Jetsettersblog

A SELECTION OF SNAKE DISHES AND SEASONAL DELICACIES

With the cooler winter weather here, it’s the perfect time to indulge in warmer culinary treats such as hearty, wholesome snake dishes. Chef Siu Hin-chi, Executive Chinese Chef of The Langham, Hong Kong has created a 1st to 31 December Specialty Menu at T’ang Court featuring four tantalising snake favourites plus nine other delicious, nutritious delights.

“We Chinese love seasonal food and snake is one of our favourite ways to boost our health during autumn and winter. Chinese medical practitioners believe that snake has healthy benefits which warm the body and adds to our immune system’s effectiveness. To help diners at T’ang Court fight off the winter chills, my team and I will be preparing four heart-warming, savory snake dishes. Standouts will include braised snake soup with “Wu Shan” chicken julienne, braised shark’s fin with snake and “Wu Shan” chicken julienne. The sautéed sliced snake with conpoy and medlar and sautéed shredded snake and Beche-de-Mer with red and yellow bell pepper are other can’t miss delights”, said Chef Siu.

In addition to its snake creations, T’ang Court will be inviting visitors to banish the cold with a variety of other tasty winter treats. Chef Siu’s recommendations include double-boiled fish maw, “Wu Shan” chicken and sea whelk with Chinese herbs soup. T’ang Court diners old and new are also sure to love the stewed beche-de-Mer filled with sliced lobster, shrimp paste and topped with crab meat and crab roe. The sautéed sliced lamb with preserved sausage, Chinese celery and snow peas and stewed lamb with black mushrooms, bamboo shoot, roasted pork and water chestnut in casserole are other dishes that are sure to be in rich demand.

As T’ang Court’s December specials are only available for a limited time, don’t miss out on these beautifully prepared and served winter warmers. For enquires or reservations, please call 2132 7898.

Hongkong Jet is delighted to announce that on 7th November 2011, it was awarded an Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) from Hong Kong’s Civil Aviation Department (CAD), following a comprehensive review by HKCAD of the strength of Hongkong Jet’s flight operations, safety management system, maintenance management, and flight dispatch.

Chris Buchholz, CEO of Hongkong Jet, said “we are very excited to have been awarded an AOC by the highly respected Hong Kong CAD, which is well known for having very high flight and airworthiness standards. Our customers are very pleased to finally have access to 100% charter-dedicated ultra-long haul G550 business aircraft in our region with impeccable 5-star service. Hong Kong is widely acknowledged to be Asia’s World City, and similarly our goal is to always be a world class business jet operator that combines the best of international standards and unsurpassed Asian service excellence. With our Group being unique in having both a Hong Kong and Mainland China AOC, we believe we are uniquely placed to provide highly customized aircraft management solutions for our discerning customers for the full range of aircraft types in various locations in the Asian region.” Chris Buchholz added “as the international arm of the HNA Group for business aviation, we are uniquely placed to capitalize on the continuing evolution of the market and in customer sophistication. Business jet owners demand highly customized impeccable service, and thanks to our fantastic team and the great support of our group, we are confident that we will be able to deliver long term value to our customers, with safety as our very top priority, always, while providing service excellence in everything we do”.

Hongkong Jet expects to see strong growth in the years ahead, especially in Greater China and other Asian markets. Hongkong Jet feels it has put together one of the best teams ever assembled in business aviation, and backed by the strength and entrepreneurial approach of HNA Group, Hongkong Jet is focused on becoming a market leader in a number of different areas of business aviation through both organic growth and acquisitions in Asia and beyond.
-ENDS-

Hongkong Jet. Established in 2009, Hongkong Jet was set up as an international business jet operator headquartered in Hong Kong, spanning private jet aircraft management, business jet charter, aircraft maintenance management, aircraft sales and other offerings. Headquartered in Hong Kong, Hongkong Jet was set up to become a leading business aviation business in the region, focusing on world-class safety standards as governed by the stringent Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department airline regulations, as well as on impeccable cabin service that discerning international customers demand. With its Hong Kong based international management team, Hongkong Jet is set to operate an increasingly large fleet of large cabin business jets in the next few years, having already commenced operations with ultra-long-haul Gulfstream G550 aircraft that can fly non-stop from Hong Kong to as far as London or San Francisco. A key investor of Hongkong Jet is HNA Group, which includes a 5-star Skytrax ranked major airline in Mainland China, a Hong Kong based airline, and the largest operator of business jets in Mainland China. For further details, please browse our website www.hk-jet.com

