060 PARENTING


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Kids’ corner


Historic Kent castle announces new adventure playground, helping youngsters overcome their fears and worries, Charlie and Lola creator named as new Children’s Laureate, plus games on the go


Sophie Astin


Tudor Towers, which is due to open at the end of July at the historic Kent landmark, is bigger than a four- bedroom house with its own moat, drawbridge and three turrets. Aimed at children aged seven to 14, it features three slides and two poles and lots of interactive elements split into three houses: Hawk, Bull and Squirrel. Children can experience a castle under siege with one side incomplete as if it has been attacked, with a cargo net to climb, noises of archers, a drawbridge and 10 model knights to battle past. There is a dining hall with room for Henry VIII and his six wives complete with the sounds of a crackling fi re. Tudor Towers also features different entrances and exits including a hidden Priest Hole. Instruments to play and a roof maze to solve as well as hidden boxes to fi nd, mean


Y


oung visitors can explore a 9m tall castle as part of Hever Castle’s new adventure playground.


it is sure to entertain everyone from the younger child to the teenager.


Some of the history of Hever Castle is


replicated in the new Tudor Towers area. The courtyard of the castle features shields designed by children from three schools alongside the coats of arms of some of


the previous owners of historic Hever Castle. Tudor Towers was designed by FRLA Ltd and constructed by West Sussex- based Duncan and Grove to replace the former Tower Maze playground. • Visit www.hevercastle.co.uk for admission prices and opening times.


New role for Charlie and Lola creator Lauren Child, author and illustrator of the


inimitable Charlie and Lola series (Orchard Books), has recently been announced as the 10th Waterstones Children’s Laureate.


“I want to inspire children


to believe in their own creative potential, to make their own stories and drawings and ignite in them the delight of reading for pleasure. In an increasingly fast paced world, children


need the freedom to dream and imagine; to enjoy reading, drawing and telling their own stories without value, judgement or restraint,” said Lauren, adding that she would like to “celebrate random acts of imagination” and focus on building stronger links between children’s literature and other art forms such as fi ne art, fi lm, music, television and design. The position of Children’s


Laureate originated from the then Poet Laureate Ted Hughes – himself the author of many superb stories for children – and Michael Morpurgo, its aim is to celebrate outstanding achievement in their fi eld and act as something of an advocate for children’s reading generally, be it perhaps defending the role of libraries or spreading the vital importance of books via events across the country.


©FRLA


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