The Doncaster Mumbler Awards nominations went live on the 1st July and although we don’t usually publish the nominations and comments, I thought that every single person who receives a nomination deserves to read their messages of thanks & support at this time as things start to reopen.
It has been a tough time for lots of small businesses, particularly those who run classes and activities, so I hope that these comments show you how much you are appreciated by Doncaster families! They can’t wait for you to be back up and running!
Nominations are now closed and the 5 nominees with most nominations go through to the final for the shortlist vote in September.
Caroline x
In alphabetical order – I’ve taken one nomination comment for each business that has been nominated (up to 15th July):
Acmac Martial Arts
- Acmac run various styles of self defense/fitness classes – theres something for everyone..
Arabesque Dance School
- Miss Kay and Miss Rachel have worked tirelessly throughout these difficult times to bring dance lessons to children at home. They have held Zoom classes most days, teaching the students new routines and steps. They have also actively encouraged pupils to keep up with their stretches and exercises at home, and have praised those who have kept up the hard work. Their positivity has been a beacon in these uncertain times!
Baby & Toddler Singalong and Sign
- We sing songs and learn to use sign language for the words. My daughter used the sign for ‘thank you’ before she could say it. Rachel Downs who runs the session is amazing! She is so friendly and welcoming. She also brings a suitcase full of teddies and props to support each song which the children love! The classes are great value too at £3 per family and you don’t have to sign up to a block, just turn up if and when you can.
Baby Beatz
- Such an amazing and welcoming group. Amy is amazing with the babies and toddlers. It’s such a fun group which I can’t wait to open back up after this COVID so my son can join. Perfect way to bond with your babies and help them with their development as well as meeting other mums.
Baby Bunnies
- I had my baby just before lockdown. It was so nice to know I was not on my own. So far I have done baby massage as it has worked around my home schooling my older daughter. The zoom classes have allowed our babies to continue to have classes that are important for their development as well as offering much needed support to mummies in these crazy times. Nichola is amazing and keeps babies engaged. My little girl loves her massage sessions. She can be miserable yet as soon as she hears Nichola’s voice she’s all smiles at her.
Baby Bright Sparks
- Claire and her classes have been amazing for both of my little girls. Providing a safe environment for sensory and messy play.
Bake, Battle & Roll
- They organise fantastic home ed sessions and have a great range of educational games for people of all ages.
Bentley Boxing Club
- My sons been attending this year and has felt like part of the team and welcomed since day one. The guys have encouraged him and brought out his self belief and the discipline of the sport has been great for all the kids there. He always has fun and hes keeping fit. The guys are there for the kids in all weathers eveey week dedicating their time.
BodyRockers Dance Studio
- My daughter has been attending dance class here for almost 10 years, since being 3 years old. I have also been attending fitness classes with Victoria for the last 10 years.
Boston Park Farm
- Little farmers, helps young children understand nature and where food comes from.
Bouncing Buggies
- I have been going to Jennas Bouncing buggies since my 4 year old was born and I have since had 7 month old twins. I have continued going this whole time and now even my husband joins in on a Saturday. Exercise is such a big part of me as a individual and it was something that I didn’t want to lose when I became a mum. The very fact that you can go and exercise with your pram and baby is unbelievable. It gets you out the house, into the fresh air and gets your fitness and strength back post partum. As a physio myself I know the benefits of exercise after pregnancy and the importance of regaining strength but the sad thing is that a lot of women are not able to do this because they don’t have the access to exercise due to limitations with childcare. This leads to physical problems.
Brookfield Children’s Centre
- Friendly and welcoming group ran by great staff
Bump to Baby Yoga & Massage
- Midwife led. Provides both pre and postnatal classes, super friendly and accommodating to all including parents with sensory loss
Care2Dance
- The joy it brings the kids is incredible and with the kids been disabled, care2dance gives the kids a place to express themselves in a safe environment with like minded people.
Clark School of Dance
- A friendly, inclusive, dance school allowing all children to flourish. The school have continued to provide lessons via Zoom throughout lockdown, finding ways to keep everyone included and motivated.
