Blog

Summer Camps 2022

21st July 2022
Summer Camps 2022

📍Brentside High School, Ealing

🏀EALING SUMMER BASKETBALL & MULTI-SPORTS CAMP 🏀

BALL OUT THE BOX has partnered up with Ealing Council to provide a Holiday Activity and Food Camp

Targeting children eligible for free school meals.

Monday 1st August - Thursday 25th August (16 Days)

4 days per week for 4 weeks of Summer

AGES 8-16

Free Lunch for children eligible for Free School Meals

Paid places available (packed lunch optional)

Address:
Brentside High School
Greenford Ave
London
W7 1JJ

TIME:

11AM-3PM

https://www.balloutthebox.com

Contact: admin@balloutthebox.com

WhatsApp: +44 7541 646938

Find more at nearby venues online via our website https://bookingsguru.co.uk/our-venue-listings/

Read More

Things To Consider When Booking A Venue

11th May 2022
Things To Consider When Booking A Venue

You've chosen the date, thought about the theme and started the invite list — but where should your next event be held?

Searching for a venue shouldn’t be stressful, we can help!

We have put together a handy list of things you should consider when it comes to finding a suitable venue for your next event.

Capacity

Can the venue accommodate the amount of people expected, as well as provide space for entertainment? Is there a minimum capacity limit?

Seating Arrangements

Are there enough tables and chairs? Are there any pre-determined seating plans available to help you decide the layout?

Audio Visual Equipment

Is there any equipment provided as standard? Consider if you need a projector, lighting and audio system.

Is there Wi-Fi available? If so, are you allowed guests access to it?

DĂ©cor or decorating the room(s)

Are you allowed to decorate the space? Check to see if there any restrictions on what can be displayed, such as using helium balloons or sticking things to walls?

Setting up and breaking down

Have you factored in the setup and teardown included in the booking? Never assume, always check! You can be charged for extra time on site outside of your booking slot.

Catering / Food

Do you have catering arrangements? Will you have access to a kitchenette or prep space to use?

If you are planning on allowing alcohol at your event please check that alcohol permitted. Licenses and permissions, such as TENS, are required for public events.

Payments / Invoices

What are the terms and conditions for payment – do you have to pay upfront or retrospectively? Is there a cancellation policy? Some venues need 7 days’ notice for cancellation.

Site Staff

Will there be staff on hand to help guide guests on the night?

Site staff will often anticipate your needs without having to ask because of their level of experience, which will come handy on entry and exit of the venue.

Get In Touch!

You can submit with us and our BookingsGuru’s will send a response within 24 hours. (Monday to Friday) You are welcome at most venues to schedule a site visit ahead of your event to make sure it meets all of your needs. We have photos of each space on our website too.

Find a venue via our website

Prefer to speak to a human? Give us a call on 03330 110476 or search for a venue in your area via our website.

We have over 50 venues to choose from Yorkshire all the way down to Essex! (and everything in between)

Read More

World Book Day 2022

1st March 2022
World Book Day 2022

World book day 2022 is celebrating 25 years this year. With live events, partnerships and of course their fabulous book tokens, children and young people all around the country can join in.

There are competitions to take part in, including fantastic prizes including the chance to win a Harry Potter trip. You can download their packs from the website to take part and don’t forget that schools often hold mufti days with children dressing up as their favorite characters from their books too.

We all know the benefits of reading as adults, the escapism and how is transports you to another world. But encouraging younger audiences sometimes takes a little more magic these days ~ especially with lots of screens around! Even as adults we can find ourselves getting too busy to read.

Where was the last time you visited a library? Bought a book? Escaped with a good read? Its a great way to really switch off.

We asked our team what their favorite book is as an adult or child and have a few suggestions on what to read as adults and children!

Memoirs of a Geisha is a historical fiction novel by American author Arthur Golden.

Memoirs of a Geisha is a classic read - with the movie adaption on screens over a decade ago. The novel is told in first person perspective and tells the story of a fictional geisha working in Kyoto, Japan, before, during and after World War II, and ends with her being relocated to New York City.

