Choice of activities for children

There are lots of after-school activities for children in the Uckfield area and more during the day for toddlers who aren’t yet in full time education and here Uckfield News Personal Shopper Julie Winter highlights a few of them.

We would welcome hearing about clubs your child enjoys and from people running classes who might be interested in listing in our Uckfield Directory to make it easier for people to find them.

Freedom Leisure offers a wealth of activities for all ages from aqua babes for pre-school children to swimming lessons after school or at the weekend, whether they be group or private.

There are many other activities on offer too including trampolining and roller discos.

If you would like to learn more they would welcome your call.

Many classes these days look ahead to the life-skills children will need as they grow up and Vision Taekwon-Do run TKD Tigers to teach children aged between three and six about the dangers they may face – and what they can do about them.

They learn about stranger and bully awareness, fire, water and road safety with time devoted to fitness and healthy eating as well as self defence.

Classes for seven to 13-year-olds focus on self discipline, confidence, goal setting and respect.

The children are able to release energy in a safe, fun and constructive way. They learn to kick and punch in a controlled environment and benefit from the professional attitude of positive role models.

There are also classes for teenagers from 14 to adult.

Judo is another popular martial art which helps build self-confidence, self-discipline, fitness and stamina while helping make children more street aware and teaching self-defence.

Sessions are held at the leisure centre on Saturday mornings from 9am for boys and girls aged five years and over.

There is also a Ju Jitsu class for adults to help improve cardiovascular stamina, aerobic fitness, co-ordination and self-confidence. This is held on a Tuesday evening from 8pm-10pm at the Uckfield Gym Club, in Maresfield,and the first session is free.

Sama Karate is the largest karate and kickboxing group in the UK for children, youths and adults and classes are run at various venues around Uckfield. They too focus on discipline, respect, fitness, self defence, confidence and fun.

The Rennie Dance Academy offers RAD ballet, ISTD modern, tap and jazz classes in Uckfield and Newick for children aged from three years.

The Deborah Lamb Theatre School also offers professional training in ISTD Modern Theatre, Jazz and Tap dancing and RAD Ballet. In addition there are adult jazz and tap classes with examinations at grade and vocational level. Drama classes and singing tuition are available too. They have a listing in the Uckfield Directory.

Rainbows is for girls between five and seven years, Brownies for seven to ten-year-oldsand Guides, ten to 14 year olds. The groups are held on different nights of the week at Usborne Hall, in Hempstead Lane.

Grasshoppers Football Club meets at the Victoria Pleasure ground on Saturday mornings.

Uckfield Rugby Club is at Hempstead Playing Fields off Nevill Road and caters for all ages starting with minis, six to ten year olds who play tag rugby, then juniors, for children aged ten and over, who start contact rugby. There are regular matches as well as training sessions.

Tinkler’s Music Time is a baby music group held on Friday mornings at Ridgewood Village Hall with two sessions, one for babies and the other for toddlers. There are lots of props and toys which make sessions fascinating for them.

At Rhythm Express which meets on Friday mornings at the Victoria Pavilion there are songs and nursery rhymes, story-telling, sensory play, bubbles, and games including Peepo, listening, dancing and parachute.

There’s chance to clap, tap, jump and hop and relax too. Classes are age related.

Free story time and rhyme time sessions are held regularly at the library and it is worth popping in there for more information.

Le Tennis is running some new mini tennis courses in schools as well as continuing coaching sessions in Maresfield.

Uckfield Gymnastic Club, which is at Maresfield, runs gym classes for toddler’s but also can train children through to elite competition level. Classes run on most days and they have a listing within the Uckfield Directory if you would like more details.

The Academy of Speech and Drama run drama classes for 6-17yr olds, workshop style classes where children are encouraged to develop physical, vocal and creative skills through games, improvisation and annual performances. LAMDA classes are also offered for further theatrical training and experience.

Instep Majorettes meet at Uckfield Civic Centre on a Monday evening. There are classes, run by Natalie Morphew and Amanda Martin, for different age groups ranging from five-year-olds to adults. Both boys and girls are welcome to take part.

The group has 30 members who compete in four competitions a year organised by the International Baton Twirling Association. They also learn dances with pom poms. See contact details in the Uckfield Directory.

Uckfield Beavers, Cubs and Scouts meet at the Uckfield Scout hut in Rocks Park Road.

(Added to site Wednesday, September 30th, 2009)