It’s 1st April, which means I’m pleased to announce the shortlist for the Wakefield Mumbler Awards Final 2024!
Huge thank you to everyone who made a nomination in any of the categories in March. It was fantastic to see so many lovely comments.
The businesses that received the most nominations in each category have gone through to the final. So this is my first chance to say CONGRATULATIONS to the following finalists! Voting is OPEN NOW, so do take a few minutes to cast your vote and support these local businesses and individuals.
Best Community Project or Charity for Families
There are so many fantastic projects and charities working across Wakefield District to help local families and the lives of local children. Our final 4 are:
- Families and Babies – Absolutely amazing place. These women are angels on earth. The help they provide to families especially mums is incredible. Lots of classes, phone calls postpartum to help with breastfeeding and online support 24/7. I don’t think I would have breastfed as long as I did if it wasn’t for them!!
- Kidz Aware – Amazing charity with a wealth of knowledge, always willing to help you with the things you need to help your family. Always felt alone until I met these guys, I’m not alone anymore!
- Homestart Wakefield & District – They support families with no judgment. You can go along to a Stay and Play session and just play, chat, laugh. Or if something is worrying you, they will support you, offer a listening ear and give helpful suggestions. There’s a great variety of toys and activities, and sometimes visitors, such as Oral Health, the fire service, the library and more.
- My Eco Baby – A great resource for Wakefield, offering so much to families, from cheap baby items, to activities and somewhere to spend time. I donate all our baby stuff to them cos I can’t think of a better cause!
Mumbler’s Favourite Antenatal Provider
We have lots of support for pregnant ladies in Wakefield! Our final 4 are:
- 1st Steps First Aid – Absolutely amazing class. Natalie is very knowledgeable and makes the class fun. A must for parents, grandparents and carers.
- Families and Babies – They provide amazing breastfeeding advice and support in pregnancy that really sets you up for breastfeeding before you even get started.
- Hypnobirthing with Hannah – We used Hannah before the birth of our little one and she was fab! Her course meant I felt more confident during the birth process even when it ended in an emergency!
- Mini First Aid Wakefield – They provided some amazingly important advice and guidance for in the most serious of circumstances but managed to balance seriousness and professionalism with humour and fun throughout the course.
Mumbler’s Favourite Childcare Provider
We have a huge number of fantastic day nurseries, preschools and childminders in Wakefield who keep our children safe, engaged and entertained whilst parents are at work. Our final 4 are:
- Creative Kids, Netherton – They are amazing, caring, selfless and considerate. They go above and beyond for the children and I couldn’t have asked for better people to look after my little ones.
- Little Stars Childminding, Kirkhamgate – Emma has great passion for her work. The children adore Emma. Emma goes above & beyond to make sure both the children & parents are happy. Emma is always encourages children to learn new things.
- Park View Childminding, Thornes – They are just absolutely incredible in what they do. The childcare they provide is such high quality, my son absolutely thrived during his time there and I wish we could have stayed forever
- Wilson Street Playgroup, Featherstone – They are just the best so friendly and kind and look after the children my daughter loves going
Mumbler’s Favourite Independent Retailer – Sponsored by Junction 32
We have a huge number of fantastic independent retailers in Wakefield who keep our families clothed and fed. Our final 4 are:
- Bella’s Children’s Boutique – The most gorgeous clothes and accessories, in a lovely new shop in the Ridings. Definitely hitting a parents requirements for great value, beautiful clothes and good prices. And the friendliest owner.
- Lavern Washington Photography – Fantastic studio shoot my daughter loved it and we can’t wait to go back again and again. They look after you so well and we got some beautiful pictures which we will treasure forever
- Little Green’s Apparel – What a gem of a shop in Castleford indoor market, fab baby/infant clothes at good prices! The clothes, outfits and accessories are quality. The shop is well stocked and the ladies are knowledgeable and attentive to all customers.
- Phoebe Rose Photography – Gemma goes above and beyond at providing high quality newborn, baby and family photography. One of the safest around with newborns always taking this into consideration.
Mumbler’s Favourite Child-Friendly Eating Out Venue
Eating out with the kids! This can be a great or horrendous experience! We have some fantastic cafes, bars and restaurants in our area that have gone above and beyond to ensure families are welcome and that babies and children are thought about and catered for during a meal or snack out. Our final 4 are:
- Hickory’s Smokehouse, Horbury – The best menu, a cinema, popcorn, playground and everything else they have to offer.
- Little Bakes Bistro, Featherstone – As a family we love to eat at little bakes. They are so incredibly friendly and so welcoming and there food is amazing.
- Pizza Hut, Wakefield – Free for 2 and under, food ready immediately, loads of choice, loads of veg. Me and my toddler love a Pizza Hut buffet!
- Qubana, Wakefield – I have taken my youngest here from birth and she has always been made to feel welcomed, from making sure we had enough space so I could breastfeed – to the server making her her first rose – to making sure we had an area to explore when she was moving, and making food into finger pieces when we were weaning. All whilst feeling grown up for me so that I don’t start to lose my identity in been a mother.
Mumbler’s Favourite Children’s Party Provider
We have all been to countless children’s parties but some are head and shoulders above the rest. Our final 4 are:
- ARTventurers Wakefield East & the Five Towns – Danielle creates messy painting arty fun like no other for her party, all focused on the birthday kid. Her parties are unique and always so much fun and she is so welcoming and friendly. And the kids LOVE it.
