Have a howling Halloween!

Spooktacular events for 2017

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LukePumpkinI might not be appreciating the start of the autumn season as much as I normally do due to the start of school but it does signify that Halloween is just around the corner and that still remains my favourite time of year.

In 2016 we marked the occasion with a themed family photoshoot with A. Rowan Photography which was great fun but, seeing as she’s taken her talent back to America, we’re going to have to keep an eyeball out for something else to do this year.

WillowWitchFortunately there’s lots to choose from in and around Lincolnshire – you can take a walk around around a pumpkin patch or some haunted city streets or, if your toes tremble too much at the thought, then take the ghost train or bus.  Whatever your deadly destination be sure to dress up to join in the frightening fun!

Some events need advance booking, there are only so many pumpkins in a pumpkin patch and, of course, all live (and undead) events are subject to change so be sure to click on the links to check the details and phone before travelling.  And don’t forget to keep checking back in case we’ve added some more eerie entertainment to the list!

September 30 – October 28:

Halloween Maize Maze, Uncle Henry’s, Grayingham

October 7-31:

Pick up a Pumpkin Festival, Maxeys Farm Shop Pumpkins, Kirklington

October 13:

11am-8pm: Spalding Pumpkin Festival, Spalding Town Centre

October 20:

4pm-5pm: Tiny Terrors in the Maize Maze, Uncle Henry’s, Grayingham

From October 21:

Halloween Festival, White Post Farm, Farnsfield

October 21-29:

Halloween Half Term, Rand Farm Park, near Market Rasen
Monster Mash-up, National Civil War Centre, Newark

October 21-30:

9am-5pm: Pumpkin Festival, Pink Pig Farm, Holme Hall
10am-3pm: Trick or Treat Treasure Trail, RSPB Frampton Marsh
10am-3.30pm: PYO Pumpkins, Doddington Hall

October 21 – November 1:

School Scarecrow Competition, Doddington Hall

October 21 – November 5:

Black Cat Trail, Wollaton Hall and Deer Park

October 22-29:

Halloween Activities, Bransby Horses Rescue and Welfare

October 23:

10am-5pm: Halloween Holiday Spooky Animal Encounter, Tattershall Farm Park

October 23-27:

Spooky Children’s Tours, Wollaton Hall and Deer Park

October 23-28:

11am-4pm: Hallowe’en Half Term, Tattershall Castle

October 23-29:

11am-4pm: Gruesome and Spooky Prison, Lincoln Castle

October 24:

1pm: Spooky Storytime with Rhubarb Theatre, Tattershall Farm Park

October 24-31:

Halloween at Hartsholme, Hartsholme Country Park

October 25:

11.30am: Spooky Storytime with Rhubarb Theatre, Tattershall Farm Park
Noon-4pm: Spooky Critters Crafts, Southwell Workhouse
6.30pm-8.30pm: Halloween Disco, Fun Farm, North Hykeham

October 25-28:

6.30pm, 7.30pm and 8.30pm: Doddington Hall ‘o’ Ween, Doddington Hall

October 26:

10am-11.30am: Pumpkin Carving, Lincoln Arboretum
10am-4pm: Haunted House: A Halloween Spectacular, The Back Garden Drama Company, Waddington Village Hall
1pm and 2.30pm: Halloween Story Walks, Easton Walled Gardens

October 26-28:

10am-3.30pm: Ghost-Hunter Kit Bags, Museum of Lincolnshire Life, Lincoln

October 27:

10am-11.30am: Pumpkin Painting Party, hosted by The Creation Station Grantham and South East Lincolnshire, Huntingtower Community Primary Academy
11.30am: Spooky Storytelling with Rhubarb Theatre, Tattershall Farm Park
2pm-4pm: Duckling Halloween Disco, Whisby Natural World Centre
2.30pm: Meet the Ghosts of Wollaton Park, Wollaton Hall and Deer Park
4.30pm-6.30pm: Children’s Halloween Party, Nettleham Library
5pm: CANCELLED, Halloween Hullabaloo and Eerie Explorers, Newark Castle
5pm-7pm: Toddler Halloween Party, Pink Pig Farm, Holme Hall
5pm-8pm: Creepy Critters, North Lincolnshire Museum, Scunthorpe
6pm-8.30pm: Halloween Roller Disco, Fun Farm, North Hykeham
Museums at Night: Ghosts, The Collection, Lincoln

