The Old Rectory

March 2012 - Bendalls Farm recently hosted a successful and sunny sports day, in aid of Sports Relief.

On 26 March, Bendalls Farm Daycare  hosted the Bradbury House Sports Day in aid of Sports Relief. Much preparation went into the event – there were cakes to be baked, posters to be made, a mile to be measured and a tricky obstacle course to be designed.

The weather did its part too and produced a gloriously sunny day. Spirits were high and everyone eager for the races to commence.

The first event of the day was the egg and spoon race – as much fun for the contestants as it was for the spectators. This was followed by a fun and fast 30-metre dash and then the relay race, loudly cheered on by supporters.

Next up was the obstacle course, which involved jumping over pipes, stepping into tyres, going through hoops and round posts. The wonderful welly throwing event followed; Jerry was in place with his trusted tape measure to calculate the distance of the welly throws with the winning welly travelling an impressive 73 feet.

Before the final event of the day, it was time to rest and replenish energy stores with a lovely sit-down buffet lunch provided by the farm shop. With lunch over, excitement began to mount for the much anticipated final event: the Bendalls Mile.

Everyone lined up on the track; chatter, laughter and excitement in the air. The hooter sounded and they were off. The “Bendalls Mile” took participants along the farm track and back again, with every single participant proving they could go the “extra mile” to complete the race.

Bradbury House staff were also called to participate in an obstacle course race. This seemed to reveal the more competitive side of their natures, and a hard fought race was eventually won by Jason.

The day ended with a presentation of certificates to congratulate every participant on their sporting achievements as well as to thank everyone for their efforts to raise money for Sports Relief.

Thank you to everyone who helped make the day such a success. We raised over £100 for Sports Relief. In particular we would like to thank Neal, Phil and Lacel who raised a significant portion of the funds from their own sponsors.

Bradbury House Sports Day Results

Women’s Egg and Spoon Race:

1^st Kelly (Street Farm)

2^nd Lisa (Street Farm)

3^rd Catherine

Men’s Egg and Spoon Race:

1^st Rob (Bendalls Farm)

2^nd Jamie (Bendalls Farm)

3^rd James (Old Rectory)

Women’s Obstacle Course:

1^st Claire (Street Farm)

2^nd Kelly (Street Farm)

Men’s Obstacle Course:

1^st Daniel (The Old Rectory

2^nd Lacel (Bendalls Farm)

3^rd Phil (Cyprus Lodge)

Relay Race:

1^st Catherine, Helen, Kelly

2^nd Claire, Lisa, Richard

3^rd Jamie, David, Phil

30-Metre Dash:

1^st Martin (Bendalls Farm)

2^nd Richard (Bendalls Farm)

3^rd Lacel (Bendalls Farm)

Women’s Welly Throwing:

1^st Helen (Street Farm)

2^nd Kelly (Street Farm)

3^rd Lisa (Street Farm)

Men’s Welly Throwing:

1^st Lee (Bendalls Farm)

2^nd Robert (Bendalls Farm)

3^rd Chris (Bendalls Farm)

February 2012 – Some of the best bits – 2011

Twenty-eleven was a good year for Bradbury House with activities and adventures abounding. Here’s a look back at the wonderful memories made at all our Bradbury residences and beyond, from the year’s snowy white beginnings right to its ceremonious end.

With a snowy start to the year, The Old Rectory kicked off 2011 by building snowmen and having ecstatic snowball fights. Silver Tree Lodge opted for a more civilised affair, at the theatre, and organised a charter event in Weston to see the pantomime Cinderella.

In March the boys of Bendalls climbed onto quad bikes and set free their need for speed around the racetrack. The outing was organised by the brave Baruti who led the way with his record-breaking lap times. (We’re still not sure that he used his brakes at all.)

Come summer, and the royal wedding scheduled to be the event of the year, Bendalls Farm and Street Farm rose to the occasion and held their own royal tea parties. It is still contested whether the boys outdid the girls this round, with their lively decorations and mouth-watering buffet and cakes. The boys even did some rather splendid posing for the camera.

Summer was all thrills for Silver Tree Lodge who visited the newly built Pier in Weston where they discovered the rides (which were literally a screaming success). For Adam the thrills were to be found at Longleat Adventure Park, where he capably demonstrated his steely courage by having some very big spiders and snakes crawl and slither all over him. (We’re still cringing at the memory.)

Staff and management from The Old Rectory went a little ape at their annual team-building event – using harnesses, pulleys and pure will to swing amongst the treetops. Also on the Rectory calendar were unique events (like pig racing) and culinary achievements (grand buffets and award-winning cakes) plus a host of funfair-style stalls, races and games.

A new event in 2011, the I Can’t Believe it’s Not the Bath and West Show hosted by Bendalls Farm was an all-out success – even the weather was on top form. Visitors strolled the grounds, tried their hand at making or doing farmy things, sampled good old farm fare and bought handmade produce from the stalls. A great day out and you can believe it’s going to be even better in 2012.

Street Farm also got very busy in 2011. Not only did they continue with their classes at Silver Tree Crystal, they took their skills to new levels by progressing to glass blowing and mould making (Christmas presents sorted!).

After all their hard work, Street Farm headed for the sunny shores of Spain at the end of the year for a well-deserved break. As well as lots of sundrenched relaxation there was also some memorable celebration – Street Farm stole the show when they clambered up on stage during a Michael Jackson tribute!

Meanwhile the boys of Bendalls Farm decided to slow things down, opting for an ocean outing and a spot of fishing.

The Craftshed (a Bendalls Farm initiative) also displayed their skills to good effect when they attended a local two-day event hosted by Priddy Good Farm Shop. The Craftshed crafters sold produce handcrafted on the farm, including owl boxes, beeswax candles and glass-blown items.

Bradbury House and Cypress Lodge were the first to use the new activity centre at Cypress Lodge by hosting their Halloween party there. As well as some horrifically good costumes and ghoulishly good treats, there was also live entertainment by Steve, who treated partygoers to a display of his breakdancing skills.

The annual bonfire lived up to its reputation. This sensational farm event included a pig roast, an awards ceremony and a huge fireworks display. Always a favourite on the Bradbury House group calendar.

The year also included its fair share of barbeques, funfairs, trips to the seaside, pancakes (made by our Bendalls cooks), dressing up (for Red Nose Day), local adventures, social gatherings, parties, and bucket-loads of fun and laughter. Bring on 2012 and buckets more.