Wrington helps school insulation scheme

Volunteers help with the greening of Wrington school

2020 Vision Energy are half way to completing the straw bale insulation project it's running at Wrington C of E Primary School, thanks to enthusiastic support from local volunteers. Volunteers so far have dug foundations, constructed a timber frame around the existing prefabricated building, and completed a new pitched roof for the classroom.

It has required a tremendous amount of hard work and support from both local residents and interested parties from further afield. All have said they have found the project interesting and rewarding to be a part of. It's not often that one works with a group of people whose enthusiasm rises so far above their carpentry experience that a building is created over a weekend.

This structure is so strong too! Its specifications far exceed the houses that are usually built in this country. It follows the tradition of building in Scotland, where houses in the far north are built to withstand hurricanes.

The build is half way to completion, with the straw bale insulation being packed in the timber frame in the next few days, followed by a lime render mortar to provide the finish. The classroom, once completed, will be the first of its kind to refurbish the existing classroom using this innovative design coupled with traditional building materials. The second classroom on site, which has remained un-altered, will act as a comparison for energy use in school science and geography projects.

Anti Ring Road campaigners plan walks

On Monday September 24, residents of Stockwood and Whitchurch involved in the Alliance against the South Bristol Ring Road are organising three walks and a cycle ride along the route of the proposed SBRR to draw attention to its impacts on South Bristol communities.

A five mile walk is planned from Long Ashton Park and Ride site starting at 10am and shorter feeder walks of two and a half miles from Stockwood and one and a quarter miles from Whitchurch. All walks and the cycle ride finish at the Whitchurch Folk House on East Dundry Road. The cycle ride starting at Long Ashton Park and Ride at 10.30 am and will cover the whole Ring Road route to Stockwood (with a feeder ride from Central Bristol).

A fundraising bar and barbecue will be held at the Folk House at the end of the walks/ride. Coach transport from Central Bristol and Ashton/Southville to the start of the long walk and for the return is available if booked in advance for a donation of £1 per journey.

For further details, contact pip_sheard@ hotmail.co.uk or go to the Alliance website at www.southbristolringroad.co.uk to register for the walks/ride.

Harvest Home has a vintage theme

It's all go for this year's vintage themed Chew Stoke Harvest Home being held on Saturday 2nd September.

Chris Sperring MBE will officially open the show this year. Chris is renowned for his work as an experienced naturalist and broadcaster as well as a Conservation Officer for the Hawk and Owl Trust.

If any local residents can provide some produce for the produce stall, please contact Chris Seaton on 01275 332066. You can also contact Chris if you are keen to help or volunteer for the day, or bake cakes for stalls. Don't forget to buy raffle tickets, for the chance to win a top prize of £200 and other interesting things!

Tickets can be purchased at the Chew Stoke Village Shop. If any local companies/residents can donate prizes, please contact Charlotte on 01275 332247. During the day, there will be a flower show with traditional flowers and veg, preserves, cakes, handicrafts, photographs, floral art and classes for youngsters. Could your family make a Queen or Princess, a Windmill or a Decorated Harvest Hoop (max 3ft high) for display?

There's also Morris Men, the dog show, fairground rides, circus skills, punch & judy and an art exhibition. The tea tent will open at the start of the afternoon. The annual horse show and gymkhana will be taking place in Ogbourne's field opposite Chew Valley School, with lots of showing classes, unaffiliated s/j and dressage.

Schedules will be distributed to local tack and feed stores a few weeks before the show, or you can send a SAE to Carey Wyatt, 2 Fairview, Temple Cloud, Bristol, BS39 5DD. All welcome! The evening's fun starts with the fantastic ceilidh which begins at 8:15pm, with dinner and pudding and dancing to Rapscallion band. Tickets are £12 and selling fast, so if you would like to come, make sure you buy tickets at Chew Stoke Garage Shop asap. Sunday lunch winds up the weekend the following day on Sunday 3rd you can buy tickets, £10 for adults, from Chew Stoke Garage Shop.

Something for everyone at Harptree Festival

The final arrangements for Harptrees Festival are being confirmed and tickets are going fast. If you haven't booked yours yet, hurry before it's too late! This popular Festival is now in its fifth year and you can enjoy a lively account of its history on line at www.harptreesfestival.org.

It really was born from a couple of guys standing at the bar, thinking congenial thoughts about art and the community. Remember, it does not seek to make a profit, its aim is to bring people together to have fun.

Events this year include:
* Jeremy Strong, the well-known children's author, will be here in person telling stories and signing books in the JG Marquee.
* Philip York, fresh from the Edinburgh Festival and London's West End, will perform on stage at East Harptree Theatre.
* Daniel Stolfi will be back creating Awesome Puppets
* Gaie Delap will be on the Festival Field for the whole weekend, where you will be able to take part in art as and when you feel like it.

