Jaides Stage studios is a brilliant organisation in Rugby, Warwickshire, not only is this a…read moreperforming arts school but also a registered charity (no 1124316) that aims to offer free places or subsidized classes to various children within the community, including under privileged, the disadvantaged, low academic achievers, children whose parents receive low incomes, special needs and the black and ethnic minorities. I first came in contact with Jaides over two years ago, when my little boy was just coming up to five years old and myself and my husband decided we wanted him to have a out of school hobby that would help him gain confidence and also something that he would enjoy. My husband came up with all the usual a daddy normally does, footy, kickboxing, karate, Rugby..... But I tried to think more about what did he like doing. He like many children loved singing and dancing, he was not especially brilliant at it or anything (the gene of the two left feet was passed on from his daddy) but I thought why not try it. I had a look on the internet for a dance school in rugby and came up with Jaides website, so I gave the number a call and it was the best phone call I have ever made. I got through to a wonderful lady called Sandra Ellery, (whom is Jaides mum) she was so helpful, not only did she talk me through everything they had to offer but also said to me, that she knows what children are like and they can start clubs and go off them really quickly so she would offer my son two free classes to see how he felt about it. The following week we turned up at the studios, and upon arriving I was given loads of information, timetables, programs of shows and festivals they had taken part of and also just a really lovely welcome. We had turned up about 30 minutes before the street dance class started, so after our welcome I was told I could now leave.......OMG!!!! I can not leave my baby....I can remember thinking, but Sandra advised me that although I was clearly anxious about this, my some would be in safe hands and also this would give him the independence and confidence that I desired for him. I went downstairs and sat in the reception area, and I can say it was the longest hour ever!!!! But 1030 came and down bounced my son with the biggest smile on his face ever...sticker on his shirt.... And a jelly sweet in his hand!!! He was so happy, he told me that he had been dancing, skipping, and having lots of fun and that Jaide was brilliant and he had a sticker and a sweetie for being such a good boy. Seeing him like this made me realize that this class was going to do wonders for him. Well, as the years have gone on my son has been in numerous shows, festivals, fete's etc, he has gained two qualifications and numerous certificates and has not only made him independent, confident and also good at dancing, the biggest thing is that Jaide tries to teach her students the correct way to behave while in class, while someone to talking to you etc etc, and I can say that all her students show such maturity and great manners. **How Jaides got started* Jaide had always done lots of dancing, singing, performing etc from a very young age and worked very hard at her skills and attended classes nearly every day. At the age of 14 she wanted to be a teacher but instead of this being a girls fantasy she put it into practice, to begin with she just taught street dance, but she did not stop here she then continued with the help and support of her mother to complete her a levels, to train in all forms of dancing and pass all her teaching qualifications so she could offer more classes to the children of Rugby. When I look at what she has done, I just feel amazed, she is still only 22, but when all her friends were going out clubbing etc, she was teaching so many children so many classes, and yet I have spoke to her about this and she never regrets it, she feels privileged to be living her dream and sharing her love of the arts with different children in the community. She really is a great role model and inspiration to many children, and the kids absolutely love her to bits *What they offer* Well as I stated before they offer numerous opportunities not only for children whom are looking for a hobby or qualifications in some of the arts but also to more underprivileged children Jaides offers a numerous amount of classes; I have listed a selection of the classes on offer; IDTA Freestyle/Street Dance for ages 4-6 yrs/7-10 yrs/10-12 yrs/12-15yrs/15+ yrs and also adult classes. IDTA Ballet Preparatory, Primary, Grade 1 - Grade 6 and Pointe classes and adult classes. IDTA Tap Preparatory, Primary, Grade 1 - Grade 5 and adult classes. IDTA Theatre craft grade 1-4 IDTA Modern Jazz primary- grade 2 Musical theatre 5-10yrs/11+ years/adults Vocal singing UKCA Cheerleading IDTA gymnastics and acrobatics Melody Bear which is an introduction to dance for toddlers 2-4 yrs All classes are

I saw jaides stage studios perform at the local spring air at whitefeild wreck park, and I must say…read moreI was really impressed. They have a great staff whom obviously look after and care fgor the children very well, their costumes were fantastic and also so sweet, some of the little ones were adorable. I never realized also they are a charity until seeing their stand at the fayre, they have done a lot of work in the area also, which I think the locals are really proud and protective of them because of. I have enquires already about my daughter attending and I think I will defiantly be enrolling her when he is old enough, the staff are very imfformative and were really helpful and kind to me, especially being a dad asking about the dance classes, they made me feel really welcome and at ease. They do numerous classes, all the standard ones like ballet, tap modern etc but also things like drama and cheerleading They are defiantly a great asset to our community.