Colours Pottery Painting Studio
- Always a warm welcome, lovely bright environment lots of help and support for your pottery project and always a variety of activities for all ages.
Cre8ive Dance Academy
- All the staff at Cre8ive truly put the children at the forefront of everything they do. They instil a real sense of friendship, teamwork and passion in all the students- never turning a child away from a class and in fact encouraging them to try new dance styles no matter what- a fantastic activity run by a fantastic team and very deserving of this award.
Diddikicks
- We adore going to diddikicks. Our local coaches are just fabulous and it’s great to spend time with just me and my little one.
Doncaster Family Hub
- Their contribution to keeping families engaged during lockdown
Doncaster Youth Jazz Association
- The offer fun, interesting musical opportunities to children across Doncaster
Elite Theatre Arts (ETA)
- Elite Theatre Arts also known as ETA, deserves to win this award for many reasons. ETA helped me and many others improve our confidence and social skills, I attend 3/4 classes every week and when Im not there I miss it. Joanne Watkinson (teacher and owner) is a great role model. ETA includes everyone, classes include LAMDA (acting class), dancing, musical theatre and private lessons. Private lessons are for the attendees that want to take part in competitions and exams. ETA is a family and it deserves this award.
Elmfield Gymnastics Club
- My daughter has been going here for years The coaches are amazing and supportive. They have got my daughter to National fig level
Endeavour Martial Arts
- I have trained here for many years now, they are a fantastic family run club who really welcome families, children and adults to come and train. Everyone is made to feel so welcome not matter their ability, and the club really does become your second family.
Evolution Academy
- Crystal runs a small dance school based between Crowle and Moorends. The school mainly consists of girls, but what a bunch of girls, Crystal single handily brings on every single one of those girls massively, with endless encouragement and support. During the pandemic she gave the girls weekly challenges to keep them focused and even put on little Sunday funday activities for ‘all the family’ Every year she gives these girls opportunity on top of opportunity, things the girls would never usually be able to do. Every year her dance school has auditioned for the dance World Cup, they have got through and the school have represented England. In June we were due to go to Italy to participate in the Dance World Cup but obviously this couldn’t happen due to COVID-19. Obviously disappointing but Crystal has picked up all the kids spirits by reving them up and getting ready to qualify again next year.
Evolve Dance
- Claire and the team work really hard to provide fun classes for lots of age groups. During lockdown they have been providing zoom classes and encouraging the children to keep up with their dancing and gymnastics.
Fir Tree Farm Equestrian
- Everyone takes their time to give children the best possible horsey experience from tiny tots to teens. Children flourish in this setting and learn not only how to ride but how to care for horses and ponies. Saturday morning group lessons are the best! My child loves coming here and I’m so proud of the progress she had made.
Forest Friends Woodland Activities
- Family friendly and exploring the environment around us for a great price and lots of fun.
Frog Phonics
- Young local business run by a school teacher who has boundless energy and a real passion for helping little ones prepare for school. The way she has had to adapt her new business coronavirus situation has been inspirational.
Happy Tots Playgroup, Hatfield
- The people that run the group are always welcoming, especially Stacey, and it is a great place for the kids to enjoy themselves in a relaxed and fun atmosphere.
Haydon’s Dance Academy
- My Daughter has been taking classes with Haydon’s since last year and absolutely loves them. They have absolutely gone above and beyond throughout the pandemic, they were ready to take the classes online as soon as the country was locked down and always do their best to accommodate every child.
Hexthorpe Monarchs
- What a team, formed by two dads of boys who was with a previous football group who wanted to keep their boys and pals together for not only physical activity but because of their friendships they had made. This year the monarchs have gone from strength to strength with strong support from Phone world for sponsorship to finding ways through Covid to keep the boys spirits and skills up, Kris and Andy go the extra mile week in and week out to provide quality training for the boys where the heart of the team is based around respect and being a good sportsman! The attitude we want our son to grow with, so thank you for creating the team and our Monarchs family #morethanfootball
Jo Jingles
- Fantastic content and really lovely teacher
Kixx
- Great classes, good at engaging the children.
