Finding activities for the whole family can be an absolute task and a half! From a personal point of view, I have children of varying ages that very rarely want to do the same things (or spend time together at all really). It can be a minefield of bickering and ultimately wishing you hadn’t bothered to go out in the first place (it’s not just me, is it?) but with this article, I’ve got you!
Mini Golf
Going in with a super popular one to start, Mini Golf. For example, Lost Island Adventure Indoor Golf in Margate. Lost Island Adventure doesn’t have an age or height restriction making it the perfect fun day out for your family. As previously mentioned it’s also indoors so no need to worry about relying on the weather to play nice!
Family activities should be stress-free (well as much as possible) and the mysterious island-themed course is ideal for keeping the little ones entertained whilst waiting their turn.
Trampoline parks are the latest craze and for very good reason! It’s not only exhilarating and fun for the whole family, but guaranteed to tire the kids out which will result in a (hopefully) peaceful night for the adults. Sounds like a win-win to me!
With many, many locations to choose from, Flip Out is a great choice if the above sounds like your cup of tea. Options to eat, drink and bounce are available throughout making it an all-inclusive, family day out. Another excellent choice is Brentwood Trampoline Club, who offer taster sessions for kids and adults. If your focus is more on fitness, then why not consider a ‘fun, friendly and fierce trampoline workout at Ashford Bounce.
Outdoor Adventures
With 35 locations at various points across the UK, you’ll be spoilt for choice with Go Ape!
Go Ape doesn’t have an age requirement as such, it’s all about height here (anyone over 1M is welcome, which I believe is approximately your standard 4-year-old). With a fantastic selection of treetop activities to choose from, it’s a great way to satisfy the whole family.
Another thing I’d like to point out is their willingness to be as accessible as possible to those with disabilities which is so important.
This one is especially great for the particularly lovely weather we have been having lately. If you’ve got somewhere like Tides close by then you just can’t go wrong. Tides is a mix of traditional swimming with that of an activity centre. Slides, a wave pool and all kinds of excitement await you here.
Cinema
I’m going to finish off with a controversial one. I know, I know…the thought of trying to find a film you can all agree on is an utter living nightmare. BUT, I think this is where you can practice some kind of compromise. Take it in turns to choose, not every film is going to be a hit but you’ll have fun in the process.
Also, the snacks are pretty good too! Although don’t be fooled into thinking you have to sell a kidney to be able to afford the all-important popcorn, contrary to popular belief you are allowed to bring your own (within reason obviously). Vue said so themselves!
(You’re allowed to take your own cold food and non-alcoholic drinks to any of our venues.)
Every family is different and there are always going to be times that you disagree but hopefully, this article has helped you to find enough common ground to be able to enjoy each other’s company.
Have an amazing weekend!
Seascapes and More with Alicia Tolhurst-Brown
You only have to glance upon Alicia Tolhurst-Brown’s work to see that the Brighton born artist has a real love for East Sussex. She sees the place as a canvas of beauty and is often spurred on by these local sights in her wonderful creations.
Alicia Tolhurst-Brown’s life sounds like an artist’s dream, living in pretty Peacehaven on a picturesque cliff edge Alicia tells CommunityAd the location is ideal not just for its aesthetic charm but also crucially for its “easy access to some of my favourite places, including Friston Forest, Seaford Beach, Lewes Town and all of the South Downs”.
With an exhibition looming in the luscious Lewes later in the year CommunityAd thought it wise to have a chat with the charming artist about her love of Lewes, the ever-giving inspiration of the sea, how she utilised the time that Lockdown gifted her and her process of creating these stunning seascapes.
Speaking of the lovely Lewes Alicia reminisces of how her “grandparents would often take me for walks along the river and around the Priory. My grandad was particularly fond of all the back streets, so I got to know them well too. What I love now, some 30 years later, is that although Lewes has kept up with modern society with its abundance of unique shops, restaurants and culture, it has maintained its heritage and sense of historic memoirs”. Adding how her favourite time of the day in Lewes comes in the early AM “ I love walking through the high street whilst the traders set up and greet the early risers”. A coffee and a croissant are often a staple of this early morning jaunt Alicia confesses.
Looking at the sublime seascapes that decorate this article you’d be inclined to believe Alicia had been creating them for decades but despite having lived by sea all of her life it was only during the lockdown days of 2020 that her talents and the sea would unite as she tells CommunityAd.
I was predominately a landscape artist, I love painting forests and stormy skies, however Lockdown did open a new chapter. The beach and undercliff were my local daily walk, I’m lucky to have always lived near the sea and was ever more grateful during lockdown. I had space to breathe at the bottom of my road and I never tire of the ever changing mood of the ocean. Painting water had always presented me with a challenge, but I decided over this period to really channel myself and hone my artistic skills. I’m now fanatically enthused and unable to put my brushes down. My two passions have finally come together.