Silversea Cruises为独游人士呈献非凡礼遇，适用于2012年1月及2月期间时尚邮轮Silver Shadow的两项澳洲海上假期。宾客可尊享堪称前所未见的单人附加费优惠──较占半房之每人航费仅高出10%，并可获得每套房500美元的「豪华通行证」（Passport to Luxury）船上消费金额。

Silver Shadow将于2012年1月5日展开15天旅程，由奥克兰启程前往悉尼，途中造访岛屿湾、惠灵顿、阿卡罗阿、查默斯港（达尼丁）及斯图尔岛，然后航游至米尔福德峡湾、达斯奇峡湾，并跨越塔斯曼海前往霍巴特和墨尔本，在墨尔本停留一晚，让旅客尽情探索。澳洲最著名摄影指导之一Pieter de Vries将为宾客带来精采的增益讲座。全包式邮轮航费每位定价由9,238 美元起，单人占房。

另外，Silver Shadow将于2012年2月4日踏上19天的旅程，由奥克兰出发，以弗里曼特尔为终站，途中到访新西兰纳皮尔、惠灵顿和皮克顿，以及澳洲悉尼、墨尔本、阿德莱德、林肯港和奥尔巴尼。旅程上，强劲的客席嘉宾阵容将带来一个又一个引人入胜的增益讲座，其中包括美食家Maggie Beer、人质谈判及人道主义者Terry Waite，以及历史学家暨世界事务专家Philip Hurst等。全包式邮轮航费每位定价由11,702美元起，单人占房。

Silversea邮轮近乎一比一的船员与宾客比例让独游宾客享受到高度个人化的服务、殷勤款待，以及宾至如归的氛围。此外，登上任何一项Silversea旅程的独游宾客，均可获奉上迎宾香槟。而特定旅程上更设有社交大使（Gentlemen Hosts），这些风趣、亲切、杰出的男士可与单身女性宾客结伴同游、共晋美膳，或担当舞伴等。

登上Silver Shadow，宾客将可享受全套房式海景住宿，以及Silversea素以闻名的时尚生活体验，当中包括管家服务；由Relais & Châteaux设计的极尚美食；免费优质葡萄酒、烈酒和香槟；以及所有小费。

查询详情，请浏览www.silversea.com

（香港，2011年11月10日）於中環置地廣場The Landmark Men開業僅六個月的GENTLEMEN’S TONIC榮獲AsiaSpa 2011年度的Men’s Spa of the Year獎項！頒獎典禮昨晚假尖沙咀The Mira Hong Kong酒店舉行。

在亞洲十一間最頂尖的儀容修護專門店當中，GENTLEMEN’S TONIC成功脫穎而出，獲取2011年度Men’s Spa of the Year，並同時入圍Men’s Spa Treatment of the Year及Men’s Product Line of the Year兩個組別。獎項及提名表示了業界對GENTLEMEN’S TONIC多元化而全面的服務的認同及嘉許。專為紳士而設的修護套餐全部以經典男士偶像命名（如The Shackleton、The Edison、The Rubio）或傳統的Rejuvenation Facial、Deep Tissue-Sports Therapy、Wet-Shave，以及Father & Son Haircut and Finish，GENTLEMEN’S TONIC的團隊根據每位客人的個別需要，配搭出最適合他們的套餐。

GENTLEMEN’S TONIC憑藉The Hemingway套餐（包括舒適的香薰面部護理、全身按摩及一杯Bloody Mary，120分鐘）及自家品牌Babassu & Bergamot成功入選Men’s Spa Treatment of the Year及Men’s Product line of the Year兩項提名。Babassu & Bergamot產品都是以最適合男士髮膚、可持續再生的天然植物製造而成。此系列經過三年時間由英國頂尖的產品配方公司研製，由研製過程到生產全都是在英國進行。

GENTLEMEN’S TONIC的總經理Sarah Chung說：「這都是團隊努力的成果。我們十分感謝AsiaSpa對我們的認同，尤其是我們只是開業了一段短時間。在我們的合作伙伴TELLI (Hong Kong) Limited的協助下，我們深受香港市場的歡迎。我們希望能繼續在Landmark Men為香港的男士以及訪港旅客提供各種修護服務。」

