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Dizzying spectacle

Alex James

Wednesday, 5th March 2008

Alex James leads a Slow Life

Chipping Campden is one of those places in the Cotswolds that doesn’t have anything discernibly bad about it whatsoever. There is not a scrap or suggestion of ugliness, in any of its infinite forms, within five miles of Chipping Campden. Even smoking there felt inappropriate. It all said happy, lovely, wonderful, but, as we know, if the people of that paradise don’t find themselves some ugly problems to get their teeth into pretty soon, they’re going to start feeling unfulfilled, poor souls. We planted some beans and potatoes and then I stood at the front of the assembly and asked the children what they knew about where their food comes from. But they were all three steps ahead of me; even the little wrigglers in the front row were putting their hands up. ‘Bananas come from monkeys!’

They all knew quite a bit about energy saving, too. In truth it’s us lot that need to learn more about all that stuff, not them. As I was leaving, a ‘move and groove’ class was getting under way in the gym. ‘Watch us, watch us!’ said the girls. The sense of anticipation was irresistible, so I stayed to watch their routine. An entire class of ten-year-olds danced their little socks off, the teacher grooving away at the front facing them. Every single one of them was grinning and giving it everything with unselfconscious abandon. It was an unforgettable spectacle and moved me to the point of tears, like seeing a dolphin in its natural habitat might.

It’s a long time since I’ve been to a junior school, and I think the feeling of mirth that I took away with me had more to do with the atmosphere there than my world-saving raking skills; the sheer benevolence of the place, the enthusiasm and bright optimism of the children was intoxicating. Happiness. You just never know when it’s going to come and whack you on the head and make you dizzy.