the sun in complete safety. loose and faulty lights, the
special guests for the children 11:00 - 14:30. Markshall Estate, adventure soon turns to danger.
plus free tea and coffee fit for Colchester. READ MORE Princes Theatre, Clacton.
a Queen (or King!) No need to READ MORE
book just come along. Maldon
Library. READ MORE

www.kidaround.biz • May half-term 22• 25

Fri 3 - Sun 5

Dinosaur World Live
Dare to experience the dangers
and delights of Dinosaur World
Live in this roarsome interactive
show for all the family. Grab your
compass and join our intrepid
explorer across uncharted
territories to discover a pre-
historic world of astonishing
(and remarkably life-like)
dinosaurs. Mercury Theatre, CO1
1PT. READ MORE

Mon 30 – Wed 1 (Jun) June Fri 10 – Sun 12 KIDAROUND

Make a Fun Fascinator or Thurs 2 – Sun 5 Thaxted Morris Weekend
Medal Join the oldest surviving Morris
Prepare to celebrate the Queen's Celebrate the Queen's revival side in the country as
Platinum Jubilee as you make Platinum Jubilee they tour around the local area
a Fun Fascinator or Medal of Four days of events, with music, dancing culminating in the
Honour to wear for the special refreshments, rounders, big lunch spectacular procession through
occasion! Brighlingsea Museum. and other fun things to fo to Thaxted and dancing in the
READ MORE celebrate the Jubilee. churchyard. A site not to be
READ MORE missed! READ MORE
Tues 31-Wed 1 (Jun)
Thurs 2 Fri 17-Sun19
Discovery of Dragons
Part the mists of time and head Children’s Day Foodies festival
to Colchester Castle’s Discovery A fun educational activity-based With a star-studded line-up of
of Dragons Day. Come face experience aboard Thames celebrity chefs and chart-topping
to face with not one, but four Sailing Barge "Centaur" (Built music stars. Foodies Festival
spellbinding dragons who will in 1895). Explore the barge (dubbed “Gastro-Glasto”) is the
be waiting to greet visitors. above and below deck with your biggest touring gourmet food
READ MORE child's free activity pack. Aged festival in the UK, featuring
5-11. Each session last one hour. MasterChef champions, stars
Tues 31 - Fri 15 (Jul) Entrance is by Donation—pre- of Great British Bake-Off and
booking required. Hythe Quay, Michelin starred chefs. Hylands
Stay and Play Lego CM9 5HN READ MORE House, Chelmsford. READ
Come and Celebrate the Queen's MORE
Platinum Jubilee at our family Fri 3 – Sun 3 (Jul)
Stay and Play Lego session. Can Sat 18
you design your own castle, Chelmsford Festival
fit for a Queen or perhaps an A month-long celebration of Brentwood Strawberry Fair
accessory for the corgis? Let Music, Dance, Visual Arts, Science, Brentwood's much-loved, annual
your imagination run wild at this Heritage, Street Theatre & more. Strawberry Fair will return.
free event in the Cathedral. An With lots of activities fun for all There will be a main stage
adult must stay with the child the family. READ MORE with performances during the
throughout. READ MORE day, fairground rides, food and
drink stalls and, of course, fresh
26 •May half-term 22 • www.kidaround.biz strawberries. 11am to 6pm.
Shenfield Common. CM15 8DF.
READ MORE

Sat 18

Rowhedge Regatta
Return this year for a lovely
family day. Rowhedge.

READ MORE

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Sat 18 – Sun 19 Sun 19 DIARY DATES

