parents and children.

The idea is that October be seen as a month to begin spending "quality time'' with children of all ages.

A number of local organisations have arranged fun events and more serious discussions concerning children.

Last weekend Family Health Month got underway with a series of events proving a success. The main one was the Parenting Fair organised by the Amalgamated Bermuda Union of Teachers.

The objective of the fair was to give the community, especially parents, an opportunity to become aware of many educational resources and help groups available for children.

Entertainment was laid on for the children while parents spoke to several representatives of the various organisations.

Ms Shawnette Purnell, Chairperson of ABUT's Community Awareness Committee said: "It was very successful and more people turned up than last year. The hall was comfortably full of people.'' Today a Family Health Forum will be held in the Youth Library in Church Street, Hamilton. It has been organised by the Bermuda Association for the Education of Young Children.

Topics include nutrition, by Mrs. Betsy Baillie, and stress management, by Mr.

Ernestine De Graffe. The forum takes place between 7.30 p.m. and 8.30 p.m.

Also starting tomorrow is the National Symposium on Children At Risk at the Princess Hotel, in Hamilton. It continues on Friday.

And at the Southampton Princess there will be a Child Care Conference organised by the Department of Youth and Sport, on Friday and Saturday.

On Saturday, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will hold a fun fair at the Botanical Gardens, from 9.30 a.m. until 3.30 p.m.

Over the weekend the Bermuda Maritime Museum at Dockyard will offer free admission to children accompanied by an adult.

The National Gallery, in City Hall, on Saturday, will be free to children, again if they have an adult with them.