Classic Car Show, Uttoxter Racecourse

This classic car and bike show on Sunday 29 September features car club displays from the Potteries Capri Club,  North Baam Classic Car Club and the Jaguar Enthusiasts Club.  Also, 80 private entries will represent popular manufacturers such as Triumph, MG, Ford, Singer, Buick, Vauxhall and Austin. The event is organised by James Austin Events.

According to the website, this show also attracts a good number of classic bikes such as BSA, Norton and Matchless etc.  If your children are interested in cars (maybe even classic cars) then this could be a good show.  It's not free (unlike the recent show at Stoke Michelin and the Britannia Stadium) but if it appeals to your children, then it is more likely to be good value.

Tickets:  £6.00 per adult, £2.00 per child (7-14yrs), under-7s are free
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Sunday 29 September
10am - 3.30pm

Uttoxeter Racecourse
Uttoxeter
Sta ffs
ST14 8BD
Location map

Jodrell Bank: Snowballs in Space

The Jodrell Bank Radio Telescope and Observatory is a great place to visit on an ordinary weekend, but during October half term they have some special events on. The main child-friendly event is 'Snowballs in Space' which runs on weekdays from 21 October - 1 November (covering the early and late half term holidays).  The event looks like lots of fun - they suggest children aged 5+ and if there's sitting down and listening to a presentation, I'm inclined to agree!

There's already plenty to do, as I said, but the shows are on at 11.30, 12.30, 2.30 and 3.30 pm. The telephone number is 01477 571 766, call to reserve your seats.

Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre
The University of Manchester
Macclesfield
Cheshire
SK11 9DL
Sat nav: SK11 9DW

Location map

Fiat: "Dad, get your trousers back"

I have an interest in cars.  It's only a typical Dad-type interest - I don't drool over car magazines, I don't go racing or polish my car to within an inch of its life.  But my car needs to be reliable enough to do the school run and to take my family on Days Out With Daddy, with enough room for everybody to be comfortable, and for the back-seat occupants, to have enough space to play with their various toys without hitting each other.

And I like looking at car adverts periodically, and we go to motor shows.  I have no intention of swapping my car, but I like to window shop occasionally.

Which brings me to the latest advertising campaign by Fiat.  What are they thinking?

Do they really think I'm going to 'get my trousers back' by driving a car that's bright marigold yellow? Seriously?

Bargain Book Sale, Hanley Library

Starting 23 September at Hanley Central Library (location), there'll be a bargain book sale.  And not just books, but CDs and DVDs too.  I can't recall the prices, but "bargain" is accurate.  At the last sale, I think it was £1 for DVDs and 50p for CDs - the books were variable depending on fiction/non-fiction, and children's books were particularly cheap.  In fact at the last one in Tunstall Library a few months ago, they got to the stage where they were offering a bag of books for 50p - choose your own books and fill a bag.

Highly recommended for your younger readers (and for parents too!).

Sale starts 23 September, and it's first come, best read.  Finishes Saturday 5 October.

Odeon Kids Films Update

Just a word of warning to add on to my recent post about the Odeon Kids' Club which runs on Saturday and Sunday mornings:  Odeon shows a number of children's films at around the same time in the morning, but only one of them is Kids' Club and has the lower price.  We recently went to watch Despicable Me 2 which started at 10:50, and made the mistake of assuming that because it was a kids' movie, it would have the special rate.  The Kids' Club movie is the one that start at 11:00 am, and it's the only one that is discounted.

Otherwise, a family outing that you think will cost £10 (£2.50 x 4) will cost closer to £25.

Mike The Knight at Warwick Castle

Mike the Knight will be visiting Warwick Castle on the weekends of 21-22 September and 28-29 September. There'll be a range of chivalrous activities and a multitude of medieval missions, including an opportunity to meet  Mike himself, so your little knights in training won’t want to miss out!

Whether it's trying out their archery skills at Mike’s Target Test, setting off on an adventure of discovery with Sparkie and Squirt in the Dragon Egg Hunt, or exploring the castle and grounds of Britain’s ultimate Castle, it will be a  magical medieval day of fun for the whole family!

This is on the southern edge of the area this blog normally covers, but it's worth a trip out if your children can handle the journey, and if they like castles, or Mike the Knight... or both.  The normal admission fee for Warwick Castle applies.

Warwick Castle website
Warwick Castle location

Warwick Castle, Warwick CV34 4QU

Ipstones Fire Station Open Day

Ipstones Fire Station Open Day
Ipstones Fire Station Location
Ipstones Fire Station, Froghall Road, Ipstones, ST10 2NA

Saturday 7 September 12:30 - 5:00

Another fire station open day!  It seems as if they're like buses; you wait ages for one, then two or three come along at once.  If this one is closer to you than Macclesfield Fire Station (with its open day on the same day), then it'll be worth a look.  There are all the usual fire station attractions - the fire engines; rescue demonstrations and so on- with the added drama of an animal rescue (a horse) from a trailer.  There are two road races, at 2:45 and 3:30, so watch out if you're in the local area.