GENTLEMEN’S TONIC於2004年在倫敦開張，現於倫敦有四間分店，包括Mayfair、Selfridges、Park Lane及Gieves & Hawkes，並正計劃於2012年開設更多分店。

GENTLEMEN’S TONIC室內設計舒適而時尚，是為男士而設的豪華歇息地。店內的設計以木、真皮及大理石為主，令客人可休閒地享受私人的理髮室與各種服務室，並免費上網、收看電視及閱讀報紙雜誌等。

各位紳士男士，不妨到The Landmark Men 地庫的GENTLEMEN’S TONIC體驗這得獎修護店所提供的服務！

GENTLEMEN’S TONIC合作伙伴
GENTLEMEN’S TONIC與商業伙伴 TELLI (Hong Kong) Limited合作，將專門店帶到香港。TELLI (Hong Kong) Limited是TELLI Bio Boutique旗下的子公司，創立於2009年12月。

這家私營公司由Aselle Tasmagambetova於2007年創立。意識到市場上對可靠及高質素的順勢療法及美容時尚店的需求，公司於阿拉木圖Dostyk Avenue 開設旗下首家TELLI Bio-Boutique。TELLI Bio-Boutique將順勢療法、美容護理、香水旗艦店、美容部門及有機咖啡店融合，成為獨一無二的概念。TELLI Bio-Boutique專為愛奢華的客人提供服務，並相信「優雅、美麗與健康是下可分割的」。位於阿拉木圖及鄰近國家的分店，室內設計富現化感、創新又不失型格。

如需要更多資料，請瀏覽TELLI Bio-Boutique 網址www.telli.kz 。

有關其他服務套餐，請瀏覽
www.gentlemenstonic.com

(Hong Kong,) GENTLEMEN’S TONIC having opened its doors in The Landmark Men, Central, six short months ago, has taken home AsiaSpa’s coveted Men’s Spa of the Year 2011 award at last night’s award ceremony at The Mira Hong Kong, Tsim Sha Tsui!

In a category of eleven of the best regional spas, GENTLEMEN’S TONIC emerged victorious as Men’s Spa of the Year 2011 and was pleased to obtain a shortlisting for both Men’s Spa Treatment of the Year and Men’s Product Line of the Year. The award and nominations acknowledge the holistic, accessible and diverse menu that GENTLEMEN’S TONIC offers its clientele. Reassuringly masculine there is something for every gent, be it a signature package based on famous male personas (The Shackleton, The Edison, The Rubio) or a more traditional Rejuvenation Facial, Deep Tissue-Sports Therapy, Wet-Shave to Father & Son Haircut and Finish, GENTLEMEN’S TONIC’s staff pride themselves on offering a bespoke service catering to the individual client’s needs.

The nominations for Men’s Spa Treatment of the Year and Men’s Product line of the Year recognise the popular The Hemingway treatment (a 120 minute package which includes a relaxing aromatherapy facial and massage and Bloody Mary) and the brands’ own product range Babassu & Bergamot, which consists of naturally based plant-derived materials from sustained and renewable resources that are specifically formulated for men’s skin and hair. The line has taken three years of development by one of the UK’s leading product formulators and has been developed, formulated and produced entirely in the UK.

Sarah Chung, Manager of GENTLEMEN’S TONIC, said, “This was a team effort. We feel very grateful to be recognised by AsiaSpa on this occasion, especially so soon after opening! With the help of our business partner, TELLI (Hong Kong) Limited, GENTLEMEN’S TONIC has received an incredible reception. We look forward to continuing to cater for the grooming needs of Hong Kong’s gentlemen, and of course visitors to the city, at our Landmark Men location.”

GENTLEMEN’S TONIC was launched in London in 2004, and now has four London establishments, Mayfair, Selfridges, Park Lane and Gieves & Hawkes, with further sites opening in 2012.

Comfortable and stylish, GENTLEMEN’S TONIC is a luxurious refuge designed exclusively for men. With wood, leather and marble furnishings, clients can sit back, relax and enjoy their private haircutting stations and treatment rooms along with access to the Internet, TV’s and a selection of newspapers and magazines.