You can practice your circus skills with Sardine Circus or build beautiful kites with our own Tim Daplyn - and amazingly, these last three events are entirely free of charge, thanks to the generosity of our sponsors.

For those who have not yet picked up a programme from local shops and post offices, here are a few more events to whet your appetite: Animation Anarchy, dance workshops, African dance and drumming, Overtone Chanting, Singing Workshops, Time Machine, Painting and Drawing workshops, Treasure Hunt, Morris Dancing, Bounce with Bach, a Festival Quiz and an evening of country music at the Crown in West Harptree.

Whatever your age, whatever your interests, there is something here for you to enjoy and the cream teas are a must! Harptree Festival: September 15, 16 and 17.

Cluttonbury farewell for teachers

Mrs Kathleen Still, with Mr Chris Paul and Mrs Tamsin Milroy left Clutton School in great style at the end of term. The School arranged an all day musical festival called 'Cluttonbury' in which all the children performed. The high spot as far as the children and parents were concerned was the staff dancing a Grease number, with Mr Paul as the fellow and Mrs Still as his girl.

Cheering and loud applause marked the end of this part of the afternoon, before the presentation to the three teachers who were leaving the school began. Mrs Milroy, class 3 teacher had only been at the school for two years, but had made her mark in many ways. Mr Chris Paul has been with the school for 14 years. Mrs Still said that "he had been a great support to her and she didn¹t know how she would have managed without him". He was presented with a guitar.

Mrs Kathleen Still arrived as teacher, became deputy and then head teacher, but continued to teach throughout in spite of a busy schedule. She said she had had a wonderful time in the school, although life had not been easy. The staff and children had been a great family and she thanked them for all they had done for her. She was presented with a picnic basket. She in return gave a donation to the school to buy a new school sign.

Mrs Sarah Williams presented Mrs Still with a picture of the school on behalf of the PTA, and a cake with a picture of a piano and 'play it again Kath' written on it. Mr David Veale, chair of the governing body, commended Mrs Still for her loyalty and caring saying, "She has always put the school first, and Clutton has been very lucky to have her as a head teacher".

He then presented Mrs Still, Mr Paul and Mrs Milroy with gifts from the governors. The musical festival which had taken up the whole morning and the early part of the afternoon included every child performing in his/her class, and some group and individual performances.

Pat Williams

Surprise party for retiring Pensford headteacher

School leavers' services are always emotional occasions but this year when Pensford Primary School said good-bye to retiring Head Avril Connolly there were not enough tissues to go round.

Avril has spent the last 6 years of her career at Pensford where she has left an indelible mark. When she arrived at the school it was going through a period of turmoil. She led the school through a very successful Offsted and earned it the accolade of most improved school in B&NES for the period 2001-2004.

Physically Pensford School was transformed by the addition of a new classroom in 2001, beautifully constructed in stone to match the existing Victorian buildings. Shortly after this the staff areas and hall, whose ceiling had been held in place with chicken wire for years, were completely refurbished.

Despite these improvements Avril says it is the development of the children that has been her most important achievement. "I am so proud of their behaviour and keenness to learn which is a reflection of the input from their families and staff. When we take them to places people always comment on how polite they are."

Avril brought with her not just boundless energy, humour and good sense but a lifetime's experience in education. She started teaching in London in 1968, then taught for a short period in Cambridge, before moving to Bristol in 1972. Over the years she has worked in schools in a variety of locations including, Weston, Sandford, Shirehampton and Bedminster.

Apart from two stints of living in the USA, where her husband Neil was working, and time out to raise her two young sons she has been hard at it ever since. It was a mark of Avril's success and popularity at Pensford that her send off was not so much a 'leaving-do' as a week long series of events. It seemed so many people wanted to pass on their good wishes, cards and gifts.

At the leaver's service the children were typically frank with their tributes and memories. Among many other things Mrs Connolly will be remembered for her 'posh clothes', her fierce telling offs, particularly when deprived of sleep on school camp, and her role as fearless spider remover.

The final celebration was a surprise 'this is your life' party at Pensford Memorial Hall which was attended by family, friends and colleagues past and present. She was clearly delighted to meet up with so many old friends.

Unsurprisingly Avril has many plans for her retirement. Aside from her hobby of bird watching around the globe, these include walking, "especially in Tyntesfield' catching up with friends and becoming a film extra. On being asked what she will most miss on leaving Pensford School Avril cited, "the children, their families, the friendship and the village which is a beautiful place to work. I have been overwhelmed by the friendship and support given to me not only within the school but also by such a broad cross-section of the village community." She added, "but I will not miss being chief spider catcher."

Words and photo by Rose Harrison-Wolff