Pyrotex has a tiny shop up some stairs from a high street entrance in Burton - apparently you can…read morealso order from their website when the shop is closed and they will deliver. A few neighbours clubbed together and we spent £100 on a big firework cake called "Midnight Finale", which came with a load of smaller fireworks thrown (?) in as part of the package. The first thing I noticed was the weight difference - these were much heavier per size of cake than what I usually buy from supermarkets. This was borne out in the actual fireworks display - it was incredible! The smaller fireworks were great - the big finale cake was huge! Real ground-shaking explosions and massive starbursts. Really impressed for the money. The only caution is that we did this in a pretty large garden - the size of these fireworks mean that they really are serious about spectators needing to be a safe distance away. I am one happy pyromaniac!

I am Chairman of Tettenhall 41 Club & recently used Pyrotex to provide the fireworks display at our…read moreChristmas Ball. Pyrotex created a display which was choreographed to music & the fireworks were Brilliant, all of our attendees said the display was the best they had ever seen. You can see why they are the current champions of the British Musical Fireworks Award. I have no hesitation in reccomending Pyrotex to anyone who wants to be entertained with a Fantastic Display. Regards Anil Varma

I first came across Dave doing a primary school disco, and have since attended several of those and…read morechildren's parties that he's DJ'd at. Whilst not the flashiest of mobile discos out there, he is dependable, well-priced, popular with the children, and has a wide range of music to choose from. Personally I would choose him over the bigger set ups even for a mixed child/adult group, but maybe that's because he doesn't just play the current 'thud, thud' club music or teeny pop, but intersperses it with a bit of soft rock and indie that the parents can breathe a sigh of relief to and the kids can still bop along to. He doesn't talk down to the kids, although admittedly his patter/presentation isn't always the smoothest either (which is the only reason I didn't give 5 stars as I know it would bother some people) - me, I'm happy with less talk more music anyway, and Dave is happy to adjust to your requirements - from simple back-to-back music to running a few party games along the way.

Fantastic soft play area for children. Reasonably priced,…read moregood equipment and helpful staff. Also cater for parties.

Bumpys on the outskirts of Derby is one of the best soft play centres I have visited in many years…read moreof attempting to entertain small children. It is secure to prevent unplanned escapes and very well planned from both the children's perspective and the parents. The soft play area theme is a hot air balloon with many slides, ball pools and climbing areas to exhaust the most active child and in any weather. It is reasonably priced and provides refreshments for all which can be eaten in comfortable seating more reminiscent of a living room. It has and a comfortable temperature whatever the number of hot children !

Gala Bingo is a great way to meet up with friends and have a laugh, even win some money!!…read moreGala take bingo very seriously indeed. Which is a bit of an intresting feat when you have never been before. Definately worth going to as its a great laugh and you realise its not just for little old mena nd women with nothing better to do all day. But that any one can go and enjoy themselves at a gala club. This one is close to cross point. But even closer to the asda store off the same roundabout as mcdonalds too. there is also a pub behind the gala too which is great to go to before or even after some hardcore bingoing!! Definately worth trying if you have never been , an experience to remember especially if you win!!There are some other galas in coventry so its easy to get to a least one of them!

Brilliant place. Soft play for all ages with separate play area for under 2's. It's quite a large…read moreplace and there are different activities for different ages as well as a soft football area for all ages. Prices are good value being from £1.99 to £3.99 depending on the time. They also have a toddler deal from 10am to 3pm Mon-Fri which is £2.50 per child and includes toast/hot drink for adult and squash/biscuit for child. They also offer parties at reasonable prices for which they cater. There is a special section for children to sit down for party food usually near the end of their play although they can play a little longer afterwards if they want.

i wasnt very happy the last time i took my children here. they had run out of most foods and all…read morethat seemed to be on offer were chips. the placed seemed to be being ran by children, no more than aged 16 and we were sat at a dirty table for more than an hour. i had to ask for it to be cleaned!

i really like this place, has a nice set of staff, plenty of things to look at and a brilliant row…read moreof shops situated next to it. the cafe does the best breakfast in nuneaton! the cake shop is also a brilliant place to get a nice little something for the kids! kids might not find the center intresting but i did!

Clean eating area nice food good service served quickly so no standing in long queues.read more

The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum in Coventry was reopened following extensive reconstruction on…read more29th October 2008, as the city's main art gallery, museum, history and media centre. The museum was originally constructed from donations from Sir Alfred Herbert, who's machine tool works in Coventry was the largest in the world in the 1950s. The Herbert was first opened in 1962 but has been extensively rebuilt and added to since 2000. There are now now eight permanent galleries for its own collections together with a new history centre, housing archives documenting the life of the city though almost 800 years of its existence. There are also five temporary exhibition spaces and another five visitor galleries in which they show work across the arts and from some of the great museums and galleries in the country. Gallery 1 currently has an exhibition of photographs from the V&A, the while Gallery 4 contains an exhibition of the unusual work of Ana Maria Pacheco (see photos). Added to which, no less than three 'George Eliots' circle the galleries declaiming lines from her writings and bringing a touch of amusing realism to everyday Coventry. The Herbert must now be one of the finest city museums and art galleries in Britain - and as poppysmooch says, the cafe is excellent too!