- Eadiebeads – Absolutely amazing party decorations, a family run business who go the extra mile to provide everything you want, nothing is too much trouble and they are the nicest, friendliest ladies you could meet.
- Jolly Magic Entertainment – Magical party experience for my 2 year old daughter. She was mesmerised by the Princess party.
- The Little Luxury Play Company – Great value for money, great soft play for the little ones
Healthy and Active Kids Award
This award celebrates those individuals and companies who really contribute to helping our kids live a healthier and more active lifestyle. Our final 4 are:
- A Star Dance and Fitness – Dance school which bases its values around the health & wellbeing of its students. Dancing keeps them active but it’s also about fun, laughter & friendships as this also supports children whole wellbeing. My daughter has made life long friends at dancing alongside being healthy & active.
- Gym Joeys – An amazing taste to Gymnastics. Amazing for toddlers to learn how to balance and have fun. 1 hour of pure letting off steam. Being able to use specialist equipment and for them just to be toddlers.
- Puddle Ducks Wakefield – Amazing lessons every week keeping the children active and teaching a life skill
- Studio A Theatre Arts – Studio A always keeps kids moving! From Acro boot camps to dance a thon fundraiser there is always something happening!
Mumbler’s Favourite School Holiday Club or Camp
We have a huge number of fantastic clubs, camps and workshops that run across school holidays in our area that help with keeping children entertained over the holidays and for whilst parents are at work. Our final 4 are:
- A Star Dance and Fitness – excellent holiday camp, lots of fun activities and really friendly atmosphere
- DanceXplosion – It’s great value for money packed with fun activities including the opportunity to dance on a rugby pitch which my daughter adores
- Izwiz Robotics – Having attended sessions for almost 3 years at school, my son’s first choice for camp is always IzWiz Robotics. he enjoys coding and the various crafting activities provided. Sessions are very engaging, interactive, entertaining and educative.
- Studio A Theatre Arts – My child loves Studio As Easter and Summer camps. They are affordable, well organised and so much fun!
Mumbler’s Favourite Class or Activity: Over 5’s
There is a huge choice of classes and activities to do for children of school age. Our final 4 are:
- A Star Dance and Fitness – Warm welcoming environment. Which kids in my family have attended for 12+ years. Teachers who love what they do, creating an environment for kids to have fun and make friends
- Dance House, Normanton – This class has changed my daughters life dramatically. She was always worried and so anxious but dance house and the team have built her confidence over her time there ,not only through dance but also being amazing mentors and role models.
- DanceXplosion – They provide outstanding dance classes at a really affordable price! They always create an exceptional performance but it’s always about keeping the children excited and making sure they’re having fun.
- Studio A Theatre Arts – A dance school who welcomes everyone is all inclusive encouraging and friendly
Mumbler’s Favourite Class or Activity: Under 5’s
For babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers there is a huge choice of classes and activities to do, from sports-based to musical, crafty and messy! Our final 4 are:
- Baby Sensory Wakefield – Absolute amazing class for little ones, promotes development and utterly amazing the with babies! 10/10 service and the most welcoming group in Wakefield!
- Mini Maestros – Jo and Irene are simply the best! They’re so engaging and personal with the children! They make everyone feel welcome. My little girl absolutely loves the classes and she loves Irene- as Irene is her class teacher! They’re amazing!
- Music Bus Pontefract, Wakefield and Barnsley – Katie puts her all into every class. She is very welcoming and kind. My little girl always enjoys her session at music bus. Her confidence has grown and she has made new friends while being there.
- Toddler Sense Wakefield – Charlotte is full of energy every week (I don’t know how she does it with a little one herself) and takes a personal interest in all the parents and toddlers. Each week there is a fun theme which my son enjoys so much. It’s our favourite time of the week.
Mumbler’s Favourite Free Day Out
There are lots of places you can go locally for free with the family – whether that’s out and about in our local countryside, river, parks or nature reserves or indoors at a venue that doesn’t charge for families to enter. Our final 4 are:
- Blacker Hall Farm – Little Farmers Trail – Free Fab little farm! My toddler loves it!
- National Coal Mining Museum – Little bit of everything, woodland walks, pit pony’s, adventure playground, small soft play, a museum (free apart from down the mine) amazing events, a beach in summer.
- Newmillerdam Country Park – Lots of variation to do, different paths to take, things to see and discover
- Thornes Park – So big can have your own space, go for a picnic, feed the ducks, park to play on, Holmfield Arms for a drink
Mumbler’s Favourite Family Attraction – Sponsored by Car Shades
We have some fantastic attractions in and around our area to go to for a family day out. Our final 4 are:
- Cannon Hall Farm – With something to do for everyone, a huge farm, fab adventure playgrounds, a huge soft play, tractor rides, sheep and feret racing and daily talks there really is something to suit everyone.
- National Coal Mining Museum – So much to see and do. Underground tour is amazing and the surface attractions have so much to offer for all the family too!
- Whistlestop Valley – So much for kids to do. We spent hours here, and for the price of entry it represents incredible value for money. The whole venue is nice and clean, with a good mixture of indoor and outdoor activities
- Yorkshire Sculpture Park – My four year old daughter loves running around the park and spotting sculptures. She always picks a new, unusual book from the shop and it also has a lovely cafe. A great day out and really educational as well as fun and immersed in nature.
Mumbler’s Favourite Family Attraction – Sponsored by Car Shades