Gents, treat yourselves to an award-winning experience at GENTLEMEN’S TONIC in the basement of The Landmark Men!

GENTLEMEN’S TONIC Business Partner

GENTLEMEN’S TONIC is brought to Hong Kong in conjunction with business partner TELLI (Hong Kong) Limited. TELLI (Hong Kong) Limited, the subsidiary company of TELLI Kazakhstan Limited, was established in January 2010.

The privately owned company was founded in 2008 by Aselle Tasmagambetova-Rakisheva. Having identified a gap in the market for reliable, high quality homeopathic products and beauty stores the company opened its first store, TELLI Bio-Boutique, in Almaty, Kazakhstan. TELLI Bio-Boutique’s concept is unique in that it seamlessly fuses a homeopathic pharmacy, beauty treatment rooms, a perfume lounge, beauty department and an organic café into one. Catering to the luxury customer TELLI Bio-Boutique believes that; “Elegance and beauty cannot be separated from health”. The stores in Kazakhstan and neighbouring countries are modern, innovative and stylish in design.

Further information is available via TELLI Bio-Boutique’s website www.telli.kz

For a full list of packages, services and products, visit www.gentlemenstonic.com

OPENING HOURS
Daily, 10 am – 8 pm

CONTACT DETAILS
B47 – B48
Basement 1 Level
The Landmark
Central, Hong Kong
Tele: 2525 2455
E: Infohk@gentlemenstonic.com
Web: www.gentlemenstonic.com

Newly launched, Encounters Travel offer great value, small group adventure tours to some of the world’s most exciting destinations. Whether a solo traveller, a couple or holidaying with a group of friends, the tours incorporate a real mix of culture, history and awe-inspiring sites in sun-drenched destinations that guarantee adventure this winter. Options for sun and culture include:

THAILAND, Jungles & Beaches: 11 days from £725
The perfect mix of sunshine, activity and culture, this tour of Thailand begins in the bustling capital Bangkok, then heads south to explore the rainforests of Khao Sok National Park to experience river canoeing and jungle walks while staying in unique tree houses and raft houses, and ending with four nights relaxing on the beautiful island of Ko Samui.

Prices for 2012 start from £725 per person from December to April 2012 to include airport transfers from/to Bangkok, varied accommodation in hotels, tree houses, raft houses and an overnight train on a mixed-board basis, travel by train, plane, bus and ferry, all entrance fees as well as a local tour guide during sightseeing and activities.

ISRAEL, Holy Land Journey: 8 days from £800
This trip through the fascinating country of Israel spends time in modern-day Tel Aviv, the ancient town of Acre, Tiberias, Masada and Bethlehem, the divine city of Nazareth and tours the intricate alleyways of Jerusalem. Along the way guests visit many important religious sites and monuments as well as trips to the Dead Sea and Sea of Galilee.

Prices for 2012 start from £800 per person to include airport transfers from/to Tel Aviv, accommodation in hotels on a bed and breakfast basis throughout, all national park entry and entrance fees, a cap, map and an expert local guide during touring days.

SUDAN, Hidden Treasures: 9 days from £1,399
For those with a real sense of adventure, Sudan offers a completely unique travel experience and is tipped to be a ‘hot’ destination for 2012. Follow in the footsteps of ancient civilisations on this tour through Sudan visiting the capital Khartoum and the old souk of Omdurman before crossing the Nubian desert in search of the lost pyramids and temples of the Nile Valley.

Prices for 2012 start from £1,399 per person to include airport transfers from/to Khartoum, varied accommodation in hotels, camps and in a traditional Nubian homestay on a mixed-board basis, an experienced local guide and private transportation throughout.

Prices do not include international flights. Contact Encounters Travel (www.encounterstravel.com  /  0800 088 6002). Facebook: www.facebook.com/encounterstravel/ Twitter: @encounterstravl (yes, without the ‘e’!)

Grasshoppers wows guests with style, service and comfort, and beats the drum for Scottish art

It may be small, but Glasgow’s latest luxury hotel – Grasshoppers Glasgow – is flying high after soaring through the ranks of a popular travel website to become one of the city’s best rated hotels.

The new penthouse hotel has wowed guests with its stylish contemporary rooms, stunning views overlooking Glasgow, and eye catching displays of Scottish art, including photographs by former Buzzcocks drummer John Maher.