The Nearly Festival Visit the Vulcan on Fathers' July
An affordable alternative to Day
the bigger touring festivals & As well as the Vulcan, there will Sat 2
features 14 of the UK's best be much to keep Dad and the
touring tribute acts live on rest of the family entertained. Mayland Music Festival
stage, a 'Kidzone' with cool kids There will be examples of the There will be a bbq stall/pizza
attractions & activities, a tasty weapons carried by the Vulcan van/soft drinks/hot drinks/ice
& local 'Street Food Market' & a during its time with the RAF, creams/sweet stalls all on site.
pub priced 'Pub in the Park'! The including examples of the type Plus you can bring your own
Old Heath Rec, Colchester of 1,000 lb high explosive bomb drink. What's not to like about
READ MORE the Vulcan dropped on Port that.Come and spend your day
Stanley airfield during the 1982 in the Park listening to a great
Sun 19 Falklands Conflict. READ MORE variety of music from local bands.
£15/£10/free. Lawling Park,
Blackwater Country Show Sat 25 Mayland. For tickets phone/text
The show warmly welcomes 07972307318
thousands of visitors from miles Town Show / Funfair
around. This is a local, big show Annual Town Show with Funfair, Sun 10
in its 15th year with a friendly, stalls, games, food and drink,
relaxed atmosphere surrounded performers and other family REACH Riding for Disabled
by soft hedgerows and natures entertainment. Waltham Abbey We will be offering meet and
wildlife. In support of the Essex EN9 1JH. READ MORE greet with our wonderful ponies,
and Herts Air Ambulance. Nr demos from the Metropolitan
Maldon. CM9 4RB Sat 25 Police Mounted Branch and our
READ MORE riders as well as tombola, face
Home Farm Summer Circus painting, cake sale and arts
Sun 19 Go along to the fun circus and crafts sessions for children.
alongside their summer Brentwood, CM14 5TB
Falconry Display on Father's fayre where you will have an READ MORE
Day, opportunity to go on bouncy
There will be static and flying castles, play on a crockery smash, Sun 17
displays from a variety of birds. a coconut shy or have your face
Opportunity to get up close to painted. There will also be a BBQ Billericay Food & Drink
the birds of prey, meet and speak and a licensed bar. Festival
with members of the Falconry We can’t wait to see you all on Showcasing over 50 food,
Team who will be happy to the day. £6/under 3’s free. Home drink and outside entertaining
answer all your bird of prey farm School, Colchester. stands including cheese, wine,
related questions. Layer Marney READ MORE gin, prosecco, oysters, gourmet
Tower. CO5 9US READ MORE burgers, exotic fruits, private
catering, luxury hampers and
KIDAROUND Father's Day Sunday 19th June so much more! Free tastings,
Don't forget the breakfast in bed and beer! demonstrations, hog roast and
live music. Free foodie goodie for
first 250 through the door, plus
spot prizes awarded throughout
the day including meals out,
hampers and more! No dogs
other than assistance dogs.
11am-5pm. READ MORE

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Things We like, Summer

Keeping Cool - For Kids & Adults wineglass (templates available online, just
Our children love making colourful ‘mocktails’ search for wineglass shades). Please make sure
to drink in the garden, which you can do you use only battery operated tea lights as
using all different fruit juices. Add some other materials maybe highly flamable. Sourced
sparkle to the glass by dipping the rim in from Pinterest
lemon juice and then in some sugar, then
finish it off with a cocktail umbrella (if Must Have Garden Pots
Summer Gardens. Pots painted with glow-
possible). Whilst they drink theirs, here’s one for us adults in-the-dark paint look fantastic in the garden
- we love making frozen cocktails! G&T with slices of at night. Why not repurpose old jars into
cucumber are particularly delicious. To make 10 lollies mix lovely garden lanterns. You can turn most jars
700ml tonic water with 45ml gin and the into lanterns using wire around the rim onto
juice of ¼ lime. Put cucumber slices, or which you can attach a handle. They look
lime if you prefer, into the lolly moulds, lovely plain or painted and you can be creative with what
pour in the tonic mix and freeze for 12 you fill them with. Sourced from Pinterest
hours. You may find that these will melt
quicker than normal lollies because of the Recycled Jar Garden Lanterns
alcohol, It’s amazing how many things can be made
so you have to eat them quick! using jars, these are our current favourites-
garden lanterns. Perfect for summer evenings,
Good Health - Coconut Oil all you need is an old glass jar, some string
We are amazed by the amount of uses that are and wire (long enough to wrap around the jar
being discovered for Coconut Oil. It can be used neck)...voila! Idea sourced from
in all sorts of ways when cooking and there Pintrest.
are endless reported benefits for your health,
beauty and wellbeing. The one we get is KTC Booster With A Difference
100% Pure Coconut Oil at just £2.99 for 500ml Take this BubbleBum Booster Seat wherever
widely available in supermarkets and health you go. This lightweight booster seat is
food shops- it’s the new wonderstuff! incredibly easy to transport due to it weighing
as much as three bananas! Say goodbye
Wineglass Shades to hard rigid plastic and hello to high density memory
We saw this gorgeous idea and are definitely going to be foam. Your little one will be safe and secure as well as
making some of these for our summer evenings with friends.
You can use any paper or card to form the shade for your comfortable. Available from Aldi £17.99 BUY HERE

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DAYS OUT

Hedingham Castle’s Summer of Events has
begun!

