School dinners blogger Martha Payne turns down fancy feast for Blackpool camping
Filed under: Healthy eating
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The down-to-earth youngster was offered the all-expenses-paid trip after Noma's chefs heard about her online campaign to improve the quality and quantity of her school dinners.
But Martha told her family: "I'd rather go camping."
The little girl became a worldwide sensation after her NeverSeconds blog chronicled the daily offerings served up by her school canteen.
Despite the blog having raised money for a charity, Mary's Meals, it was at one point ordered offline by her local council, who forbade her to take anymore pictures of her dinners. They eventually changed their minds, and Martha continued blogging and fund-raising. So far she has raised a whopping £100,000 for the charity.
Her dad Dave, 39, said that Martha's reluctance to accept the two Michelin starred restaurant's offer showed the 'type of girl' she is.
"She just didn't want to miss out on our camping trip because it had been planned for so long," he said, "We're going with friends to the north-west of England and the kids want to visit Blackpool Pleasure Beach."
He added that he had been very tempted by the offer himself. "The restaurant were really keen on Martha going over to speak for 10 minutes about her blog as part of the conference. I love cooking so I was quite tempted as it's not every day you get the chance to eat at the world's finest restaurant!" he said.
"We're so proud of Martha not wanting to let anyone down. But she just said, 'I'd rather go camping, dad.' That's what's great about her and it keeps everything real."
See what Martha could be enjoying in Blackpool!
Blackpool: Things to do and places to go with little ones in tow
- Nickelodeon Land at Pleasure Beach<p> Blackpool’s Pleasure Beach is already one of the UK’s best-loved theme parks, but things got even more interesting for younger families in 2011 with the launch of <a href="http://www.nick.co.uk/nickelodeonland/" target="_blank">‘Nickelodeon Land’. </a></p> <p> Situated within the Pleasure Beach, it boasts 12 themed rides that younger children will love including SpongeBob’s Splash Bash, Diego’s Rainforest Rescue and Rugrats Lost River.</p> <p> ‘Nick’ characters are in abundance for the kids to meet and greet, there’s a branded shop if you’re feeling flush, and the Big Pizza Kitchen is great for family dining.<br /> <br /> Visit website for seasonal opening hours.<br /> Unlimited wristbands (online prices) £27 per person. Juniors (under-12) and seniors, £22 each.</p>
- Blackpool Tower<p> Blackpool’s most famous landmark, the <a href="http://www.theblackpooltower.com/" target="_blank">Tower </a>is always worth a visit. Over the summer you can enjoy an indoor circus, ‘Jungle Jim’s’ soft play centre and the spectacular ballroom, as seen on Strictly Come Dancing.</p> <p> In September, the Tower top will re-open as The Blackpool Tower Eye observation deck, including a thrilling glass ‘Airwalk’, and the Blackpool Tower Dungeon will also debut, with grisly areas devoted to the Pendle Witch Trials as well as Extremis, an indoor drop ride.<br /> <br /> Open Monday to Friday, 10am - 4pm. Weekends and School Holidays 10am - 5pm.<br /> Family admission (2 adults & 2 children), £36.</p>
- Sandcastle waterpark<p> Right next to the beach, the <a href="http://www.sandcastle-waterpark.co.uk/graphic/home/" target="_blank">Sandcastle</a> is the UK’s largest indoor water park with 18 slides and attractions. Even if it’s pouring outside, the artificially- tropical climate ensures that kids will get a swim and can hurl themselves down exciting slides including the Masterblaster and Sidewinder - or chill out in the Ushi Gushi Action River, Shimmering Shallows and Lagoon Wave Pool.</p> <p> Younger kids are catered for too with a Caribbean Storm tree house (an interactive water adventure play area), water cannons and mini slides.<br /> <br /> Open all year. Check website for seasonal opening hours.</p> <p> Family of three saver (max two adults), £30.00 (additional charge applies for Sidewinder and Masterblaster slides).</p>
- Sealife centre<p> There are several Sea Life Centres across the country, but visiting one by the seaside is always special.</p> <p> <a href="http://www.visitsealife.com/blackpool/" target="_blank">Blackpool’s</a> branch boasts the world’s largest variety of sharks, over 1,000 sea creatures and a walkthrough, underwater tunnel. It also has a new ‘claws’ exhibition with display tanks that look like giant crabs.</p> <p> Kids will go crazy for the collection of crusty crabs and crustaceans, including a Japanese Spider Crab - which can grow big enough to straddle a small car.<br /> <br /> Open Monday to Sunday, 10am – 4pm.<br /> Family of four (two adults and two children), £35.40 (online price).</p>
