Yes, it can be a testing time for parents – and grandparents – but help is at hand if you pick up a leaflet at Downham Leisure Centre, giving details of the summer holiday sport timetable.

In fact it all started on Wednesday with a swimming pool fun session, plus an archery taster session.

It's all part of the borough-wide Let's Get Active Summer Holiday Activities programme and there's a wide variety on offer at the Downham centre right through to the end of August.

For sporting youngsters there's the chance to have football coaching, perhaps look in at an all-day cricket session, try archery, tennis, basketball or badminton.

Roller skating is always popular and for the more energetic there is junior circuit training and even a Junior Olympics 2008 for the six-12 age group.

Lots of fun swimming sessions are included throughout the holidays.

There are also art sessions, craft mornings and a couple of treasure hunts (the first is this afternoon from 3-4pm, so hurry along if you want to join in that one).

Yes, there are costs involved, but all the information is given on the leaflet, or ask the sports centre staff for details. Alternatively, put a call in on 01366 386868.

Looking further ahead, there is a "have-a-go-day" at the leisure centre on Bank Holiday Monday, August 25. Unless you've already made other arrangements, put that date in your diary as there will be plenty to do.

It's a free event to go along and try some different activities such as wall climbing, archery and (intriguingly) water walkers!

I'll let you have more details closer to the event.

• No sooner is one Downham Festival over then planning starts on the next one.

I've received notification of the annual meeting which will be held on Thursday, September 4, at Downham Town Hall.

Carol Williams, the secretary, points out that a new committee will be elected during that meeting, so if you would like to have an input into this superb event for the town, then she would like to hear from you. Email her at Carolfestival@aol.com

• And finally, it's congratulations to the Red Hat Ladies of Downham – the quaintly-named Sluice Women. They started off last July with nine members and now have 63 on the books.

The group's first birthday bash was due to be held last night and I can imagine that all those red hats of various shapes and sizes was quite a sight to behold at Downham Conservative Club.