And there was another boost for the team at Grasshoppers this week when Councillor Gordon Matheson, leader of Glasgow City Council and Chair of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, officially opened the new penthouse hotel.

Staff at the hotel – located in the heart of Glasgow’s bustling financial and shopping centre – are delighted with the response from customers since it welcomed its first guests in the summer.

The 30 bed boutique hotel is located on the sixth floor of the city’s historic Caledonian Chambers building, overlooking Central Station, built by celebrated Glasgow architect James Miller, the visionary behind many of Glasgow’s best loved buildings.

The derelict top floor of the building was painstakingly refurbished and transformed into a £1.25 million boutique hotel, in a joint venture with Network Rail.

The hotel’s central location, sandwiched between Buchanan Street and the International Financial Services District, and its focus on service, style and value – rooms are available from just £85 per night – have proved a winning formula with business travellers and holidaymakers. Grasshoppers has become a firm favourite on TripAdvisor, overtaking leading international brands to become one of the top rated hotels in Glasgow.

The hotel’s Scandinavian style bedrooms feature Caledonian oak floors, ash laminate furniture, specially designed and made for Grasshoppers, handmade king size beds with Egyptian cotton sheets, and individually designed wallpaper and wood paneled walls.

The stylish, comfortable bedrooms enjoy views across Europe’s largest glazed roof overlooking Central Station and across the city to one of Glasgow’s masterpiece buildings by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, the Light House.

All guests enjoy complimentary breakfast, and free wifi internet access, and every room features LED TVs with SKY HD, offering SKY Sports and SKY Movies. Guests also receive free Grasshoppers treats throughout their stay – freshly baked scones, fresh ground coffee, bottled water and even tubes of Smarties.

And from next month, home cooked evening meals will be served every night in The Kitchen, with the emphasis on traditional favourites such as stew, fish pies, steak and classic Scottish desserts such as Cranachan.

The hotel is run by husband and wife team Sean and Joanne McGivern, who lead a team of 10 employees.

Mr Munn said: “We are amazed and very humbled at the response we have received from our guests, who have really warmed to the Grasshoppers approach of providing service, comfort and value for money.

“In a market dominated by international chains, it’s difficult for smaller, independent hotels to make their mark. We’ve tried to create a different kind of hotel, with many of the comforts of a traditional luxury hotel but where the feeling of home is central to the hotel experience. It is essential to Grasshoppers that our guests feel at home throughout their stay.”

He added: “We are extremely grateful to Glasgow City Council who have been very helpful to us, particularly during the complex renovation of the building, and to the team at Glasgow City Marketing Bureau who have been hugely supportive. They are a credit to the city.”

Councillor Gordon Matheson, chair of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau and leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “Glasgow has an outstanding range of top-quality hotels, and I am delighted by the success of Grasshoppers as one of the latest additions to this roster. As the city becomes an ever more popular tourist destination, our ability to offer a range of hotels becomes very important, and a penthouse hotel such as this plays a vital role. I wish Grasshoppers Glasgow every success in the future.”

Contemporary images of Glasgow and Scotland adorn the walls throughout the hotel, including engravings of city landmarks by well known Scottish artist Ian McNicol, screenprints by Glasgow artist Rachel Duckhouse, and striking images of Glasgow’s Buchanan Street by Ayrshire artist Michelle Campbell.

The hotel also showcases works by former Buzzcocks drummer John Maher, now a Harris based photographer who specialises in capturing evocative night times images of Lewis and Harris.

Maher himself recently stayed as a guest at the hotel.

He said: “I think it’s wonderful that a hotel in the centre of Glasgow is choosing to showcase images of Lewis and Harris to its UK and international clientele. I was delighted when they asked if I would like to display some of my prints at Grasshoppers. Having stayed at Grasshoppers myself, it’s good to see a Scottish hotel showcasing Scottish art in a way that reaches such a diverse audience.”

Mr Munn added: “Our art displays have become something of a talking point for guests, particularly John’s stunning night-time images of Lewis and Harris. When we explain that they’re the work of the former Buzzcocks drummer, now living in Harris, they’re amazed!”

Grasshoppers Glasgow is also a sponsor of the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra and plans to entertain hotel guests with Jazz performances.

