Students at local primary schools in South Gloucestershire had their very own book launch in Waterstones Cribbs Causeway this week.
The book, “Gathering of the Winds” was created by artists Matthew Jeanes and Martin Maudsley along with pupils from St Chad’s Patchway, Charborough Road, Callicroft, Holy Family, Coniston, Wheatfield, Meadowbrook and St Michaels Stoke Gifford as part of the Fusion Festival organised by Patchway Community College and funded by Arts Council England. The stories were inspired by the Olympic Windsurfing and Sailing events in Portland and Weymouth, with the children inventing “Windy” characters, personifications of the wind, with wonderfully vivid results.
Richard Headon, the Artistic Director for the South West Weymouth Olympic events, spoke at the launch and said that: “The Gathering of the Winds book was exactly the sort of project we hoped would be created as part of the SW region wide Cultural Olympiad ‘Battle for the Winds’ celebration of the Olympic sailing at Weymouth and Portland in 2012. Both the artists and the school children involved really embraced the theme of the gathering the winds. Martin and Matt really inspired the children to create some wonderful windy tales illustrated by some fantastic and energetic images. It was great to be able to connect local young people with such a prestigious and international event.”
Impressed by the quality of the book itself, Waterstones in The Mall at Cribbs Causeway held the launch where Martin Maudsley will be told some of the stories written to local children. The event was also attended by Headteachers and Govenors of the school involved who agreed that they were incredibly proud of the work that has been produced and of being involved another legacy created from the 2012 Olympics.
photo shows: Book Designer Tom Knights, Illustrator Matt Jeanes, Geoff Howell Chair of Governors at Patchway Community College, writer Martin Maudsley, Sherie Humphries Creative Agent at Patchway Community College and Richard Headon representing Artistic Director of SW Olympic events for Weymouth.
John Lewis Cribb’s Causeway Partners have voted for Meadowbrook Primary School to receive a mini- orchard donated by the company. The orchard of English apple varieties was planted by children on the morning of 21st March. The project was co-ordinated by the Forest of Avon Trust, the local tree charity, which will be on hand to help plant the trees and provide guidance about how to look after them. 
Children at Meadowbrook Primary School in Bradley Stoke will be seen more clearly this winter thanks to a donation of high visibility vests from their local opticians.
Bradley Stoke Matters was delighted to be invited along to this week’s whole-school assembly, where Rachel Wilde and Sana Zafar from the local Specsavers answered pupils’ questions about eye-sight tests, glasses and the new high viz jackets. Pupils Chloe Winter, Freddie Phillips, Hathie Griffith Malley, Alex Clutterbuck, Jack Coffin, Joshua Smith, Jack Heulett and Jasmine Woodward looked great in their new vests!
Bailey’s Court Primary School today hosted the annual Infant Music Festival for Year 2 pupils, which was attended by children from all around the local area including Meadowbrook and Holy Trinity. This was a great opportunity for the local primary schools to get together and share their enjoyment of music.
Enterprising Year 6 pupils at Meadowbrook Primary School launched their Valentine-themed ‘Meadowbrook Market’ this week, in a bid to raise nearly £1,000 needed for pay for the coach on their forthcoming Year 6 Camp.
Shoppers at the Bradley Stoke Tesco store had many pairs of helping hands at their disposal this evening.
Year 4 and year 5 pupils from Meadowbrook Primary School in Bradley Stoke play a special role – as the orphans – in Patchway Commuity College’s fabulous performance this week. See our Flickr album for a great selection of photos!