October 27, 28 and 29:

4.30pm: Haunted Halloween Spooky Walk, Tattershall Farm Park

October 27, 28 and 31:

6pm and 8pm: Ghost Tours, Tattershall Castle

October 28:

10am-11am: Halloween Spectacular, Splat Messy Play, Saxilby Village Hall
10am-4pm: Shrek’s Haunted Halloween Swamp Grotto, Hildred’s Shopping Centre, Skegness
10am-4pm: Halloween at The Village of the Damned, The Village, Church Farm, Skegness
11am-5pm: Ghostly Hallowe’en Hall, Gunby Estate, Hall and Gardens
11.30am: Halloween Family Outdoor Cinema – Hocus Pocus, Rufford Abbey Country Park
noon-4.30pm: Spookymon Go! Boultham Park, Lincoln
2pm-6pm: Halloween Party, Marshall’s Yard, Gainsborough
3pm: Halloween Party, Hemswell
3.30pm-8pm: Cleethorpes Spooktacular Halloween Fireworks and Fair, Meridian Park Showground, Cleethorpes
6.30pm: Mayhem Halloween Party, Ignite Elim Church, Moorland Community Centre, Lincoln

October 28-29:

10am-5pm: Halloween Weekend, Hardy’s Animal Farm, Ingoldmells 
5pm: Halloween Ghost Bus Tour of Lincoln

October 29:

10am-4pm: Halloween Pumpkin Carving and Crafts, The Ritz, JD Wetherspoon, Lincoln
11am-4pm: Hallowe’en Spooktacular, Tattershall Castle
2pm-4.30pm: BFLF Spooky Spectacular with Mark Archer (ALTERN8), The Engine Shed, Lincoln
2pm-5.30pm: Halloween Spooktacular, Wyndham Park, Grantham
2.45pm-5.45pm: Halloween Specials, Lincolnshire Wolds Railway
4pm-6pm: Light Party Jungle, Bardney Village Hall

October 31:

5.30pm: Great Lives Halloween Special with Chris Packham, LPAC, Lincoln
6pm: Halloween at Cogglesford, Cogglesford Watermill, Sleaford
6.30pm, 6.45pm, 7pm and 7.30pm: Lincoln Ghost Walks
Victorian Night of Fear, Lincoln Castle

November 3:

6pm-8pm: Leo Lion Cubs Club Halloween Party, Leo’s Play Centre, Newark

Have I missed your event?  Email me at hello@theminimalpi.co.uk

 

On the trail of the Lincoln Knights (part three)

We took advantage of a rare dry day recently to finally finish the Lincoln Knights Trail that celebrates the 800th anniversary of the Battle of Lincoln and the sealing of the Charter of the Forest.

You can, of course, complete the quest to find the 36 sculptures across the city centre in one go but then you probably won’t have had a run around The Lawn’s play park, stopped for a lesson in a Victorian schoolroom and got lost around the University’s building works along the way and your legs are probably a lot longer than the minis are.

The third installment of our hunt for the guardians on horseback saw us finally take in knight number one as we took to Lincoln’s uphill streets with Willow often leading the way calling “knight, where are you?”

This day’s selection included Luke’s favourite – 07 The Battle of Lincoln Knight – as he has always been drawn to white horses.  And also Daddy Malpi’s favourite – 10 Lincoln City Knight.

Having found all the green shields hidden on the knights and completed the key to reveal the phrase and find the answer to the quest we finished at the Lincoln Visitor Information Centre where the minis were awarded their certificates and badges and we claimed the discount on the children’s book 1217 The Battle of Lincoln book.  It might be aimed at children older than ours and we had planned to put it to one side for when they are a bit bigger but Willow was determined to do her own reading of it for us at bedtime that night.

Just because we know we’ve seen them all now hasn’t diminished their enthusiasm much and, as well as stopping for another photo each time we pass a full size one, they’re also very keen to point out the half-sized education knights designed by local children from 42 primary, secondary and special schools and the mini ones in numerous shop windows around the city.

And, on another day, we also had the chance to stop by the Knights’ Central Pop-up Shop and Activity Centre in the Cornhill to indulge in some themed colouring and crafting, making woven shields.

