WOODBURY C OF E PRIMARY SCHOOL cont’d/...

The Science focus during the spring term has asked 'How do we see?', where children have undertaken a variety of investigations focused on the apparatus we use to enable us to see how does a torch work? and in the latter part, more so, 'how do our eyes work?'. Thankfully, no eyes were harmed during the investigations, although Mrs O'Donnell was able to prove how easy it was to break a blood vessel in her eye, from sneezing! A delightful way to end most Fridays has been Buddy time, where Ash class join Beech class (reception) and read a book to them. The children are able to sit inside the classroom or in the outdoor area to share a book and ask each other questions about how their week has gone. It is so endearing to see our 10-11 year olds alternate between being focused, mature, critical, analytical and reasoned to the simple, surprised, impressed and gentle giants they are with such little souls.

Word Book Day

Parents created amazing costumes for World Book Day this year. We changed the theme this year with the children having to dress up as a ‘word’ and they enjoyed a range of bookrelated activities throughout the day.

We would like to thank Debra Wellington, author of The Animal Says… for coming to school to read and share her book. The children in Beech, Willow and Oak enjoyed the story and the older children were able to ask lots of interesting questions about being an author.

We are still looking for Governors to support our Federation. Governance is a great opportunity to give something back to your community through our fantastic Church of England schools.

We are now recruiting skilled volunteers to serve as governors for our schools, Woodbury and Pinhoe Church of England Primary. You don’t need lots of experience and you don’t need to be a parent. All we ask is that you value Church of England education, share our passion for making our schools the best they can be and have the commitment and skills needed as a governor.

As a governor, you’ll get the opportunity to lead, serve and develop to make a positive difference to the educational experiences and outcomes of children and young people. There is nothing more satisfying and the Diocese of Exeter will support you every step of the way. To indicate your interest in becoming a governor, please complete the expression of interest form on our website Be A School Governor - Diocese of Exeter (anglican.org) or email beagovernor@exeter.anglican.org

If you prefer, you can speak to our education team on 01392 294950. We’d love to hear from you. If you would like to find out more about how Cedar Tree Federation Board operates, please contact Alexa agill@cedartreefederation.org.

Gillian Pyle (Head of School)

Woodbury History Society

4 MAY, 19.30, WOODBURY VILLAGE HALL

A talk by Robert Hesketh on A Curious Look at Devon Churches

Robert will explore the wealth of artistic and historic treasures in our parish churches, including impish gargoyles, green men, tinners’ rabbits and much more …

All very welcome, members free, visitors £4 at the door.

Have you got an interesting photo to illustrate your article?

If so, we'd love to see it, but please remember that we need high resolution photos - not too dark, but clear and sharp - as low resolution photos do not reproduce well on nonphotographic paper.

Please remember to ask permission from any people included in your photos, and that photos of children require parental permission.

Send all submissions to karensquires100@gmail.com.

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

Members attending the March meeting of Woodbury WI discovered that the expected talk on Bees will now take place in April. Instead Gary Holpin had come to present a photographic journey round the South West Coastal Path. This 630-mile trail from Minehead to Poole is the UK’s favourite walk and is ranked as one of the world’s greatest walks. The trail is managed by the South West Coast Path Association, a charity which maintains it in good condition at an annual cost of £1,500 per mile. It came about when the National Coastguard Service was started in 1822 to try and stop smuggling, so the smugglers developed many coastal paths. It was designated a National Trail in 1978. The trail brings in millions of pounds to the national economy. Gary moved to Devon in 2003 and worked for the Met Office. In 2007 he decided to go on a short walking holiday along the coast and bought some walking boots. He walked the trail in stages, eventually finishing it in September 2009. He so enjoyed the beautiful scenery and decided it was the most rewarding thing he had ever done. In 2010 he decided to walk it again, but in the reverse direction. It was interesting to learn that the record for completing the 630-mile path is just over 10 days - more than two marathons daily!

Dissatisfied with the photos he had taken on his first walk, he upgraded his camera and learnt how to take better pictures. This led to him giving up his office job to become a professional photographer, a teacher of photography and author of three books.

Gary’s account of his first walk was very amusing. Several members had walked part of the coastal path and one had walked it in its entirety and most members were familiar with many of the places he had photographed. His photography was breathtakingly beautiful, especially of sunrises, sunsets and the Milky Way. He had taken some photos using drones. You can view his photos online on Facebook - garyholpinphotography. Everyone agreed that it was a superb talk.

Next meetings: 13 April - Robert Paskell Beekeeping.

11 May - Laurie Marriott - Glass Decoration. Katharine Wheeler

Weather Report For February

My previously expressed hope for a mild and dry February was well fulfilled in terms of rain, as only 6mm (0.24in) fell here at Ebford. This was the least for about three decades, only similar to that of 9mm (0.35in) in February 2005. It was part of an extremely dry period of exactly seven weeks extending into the neighbouring months.

I must report that the average monthly amount of rain over the last 12 years is 71mm (2.8ins), which does indeed help to fill the dykes and reservoirs.

Normal Cann

Woodbury Festival Of Wildness

In conjunction with Woodbury Community Orchard Society, Woodbury Wide Awake, Woodbury Cricket Club, Woodbury Parish Council, Woodbury Camera Club and numerous wildlife organisations, we are going to hold our own Springwatch in Woodbury. This is going to be the biggest event we have ever held and it’s going to involve lots of local organisations and individuals. The main event will be taking place at Woodbury Cricket Ground on Sunday 23 April between 11.00 to 15.00. Posters will be put up around the village giving further details as events are finalised and further information will be posted on the Woodbury Community Matters Facebook group.

The planned programme is as follows:

11.00 Pond Life - We will be pond-dipping and displaying our finds below the cricket pavillion.

11:30 Wildflowers - We will be walking around the perimeter of the ground with our plant experts in order to find, identify and record the numerous spring flowers that will be in full bloom.

12.30 Trees - In addition to walking around the area and identifying the many tree species that are growing, we will also have a talk about coppicing and its benefits.

13.00 Foraging - We are very lucky to have the renowned author and foraging expert Robin Harford joining us to show us how to identify the edible and medicinal plants that are growing in abundance around the ground.

14.00 Mammals and Birds - Short question and answer sessions will be hosted by the numerous experts attending the event.

14.30 Summing-up - We will display a list of the species of plants and animals that we have found and identified.

In addition to the above, we will have displays from various wildlife organisations, forest school activities, Art in the Park, Poetry Trail and more. We hope that you will come along and join in with the Citizen Science event. If you have any questions please get in touch with us at info@wildwoodbury.org or call Tony Bennett on 07971 082384. Please join our Facebook group Wild-Woodbury and check out our website http://www.wild-woodbury.org to find out more about what we are doing to help our local wildlife. Tony Bennett Tel: 07971 082384

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