Grasshoppers Glasgow is a new 30 bedroom penthouse hotel overlooking Glasgow’s Central Station. Sandwiched between the city’s International Financial Services District and bustling Buchanan Street – routinely named the best shopping street outside London – Grasshoppers has become a firm favourite among business and leisure travellers, soaring through the ranks of TripAdvisor to become one of the top rated hotels in Glasgow.

Find out more about Grasshoppers Glasgow at www.grasshoppersglasgow.com  

Competition prize
Grasshoppers Glasgow is pleased to offer select publications a two night stay for two people, subject to availability (excludes Friday and Saturday). Prize value £270. The prize must be taken by 31 March 2012.

Reader offer
Grasshoppers Glasgow is pleased to offer select publications a 10% discount on all bookings made before 31 March 2012 (excludes Friday and Saturday).

Known as The Pearl of Africa and the source of the River Nile, Uganda is an unspoilt destination where the East African savannah meets the West African Jungle, offering visitors an experience of a lifetime. Boasting an exciting variety of natural and cultural wonders, it is easy to understand why Lonely Planet has recently listed this beautiful and charming location as the number one holiday destination for 2012.

The country’s charm lies in its impressive variety of wildlife species and stunning scenery. In addition to boasting Africa’s largest variety of bird species it is also renowned for its primate species including the endangered Mountain Gorilla which is undeniably one of Uganda’s finest tourist attractions. Over half of the world’s remaining population of the Mountain Gorilla live within Uganda’s borders and it is in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park where visitors can experience this remarkable wildlife encounter.

Gorillas In The Mist – Tracking the mountain gorilla is an exclusive jungle adventure and a truly memorable lifetime opportunity. Explorers will have the chance to spend an hour with these rare and intelligent creatures and observe them interact in their natural habitat.

Brand New 5* Mahogany Springs – Set back on the clear waters of the Munyanga river and facing Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, lies the brand new, five star lodge, Mahogany Springs. Its exotic gardens, breathtaking mountain views and luxurious all suite accommodation offers guests unrivalled luxury in one of the world’s most beautiful natural settings. The suites feature their own private terraces together with en suite bathrooms, advanced mosquito net system and beautiful finishing touches.

Mahogany Springs also prides itself on serving excellent a la carte cuisine. The in house chef prepares culinary masterpieces every day enabling guests to enjoy a variety of foods and with most of the produce grown on site, all meals are created with the freshest ingredients. A stay at this luxurious lodge is a must when exploring the delights of Uganda.

Book Now! Specialist tour operator Lets Go Travel is currently offering a 10 day Full Board tour which includes two nights at the luxury five star Mahogany Springs from £2499 per adult based on 2 adults and from £2099 per adult based on 4 adults. All prices are subject to availability.

The tour price includes all lodge accommodation, park entrance fees, game drives and a boat ride in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Chimp Trekking permits and a Gorilla Tracking tour in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The price also includes a luxury safari Jeep with a personalised driver for the duration of the trip and return airport transfers. Flights are NOT included.

To book call Uniglobe Total Travel on 020 8736 0700
For further information visit www.ugandaletsgotravel.com
For further information on the 5-star Mahogany Springs visit www.mahoganysprings.com

In addition to its successful environmental education and ranger programme, CONKERS, at the heart of The National Forest, will be offering a range of new and exciting education activities during 2012 focused on outdoor pursuits and adventure. These include archery, go-karting, sailing, kayaking, bush crafts and bike riding. These new activities run by a team of fully qualified outdoor instructors will build upon the existing education programmes linked to the National Curriculum.

This award-winning discovery centre is a fun place to learn more about the environment, The National Forest and life in a British Woodland. Since opening in 2001 CONKERS has welcomed over 300,000 education-based visitors from across the UK and is one of the few education providers to have been awarded the Learning Outside of the Classroom quality badge.

To celebrate National Science and Engineering Week (9-18 March 2012) Snibston Discovery Museum is holding interactive workshops for Key Stage 2 and 3 students to look at how science and engineering is paving the way to help sustainability and having a positive impact on the environment. Snibston is also working with Loughborough University and the Further Mathematics Support Programme, to offer three practical and engaging events for year 10 and 11 students. These afternoon workshops reveal the value of mathematics in the wider world. On 21st February the workshop will focus on Maths and Design, 13th March looks at Maths and the Environment and on 27th March it will be Maths and Sport. Schools interested in attending these should contact the Museum Learning Team on 0116 305 3451 or email muslearningteam@leics.gov.uk

Like mining, pottery was once a major industry in the area and Sharpe’s Pottery Museum traces that heritage together with new displays on how The National Forest is transforming the landscape. Its Victorian Potter Education Day is specifically aimed at Key Stage 2 children and incorporates a range of learning activities designed to be fun and educational while being grounded in the local industrial heritage. Talks, tours and teacher-led activities within the museum are also available.

