News and Events

Imbolc/Candlemas at the Old Library

The Discoveries hosted Imbolc/Candlemas celebrations this week at the Old Library with the Pippins, Edens and Orange Grove.

Candlemas is a time of year when the lengthening of daylight hours becomes noticeable. The day is celebrated because it means that winter will soon be over, and spring will come. The time of darkness and fallow earth will soon end, and new light and life-sustaining growth will come.

In Celtic lands, the winter cross-quarter day was celebrated as Imbolc, a feast honoring Brigid who, in Celtic tradition, is a goddess of the Dawn, of healing, of fertility. The feast day in her honor marks the beginning of the lambing season, a sign of the earth coming back to life after the fallow time of winter. As Celtic Christianity developed, Imbolc became Candlemas, and Brigid became a saint, and the celebrations merged. It is known as a celebration of hearth and home, of the coming warmth, of fertility and purification and new life.

People lit candles or bonfires as a sign of the warmth of the sun to come. They made “Brigid’s crosses” from rushes, and dolls of Brigid were carried from house to house to bring her blessings. People also made pilgrimages to holy wells and brought back water to bless the home.

The children spent the afternoon at The Old Library weaving traditional St Brigids crosses from rushes. Candle dipping with beeswax and storytelling around the fire in the garden.

The Discoveries and Pippins currently have the chance to learn and enjoy capoeira on a Wednesday afternoon at the Old Library so although not traditional for Imbolc, it was a great opportunity for the Edens and Orange Grove to experience it too!

Oakens – Imbolc/Candlemas

For as the sun shines on Candlemas Day,
So far will the snow swirl until May.
For as the snow blows on Candlemas Day,
So far will the sun shine before May.

On February 2nd, it’s time to celebrate Candlemas, Imbolc, or Brigid’s Day (all names work, depending on your beliefs). It’s time to recognize that winter is on its way out, the light is beginning to return, and spring is finally on its way!

The Oakens have been practicing songs and preparing wax filled walnut shells ahead of Candlemas and took to the woods this morning for their celebration. First they gathered to make an Earth Candle to warm the seeds and sprouts.

They then lit their candles from the Earth candle and set them off down the River Frome.

The photos look lovely but what did they children think?

“I quite liked when we lit the Earth candle because it was all firey”

“I liked making the walnuts”

“I’ll remember the adventure in the fairy woods”

Following their celebration in the woods they spent the afternoon candle dipping back at the barn. “It was the best day ever!”

Edens & Discoveries

On Tuesday afternoons the Edens have been visiting the Discoveries at The Old Library for games and eurythmy.

While one group enjoys eurythmy with our experienced tutor who visits especially for this the other group enjoys games.

Group games this year have included ‘Tidal Wave’, ball games and chaos tag. They have also been learning and practicing circus skills including juggling balls and balancing acts.

End of Year Celebration of Work

The Oakens, Edens, Discoveries and Pippins plus some alumni gathered with their families at All Saints Church in December to bring the year to a close and celebrate their work.

Each group performed for the wider group starting with the Oakens who may be the youngest but their voices were loud and confident as they sang, amongst other songs, ‘The Rattlin Bog’ and you’d never have known they hadn’t performed in front of such a large gathering before.

They were followed by the Edens who recited a poem, danced and performed on their recorders.

The Discoveries danced as a group and there was a beautiful solo performance. They sang, amongst other songs “Ocho Kandelikas’ in Ladino supported by a parent on guitar to represent the Jewish heritage within the group.

The Pippins finished up with a mixed and highly entertaining range of songs including Rick Astley’s ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’! One of the group performed on the violin and went on the enthrall us with an engaging recital of The Millers Tale.

There followed an opportunity to gather together and view the children’s work while enjoying mince pies, clementines and warm apple juice. The day ended with some carol singing and full hearts!

Discoveries – Tree Planting

Our Discoveries tutor, Brechtje organised as part of One Tree Per Child for the children to visit Eastwood Farm in Brislington to plant some trees. This was supported by the Friends of Eastwood Farm and we’d like to thank them for all their assistance and skill sharing.

The group planted a mix of native trees including Rowan, Silver Birch, Wild Cherry and Oak. They helped with all aspects of the planting from digging the holes, planting and mulching.

Some of the Friends of Eastwood Farm were looking for harvest mice nests during the planting session and the children were lucky enough to be shown a sleeping nest and a maternity nest. The didn’t see any harvest mice but they enjoyed seeing their different homes.

We all look forward to visiting again in the Spring to see how the trees are developing.

Oakens – Frosty Mornings

The Oakens don’t let the drop in temperature stop them exploring the woods! They enjoy different areas of the wood every morning that they are now very familiar with. They take a rope to climb steep slopes or to make a rope swing learning to patiently wait and negotiate turn taking, not always an easy task! They are busy with play and exploring up to set boundaries and have enjoyed the increase in water within the stream creating a waterfall to play in. This change in the familiar landscape along with the seasonal changes has been very interesting to them.

While in the woods they learn about taking care of the woods, that it’s the plants and animals homes. The children while there have been noticing and identifying mushrooms which have been plentiful.

Frosty walks this week have been followed by warm afternoons indoors soup making, painting and crafting.

Advent Spiral

The Apple Tree community came together on Sunday 27th November for the advent spiral. The Willow Tree nursery in St Werburghs kindly offered their space to us and it was a beautiful and intimate gathering.

The Oakens were joined by the Orange Grove, while Edens and Discoveries came together, followed by the Pippins and adult members of the Apple Tree and wider community.

Noahs Ark Zoo Visit

One of our brilliant Apple Tree mums organised a visit to Noahs Ark Zoo Farm for the children. The group was made up from Edens along with siblings from Oakens, Discoveries and The Orange Grove so it was a lovely social occasion for everyone to get together.

Our group was booked in as a home ed visit and along with having access to enjoy the whole zoo and play areas we were also able to partake in a ‘Habitat’ workshop. Brilliant host Paula discussed different environments and who you may find living there. The children were keen to be involved in the discussion and shared lots of brilliant answers and knowledge.

There were hippo tusks to identify, camouflaged animals to spot and a wonderful opportunity to meet Colin the hissing cockroach and Ralph the royal python.

The weather was definitely seasonal but the whole zoo was explored including the massive maze. We were able to join in with many keeper talks throughout the day including the elephants, andean bears and magnificent bird of prey display. The indoor play barn was very popular in the rain and it was wonderful to see all the children playing together and helping younger siblings, encouraging them to climb and explore.