Hatfield Arrow January 2023

to take

to thank everyone who helps to make the Arrow a successful

especially the local

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without the support of whom the Arrow magazine would not be possible. Please continue to support the local shops and businesses throughout 2023. Please continue to support the Arrow magazine by sending me any information that you would like to include and if anyone has any ideas for regular articles or would like to see anything different in the Arrow, please email the details to my email address below….

Du3a Love of Nature Group

What a day on the 6 December 2022 Du3a Love of Nature Group went to Donna Nook Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust to see the seals and their pups which had just been born. There were 16 members who came along and some of us actually saw a pup being born, also it was recorded by one of our members on her mobile. Despite the low temperature the members enjoyed this annual spectacle of hundreds of seals on this Lincolnshire site. Over lunch in the local pub the group enjoyed swapping their stories of the days event.

If you would like more information about Du3a you can visit the website at http://u3asites.org.uk/doncaster or contact our membership secretary on 07735436176.

Regards Jane Bowser Publicity Officer

Hatfield Woodhouse Methodist Chapel

THORNE CAMERA CLUB

The club welcomed the return visit of Royston Packer DPAGB AWPF LSNWP for his presentation of Projected Images showing Tigers and Street Scenes from India accompanied with a display of printed images to enable members to see the full detail in the images. The talk was very well received by the members and a return visit would be welcomed.

Our first Digital Projected Image competition was judged by Erica Oram. The members again produced some outstanding images and Erica's critique of each image gave members a very clear understanding what judges look for in images. Erica's final choice were:- 1st Jacki Greenwood with 'All Eyes on the Prize'. 2nd Bob Allen with 'Paignton Pier' and 3rd Jacki Greenwood with 'Bad Hair Day'. All of the entries were exhibited at the clubs first digital exhibition held at the Methodist Church 'Coffee Morning'. The club welcomed Tracy Lund for her cancelled talk from September on 'Wildlife' complimented with images and stories of her travels. Tracy delighted the members with her exquisite images of wild life from the UK to Japan and her stories behind the images went from the hilarious to very descriptive of the extreme cold conditions which she endured to take the images. All the members look forward to a return visit from this worldwide renown photographer. The club's 'Spring Programme' has now been finalised and contains some new and exciting items including 'How to Judge' to give members an insight on how to assess images and a 'Face to Face' critique with a judge on members images. There will be a major two week exhibition to be held at St Laurence's Priory church in Snaith with members providing views of Snaith. Further information will be issued in due course and it is hoped that all members take this opportunity to exhibit their work to promote the club and themselves.

Monty's Monthly Tip Rain provides some excellent opportunities for photographers, but precautions are required to protect the camera and lenses either with a purpose made cover or an improvised cover. The kit list should include a microfibre cloth to dry the lens and camera and a tripod for long exposures. Camera settings require a medium to high ISO to deal with the low light, a fast shutter speed to freeze the rain drops, or a slow shutter speed to give a misty effect. A wide aperture provides more light for the faster shutter speeds but for keeping the rain in focus you will require a good depth of field and possibly a setting of f8 should be considered. Use manual focusing to ensure that your point of focus is where you want. Always observe your surroundings for a better location, look for reflections, and be prepared to experiment with the settings.

The Friends of Quarry Park

The Friends had a very festive work party on Friday 2nd December with a great turnout of 17 volunteers and our two Rangers. Even our mascot, Riley the dog was wearing his Christmas jumper!! Undoubtedly Winter is on its way, it was a cold damp morning, but it didn’t dampen our spirits. The group set about hedge trimming, clearing weeds around the Greens Road steps and cutting back overgrown branches along the paths in the woods and around the car park. Several of the volunteers did a great job of litter picking and collected 6 big bags of rubbish as well as car alternator!! We enjoyed our much-needed hot drinks at the end of the session with Debra’s delicious chocolate cake and some mince pies too! To finish off the morning everyone joined in the making of a short festive video to round off the year, directed by Katrina.

The Friends have achieved a great deal at our work parties in 2022, completing many projects such as installing several new benches, as well as retaining our Green Flag status, which is incredible. We have been joined by many new volunteers throughout the year who continue to work hard each month ensuring Quarry Park is clean, tidy and a lovely place to visit. We would not have accomplished so much without their help and the support of our wonderful DMBC Rangers.

