‘’You can’t possibly do anything if you think you can’t. But you can do impossible things sometimes, if you think you can’’ 

Enid Blyton. 

 

 

Faraway Tree will go into administration, and we are closing our doors at the Kindergarten. 

 

 

In almost five years of operation:

-We have ‘plopped’ stones from the bridges into the water at the ford and on the sheep field, we became well acquainted with Marmaduke and Bertie, village donkeys. We identified pineapple weed, we discovered a climbing tree, learned about mushrooms in the forest, climbed to the ‘top of the world’.

-We went on a trip to Parndon wood nature reserve in Harlow, ran a toddler stay and play session, made and floated vessels on the ford, had tumble tots and Superstar sports come and attend. We cared for an allotment, and hens too. We visited the RHS show at Hampton Court Palace and entered the children’s garden. We went to the theatre to see a children’s opera, hid painted stones in the village, threw leaves in the air to watch them fall, made bird feeders, we rode on the bus.

-We developed a forest school, cooked on a campfire, climbed trees, built dens, discovered tools, foraged and cooked with our findings. We befriended many a village dog. We experienced the magic of the bluebell woodland, had a snail race, watched the lambs grow year on year, we created a scarecrow, swung in hammocks, learned yoga and heard many many stories in the forest. We danced around a May Pole, made fairy homes, held an outdoor Nativity, held an indoor Nativity! We created clay dragons at the village museum, entered the children’s part of the horticultural show with our veggie monsters, we held sparklers, we saw a double rainbow, we raised caterpillars and released the butterflies, a storyteller came to visit us, naptime was held in our very own bell tent, we went bellringing, we met a falcon. We saw so many Red Kites.

-We visited a walled garden, had pumpkin carving competitions, had a cooked Christmas dinner created in a small tabletop oven, created a bug hotel on the allotment, adopted an allotment cat, held Christmas craft days, wreath making workshops, and carols around the Christmas tree. We sledged in the snow.

-We learned how to cross roads, to bug hunt, to toast marshmallows, to pond dip, to fly kites, to scoot on our scooters, to play tennis, to create huge bubbles. We discovered miles and miles of countryside footpaths. We learned to care for the environment around us and more importantly, for each other. 

We survived a pandemic! 

 

We have many thanks to give.

-To Chaldean Estate and Woodland, who supported outdoor education throughout, gave us access to land, permission for fires, forest school sessions and for holiday club, and recognised the impact of being outside for the children. 

-To the Much Hadham Parish Council, who got us through a pandemic and have been excellent landlords and support. PC’s get a bad rep, and we are fortunate with ours in Much Hadham, they’re fair, they’re level-headed, and they do listen. 

-To every single family who had adventures with us, who came back to holiday club, sent second children along to us and were there through every footstep along the way. You have been terrific, and your children were wonderful. All of them. 

-To everyone who shared their knowledge, care and love with the children.

 

-For every parent who helped. You know who you are. 

 

-For every child, for every outing, every laugh, every tear, every cuddle, for every session in the woodland. It was all for them and their opportunities. For every lip biting moment of risky play.  Thank you for the games. 

 

Happy adventuring!