It’s been lovely to see so many other people of all ages taking part in the trail too whenever we’ve been in town (which makes the couple of incidences of vandalism particularly sad) and we’ll miss their colourful presence after they are auctioned off for charity.

They’ll be on their separate plinths until September 3rd so you’ve still got plenty of time to conquer Steep Hill or take them in in sections like us.  If your summer holidays are already spoken for however you also have the opportunity to take them in in one fell swoop at Lincoln Castle at The Reunion from Wednesday, September 20th to Wednesday, September 27th.

Find out more here: www.knightstrail.com

Unicorns, dragons and fairy folk fun…

Summer of Imagination at Doddington Hall

Dod2Summer of Imagination.

It says it in the title really, doesn’t it?

Such an evocative phrase leaves you conjuring up memories of halcyon days when, released from your normal routine, you’re allowed to let your body and imagination roam free, discovering worlds both real and dreamt.

So, when Doddington Hall & Gardens invited The Mini Malpi along to their summer holiday event, you can be sure we were quick to accept.

To be fair, the Elizabethan family home that’s just five miles from Lincoln – with rooms including the Tiger Bedroom, Long Gallery and Tent Room and five acres of gardens including a kitchen garden, duck pond, nature trail, statuesque trees, sculptures, maze, Temple of the Winds and even its own pyramid – has something to offer the imagination of any season’s visitor.  And its a place that we’ve often enjoyed visiting before.

But its latest programme of events capitalises on all of this and adds and highlights much more.

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Unicorns are on the family crest and a galloping blessing of the mythical creatures (created by local theatre designers Belli and Belli) greeted us as we arrived at the Historic House.  Anyone interested in hunting the long-horned white horses (as well as green topiary ones) can find plenty both large and small, hidden and in full stride, around the property.

And a quest for such imagery, along with kings, queens, animals, vehicles and secret doors was our first undertaking as we headed into the Hall and were handed a clipboard and a copy of The Unicorn Quest to hunt the items, collect the stamps and claim our prize.  Fortunately the stewards around the house were on hand to help point our eyes in the right direction if the clue eluded us as well as to tell us the stories behind the objects.

My favourite spot on this visit was learning that a hexagonal patchwork tablecloth once had love letters sewn within it but the minis’ favourite room was once again most definitely the tent room.

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The Egyptian tent made in Cairo in about 1880 is now too fragile to be erected outside so has been installed in a former bedroom.  And it definitely captured the imaginations of Luke and Willow.  Daddy and Mummy Malpi are now wondering why we ever bothered buying furniture.

DodIAt that point we decided to take their energy outside and headed to the event’s Creation Station area which, on the day we visited, included the chance to make their own Enchanted Forest Crowns with Nadya.

Whether enchanted or not, the craft of weaving dried flowers and grasses, pine cones and other nature finds into the willow and the final artefact itself were definitely enchanting and very fitting in feel with the overall event.  It was also an excellent family photo opportunity that my eldest two minis didn’t allow me to indulge in.  Visitors more prepared (and cooperative) than us had realised the potential for some magical shots as I spotted at least a couple of fairies and one Robin Hood enjoying the gardens.

And there was lots to enjoy.

Helping to fill in an insect hotel, listening to the Talking Trees (an initiative funded by the Woodland Trust and led by Lincoln College’s production and lighting designer Howell Thomas), clambering in and out of willow domes, imagining what the inhabitants of the fairy village created by the Groovy Garden Company are like, swinging a croquet mallet, playing a game of ladybird and bumble bee tic tac toe, and generally exploring the beautiful spaces all added up to a summer’s afternoon of continual delights.

As Luke’s speech improves it is lovely to discover how much he remembers of previous days out and activities and Doddington Hall has obviously made its mark as he mentioned the previous egg and spoon race he took part in as well as other trails he followed, one ducks and one rabbits.  But, as an ardent maze enthusiast, there was definitely one area that he simply had to visit again before heading to the cafe for cake.

As well as the cafe staff who saved our cake from getting soggy by helping us relocate inside at the start of a surprise short shower, we are also indebted to the lovely Hall stewards for their help in not only calming and distracting but also managing to enthuse one slightly poorly mini and one having a highly sensitive day when we first arrived (which meant their parents were slightly less fraught too).