Enjoy a fantastic variety of entertainment this summer
on the historic Hedingham estate. With imaginative
open-air theatre for the whole family including
The Three Musketeers and Pride & Prejudice, iconic
outdoor cinema screenings and a mysterious escape
room INSIDE the Castle, there is something for
everyone! Bring a picnic and enjoy hot summer days
in the gardens and exploring the Castle, then August
brings the Classic & Vintage Car Show and, to round
off the summer season, the Knights of Arkley return to
battle it out for a fabulous Bank Holiday weekend of
jousting, falconry and family fun.

For the full line up, dates and to book tickets visit
www.hedinghamcastle.co.uk.

Discovery of Dragons
at Colchester Castle

Part the mists of time and
head to Colchester Castle’s
Discovery of Dragons Day.
Come face to face with not
one, but four spellbinding
dragons who will be waiting
to greet and entertain visitors
on the 31 May and 1 June.
You’ll get to meet red dragon
Epico, playful dragon, elegant
green Braccus, Ildrie, the sleepy one of the family and cute
baby Nuri, everyone’s favourite! With colourful scaly legs,
plumes of smoke and friendly eyes, there is no need to fear
the Castle’s new friends.
Watch Epico and Braccus in their Land of Adventure show,
packed full of family fun. With three, one-hour shows taking
place each day you will never miss a performance.
You can also take part in additional interactive activities
that include making your very own Coronation Crown, a
majestic Kings & Queens trail around the Castle and of
course all the Castle’s treasures and displays.
Finally, make sure you bring your pocket money as there
will be plenty of treats in our pop-up Dragon shop to
remind you of your special day.

Find out more at Discovery of Dragons Day | Colchester
Museums (cimuseums.org.uk)

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A roar-some time in store at the Mercury!

Dinosaurs, dragons and a day full of jubilee celebrations set to entertain families at the Mercury Theatre in
Colchester this June.

Dinosaur World Live!
Fri 3 – Sun 5 Jun | 11.30am & 2.30pm | Tickets £14 | Recommend for ages 3+
Dare to experience the dangers and delights of Dinosaur World Live in this
roarsome interactive show for all the family.
Grab your compass and join our intrepid explorer across uncharted territories
to discover a pre-historic world of astonishing (and remarkably life-like)
dinosaurs. Meet a host of impressive creatures, including every child’s
favourite flesh-eating giant, the Tyrannosaurus Rex, a Triceratops, Giraffatitan,
Microraptor and Segnosaurus!
A special meet and greet after the show offers all our brave explorers the
chance to make a new dinosaur friend. Don’t miss this entertaining and
mind-expanding Jurassic adventure, live on stage. Book now before tickets
become extinct! Discounts available for groups of 10+

Zog and the Flying Doctors
Sat 11 Jun 10am & 12pm | Sun 12 Jun 10.30am, 1.30pm & 3.30pm|
Tickets from £14.50 | Recommend for ages 3+
Zog, super keen student turned air-ambulance, still lands with a crash-
bang-thump. Together with his Flying Doctor crew, Princess Pearl and
Sir Gadabout, they tend to a sunburnt mermaid, a unicorn with one too
many horns and a lion with the flu. However, Pearl’s uncle, the King, has
other ideas about whether princesses should be doctors, and she’s soon
locked up in the castle back in a crown and a silly frilly dress!
With a bit of help from some friends and half a pound of cheese, can
Pearl make her uncle better and prove princesses can be doctors too?
Based on Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s bestselling sequel,
Freckle Productions (Zog, Stick Man, Tiddler & Other Terrific Tales) bring
the creative team behind Zog, Emma Kilbey and Joe Stilgoe, back together for this truly modern take on the classic fairy tale.

