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.

The Apple Tree held 2 Michaelmas festivals where the children and their families came together to sing songs, share poems and stories. The Pippins, Discoveries and Edens along with The Orange Grove made up the larger festival where each group prepared something together for the feast.

Orange Grove – Buns
Edens – Apple Crumble
Discoveries – Soup
Pippins – Butter

Harvested apples, many from the gardens of our families were brought in and pressed.

The Oakens, our youngest group had a celebration of their own where they prepared soup and bread and sang a song about dragons before pressing their own apples and enjoying the juice together. They wore beautiful felt crowns and capes made by some of the group parents.

This year we headed off to the Somerset countryside for our Summer Camp. The adults shared the chores whilst the children enjoyed roaming the woods and fields and playing with friends, old and new. Each day finished with a camp fire and plenty of marshmallows, songs and chatting in to the small hours underneath the stars. We even managed to find a beautiful and cool spot for some river swimming.

We had such fun at our Summer Fair. There was music, dancing, cake eating, games playing, quesadilla munching, crafting, bric a bracing, and a whole lot of festivity.

We raised some money, came together as a community and had a wonderful time. Looking forward to next years!

Thank you to all that came, helped, donated and took part.