Work with the Manor School and a Farewell to Nicky Jarrett

During the Autumn Term, before Christmas, I was able to go into Manor School in Drayton for a number of afternoons to work with Nicky Jarrett, the deputy head and her Y5/6 class of children.

The children were studying the village now and 100 years ago. The children used the school laptop computers to do on line research using the 1901 and 1911 censuses. Many of the children were able to create family trees and quite a few of the children found family connections with the village.
We also visited the village war memorial and noted the names of the 6 men, from the village, who died in World War I. Then the children used the internet to find out about them . Bev Davies from New Row came into class and talked about one of the men, Sam Tilling, who was her ancestor.

After Easter the class are going to attend the casting of the 3 new bells at John Taylor's Bellfoundry in Loughborough. But Nicky Jarrett will not be with us, as she is moving to be deputy head of the school in Kings Bromley. This is great news for her but it's sad for us that she will not see the completion of the project. I'm sure that the children will send her a photographic record of their trip.

Date for Start with Tower Woodwork

 As soon as the bell appeal was launched, Adrian Taylor,a joiner who lives at Ashdene Farm, Drayton kindly offered, free of charge, to create trapdoors in the tower floors and to build our new ringing room floor. He has now told me that this work will start on Tuesday 29th March.

Gould's woodyard in Fazeley have offered to provide any wood needed free of charge for this work and for the sound control boarding that we are putting up against the louvres.

We are truly blessed with so many marvelous people who are willing to give their time and products free of charge for the appeal.

More Begin to Learn to Ring

Lauren and Millie, daughters of Kay Putnam have begun to learn to ring ready for the new bells arriving at Drayton. The two girls are carrying on a family tradition as both Kay their mum and their grandparents, Peter  and Marg know how to ring.  As the damp conditions, at the moment, at Drayton make it difficult to teach new ringers, teaching sessions have moved to Tamworth. Lauren and Millie have had 3 lessons so far and are making rapid progress.; Lauren nearly being able to handle a bell on her own.

Brian Reynolds who began to learn last month is sticking with it and is enjoying the experience. He is progressing well and is nearly able to handle the bell without assistance.

At least 2 more villagers are ready to start lessons and will have their first lessons soon.