Such warm and welcoming as well as knowledgeable staff, coupled with the magical surroundings, mean the Summer of Imagination would be a lovely destination to include in any mini’s (or major’s) summer 2017.

#DoddingtonSOI is open daily until Sunday, September 3rd, 2017 (except Saturdays), 11am to 4.30pm.  Visit www.doddingtonhall.com/summerofimagination/ for more about the event, click here for the full programme and map and visit www.doddingtonhall.com/visiting/opening-times/ for admission price information.

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“Logic will get you from A to B”, said Albert Einstein, “Imagination will take you everywhere else.”

Ingenious Inventions

Summer fun at the National Civil War Centre

CWC1When your two year old is treated as a guest of honour from the moment she steps through the door you know you’ve come to a place you’re going to want to return to.

And when the event even includes its welcome drinks in the theme of the evening then you know you’ll have good reason to return too.

Attending the launch of the National Civil War Centre’s summer fun programme Ingenious Inventions in Newark, Willow was entranced from the start as she was able to choose the colour of her drink, watching as the clear liquid became pink as it poured.

Whilst the historical centre’s exhibits obviously focus on the conflict of the period, it was also a time of great innovation and its summer programme is focusing on the “weird and wonderful stories” that 17th century science provided.

A painting activity in the courtyard inspired by Christiaan Huygens’s pendulum clock was next on Willow’s itinerary (and returned to several times throughout the evening), followed by a crafting session based on the discoveries Antonie van Leeuwenhoek made through his microscope in 1676.

She then joined a class from a local school for a talk by Prince Rupert himself – the inventor of a torpedo, a diving bell and exploding teardrops as well as a seasoned fighter and a dab hand on the tennis court.  The pupils’ infectious enthusiasm and focused exuberance was a credit to their school as well as to the presentation which also held Willow’s attention.

Telescopes, pump activated rockets, an inflatable flea and the arrival of her brother and daddy meaning she could go through it all again meant I very nearly didn’t get to see any of the main part of the centre which currently includes the temporary exhibition Shifting Sands: Lawrence of Arabia and the Great Arab Revolt and there’s still a whole floor I haven’t set foot on yet.

So, along with any young historian or science enthusiast visiting for the first time, we know we’ll still have a lot to enjoy next time we’re in the Nottinghamshire town’s museum.  And we know we’ll have particularly lovely guides to aid our discoveries too.

The schedule of summer fun will run from July 29th to September 3rd.  Either Mad Madge or Prince Rupert of the Rhine will be performing daily from Monday to Saturday.  Every Monday will be a Messy Monday with pendulum painting.

Aug 1-6 and Sept 2-6: Terrific Telescopes – Make your own heavenly creations and imagine the 17th Century stars with build your own telescope sessions.
Aug 8-13: Ticking Technology – Put history in your pocket and make a mini watch to carry in your Restoration waistcoat.
Aug 15-21: Microscopic Monsters –  Learn what 17th Century scientists saw when they first looked through a microscope and make some friendly bacteria to take home.
Aug 22-28: A Right Royal Rocket – Investigate the work of a 17th Century scientist and launch your own rocket.
Aug 29-Sept 1: Crafty Calculations – Did you know that the first calculator was invented in the seventeenth century?  Learn about Pascal’s adding machine and make some crafty calculations of your own.

The centre is offering 20% off admission for families this summer.  Valid from July 29th to September 3rd, it applies to any size group with at least one paying child.  Children under 5 enter for free.  Visit www.nationalcivilwarcentre.com for further information.

F is for Faith (…and fuchsia)

IMG_9579Every mother knows that her own children are gorgeous but it’s always nice to hear it confirmed by other people too.

And it was lovely to hear that a photo I shared of Faith on @TheMiniMalpi Twitter account caught the attention of the artist behind Bertie Bear Button Art and Crafts.

Designing and hand making personalised artwork with buttons, Sarah from Kirton Lindsey in North Lincolnshire, offered to send Faith her own individually designed initial art frame and, as you can see, she was very pleased with the finished piece.

The idea appealed to me for several reasons – I love words and letters, button is a term of endearment I often use for all three of my minis and it’s always lovely to have something personalised and individual appropriate to your unique child.