Another favorite of the team is Journey To The River Sea by Joan Ibbotson

Set in Brazil, it’s an adventure of discovery and intrigue. It’s won awards in the children’s book categories and recently had a special 20th anniversary edition published.

How to Kill Your Family by Bella Mackie

Journalist and British Vogue columnist Bella Mackie is a recent read from one of the team
.

Described as a wickedly dark romp about class love family 
 and murder! How to Kill Your Family is a Sunday Times Best Seller. Bella is married to Radio one DJ Greg James who, himself is a successful children’s book author alongside co-author Chris Smith.

Kid Normal (series) by Greg James + Chris Smith

Greg and Chris are currently on their book tour with “Kid Normal” book series and are taking part in the live events with World Book Day.

Ballet Shoes (A puffin book) by Noel Streathfield is another childhood favorite for a team member (as a child)

Published in 1936, it’s become a much loved classic. A sorry about three sisters as they grow up, adopted as babies to a rich explorer who disappears
. Noel Streatfeild once said that Ballet Shoes was 'really a fairy story with its feet half-way on the ground'

What a wonderful quote.

If you wanted more inspiration for Children’s books look no further than The Books Trust top 100 best books!

Top 100 Books List

Whatever you decide to read, we hope you enjoy World Book Day and manage to set aside some quality time to dip into a favorite, a new book or even a digital one.

Find out more via

Visit World Book Day website

Facebook Page

Read More

We Make Footballers

27th December 2021
We Make Footballers

We Make Footballers run weekly indoor and outdoor Football training for young people aged 4 through to 12 around the United Kingdom.

Sessions include Football training, holiday camps, one-on-one training, school training, birthday parties and more at over 42 venues including Brentside School overseen by Rory Mathers and his team.

They aim to make a huge difference by creating opportunities for young people. This includes voluntary coaching in their spare time. It’s more than just a job they really are passionate about getting young people involved in sport.

2022 on Beyond

We caught up with Rory to have a chat to him about where it all started and what’s his plans are for the future with the Ealing branch of We Make Footballers.

Since his early teens he has always wanted to eat sleep repeat football. Like many others up and down the country, the appeal started when he was young.

Playing football wasn’t enough, he ended up embarking on a career move to study Sport Science at University....

"I really enjoyed my time at Uni, however I always knew I wanted a career in coaching and my degree really wasn't helping me achieve that, so I decided to go and look for opportunities elsewhere and found a better opportunity for myself with Arsenal”

With his bags packed and passport at the ready, Rory jumped on a plane to head out to Australia to work with Arsenal Football Club.

Rory is well traveled in the football industry, working with many international clubs including Arsenal FC and Real Madrid as well as some more who are a bit closer to home – including Brighton and Hove Albion FC, Fulham FC, Watford FC and Brentford FC.

Rory has also worked with We Make Footballers at their Head Office - learning the ins and outs of what it takes to run the business. Drawing on all of this experience, Rory decided to take the leap and seek a franchise of his own with the help of an investor.

But then, the pandemic struck. Throwing all of Rory’s hard work and plans into limbo.

"During the first lockdown I ran weekly online football classes for all 4000 of our students across the Franchise network, these were filmed in my front garden and broadcast live on Instagram and Facebook every Saturday and Sunday for 3 months.”

He adds


“When the restrictions started to ease we were allowed to have small group classes, with a maximum of 6 kids in each class. This lead to us having to divide our one hour classes for 30-45 kids into 6-8 individual classes
.”

Despite the restrictions, Rory used this time away from the pitch to utilise his skills, knowledge and experience to get back out there and help change young people’s lives by keeping them active through sport.

Rory and the team are so good at what they do, demand has increased for football training, leading to extending existing training to more hours at Brentside since November 2021

There is Youth Football Training on Tuesday evenings from 6 pm - 7 pm (for 4 to 7-year-olds) and 7 pm - 8 pm (for 8 to 12-year-olds)

Saturday Youth Football Training sessions are from 9.30 - 10:30 am (for ages 8 to 12 years old) with the second session starting at 1030 - 11:30 am (for 4 to 7-year-olds) and now the extended 8-12 year Olds session from 12:30pm - 1:30pm

To find out more check out their websitehttps://www.wemakefootballers.com/ealing/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/WeMakeFootballersEaling/

Instagram - @WMF.Ealing

Read More

Is It New Year New You?!

