Rosie's Holiday At Cornerstones

Rosie has spent a whole week at Cornerstones.Mum, Dad and Jess are back in London. Every morning we have cycled to swimming lessons at the village school. We have made origami animals, tried  breadmaking and boatbuilding, written up a holiday diary, visited The Museum of Norwich, done the Animal Trail in the Shopping Centre, visited the Workhouse Museum, read books, completed maths challenges, had a film night with the grandchildren staying next door, and generally had lots of fun. 

Grandma's Thankyou awards for child friendly places

1. The Museum Of Norwich We got in free [we are members, and Julian gave me the voucher he got last month when we went to the Castle] Lots of extra free activities for the children; a Snap-the-dragon finger puppet, and museum guide. More dress up gear, and a puppet theatre where families could put on impromptu plays. 
   
2. Chantry Place Shopping Centre with a free Animal Trail, medal and goodie bag on completion and all entrants have the chance to win an annual family pass for Banham Zoo. 
   
3. Bill's and other eating places offering free meals for children. Very impressed with staff who chatted with Rosie as they served us, and took a genuine interest in her 'dining experience' and her holiday plans. 
   
4. Waterstones, Norwich Rosie knew which book series she was looking for. The assistant helped her find it, and had a great conversation with her about her current reading choices
   
5. Dereham Library and all other libraries running brilliant free holiday reading schemes
   
6. Charity Shops - too many to list - where there are clear, well displayed children's books and toys. Special mention for EACH and RSPCA Dereham, and their friendly staff. 
7. Gressenhall Museum - so much to see and too, enthusiastic staff and volunteers, well planned activities for all ages. As Museum Pass Holders we get in free, and get 10% discount in the café, but entrance fee is rather pricey for school children I think. However we were there over 3 hours. There's the museum, farm and adventure playground, plus café, gift shop and 2nd hand bookshop. Always enjoyable with new things to discover. 
   
   Less than satisfactory - The Smiggle Store. This place was teeming with children, pestering parents for backpacks, water bottles, pencil cases etc. The basic* pencil cases start at £8, regular backpacks £20+. A back-to-school "bundle" with just four matching items  [backpack, pencil case, lunchbag & water bottle] sets you back £65. I see no evidence these will last any longer than cheaper stuff, and I imagine they will be more easily "lost". Kids do not need these. Parents don't need to be pressured into purchasing. *not sale prices

Smiggle Stores this year are proudly supporting The Diana Award, an anti bullying campaign encouraging kindness. Rosie, bless her, recognised that the stuff on offer was beyond her budget, but asked if she could fill in a Kindness Pledge. She wrote her thoughtful message, then took it to a member of staff [as per the notice by the till] The girl took it [without a word of thanks] walked back to the till, and put it in the drawer. We stood there "What happens now?" I asked. "Later on we will stick it on the wall" she replied. No sign of any certificate to take home [as promised on the notice] , or any comment on what Ro had written. Or any display of kindness. Rosie and her grandmother were not impressed! 

This is a Smiggle Beau Jewellery Box. They came out in 2020 and cost £25. But Ro found one, as new, for just £2 in a Dereham CS. Well done Rosie!