Hi  
 
Just thought i would introduce myself, i am planning on moving over to Brandon next year from the United Kingdom. I have two daughters Jess (3) and Lucy (22mths). Really looking forward to the move and would like to get to know other families in the area before we move.  
 

Don't do it!!! Stay where you are!!! ... just kidding!! :-)  
 
Brandon is a great place to live. I love it here! I grew up in a big city, but have really started to like the smaller city of Brandon. Lots to do, especially if you like outdoors sort of stuff. The cold winters can take a bit of time to get used to (-50 degrees C isn't all that uncommon with the windchill). Personally, I love the winters!!  
 
Good luck with the move!

My father moved from the UK to Manitoba over 50yrs ago. I think you will love it, its a great city for raising children, not to big, not to small. I was born and raised in Winnipeg and prefer Brandon over "the Big City" anyday.

hi  
 
thanks for the replies. I am so excited about moving over, been looking at pictures and vidoes on you tube about Brandon. Is there many groups in Brandon for mothers and young children as i think this would be the best way to get to meet people when we do move, similar to mother and baby groups. Also do you guys have nursery school (probably silly question) as Jess my eldest will be in her second year when we move (she will be 4years old)or will she have to wait until she is 5 to start kindergarten?

there is definatly group for mothers and children that you can go to. i dont have much info as im a soon to be first time mom. but im sure someone could give you more info....as for the preschool yes there is lots of preschools here for your child to go to. Brandon is a great city to live with raising children! good luck with your move!

You will find when you come to Brandon that there are a lot of people from Scotland who have moved here (me included). There's a Scottish society who host various events through the year, especially the Scottish Pavilion at a city wide multi cultural event in Feb.  
 
You won't have a problem connecting with people once you get here.  
 
Brandon is a very family oriented city so there's lots to do for your kids as they grow.  
 

I suggest you check out the Elspeith Ried Centre.. there are TONS of mommy/baby groups, parenting information sessions and all those kind of things, and everyone there is sooooooooo awesome! i ahve been going there for years, unfortunetly i am moving out of province real soon! but thats a place to start, alot of the community centres has a mommy group i think on tuesday mornings, they are fun to.. there is a Mom group at my church as well... every second thursday from 945-1130ish, and the kids can go in the nursery, and moms do lots of things, that is by far my favorite one!! McDiarmid Drive Alliance Church ( call Kerry-728-2473) There are so many oppurtunities in our wonderful city, i hope you like it, and welcome to Brandon!!  
 
Kyla

It seems that the Scottish attend First Presbyterian Church if you are homesick for a UK accent. They have a wonderful pipe organ and music director and that is why I started attending there. But then the friendly people kept me coming back - and their accents.  
 
School wise - I taught my daughter how to read English before she started Kindergarten so I investigated the French Immersion program to keep her from becoming bored. It is currently in New Era, an inner city school, with students bused from everywhere. There is now an English pre-school program in the building making the transition to starting real school easier.  
 
My daughter went to this school from Kindergarten to grade 8. By being in the same building for nine years, I think it provided an excellent foundation for her education.  
 
If you do not want French Immersion, then your children will be attending the school closet to where you live or what they refer to as "catchment area". School shopping was my top priority before looking at houses. Have you bought a house yet? I have investigated many of the schools and can give you an unbiased review about any one of them. There is a "School of Choice" procedure if you want your child to go to a different school.  
 
The next area to investigate is any interests your children may have about music or sports. My specialty is music such as the children choir, Suzuki music, Orff, piano, and some dance. I could write five pages so don't get me started unless you are really interested.  
 
Sports wise, we are having a new YMCA built with increased pool and gym space for all ages. The University has a new fitness centre opening soon too. I bought a house in the community of Kirkcaldy because there is a "SportsPlex" with a 50 meter, six lane pool, a full size hockey rink (with "no puck" times for figure skating), racquetball and squash courts and meeting rooms. The Optimist Club has a field with a gazillion soccer pitches that fill up with older kids so they have half size fields set up across the street for the younger ones - 4 and 5 year old boys and girls learn the basics there.  
 
Now that I have opened the flood gates, everyone will try to get you to join their school or sports club.  
 
Oh did I mention we have four Lions International Clubs in Brandon? If you are looking for a positive way to meet people ...

and productive rugby football club. 3 teams plus an active mini rugby 7-11 (touch) and 12-14 full contact. Full of ex-pats and their kids from the UK and South Africa.

It's very boring. Children likely to get into trouble here...

around 4:17 A.M.

Awesome big town to raise kids in. Sure you will enjoy it!!

I am also from the UK, but have lived here since i was a little girl :D There is a lot to do if you want to do something.  
 
what i have found out personally is that most of the "moms" groups do all their functions in the morning....that works for a lot, but not for all. So depending on your child's schedule, and what you want them to participate in, you may have to adjust things.  
 
If you are just looking to get the kids together to interact with other kids at a playdate, or even be able to get out with some girls for coffee in the evenings without the kids, then send me a PM.....(i have started a group on facebook that has just over 40 members)  
 

We just moved to a really small town near Niverville and it makes me so sad to be away from the place I called home for all of my life. I have 3 kids and the church that I went to had a great moms morning out group (if you guys are reading I miss you) They had child care and the moms did crafts or baking. Somehting different every week. As well if you look up the Elspeth Reid centre on the internet it is an amazing way to meet people. I went to quite a few parenting classes and nursery programs and met alot of great people. It is a wonderful way for your kids to get connected with other kids their ages, and it is a free program (for the most part) The instructors are so nice there too. Good luck in your move. I know you will love it there.  
Oh how I miss Bandon