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Saturday 21 November 2009

Cartoons

‘I never knew there was a written exam as well.’

Bless

Monday, 2nd November 2009

No, just listen. (From the village newsletter but I’ve changed the names.)

‘Early in the summer the children in Classes One and Two planted their own potatoes as part of a competition arranged by the Allotment Association. The children kept Potato Diaries, marking when they were planted, when they sprouted and how much they grew and making observational drawings of their potatoes, using pastels. During the recent North Cotswold Festival, the potatoes were weighed. CONGRATULATIONS to Jo, Amanda and Ruth, (all in Class Two) for their superb potato yield. Jo’s came in the heaviest at 510g, 2nd place went to Amanda (475g) and Ruth took 3rd (375g)

A display set up in the Village Hall proudly showed off the results as well as the diaries and drawings. We would like to once again thank the Allotment Association for their donation of seed potatoes and growing bags, and CountryShop for their donation of £150 towards compost and prizes. (Not forgetting to thank Mrs Jones, who kindly babysat the potatoes for the children during the summer holiday.)’

You can’t say it’s a dull world when you get this sort of thing to read of a Monday.

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Dave B

November 3rd, 2009 9:16am Report this comment

:-)

Reminds me of my cousin building/growing a miniature garden back in the 1970s, top stuff.

EC

November 3rd, 2009 11:08am Report this comment

Please can we bring back Clive Davis.

THX1138

November 3rd, 2009 11:07pm Report this comment

He's moved on to bigger and better things:

http://www.clivedavisconfab.com/

Tim Hedges

November 4th, 2009 5:02pm Report this comment

Who on earth told the children to plant potatoes in the summer? The yield should be about five times this

Jez

November 4th, 2009 8:33pm Report this comment

Susan.

Your posts are like a safe 'quiet room', whilst outside the carnage of the 'CoffeHouse' screams by.

These are pretty unique times out here i suspect- but there is a world away from the present turmoil, that you are kind enough to share with us.

Thanks.

I remember the Harvest festival table at my primary school (which is loosely connected to what you have written) in the 70's.

It would be good in the cities if there could be a way to let the kids of all backgrounds (probably to the age of 11-ish. Any older and you may be wasting your time) have school allotments or one's connected to the wider local community.

All the best.

Paul B

November 5th, 2009 9:13am Report this comment

I think we need to be inclusive and try to get kids involved in how plants grow. Jez`s idea is good, an allotment for each school school. To gain the pupils interest (and the teachers for that matter) and with all due respect to Susans potatoes, an enlightened teacher could encourage the sowing of cannabis plants.Parents could come in and sample the product. Pupils could learn about the business of drug dealing-pricing, selling,distribution. Marvellous and practical life skills. Law & Order could be discussed alongside the gardening, the history of prohibition.,and how the trade in narcotics has helped shape the world we live in today. Pupils could spliff up and I guarantee their would be no more stabbings outside the school gates. Win win situation man.

Jez

November 5th, 2009 12:33pm Report this comment

Nice, Paul B. Nice! ;)

That's why i put the 11 years old limit on participation of allotment veg' cultuvation. The industries open to 11+ urban youth, may be quite lucrative, with the offer of promotion and short term gain quite attractive- but looking it from a medium to long term perspective it's completely frought with extremely negative connotations for all levels; family, community and the person themselves.

The thing is, as soon as i read the above it reminded me of the Harvest Festival table (we're talking 30 years ago).

All kids could do with this and then even have a big day in the community (white, Black, Asian, etc) selling / donating these veg'.

Sounds comical but it's a start.

The inner city mealstrom that awaits them due to the UK social fracture might not be too promising, but this could be some good pumped in at just the right times of their lives.

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