GENERAL LINKS

For You

"Make More Time for Yourself".  Who can resist a title like that?  You can read this very informative article at RealSimple.com, just click here to go straight to the page.  (Useful tip: to save even more time you can scroll to the bottom of the first page and click on the "print" icon.  This will allow you to read the article properly your leisure.)  

Before you set off on that camping trip have a look at the government's new countryside access website http://www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk
Lots of information is presented in a tremendously entertaining way, basically because they've enlisted the help of the Creature Comforts animators.  You can download a short video of the creatures talking about how you should look after the countryside, plus there are free printable sheets for kids to fill in when they are out in the countryside, on a farm or in the park. 

Want to try camping now that it's cool?  There is a good guide for complete novices to camping at http://www.go-camping.org
You'll find everything you need to know to get you started and there's even a camping with kids section.

To enjoy the full Enid Blyton camping experience you'll need lashings of ginger beer.  You might like to find out how to make this (very simply) by looking in the Tikes Stay In sections (just in case they try to make it without you!)  

Want to go for a walk with the kids but don't know where to go?  I recently picked up a wonderful little book called "Kiddiwalks in East Sussex" by Len Markham (A Countryside Books Walking Guide).  It details 20 circular walks that are suitable for young families and all are within striking distance of Eastbourne.  There are walks in: Exceat, East Dean, Herstmonceux, Sheffield Park, Eastbourne and Alfriston, so you won't have to stray too far.  Each walk has background notes about the area, fun things to see and do on the way and places to go for refreshments, so all the bases are covered.  Although my children are too old now to qualify as "kiddies", I'm hoping to persuade them to try some of these walks with me, as I'm sure there are walks here that would be of interest to all age groups.  You can find out more at the publisher's website www.countrysidebooks.co.uk
but it's probably easier to look in a local bookshop or order it from there, the book costs £7.99.

Why not wallow in nostalgia at this great site:
http://www.tv.cream.org
Be warned this is a terrible time-waster!

For a bit of arty fun try this website
www.jacksonpollock.org
All you need to do is wiggle the mouse and click it!

I've found a blog full of inspiring ideas for parents its called 
"The Happiness Project".   
There is a comprehensive index of entries, so just dip in and out as time allows.   

Looking for a new house?  Search a detailed map of the local area and click on the little houses marked for sale for a link straight to the estate agents webpage on: http://ononemap.com  Brilliant!

Excellent Price Comparison website:
http://www.kelkoo.co.uk

Anyone who loved the new BBC show "Shaun the Sheep" will be delighted to know that you can visit his website at www.shaunthesheep.com
There are 30 second clips, great games and a Make & Do section, where you can print all sorts of activities.  For mums who are at work, the 3 minutes of clips should provide welcome relief from boredom and won't distract you for too long!

Time Saving Tips for Busy Parents has lots of useful ideas for everyone, including easy ways to clear clutter and how to make more time for yourself - who couldn't use some help with these things?

Who wouldn't want to know how to live healthily to 100!  This medical site offers a quick questionnaire (should only take 10 mins) about your diet and lifestyle.  It then gives you feedback of all the things you are doing - both right and wrong - and how you can improve your health.  There is a disclaimer at the beginning about privacy etc, but as you don't give any personal details about name address (you can even make up your post code) I couldn't see anything to fear.  
https://www.livingto100.com/

GREEN STUFF
Click above for farmers' markets, farm shops, vegetable box schemes, recycling.

If you feel inspired to Grow Your Own Veg there is lots of info to be found at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/tv_and_radio/growyourownveg_index.shtml

For Your Family

If you like your children to do conventional things, try the Junior magazine website for 101 Brilliant Activities For Every Occasion.
http://www.juniormagazine.co.uk/news/article.asp?UAN=8
It has loads of lovely original ideas and, as there are 101 of them, you'll probably want to keep going back to the page for fresh inspiration.

If the kids are getting fractious there are good ideas for sparking their  creativity at:
http://education.kaboose.com/creative.html
There should be something there to keep your kids entertained.  You will need to put in the effort to get them started, but the idea is to help your children to find ways to entertain themselves, surely this is something at the top of every mother's wish list!

I've found a link to a website where you can download scanned versions of all sorts of Lego instruction plans - for those of you who are always losing these things.  It's easy to navigate, so worth a look if you have loads of random pieces but no plans.
http://www.hccamsterdam.nl/brickfactory/

If you have kids who are even thinking about going to University this is an incredibly useful site.  It shows a map of the UK and you simply click on the relevant town or city to pull up the website for their University.  Magic!
http://www.scit.wlv.ac.uk/ukinfo/

For an overview of the National Curriculum, detailing what exactly your child will learn at each stage, go to the Learning Journey.  
It's very clearly laid out and has lovely illustrations by Quentin Blake to keep it interesting!  The Discover section is absolutely invaluable when helping your child with homework projects.

SAVE EASTBOURNE DGH  

The NHS is considering moving services for "high risk" maternity and special care paediatric patients to Hastings and downgrading the DGH to a "low risk" birthing centre.  If this goes ahead, the most vulnerable mums-to-be and sick children will have to travel for 45 minutes along the difficult A259 in order to receive the care they need.

As every mum knows, pregnancy and giving birth can be both stressful and unpredictable experiences. These are made much easier when the mother feels confident that she will have all the helps she needs, when and where she needs it.  Whether you are someone who has benefited in the past from the excellent care that the DGH’s maternity staff have provided, or wish to have children at the DGH in the future, it is vital that you act now.

You can visit www.savethedgh.org.uk and read more about this, but it is also important that you take some action.  The most effective is to write to the powers-that-be to express your disapproval.  As long as you do this and pop them into the nearest postbox when you go out, then you’ll have done your bit - your actions could even save a life!

LOCAL ‘SAVE A LIFE’ CLASSES.

Would you know what to do in an emergency?
The NHS runs First Aid and Emergency Resuscitation Training classes. These are designed to give a basic understanding of life saving techniques. The classes are FREE, last for only two hours and are open to anyone aged 9 and over.

Seaford:
Seaford Health Centre, Dane Road, Seaford.

Eastbourne:
Eastbourne Association of Voluntary Services,
8 Saffrons Road, Eastbourne.

Lewes:
Orchard House, Lewes Victoria Hospital, Nevill Road, Lewes.

Hailsham:
Hailsham Health Centre, Vicarage Fields, Hailsham.

Call (01323) 430003 for further details and to book a place.