8th December 2021
Is It New Year New You?!

The guilt of overindulgence this festive period means that a lot of us will be signing up to fitness regimes in January.

But it doesn’t have to automatically just be the gym or another bonkers only eating when it’s a full-moon-granola-dust-only type diet! (There is a new one every year)

Beat the boredom of the home work-out DVD by getting out there, you never know, you may find something you really love and a whole new set of friends along the way.

You don’t even need to squeeze into neon lycra to join most of the classes! (But maybe ditch the lounge wear covered in crumbs for this one
 )

We provide lettings to multiple venues across the UK, so we have a *really* good idea about the different ways to keep fit, whatever your goals may be.

Classes include everything from Roller Derby, Martial Arts, Yoga, Racket Sports, and so much more, there really is something for everyone no matter the age or ability.

There are lots of options for outdoor events and fitness classes too if you’re worried about keeping safe indoors (especially when the news changes on coronavirus almost weekly)

We also host a number of Football pitches including 2G/3G across our network of venues ~ from 5 A Side through to Youth Football and everything in between. (Hockey can be played on 2G pitches too).

Check out our website and find the next class to get you off the sofa and stop doom scrolling those Instagram accounts, start your own fitness journey instead!

You can do it!

https://ealing.schoolbookings.co.uk/whats-on

Read More

Irish Dancing at Brentside School

10th November 2021
Irish Dancing at Brentside School

If you’re old enough to remember the 90s then you will definitely know about the time when Irish dancing sensation Riverdance burst onto our screens (and theatres) back in 1994.

Michael Flatley and co-stars transformed Irish dancing on stage, opening it up to new audiences across the globe. It was truly captivating.

These days it’s on social media platforms such as TikTok, YouTube and Instagram where the next dance stars go viral and captivate fans.

Social media giant TikTok has especially been ahead of the game on encouraging young people (and old) to learn the latest new dance.

Anyone who has a preteen or teenager in the house will already know at least one of these dances or had to sit through a performance in their living room (They’re a bit more slick these days than The Locomotion!)


There is only so much you can learn from online tutorials, YouTube or virtual lessons and not everyone wants to learn exclusively online. Sadly, they do have their limitations.

Learning in a dance studio is a world away from twirling around your bedroom try not to break things.

Pssst - It also means your parents won’t walk past you in the background ruining your next shot at fame - you may however end up going viral for that instead, be warned!

Being part of an academy or dance school means that they have a team of support, encouragement and knowledge to learn from. Dancers can improve their fitness and stamina, they get to make new friends which will help them grow in confidence.

The Gaca Academy Students regularly enter competitions and often come back clutching trophies, medals and awards. You only have to look at the Academy‘s Facebook page to see lots of smiling faces proudly showing off their results.

This year the dancers are performing at The Pitshanger Community Association’s annual light switch “Light Up The Lane” event on November 28th 2021 (link below) so make sure you pop down to support the event and see them in action for yourself!

About Ziggy

The Gaca Academy is owned and operated by award winning Irish dancer Ziggy Gaca T.C.R.G.

Ziggy has performed in various prestigious venues around the world performing for thousands including prime-time television shows across North America Europe and Asia.

In his competitive career he won many titles across the world becoming an all Scotland champion, the all-Ireland champion (twice) , the North American champion (three times) and the Great Britain champion (six times!)

Ziggy learned to dance from a young age, so knows how much hard work, determination and skill it takes to become a successful Irish dancer
 There isn’t much he doesn’t already know when it comes to Irish dancing.

Class Information

The Gaca Academy classes are available for all ages, stages and abilities and the best thing is - the first session is free!

Book a class for our What’s On page on our website or find out more from Gaca Academy Facebook page where you can see the latest News, reviews and updates.