KT Danz, Bentley
- No matter what situation has been thrown at her Katie has gone above and beyond to ensure she has done everything she can for her dance students. She treats them all with love and respect and always sees the potential each child has. Throughout a difficult year year of not only her studio affected by flood, private family illness and the pandemic, Katie has kept in contact with her dance family setting fun challenges and praising them for their continued efforts.
Kidz Hub Rhythm and Ryhme
- This lovely class held by the wonderful girls at kidz hub in harworth. They are so inclusive of all familys older grandparents to childminders. My little one loves going hopfully they will be up and running again soon.
Let’s Act
- The teachers are amazing, they all genuinely care about each individual child giving them help support and encouragement tailored to their individual needs. Let’s act is so much more than a drama school it is a supportive family where children thrive in all areas of the arts. The children are given fantastic opportunities to develop their skills alongside professionals and enhance their career if they so wish. The confidence our daughter has gained here especially with having hearing and speech problems is amazing and can’t thank everyone enough.
Let’s Sing
- Great intergenerational class that combines music and love. The class is great for all ages with a very relaxed atmosphere and plenty of social interaction. We love it!!!!
Little Fishes St Peter’s Bentley
- Steph engages with children brilliantly, is very welcoming and never forgets a face. She’s been amazing through lockdown, running Zoom singalong sessions and various videos to keep the kids entertained.
Little Learners Doncaster
- Catherine provides brilliantly creative sessions, we love making mess!
Little Messy’s
- All my three boys goes to these classes and play for there team.The coaches are brilliant and make it fun but learn too.They learn footy skills,fitness and most of all have made great friendships.
M.A Performing Arts
- Because the teachers are brilliant not just with their pupils but with the parents as well. Will go above and beyond to help them and teach them all they need to know in the world of dance and arts. My daughter has a lot more confidence in herself, talking to others thanks to the amazing staff at the M.A Performing Arts.
MAPA Dance Bentley
- Fun and friendly dance classes of all styles for all ages.
Marie Newson School of Dance
- My daughters absolutely love this woman. The dance school is small, intimate and professional. They have missed being at dancing during lockdown but she has put interactive dance lessons on to keep them going and seeing each other. (She hasn’t charged a penny for this) She is just a wonderful caring woman.
MB Academy
- My daughter absolutely loves the lessons there, and throughout the past 3-4 months the online lessons have been amazing. Miss Gemma had gone above and beyond for all the children who attend xx
Messy Church at St Leonard’s Church
- Lovely range of activities – all run by volunteers No payment required and tea is provided
Messy Movers by the Stainforth Family Hub
- This group is amazing for the children’s early development! Definitely the one I miss the most. And they are getting the enjoyable experience of messy play without ruining your floor at home so a win win, why would you not go?
Mini Wheelers
- My daughter attended and went straight from balance bike to pedal bike without stabilisers, fantastic classes
Music Bugs Doncaster
- Before lockdown my son and I absolutely adored our classes here with the amazing Tanya Tuby. Such a brilliant developmental class and each week my (then 7 month old!) son’s face lit up every time we walked into the class!
NCT Baby Group
- The ladies who volunteer for this group are phenomenal. Always there if you need help or advice. I don’t know where I’d be without them!
Philips School of Dance
- They welcomed our children in as part of the family straight away. They have so much time and patience with all of the children and all the teachers are great.
Potteric Carr
- Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Potteric Carr is a stunning wildlife nature reserve. I first visited them 8.5yrs ago with a new born and discovered rapidly that babies and toddlers love bird watching and wildlife. They are a low cost venue providing adventure and wildlife learning for the whole family. They promote family activities where families bond together to do anything from arts, crafts to getting mucky with camp fires, den building or my favorite which is to stroll at dusk with bat detectors to watch bat’s, foxes and badgers etc. They have fantastic facilities for food, toilets and friendly seating areas. The adult bird watchers always love to talk to children and share their knowledge. Their staff and volunteers are highly skilled and motivated to work with babies, children, young persons to the elderly what more can you wish for.
Phonics with Robot Reg
- An amazing class which has seen my little girls phonetics and speech develop at a staggering rate. A fun class ran by an amazing lady – Jenny Ward.