And the frame lived up to those expectations too.  The natural wooden frame can be freestanding or hung on a wall and came very securely padded in a mailing box surviving two deliveries in our case as a neighbour was kind enough to receive it for us when we missed the postman.

The mix of buttons sizes, shapes and shades is lovely and I like the 3D dimension to the nature of the craft.  I think most parents would love the heart button but, as Faith is currently waiting for a heart operation, it has extra significance to us and I like its prominent placing.  There is a bow button, flowers and the butterfly would definitely currently be a winner with Faith’s older sister.

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The frames currently come in either pink or blue.  I’m quite a fan of using other colours too and Sarah says this is something she’d consider in the future although it’s understandable why those two colours are the mainstays in her button stash.  Plus when I was trying to think of a colour that begins with f as well I just came up with fuchsia anyway!

I’m sure it will make a lovely feature to her bedroom wall for years to come.

As well as initials, Sarah’s designs also include a family tree, ballerina, heart, the words home and love and an apple perfect for a teacher thank you present.  Find out more at Bertie Bear Button Art.

If you’d like a unique letter button frame made for your mini one or would like to buy any of her artworks as a gift then Sarah is offering The Mini Malpi readers 25% off their order.   Use the code THEMINIMALPI25 in her Etsy store at to claim your discount.  And we’d love to see your photos of your little one with their own art piece too so don’t forget to tweet us @TheMiniMalpi.

The BFG, Mr Men and a gecko’s echo…

Newark Book Festival 2017

Formerly known as Books in the Castle, this year’s Newark Book Festival (July 15th and 16th) was rebranded, revamped and a resounding success.

With a last minute change to the mini ones weekend schedule we headed to Newark on Saturday instead of Sunday as planned and, with many of the events already sold out, we were very glad there were also street theatre acts to enjoy and drop-in workshops to join in too.

On arriving in the Nottinghamshire town, we located the festival’s stall in the market place and were just in time to enjoy a performance by The Smallest Theatre in the World.

The humorous take on Hound of the Baskervilles (in celebration of the 125th anniversary of the first Sherlock Holmes publication) involved audience participation and hijinks that captivated Willow who got especially excited whenever a character popped up on top of the theatre’s roof.

NBF3We then took time to listen to Doctor Rhyme reading us a poem describing the problems of trying to write a poem when your tin of alphabetti spaghetti turns out to be spaghetti hoops and requested a poem to be written in celebration of Luke starting school this year.

A quick chase of the BFG around the market place, who we were quite happy to wave at but not quite brave enough to high five, and a short stop to refuel and then we set off to join in the Make and Create: Mr Men session at Millgate Community Centre.

Cardboard templates, scrunched up newspaper, kitchen roll liners, tissue paper coloured squares, facial features and accessory add ons plus some liberally applied glue and sticky tape and Luke had his own Mr Tickle and Willow a Mr Man all of her own creation.

The Roger Hargreaves characters are staple reading in the minis’ library and it was a well thought out craft that the smallest of hands could join with, that could be similarly recreated at home with a rummage through your recycling and which it wasn’t too difficult to get a recognisable finished artwork from.

There was more even crafting to be done afterwards as we headed to Newark Library where there was also dancing and stories to listen to as children’s author Lucy Rowland introduced young readers to her titles The Birthday Invitation and Gecko’s Echo alongside the library launching its Summer Reading Challenge.  Luke was suitably impressed, requesting to buy a copy of Gecko’s Echo to take home with us which he was able to watch the author sign for him and his sisters.

Before it was time to go back to the car we stopped to explore Newark Library’s lovely children’s area with it’s inventive seating and bookshelves that are also tunnels, it’s play kitchen and dolls’ house.  Willow had clearly got the message that books are good as she helped herself to a huge pile of different titles to have mini excerpts read to her from.

And, back at home, bedtime reading requests involved several renditions of Gecko’s Echo (and who wouldn’t appreciate a story featuring a strong mother?) with a couple of the Mr Men stories to follow.

I used to love attending literary festivals before I had children and, whilst it may be in a slightly different way, it can be even more fun with them.  Definitely one for the diary for 2018, hopefully with a little more planning involved too.