Wednesdays

6.30pm - 7.30pm Grades Class
7.30pm - 8.30pm Advanced

Thursdays

6.30 - 7.30pm New Starters
Thursday 7.30pm - 8.30pm Advanced

Location: Upper drama studio, Brentside High School, Greenford Avenue, London, W7 1JJ

https://www.facebook.com/gaca.academy

https://www.pitshanger.org.uk/events

https://www.facebook.com/PitshangerCommunityAssociation

Read More

Welcome Back

26th August 2021

Welcome back everyone!


It's been an eventful 18 months but with life getting back to normal and the new academic year just round the corner we thought it was time for an update.

It's been a while since we've all had to work through the lettings process so here are a few Frequently Asked Questions to help jog your memories...and ours!

How do I enquiry about availability?

Check out our facilities here to find the right space for you. Then fill out the enquiry form at the bottom of each page or on our Contact Us page, and ask about what days and times we have available. We'll get back to you as soon as we can with all the relevant info.

How do I confirm my booking?

Once you've secured your ideal space you'll be set up with your very own account. You can check, confirm and pay for your bookings all in one handy place.

You'll be able to see any provisional bookings you have on your dashboard. Click 'view' to open up the booking, check everything is correct and then hit that green confirm button at the bottom of the page!

How do I pay my invoice?

We have two convenient ways of paying via your account. With our new Instant Pay feature you can process payment for your whole booking when you confirm and then sit back and relax!

If you prefer to make your payments monthly, remember to tick the 'Pay As You Go' box when confirming and we'll send over an invoice each month. Invoices will appear on your dashboard where you can click 'view' to open them up. There'll be two payment options at the bottom of the page for you to choose from, Stripe and GoCardless.

What are you doing to reduce the risk of Covid-19?

We take your safety very seriously.

Whilst restrictions have eased across the country we are still encouraging all visitors to wear face coverings until they reach their hire space, to regularly sanitise their hands and to wipe down touch points before leaving the room. All hirers are required to complete a risk assessment before their booking and indoor hirers must create a 'Covid Box' for their sessions. Covid Boxes should include; disinfectant wipes, hand sanitiser, extra face masks, disposable gloves and bin bags for you and your attendees. For more information check out our Booking Pack.

What's On?

We already have a wide variety of classes ready to go for the new academic year so check out our What's On page to see what's going on or for inspiration on how you can use our amazing facilities!


We hope to see you soon!

The BookingsGuru Team

Read More

Christmas 2018 at Brentside

7th December 2018
Christmas 2018 at Brentside

It's that time of the year again guys, it is now acceptable to listen to your favourite Christmas songs, and you can eat chocolate for breakfast and use the excuse 'it's Christmas, why not'. It seems to have come round remarkably quick this year, and lets hope you haven't left buying the presents to the last minute (like a few of us here).
We hope you're getting in the Christmas spirit and looking forward to a little break, that's only if you're not the one cooking on Christmas Day, if that's you, well then, best of luck!

A few updates of what's going on at Brentisde School, they will close down from the 21st December and will re-open on Monday the 7th January in 2019. Many activities and classes will be put on hold until January, where the motivation will be as high as ever to get involved and work off that Christmas Turkey. Be sure to get in touch to find out their plans and see when the classes and activities return for 2019.

On the 21st December, the final booking for the year will be filled by a Taekwondo class, who hold their excellent classes on a Friday night, from 19:00 - 20:00 and they return back again on the Friday the 11th January.

Returning back in January 2019 will be classes such as Brentside Wrestling Club, Yoga Classes, Kids Football Academy and many more. We will also have many private bookings such as Church Groups. Along with that, we are excited to tell you, that there have been many different requests to start new and exciting classes and activities to be performed at Brentside School and be open for members of the public and the local community to participate in.

If you are looking to start a class or activity of your own in 2019, then why not contact us on 03330 110 476, we don't just provide you with a space, but we also advertise your classes on our website and social media channels, which will help in gaining new customers for you.

We hope you have a very Merry Christmas and we wish you a Happy New Year! 2019 is going to be a good one!

The Bookings Guru Team

Read More