The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee at the Mercury
Sun 5 Jun | 12-8pm | FREE | All ages
The Mercury are inviting families to join together for a fun-filled free day of street
party fun, featuring lots of outside activities on the recently re-furbished Mercury
Theatre piazza, hosted by regular Pantomime favourites Antony Stuart-Hicks and
Dale Superville.
Activities will include:
Dance & music performances
Sing-a-longs
Dance workshops
Crafts
Dressing up
Face painting
and more!
The day is FREE to attend and no need to book. Just turn up – why not combine
with a visit to see Dinosaur World Live, entertaining families in the main theatre throughout the day!
Taking Part Activities for Young People
Did you know we are now running more clubs and activities for young people than ever before?
Our Mercury Young Company has groups for ages 5-25. MYC is our year-round ensemble of young people training to be the
theatre-makers of tomorrow.
Our groups meet weekly to explore playful new methods of storytelling and to create exciting pieces of theatre. Our fun,
friendly classes focus on training young people to work together as an ensemble.
We also offer Tots sessions, Musical Theatre classes, Song Cycle classes, Crafternoons for kids, Summer and half-term holiday
camps and specific activities for young people with SEND.

To view our full Taking Part offering, book for the above shows or view our full What’s On, visit www.mercurytheatre.co.uk or give
our friendly box office staff a call on 01206 573948.

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Monkeypox

As we move on from one pandemic, we are now being frightened about the
preospects of another, Monkeypox, but how dangerous and contagious is it?
We turn to the NHS to find out more about the virus.

Advice taken from NHS.

Transmission
Monkeypox does not spread easily between people.
Spread of monkeypox may occur when a person comes into close contact with an infected animal
(rodents are believed to be the primary animal reservoir for transmission to humans), human, or
materials contaminated with the virus. Monkeypox has not been detected in animals in the UK.
The virus enters the body through broken skin (even if not visible), the respiratory tract, or the
mucous membranes (eyes, nose, or mouth).
Person-to-person spread is uncommon, but may occur through:
contact with clothing or linens (such as bedding or towels) used by an infected person
direct contact with monkeypox skin lesions or scabs
coughing or sneezing of an individual with a monkeypox rash

Clinical features

The incubation period is the duration/time between contact with the infected person and the time
that the first symptoms appear. The
incubation period for monkeypox is
between 5 and 21 days.

Monkeypox infection is usually
a self-limiting illness and most
people recover within several weeks.
However, severe illness can occur in
some individuals.

The illness begins with:

• fever

• headache

• muscle aches

• backache

• swollen lymph nodes

• chills

• exhaustion Images of individual monkeypox lesions

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Within 1 to 5 days after the appearance of fever, a rash develops, often beginning on the face then
spreading to other parts of the body. The rash changes and goes through different stages before finally
forming a scab which later falls off.
An individual is contagious until all the scabs have fallen off and there is intact skin underneath. The
scabs may also contain infectious virus material.

Notes
Areas of erythema and/or skin hyperpigmentation are often seen around discrete lesions.
Lesions can vary in size and may be larger than those shown.
Lesions of different appearances and stages may be seen at the same point in time.
Detached scabs may be considerably smaller than the original lesion.

Diagnosis
Clinical diagnosis of monkeypox can be difficult, and it is often confused with other infections such as
chickenpox. A definite diagnosis of monkeypox requires assessment by a health professional and specific
testing in a specialist laboratory.
In the UK, the Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory (RIPL) at the UK Health Security Agency
(UKHSA) Porton Down is the designated diagnostic laboratory.
Suspected cases should be discussed with the Imported Fever Service prior to submitting samples for
laboratory testing.

Treatment
Treatment for monkeypox is mainly supportive. The illness is usually mild and most of those infected
will recover within a few weeks without treatment.
Smallpox vaccine, cidofovir, and tecovirimat can be used to control outbreaks of monkeypox.
Vaccination against smallpox can be used for both pre and post exposure and is up to 85% effective
in preventing monkeypox. People vaccinated against smallpox in childhood may experience a milder
disease.

Infection prevention and control
Prevention of transmission of infection
by respiratory and contact routes
is required. Appropriate respiratory
isolation is essential for suspected
and confirmed cases. Scabs are also
infectious and care must be taken
to avoid infection through handling
bedding, clothing, and so on.

Do we need to worry?
So with nine (at time of publishing)
confirmed cases in the UK, it does
seem to be transmitting slowly.
However, reading the evidence it isn't
as highly contagious. The toughest
part of contracting Monkeypox (which
is a low risk) you have to avoid
spreading by isolation which may take
a few weeks as the scabs still make
you contagious unlike chickenpox.

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