Meriden Mag Summer 2010 Summer Events in Meriden Firs summer Fayre Saturday 12th June Kinwalsey Tree Walk Sunday 13th June Megaride Sunday 27th June Macmillan Prize Draw Sunday 27th June School Fayre Friday 9th July Open Gardens Sunday 22nd August Well Done Andrew! Andrew Wadley aged 10 has worked very hard to gain his Chief Scout Award which is the highest award for scouts of his age. He was presented with his award in May during an assembly at Meriden School by the District Commissioner Mick Judd and the Group Scout leader Gerry Russell. Solihull Police have thanked Meriden residents for their patience and co-operation as consultation continues over the disputed travellers' site off Eaves Green Lane. Meriden Sector Inspector Keith Portman said police officers would maintain a round-the-clock presence at the site to ensure order and minimise disruption. "We appreciate it has been an uncertain and stressful time," added Insp Portman, "and I'd like to thank everyone for their understanding and co-operation. "Although this is essentially a planning issue being overseen by the council we have a duty to ensure there are no breaches of the peace. We will facilitate peaceful protest but it must be remembered that, as everyone has a free right of passage, it is an offence to deliberately obstruct highways. "I'd urge anyone with any concerns, or who would like clarity on certain issues, to contact police officers on the ground or Solihull Police via 0 345 113 5000. Obviously it's vital any action is taken by the relevant authorities and not individual members of the public." Year 4 Meriden School held a French Day during the spring term. They tried French food – croissants, French cheese etc and designed and made Eiffel Towers On French day in year 4 we did some activities. They were making Mardi Gras masks, playing tic tac toe (which is noughts and crosses) boules, a café where we tried some French food. My favourite part was the café because I loved the food especially pain au chocolat. Georgia Parton Meriden W.I meet the Mayor A group of Meriden WI members had a guided tour of the Council Chambers in Coventry in April. They had an introductory talk by Lord Mayor Jack Harrison who was in his full regalia and they sat in the carved seats in the council chamber. These had been carved in Warwickshire oak and depicted the wild life of the area. Meriden School Dear Meriden Friends As my final term as Head at Meriden School has arrived I would like to extend my thanks to everyone who has contributed during my time here to the work and achievements of the school. Meriden Primary school has moved on tremendously in these years. Outwardly there have been many building improvements due to Government capital funding plus some careful planning! More importantly the staff team have worked very hard constantly to build our provision year on year. Our provision is not just the curriculum we teach, but all the enrichment activities that go on, and the work for ‘extended schools’ reaching out to families and the village. As just one example, when I first came, only three children learnt a musical instrument. This year we enrolled 46- which did not include all Year 4 who now learn a brass instrument, or all year 2 and 3 who learn ocarina! We are happy to announce the appointment of our new Head, Mrs Winkler who will introduce herself in the next issue, and a new Deputy, Mrs Rowe. We are also looking forward to welcoming Mr Wainwright back in September. Other staff news- Mrs Dorney had a lovely baby boy in April and called him William. I am not winding down- it is impossible in school, as so much is always going on! We will be having another busy summer with all the usual events plus some different exciting ones too! We have already had a visit from the PDSA who spoke to all the children about caring for pets and offered a free pet health check for dogs. All classes have been involved in a ‘tennis day’, coached professionally and leading to planned tennis tournaments. Yesterday classes played cricket -again with a professional coach- and rain did not stop play! We held our own Mock election on 6th May, and discovered enthusiastic candidates in Year 5 who demonstrated the democratic process in action. All the juniors were involved in voting- I wonder if our result will matched the country’s We had fun being Pirates for the day on 18th May to support Heart Research. The children enjoyed dressing up and learnt more about ‘treasuring their hearts’ with healthy living lessons. We also tried to fill a treasure chest with unwanted jewellery that the charity can recycle . After their hard work preparing for SATs Year 6 will be off on their residential visit to Red Ridge, where they will experience outdoor and adventurous activities such as potholing, climbing, and orienteering. Year 5 go on their residential trip to Dunfield House this term too. There they will learn songs, make scenery, play instruments, learn scripts and at the end of the week produce and perform to parents. New pupils to Nursery and Reception will be coming for their induction welcoming visits to meet staff and each other on 8th or 10th June. It is always an exciting time for children to join ‘big school’ and we look forward to meeting new parents on those dates too. Book fair comes on 21st June- the fair is open after school, so if you want to look for children’s books, then come along that week at 3.30pm. Charity Week in July will provide the annual opportunity for pupils to put efforts into raising money in lots of activities to support others around the world and to learn more about Christian Aid. Our hardworking PTA are providing a ‘Mad Science’ workshop treat for the children as an end of term treat- ideal. They learn about Science and have fun at the same time! The PTA Fayre is on 9th July and we look forward to seeing you there! The end of term will bring the usual cracking Junior production, Sports Day and end of year Assemblies and With an English Sea Side Theme Service. It will go quickly I know, so it th just remains for me to say goodbye and Friday 9 July from 4.00pm until 6.00pm thank you for the many ways you may have been involved with Meriden school Punch and Judy, Tombola, Cake Stall, Ice Creams while I have been here, and for the contacts and support the village and much, much more, come along and join the fun! community has given me. I wish you all much luck in Outside stall holders welcome the future, and take many happy memories with me from this please contact lovely school. Vanessa Burchell for more details 01676 523327 Kind regards Jacky Smith ST LAURENCE CHURCH NEWS Lay Reader Peter Wright 01676 522414 www.stlaurence-meriden.co.uk Church Wardens Marian Theobald Tel 01676 523 475 Linda Barnett Tel 01676 523 277 Services are held every Sunday at 10.30 am The restoration work has now started on the Tower, as you’ll have gathered from the impressive scaffolding and cladding in which it has been thoroughly cocooned for the past few weeks. It makes quite a sight, especially at night when Meriden’s parish church up ‘on the hill’ is lit up. Stonemasons are at work now, restoring the crumbling stonework and the structure; it’s painstaking but essential work, which will go on for a few months. All services continue as normal during the work on the Tower. Meanwhile funds of £115,000 are still needed for this vital work to make sure Meriden’s ancient and beautiful parish church can continue to be used and enjoyed by present and future generations. Donations are always welcome and can now be made online through the church website www.stlaurence-meriden.co.uk as well as directly through the churchwardens or at church. Sales of the specially published book on the church’s beautiful and distinctive stained glass windows, “The Faith at the Heart of England” will also help as half of the proceeds from each £10 copy sold goes towards this essential work. Copies are on sale in church, or in the Centre Charity shop or the Library on the Green or by contacting the churchwardens direct. The Church is also open for visiting every Sunday afternoon from now until late October. It’s open from noon until 6pm. If you would like to call in to visit the church then you are very welcome. Maybe while out walking or cycling, or out for a Sunday 'drive' in the area, or if you are just looking to spend a little reflective and refreshing time somewhere quiet and peaceful; whatever, we will look forward to seeing you; teas and coffees are provided. Also if you’d like to help in this please let me or the churchwardens know. Volunteers invited. Speaking of help, there are always tasks your parish church really needs help with. If you could spare and offer some time, for example in looking after the churchyard or with church cleaning and polishing please do let me or the churchwardens know; all help is very welcome. Enquiries for Baptisms, Marriages and Funerals Please contact the churchwardens. If you’re perhaps thinking about baptism for your child or children, but are maybe not sure what’s involved (it’s sometimes called 'christening,' but there's no difference, these are two names for the same thing) we’ll be very pleased to discuss any interest or queries you may have at any time.