One of the key tasks for next year is to take advantage of the tree planting scheme offered by TCV, which allows groups to apply for tree saplings that can be planted and hopefully in years to come the next generation of helpers will see them mature and help the fight to capture carbon and help keep our planet cleaner and healthier.

The Conservation Volunteers’ I Dig Trees community tree planting scheme is a partnership programme helping to deliver OVO Energy’s Planting Promise; planting 1 million trees each year around the UK on behalf of their customers. Over 2 million trees have been planted on publicly accessible land, with a further 1 million trees now available to communities, for free. Sadly, we are still experiencing some anti-social behaviour from off-road motor bikes on the park. The Police have stepped up patrols, but we urge anyone witnessing people illegally riding on the park to report it by calling 101. This does work as one bike has already been confiscated.

The Friends of Quarry Park would like to wish you all a Happy New Year and thank everyone for their continued support. Special thanks to Hatfield Town Council for a grant of £72, which funded our recent Coffee Morning. We look forward to seeing our amazing volunteers in the New Year. The date for the January work party will be published on Facebook in due course. Work parties are usually held on the first Friday of each month, weather permitting. There is always plenty of work to be done, from litter picking, clearing paths and cutting back vegetation. Equipment is provided but please ensure you wear suitable clothing and footwear. We meet at the Green Flag at 10am. Full details will be published on our Facebook page ‘Friends of Quarry Park’ or you can email us at thequarrypark@gmail.com or call us on 07546 595144.

Creative Classrooms with darts in Doncaster

In a time of significant difficulties for schools across the country, and particularly those in areas of social deprivation, five schools in Doncaster and darts are working together to improve children’s emotional literacy, through play, storytelling and using your imagination.

Teachers in Doncaster primary schools have shared that their students are struggling to communicate effectively, build confidence in the classroom, and listen and retain information - all key skills which are necessary for effective learning. This anecdotal evidence is supported by significant evidence of a national crisis in children’s mental health. (ADCS Report on Children’s Mental Health, Nov 2022, CYP Mental Health by Health and Social Care Committee, Dec 2021.)

darts’ Creative Classrooms has proven to be a successful intervention in supporting children in developing these skills; 100% of teachers engaged over three years of delivery have seen improved confidence and engagement in their students both during Creative Classrooms and in lessons, while 92% agree that their students are better able to communicate their thoughts and feelings effectively. Year 4 Teacher Jane said: “I couldn't find a single fault with the project. Students are more confident across year groups, and teachers are using the skills they've learnt in their own lessons.”

If you joined a Creative Classroom, you would see an experienced drama facilitator leading six sessions with a whole class of students, from Year 1 to Year 4, slowly and surely. Exploring one story for six weeks allows a class to immerse themselves in a new world where they can make mistakes, discover characters’ differing emotions, and imagine alternative endings.

Creative Classrooms was developed with four primary schools across Doncaster over three years and built in partnership with Elaine Burke, Art Therapist and Consultant. The pedagogy is rooted in darts’ 30+ years of experience working with children, in substantiated theories of child development and the importance of play; while being informed by the knowledge and expertise of the teachers, senior leaders, and teaching assistants darts has worked with all across the Doncaster borough.

darts supports schools in developing a whole-school approach to creativity, wellbeing and understanding ourselves. Artists share key techniques with teaching staff through CPD sessions so staff can continue to build a creative classroom in their own practice. Deputy Head Katie shared that: “Creative Classrooms is he best CPD you could ask for. In Creative Classrooms the children are collaborative, cooperative, accepting of each other and creative.”

Students have told darts artists: “I love Creative Classrooms; we always go on really big adventures!” “The best thing about Creative Classrooms is I get to show what I'm good at.” “We try really hard and show all our feelings”

For those interested in exploring this topic further, or who would like to discuss the project with a teacher who is working on Creative Classrooms, please contact Sarah Eastaff – Director (Arts & Education). sarah@wearedarts.org.uk or 01302 493844.

Travis

Travis

Ash Hill Academy 01302 562541