Monthly Update - April 2025

It was the last week of the spring term and had all the makings of a very busy day.  The sun was shining, celandines and wood anemones on the woodland floor had appeared from nowhere with the odd bluebell showing amidst a blanket of deep green. And then the first group; St Peter’s Preschool, slightly wrong-footed because it wasn’t raining or cold, so Easter bonnets and egg hunt could go ahead in the dry.  With tiny hands holding firmly to mum or dad, and dwarfed by massive trees on the woodland path the little ones were wide eyed, taking everything in, fresh and new to see.

But Thatcham Green Gym had arrived to start work just for the morning.  There was a large hedge to lay and burn discarded branches, a newly planted hedge to weed and mulch with wood chip, AND broad beans, marigolds, sweet peas, rocket ad salad mix to plant in our new rabbit-proof garden in front of the stable. They always work hard, love coming to Rushall, provide biscuits, and are known for getting things done well.  And share, all 20 of them, as they navigate retirement, holidays, being grandparents or their latest experience of propping up their aging bodies.

Now 30 children have just arrived on a visit sponsored by Ella’s Kitchen, and gone on a tractor ride to feed the chickens, and see the cattle and sheep.  They will be planting beans and carrots later, enjoying a picnic in the sun and making colour palettes to spot all the different colours.

And a further 30 students doing A level Geography are here, but late.  For them it is soils, land use and river studies.  They glance at the newly laid hedge with indifference, but warm to the experience of putting on waders and doing detailed measurements in the River Pang.

Almost unnoticed at Oaklands Sally and Ellie are looking after 7 children (normally home-educated) on a Forest School session. Many children struggle in the school environment, so it has been good to offer support to these few.  And slipping in with little attention was the Monday Group from Holy Brook School.  This is for excluded children, and we hope the effect of coming here for a couple of hours each week will bring change so vitally needed to their fragile lives.

Thank God the sun shone that particular Monday.