Alicia utilises modern tech to create her vibrant paintings, taking a camera to first document the sight then studying it and turning it into one of the wonderful creations that you see here. We asked her about the process and she enlightened us that this method came about due to her former profession of being a photographer and as she jokes “Any excuse to be on the beach”.
“I was a professional photographer for many years, so I guess it’s only natural that I would use a camera. Despite the wonders of photo technology, for me the camera cannot capture what I see. I’ll sit on Seaford beach with a sketch book enjoying the last rays of summer warmth or walk along paddling at the first sign of spring, (whilst trying to convince myself the water is warmer than it is). Then there are days of treacherous weather, the waves are crashing thunderously, you can hear and feel the sheer weight and ferocity of water descending on the shore. The wind is whipping my hair in every direction, your clothes are sopping and all you can taste is salt. It’s exhilarating, you have no choice but to be in the moment and embrace the full spirit of the sea. A simple click of a camera’s shutter button is never going to be enough for me.
( I should point out I use a very long lens, so I’m not about to be washed away) that said, if anyone knows Seaford if the rain doesn’t soak you the spray will.
Once dried off, I’ll rush into my studio and sketch some of that emotion onto the canvas. I barely use photos at this point, just memory. The waves never look as dramatic in a photo as they do in real life. Once I have a composition that I feel encapsulates my experience, ill then plough through dozens of photos, hoping to find something that vaguely matches. Why? Because part of me is a perfectionist possibly, because I need it to be believable, because in the chaos on the beach when my hair has flicked salt in my eye, there are details I’ll miss. I would say in conclusion its 10% photograph, 40% art and the remaining 50% is about being part of it all”.
As well as the Sea the landscapes and sights of the lovely Lewes still stir the creativity within Alicia, “I have painted the Castle on many Occasions, from the Paddock, from the Mount (Calvary), my favourite location though is Early morning from Swanborough Lakes. I also love painting the Priory, particularly in Autumn. The Priory is quite a challenge for me, I’ve yet to be completely satisfied with one of my compositions. My plan is to paint the river a bit more this year. The weather is warming up and I love the late summer evenings”.
Any plans you’d like to make our readers aware of at all?
When I’m not painting water, I’m often wild swimming and diving, particularly in some of Britain’s beautiful clear rivers and gorges. This year I’m taking an underwater camera with me and I hope to share with you some of our enchanting depths. These paintings will hopefully be part of my up and coming exhibitions this year.
I’m thrilled to be exhibiting at the Star Brewery for the first time this year. October 7-16th.
I’ll also be at The Crypt gallery in Seaford 1-7th July
So why not go and support a local artist and sea the stunning seascapes in the flesh later this year? Alicia leaves with a humble message of gratitude “thank you for your time, the fact you’re reading this and have got to the end means a lot to me”.
To see more of Alicia’s work find her on social media or head straight to her website aliciatolhurstbrown.co.uk
Written by Dave McKenna
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In the last couple of years there has been a focus on how we can make the streets safer, particularly for women and girls.
Of course it all starts early on with education, learning right from wrong and how you should treat people when out and about and the importance of healthy relationships.
However, there are other steps that can be taken beyond this point and Ashford, following a successful bid to the home office was awarded £550,000 to make the streets of its town centre safer, particularly for women and girls via the Ashford Streetwise app and much more.
Officers from Ashford Borough Council and Kent Police have been working to implement the varying aspects of the project.
So far, here is what has been delivered through the project;
The creation of the Ashford Streetwise app (launching 29 April)
Active Bystander training has been delivered to over 180 front line staff from businesses operating in the town centre
A network of Safe Spaces – premises people can go to if they need help and support when out in the town centre (look out for the window sticker or find them on the app)
Additional Ashford Partnership Against Crime radios purchased to increase the number of guardians in the town centre (and support Safe Spaces)
20 school presentations, emphasising key safety messages and the importance of respect and healthy relationships
CCTV cameras have been installed in Edinburgh Road Car park and at Elwick Place, eight public space cameras have been installed in the town centre as well as wall-mounted mirrors to improve sightlines
Improvements to the Memorial Gardens to remove undergrowth and replace the perimeter fence
Purchase and distribution of:
SmartTag to licensed premises
Personal safety equipment
Pressure washer and litter picking equipment
One of the most important things we can do as members of the public is remain vigilant, call out your friends or those you see for acting inappropriately and always make sure you have safe modes of transport.
Written by Callum Knowles
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