NEW activities for parents, carers and children are being set up in Halesworth as the town prepares for the eagerly awaited opening of the Halesworth Dragonflies Children's Centre.

NEW activities for parents, carers and children are being set up in Halesworth as the town prepares for the eagerly awaited opening of the Halesworth Dragonflies Children's Centre.

The construction of the centre is already well under way, and the building is on course to be finished before Christmas.

“We hope to be resourced and ready to provide services by next spring. In the meantime, you do not have to wait for the centre to be open to enjoy free activities in the area,” said Penny Reeve, family support worker.

The first of them, Dreamtime Music in association with the Pre-School Music Association, started on Monday afternoon at the Apollo Youth Centre in Harrison's Lane, and will run each Monday in future from 2.10-2.50pm.

A series of four sessions entitled First Food Fun, will run on Friday mornings from October 2, from 9.30-11pm at the same venue.

And, mainly for those people who live in the more rural areas, the centre has devised a group called Little Saints - the name is meant to reflect the surrounding villages.

“Everyone is welcome at these sessions, which started yesterday at Ilketshall St Lawrence Primary School and will run on Thursday afternoons from 1.30-3pm, in term time only,” said Mrs Reeve. “There will be baby and toddler activities and varied activities for older children. This is a good opportunity to meet the family support worker and the First Steps to Play Worker, and discuss any issues you may have about children, babies, family life, debts, housing and benefit matters.”

Also for this term, there is a session called Bubbles and Squeaks, which incorporates songs, stories and massage for toddlers, at the Apollo centre on Thursday mornings between 10-11.30am, commencing after half term on Thursday, November 5.

Mrs Reeve said parents, carers and children aged 0- 5 years were welcome to attend any or all of these groups.

If you have any queries about the new centre, any of the groups, or require any other support or advice, call Penny Reeve on 01502 718750 or 07545 419735, or call in and see her at Halesworth Library any Tuesday morning in term time between 10.30am and 11am.