Explorers visited our friends in St Anne's residential home to perform the songs they had sung and the poems they had recited at this year's Harvest Celebrations in the village's Methodist chapel. The children delighted in the smiles lighting up the faces of the residents and their appreciative applause.
This year, we were delighted to accept the invitation from the village's Methodist Church to hold our harvest celebrations in its chapel.
First to welcome the families and friends who were joining us in our celebrations were our Early Years and KS1 children, who performed songs and poems related to the theme of harvest time.
Following the younger children, Adventurers and Trailblazers stepped into the spotlight.
We would like to thank everybody who was able to come and join us in our celebrations; thanks to Reverend Meg for her inspiring and uplifting words; and to the PTFA for organising some delicious refreshments.
As the celebrations ended, a piece of music by J S Bach entitled 'Sheep May Safely Graze' was played. This musical offering was in our minds as we had had the pleasure of hearing it being played by members of the ensemble Apollo's Cabinet, who had visited the school earlier in the week.
In part, the piece resonated with us because it was evocative of our beautiful surroundings and reminded us how blessed we are to live in such an inspiring landscape - and with some sheep safely grazing in the fields around us.
Mr Mould and Mr Worthington accompanied some pupils from Trailblazers to Budehaven School's Tennis & Netball facility to develop their skills in dodgeball and bench ball. The event was run by Budedhaven's Year 10 sports leaders.
Of the eight teams contesting, we finished fourth.
As soon as we hear that Sound Waves South West has arranged for some musicians to visit us, we get charged with anticipation for an entertaining and edifying event. Over the years, we have been treated to some outstanding and inspiring performers: we’ve experienced the steel pans of the Pantasy Steel Band, the humour of Back Chat Brass, the jazzy renderings of Graffiti Classics and the top twenty of the classically romantic period from the Vespertine Duo and the Heartwood Trio. This time, it was Apollo’s Cabinet, a Baroque ensemble, winner of many major international competitions.
Teresa, David, Harry, Jonatan and Thomas play authentic instruments from the Baroque period: a range of woodwind instruments, including the sopranino recorder (and the perhaps more familiar descant recorder of fond school memory) and the mellow-voiced travserso flute; guitar and chittarone (a type of theorbo); violin and viola da gamba; and a 57 string harpsichord.
The theme of the workshop was the concert organised for the birthday of Frederick the Great of Prussia by his court composer Johann Quantz. The ensemble played pieces performed at the celebrations, some of which were specially written for the celebrations by Telemann and Bach.
Sound Waves South West operates an instrument loan service. More details are available on its website.
Whitstone Community Primary School
Oak Lane, Whitstone
Nr Holsworthy, Devon
EX22 6TH