Pauline Quirke Academy (PQA)
- PQA Doncaster is led by a principle devoted to performing arts, her passion fuels the team who in turn create challenging and exciting ways to develop skills. Pqa has a strong ethic of team work which makes every child feel welcome and valued, the teachers fine tune existing skills and support to develop new which gives children confidence. The caring/family aspect of the academy is contagious, every child wants to support each other and celebrate successes together. The opportunities for the children individually are limitless for those who want it, no pressure on those who don’t. Everyone has a chance to shine.
Priory Play
- This little community event happens in the town centre at Priory Place Methodist Church every Wednesday 10-12pm. This is aimed at children aged 0-5 years old. Its costs £1! The children get to play in a safe and secure church hall, parents and childminders get to know each other and chat. The children get drinks, fruit and snacks. The parents get tea or coffee and biscuits. There is a craft table, jigsaws, bouncing Castle, dressing up and then they do sing songs at the end to finish the time up. Such a beautiful play group, everyone is welcome. Its a great place in town centre.
Puddle Ducks Doncaster
- These classes have been the highlight of our week for myself and my children. The intimate time in the pool and the progression in their swimming are what make them winners to me!
Reptile Rendezvous & Furry Friends
- Providing online activities during lockdown
Royston School of Dance
- A truly amazing team and there is a great feel of family with no one left out it truly is a the best. Its more than just dancing for all that attend and the Angela truly is more than just a dance teacher she instills time and energy in to every single child that goes through the doors. Its more than just a dance class its Family.
RugbyTots
- My son absolutely loves the classes which provide not only fun but exercise, teamwork, and discipline. Even through lockdown Coach Jez ran online live Facebook classes every week at no charge, to just keep the kids entertained and engaged.
Stainforth family hub
- Throughout lockdown they’ve have virtual classes and daily activities for the kids. They usually have classes from 0 to 5 and then during the holidays they make sure they have stuff for the older kids. It’s completely free too and just amazing I would be lost without it.
Street Beat Dance Academy
- The dedication and commitment of the teachers is second to none. Also their determination to keep everyone dancing during lockdown has been fabulous
Swimstars & Dolphins
- Fantastic swimming lessons at quest park
Sunnybank Gardens Play area
- Lots to keep the kids entertained while adults can grab some lunch and sit and watch
Tots Play
- I booked onto Claire’s classes back in January 2020 for when my baby girl arrived at end March. I didn’t know what to expect but these classes appealed to me because of the variety offered, it felt like 3 classes rolled into 1. Right from the start Claire was really supportive and helpful and made me feel a part of the tots play family. I had my first baby on 23 March 2020 (The first day of lockdown) the fear of being isolated and the unknown was so scary, but Claire was absolutely incredible by offering support and alternative ways of staying connected. Claire dropped off some supplies to my home the very next day so we could participate in the activities online and was always at the end of the phone if I needed anything. I honestly couldn’t have coped through lockdown without her, she really is an incredible woman! Thanks to Claire I have managed to stay sane during lockdown and also done what I thought would be impossible…. I’ve made some mummy friends. Claire facilitated a WhatsApp group for the class and we have recently ventured out on socially distanced garden meetings with the babies when the weather is nice. I cannot thank Claire enough for all her support, kind words, story time wednesdays …. just everything! I’m so thankful I found her and Tots Play. Claire thoroughly deserves this award and to be recognised for all her help and hard work during this uncertain time to keep all us mums going!
Thema Performing Arts
Tumble Tots
- Great way for children to learn to move and explore safely.
Turning Pointe Dance School
- They offer brilliant dance classes, they have fully qualified staff, their lessons are creative and fun. They have a wonderful ethos and are professional and personable.
Wheatley Hills Tennis Club
- Myles is the best tennis coach about! He has an amazing way with children and so much patience. He makes the warm up and cool down so much for for them. He always makes the children feel great at their game, no matter if they are new or struggling. He has started back one to one coaching now which I am so pleased as my little boys were missing tennis far too much!
Zen Baby
- Rachael is passionate about helping families and kind. She’s great at what she does.
Check back in September and VOTE here
If you’re looking for things to do this summer with the kids, take a look here.
