Meriden Mag Spring 2009 In this issue An update on the playing fields development Village Appraisal latest news James and Clare with the Mayor of Solihull Councillor David Bell On 26th January, Rosie Weaver, Chair of Meriden Parish Council and Iain Roxburgh, Chair of the Meriden Parish Methodist Appraisal Steering Group made a presentation of the results nursery School of the Parish Household Survey Questionnaire. The Mayor of Solihull Councillor David Bell hosted the saved from event at Solihull Civic Centre. The Head Boy and Head Girl of Meriden Primary School who both spoke about ideas the closure free children had for addressing some of the issues identified in trial places the Appraisal ably assisted Rosie and Iain. The Mayor thanked them personally at the end of the meeting. available Children at Meriden School Reception class celebrating Chinese New Year 1st Meriden Scout Group News from the Green Hut All 3 sections have been raising much needed funds. Back in December we spent an evening carol singing in the Bulls Crate stacking at Broadwater Head, held a bottle tombola and chocolate raffle at the Christmas table top sale at the Methodist Church Hall and we had a chocolate fountain at the School Christmas Fayre. The leaders and children would like to thank all those that have supported us and given their time and money so generously. In November the Cubs and Scouts held an activity day at Broadwater on the Packington Estate. The children took part in rock climbing, abseiling, shooting, the assault course and crate stacking. The new Scout Leader, Russell and the Scouts moving up from Cubs were invested – all making their promise whilst negotiating the climbing wall. For some of the younger members it was their first attempt at these activities and despite being nervous they all had a go and gained a huge amount of confidence to have a second go. Everyone had a great day and we are now looking forward to our upcoming weekend away there. WE NEED YOU!! The Scout Group has continued to grow over the past year and at the end of last year the Scout section restarted. We are now in urgent need of adult helpers – in particular another Leader for the Scout section. If you are over 18 and can assist Russell in developing and providing a wide range of activities for young people please contact Gerry (522666). BEAVERS: We meet on a Monday 6.30pm – 7.30pm for 6 to 8 year olds. Please contact Jo (522625) or Gaynor (523191) for details. A big thank you to everyone who left their CUBS: We meet on a Tuesday 6.30pm – 8pm for 8-10 ½ year olds. Please contact Lis (521080) or Liz (523674) for Christmas cards out for collection. We details. collected two bootfuls altogether which were given in aid of The Woodland Trust. SCOUTS: We meet on a Thursday 7pm – 8.30pm for 10 We have a busy term ahead. We are currently and half to 14 year olds. Please contact Russell (523823) for organising our Thinking Day celebrations, an details. event which takes place every year for Brownies all over the world. Australia is our chosen country for this year and amongst other Abseiling at activities we will be holding our very own Broadwater 'bush tucker trial'! Five new Brownies have just been enrolled. We do have a waiting list but if your daughter would like to join, please contact us on the numbers below. Brownies is for girls aged between 7 - 10. We meet every Wednesday 6.15 - 7.45 pm at Meriden Methodist Hall during term time only. Tracy has left us due to work and family commitments. We all miss her and thank her for her contribution over the past 5 years. Jane 01676 542501 Sharon 01676 522591 Hello from Meriden School! As I write, winter definitely still has us in its grip and the snow is falling but we are looking forward to the spring events coming to school! Village Appraisal Plan I was pleased to take the Head Boy and Girl with me to meet the Mayor of Solihull on January 26th. We were invited by the Village Appraisal Group to help them explain Meriden’s needs to Councillors. Many people complimented the children on their contributions and I was very proud of them! Big Writing Every year we have a School Improvement Plan. This year one part of our plan is to develop the children’s writing, and our Friday now is called ‘Big Writing’ day. It is really exciting to see how positively the children have responded to the challenge, and I look forward to including some examples of their writing in the next edition of the Mag. Inspire Workshops We have been running workshops for parents and children to work together for three years now. They are always popular- and they help us show parents what their child is doing in certain subjects. For instance, Year 5 recently held a rainforest related workshop showing how we are linking Literacy, Geography and ICT. Some of the poetry produced jointly is elsewhere in the Mag. Building plans We are always trying to ensure we can improve provision for the educational needs of the children here. A wonderful new development will be added to our facilities soon - another new classroom, so that we can create a proper library and music room within school. Once again, this is being largely provided for by grant to the school. We are also helping the outdoor provision for the Foundation Stage children, by building a canopy so that they can have some cover when they are learning outside. We are putting a secure bike and scooter shelter in the playground to help encourage children to be active when they come to school. This is why we are moving the Cycling Proficiency training to Year 5 to enable more children to ride safely to school. TLA Centre Although this is related to training our teachers, it is worth Meriden knowing that our school is the first in Solihull to be recognised as a full ‘Teacher Learning Academy’ Centre- meaning that we are fully committed to developing the teachers’ skills and knowledge. A number of staff have already worked hard taking part in the TLA- congratulations to them! Staffing Members of staff have also been adding to their families- welcome to Baby Street and Baby Leadbetter! Spring events The usual full programme is planned with a range of visits and visitors; Charity Week will be raising money for Christian Aid this year; and the Easter Service will be on Friday 3rd April at 9.10 am. I hope you will join us if you would like to attend. As always, may I wish you all the best from Meriden School, Kind regards Jacky Smith, Headteacher, Meriden CE Primary School Reception children celebrating the Chinese New Table Top Sale Marlene, Grace and Lucy wish to thank all those Year. They made music, ate Chinese food, dressed up who supported the Christmas Table Top sale held on November 29th 2008, in aid of St as a dragon and painted Chinese symbols.symbols.symbols. Laurence Church Roof Restoration. The event raised £693.00; the Meriden Methodist Nursery received 50% from admission and Table Top Hire fees. Operation Samaritan’s Purse St Laurence’s Church sent 63 boxes and £120 to the above appeal. We would like to thank the members of the Methodist Church, the library staff and villagers who so kindly supported this good cause. Grace and Lucy Ball ST LAURENCE CHURCH NEWS Rector Rev Michael Dawkins Tel 01676 522 719 The Rectory The Green Meriden CV7 7LN Church Wardens Marian Theobald Tel 01676 523 475 Linda Barnett Tel 01676 523 277 I received an email entitled ‘Nigerian Brothels’. For a moment I felt panic. I didn’t want anything pornographic on my computer. But then I noticed it was from a church I knew. I opened the email and read it. I didn’t know the particular ministry or lady writing but I was struck by the Bible verse she had used when asked, quite recently and unexpectedly, to speak to thirty young prostitutes. She was aware of the abuse the girls had suffered as children and were now suffering every day in the brothel, treated as cheap products to be bought, sold, damaged and discarded. ‘You are bought with a price’ (didn’t they know it) she said and nobody else can buy you. But this was something different. No controlling woman or abusive man can buy you. (This is what Paul and Peter had said to the slaves of the first century.) You have been bought already, not with the wretched clinking of coins passing hands, but with a love so great it gave its life for you. The story of Jesus was unpacked for the girls and the love of God reached into their obliterated selves. The brothel and prostitution were not cleaned up but Jesus was there (how offensive to our self-righteous or doubting selves). Their personal experience proved it. The ministry in Nigeria is struggling with rehabilitation work but Jesus gets it right before we do! I think that is wonderful for each one of us. Let’s hope the Easter services tell it again! ‘The old, old story of Jesus and His love’ as the hymn puts it. I am not sure if I will be in church or in Meriden. I will be an old age pensioner by then and should have retired, but we have been offered another grant, this time to restore the tower.