The National Forest Adventure Farm has launched a programme of new workshops focusing on Food and Farming. This helps schoolchildren understand which foods come from the farm and what farm ingredients can be found on their breakfast tables. They can have a go at grinding corn or milking the model cow and watch a real cow being milked or a chick hatching out. In Spring, they may get to help bottle feed a lamb. Then it’s all aboard the tractor and trailer for a fun journey to see the animals and crops in the fields. There are lots of “add-ons” such as nature walks and craft activities. For younger age groups the Adventure Farm has interactive learning equipment and links farming and food using popular stories such as The Little Red Hen.

YHA National Forest will be running ‘Learn for Real’ packages in 2012 which includes Cans, Compost and Paper in partnership with CONKERS as well as on-site PE activities. Within walking distance of CONKERS, Moira Furnace and the Ashby Woulds Heritage Trails, YHA National Forest is great for school groups that want to have the residential experience without needing to have a minibus for the duration of the visit.

Erica Abbot from YHA National Forest said: “We find that schools don’t want to travel too far, which makes our location here, close to attractions and easily accessible in the middle of the country, absolutely perfect.”

Schools can combine their stay in this eco-friendly four-star YHA with sno-tubing, tobogganing and skiing at Swadlincote Ski Centre. Staff can help schools build their own trip itinerary and the 74-bed hostel can be booked by schools for sole use if group sizes are more than 60.

For school groups that do not want to stay overnight Swadlincote Ski Centre offers half or full day packages and can provide structured weekly lessons to coincide with National Curriculum requirements for PE, Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme or the Scouts Snowsports Awards Badge.

Bosworth Battlefield runs a wide range of events, guided tours and educational sessions which can include the new trail with audio and visual interpretation about the battle and surrounding area. Bosworth Battlefield is one of the UK’s leading historical attractions with an award-winning heritage centre which captures the essence of medieval England, the Wars of the Roses and the birth of the Tudor Dynasty.

As well as its popular curriculum-linked environmental sessions, schools can get involved in a new set of activities for each age group at Rosliston Forestry Centre with its ‘Woodland Experience Programme’, piloted this autumn. Starting with ‘Teddy Bushcraft’ for Early Years, Woodland Experiences also cover Forest School taster days and sessions involving campfire cooking and shelter building. It will link opportunities for schools to join the Woodland Trust’s More Trees More Good and Jubilee Woods projects which will offer free school visits to woodland sites. Schools can also book any of the hour-long activity sessions including archery, laser combat, laser clay, team building, shelterbuilding, bushcraft, falconry and climbing. All delivered on one site.

Students and teachers can now have a go at Bushcraft with Woodland Ways, a registered centre providing ASDAN accredited short courses for all ages. These can be used as stand-alone awards or as part of a progression route through to qualification such as CoPE or AoPE. It also provides training and assessment for teachers through the Institute for Outdoor Learning Foundational Bushcraft Competency Award.

The National Forest & Beyond Group Visits Guide highlights all venues in the area that offer school visit activities tailored to the National Curriculum, programmes supported by resource packs with pre and post-visit ideas, worksheets and ranger-led activities and is packed with ideas for anything from a single session to a five day residential course. It also has tips for wet-weather days, where to stay, mealstops and even space for teachers to write their own notes!

For more information on both the guide and the educational packages available in the destination visit the website www.visitnationalforest.co.uk  or email schools@nationalforest.org

At the heart of all this is one of Britain’s boldest environmental initiatives to create a new Forest for the nation across 200 square miles and embracing parts of Leicestershire, Staffordshire and Derbyshire. Schools can get involved in its creation by planting trees – either in a new woodland or, if it is within the Forest boundary, within the school grounds. For more information on tree planting days, Trees from Seed or Plant a Tree schemes, schools should contact the National Forest Company.