Around Britain with babyworld
Babyworld’s regional discussion forums are the perfect place to chat
with other members who live close to you. If you’re planning a visit to
another area, check out the appropriate forum for recommendations of good
days out, places to eat as well as places to avoid from the people who
really know – the parents who live there! Morag Peers, herself a moderator,
spoke to three of our forum members who live at the top, bottom and middle
of the UK!
- Esther – our most northerly babyworlder
from Shetland - Cath – our most southerly babyworlder
from Jersey in the Channel Islands - Jennie – the most centrally located member who
lives in Derbyshire
Mum Esther, children Beth Iona, 2 years, bump 28wks at time of writing!
Why do you like BW? I have found BW antenatal forums very helpful
and supportive through both my pregnancies so far.
What
brought you to the place you live? We were looking for somewhere which
offered a better quality of life for ourselves and our children. We now
live in a traditional croft house (pictured left) in the middle of a field
beside a stream, but in a thriving community with 18 under-fives within
a 2 mile radius! Our local school has 77 pupils; my husband is the principal
teacher in a school (in an even more rural area of Shetland) of 6 pupils!
What’s the best / worst thing about living where you do? It is
a fantastic place to live, loads of space, stunning views, empty beaches,
very friendly and welcoming local community and very safe and free for
children to grow up in. Worst thing is probably the distance and cost
from mainland UK – it is over an hour on the plane or 14hrs on the ferry!
Best family-friendly attraction in the area? Probably the beaches,
white sand, bright blue sea, lots of seals and other wildlife and the
chance of seeing whales during June/July time. If the weather is poor
then the big new museum in Lerwick which is very family friendly and
well designed. (www.shetland-museum.org.uk)
What’s family life like in Shetland? Shetland is very family
friendly, it is usual for families to all muck in and work together
and the community spirit is strong here. Fathers and grandfathers are
very visible here and regularly seen taking their children to toddler
groups or kids’ activities in the leisure centre etc.
Are there are strange/funny local customs or dialect words from
where you are? There is a whole new dialect here but my favourite
child related ones are ‘peerie mootie’ (little one) or ‘peerie wife’
(little girl), both used in as affectionate pet names. We have Up-Helly-Aa
every year where there almost every parish provides a squad of men (and
sometimes women and children) in Viking dress who do various function
during the year but most importantly attend Up-Helly-Aa in their own
area and in Lerwick, where there is a bankholiday with fancy dress parades
culminating in the burning of a full size replica viking long ship.
It is a great event for the whole family and the celebrations go on
all night (the tickets to the halls are for 8pm-8am!) and everyone attends.
CathCath (34) Children: Hannah 6 years, Caleb 4 years and Jared 6
weeks.
Why do you like BW?
It is full of really useful information and the antenatal clubs provide
wonderful support from people at the same stage as you.
What brought you to the place you live? I had just qualified
as a dental hygienist and decided I would like to work in Jersey for
a while, then I met my husband and the rest is history really!
What’s the best / worst thing about living where you do?
Best: it is a safe environment to bring up the kids. Jersey feels about
10 or 15 years behind the times, but in a good way. There is a good
sense of community and crime rates are extremely low.
Worst It can sometimes get a bit claustrophobic only being 9 miles
by 5 and you need to be able to get off the “rock” for a break!
Best family-friendly attraction in the area Either Durrell Wildlife
conservation Trust (www.durrellwildlife.org) or the Amaizin Maze play
park (www.jerseyleisure.com).
What’s family life like in Jersey?
Generally good. There are lovely outdoors things to do: lots of beaches;
“green lanes” in the countryside where cars are restricted to 15 mph
and are supposed to give way to pedestrians. It can be expensive here
- the price of food is what we notice most (1 litre of milk is £1.04)
and house prices are phenomenally high. It isn’t true that everyone
is rich in Jersey – most families have to have two incomes just to survive
and there is a real dilemma for parents to decide what is best in terms
of staying at home, finding part-time work and part-time child care,
finding full-time work and juggling everything else. The small scale
of the island can make it feel stuffy, but at the same time it’s great
to be able to walk into town and have everything you need there, or
to walk in the opposite direction and be surrounded by fields and trees.
Are there are strange/funny local customs or dialect words from
where you are?
Jersey has a French influence, so the street names are sometimes pronounced
in unexpected ways. Eg “Ouaisne” is pronounced “way nay.” There is almost
no French spoken by locals now, although they refer to themselves as
Jersey beans. In some ways we’re still newcomers after 11 years, but
so are most people we know!
JennieJennie (29) Matt (35) Georgia,3 years.
Why do you like BW? I can be as involved or distant as I feel
comfortable with. There’s always someone who has experience in
every aspect of pregnancy and babies/toddlers. I have made some great
friends all over the country.
What brought you to the place you live? My husband and I couldn’t
agree on countryside or city. I like countryside. Our village is very
close to the town of Swadlincote and Burton on Trent. It’s right close
to the A444 and motorway networks so my husband can commute to work
easily. With it being in a village we get the clean air and countryside
all around us within walking distance. We get the best of both worlds.
What’s the best / worst thing about living where you do? Worst
thing is I am not close enough to my family to pop around. They live
about 45 minutes away. Best thing is the local parks and the houses
were cheaper here so we got our dream house.
Best family-friendly attraction in the area? Twycross zoo.(
www.twycrosszoo.com) We love it there and have an annual pass. It’s
as quick as going to the park and it has the added bonus of having animals
in it.
What’s family life like in Jersey? Very activity focused. Lots
to do in the outdoors. could do with some more activities a bit closer
like cinema, bowling etc. The area was heavily mined so there are some
local history places.
Are there are strange/funny local customs or dialect words from where
you are? Aye up (hello).. ow-do. (how are you). northern accents but
dampened down.
Where to next?
- Find
out more about babyworld’s Regional forums. - Enjoy
tales of parents’ holiday experiences! - A
family guide to camping - Beach
babies – the best of British beaches. - Going away? Check
out the babyworld shop for lots of great travel products.
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