- Big Blue Hotel<p> Right next to the Pleasure Beach, the chic <a href="http://www.bigbluehotel.com/accommodation.php" target="_blank">Big Blue Hotel</a> was a welcome addition to Blackpool’s accommodation choices when it opened in 2003.</p> <p> The Pepsi Max Big One provides the backdrop and many rooms overlook the vast rollercoaster.</p> <p> Superior family rooms have a designated children's area (for under-12s) with funky bunk beds, individual freeview TVs and connections for PlayStation 2 (hire the latest games and consoles from reception).</p> <p> In Blues Bar and Brasserie children can create their own pizzas, and if you’ve had enough fun on the Pleasure Beach, Blackpool’s ice skating arena is on the doorstep.<br /> <br /> Check website for rates and availability.</p>
- Madame Tussauds<p> Blackpool’s very own <a href="http://www.madametussauds.com/blackpool/" target="_blank">Madame Tussauds,</a> only the second in the country, opened in April 2011. Much like the London waxwork venue, it is packed with big names from the celebrity world as well as classic comedians and iconic TV and sport personalities including Cheryl Cole, Gok Wan, Susan Boyle, Graham Norton and David Beckham.</p> <p> Don’t forget to bring a camera to capture your kids brushing shoulders with the stars.<br /> <br /> Open every day (except Christmas Day), Monday to Friday, 10am – 4.30pm, Saturday and Sunday (and UK school holidays), 10am – 6pm.</p> <p> <br /> Family of four (two adults and two children), £35.40, under-3s admitted free. (Advanced online price).</p>
- Blackpool Zoo<p> <a href="http://www.blackpoolzoo.org.uk/" target="_blank">Blackpool Zoo</a> has over 1,500 animals and now includes a huge children’s farm where kids can get hands on with donkeys, sheep, goats, rabbits and guinea pigs in daily interactive sessions and educational talks.</p> <p> Little ones will also love the llamas and adorable baby reindeer - and one of the zoo’s most popular animals, Rudolf the Kune Kune pig, has a new purpose-built home in the children’s farm. As well as the animals there is a play barn and a miniature train on the site and the restaurant has just had a £350,000 overhaul.<br /> <br /> Open at 10am daily (check website for seasonal closing times).</p> <p> Family ticket (two adults and two children), £41.40 (online price).</p>
- Blackpool piers<p> Blackpool is home to three piers, each offering plenty of family entertainment.</p> <p> As well as shops, kids’ rides and a huge amusement arcade, the <a href="http://www.blackpoolnorthpier.co.uk/" target="_blank">North Pier </a>also houses the North Pier Theatre, which usually runs a programme of family-friendly shows.</p> <p> The<a href="http://www.centralpierblackpool.co.uk/" target="_blank"> Central Pier </a>is most famous for its imposing Big Wheel but it also boasts the Pier End, a family-friendly bar and pizza restaurant with live entertainment.</p> <p> The <a href="http://www.attractionsblackpool.co.uk/South_Pier.htm" target="_blank">South Pier </a>has a mix of classic fairground rides, traditional stalls and white knuckle rides including a reverse bungee.<br /> <br /> Check individual websites for opening times and prices.</p>
- Blackpool Illuminations<p> Starting on September 2nd, the 10km stretch of <a href="http://www.blackpool-illuminations.net/" target="_blank">‘Illuminations’ </a>on Blackpool’s promenade create an annual spectacle that children adore.</p> <p> The Illuminations consist of lasers, neon, fibre optics, floodlighting, searchlights and more than one million light bulbs.</p> <p> In 2010, there were over 500 light features, as well as strings of lights along the structure of buildings, picking out Blackpool’s landmarks in luminous detail.</p> <p> And the best way to see the display is from one of the trams, which are also illuminated and decorated with specific themes; previous years have seen a Wild West tram, as well as a space rocket.<br /> <br /> The Illuminations run from September 2nd to November 6th 2011 (check website for switch-on times).</p>
- West Coast Rock Cafe<p> With quirky décor and mega-friendly hosts (a local family who have owned and run the business since 1987), the <a href="http://www.westcoastrock.co.uk/index.htm" target="_blank">West Coast Rock Café </a>is the perfect place to grab a bite with the family. Right in the centre of town, it serves a mix of burgers, steaks and Tex-Mex.</p> <p> The kids menu, for under-12s, includes three types of pasta (including veggie), as well as a ‘mix-and-match’ selection of kids favourites (goujons, sausages, fish fingers, pizza, etc) at very reasonable prices.<br /> <br /> Open daily, 12pm until late.</p>
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