End of Year Update

Having neglected this Blog for far too long it is time for an end of year update. In the Summer the bus was busy at events.  It spent some time at IWM, Duxford, first for a schools week and then stayed on for the Flying Legends Air Show.

Following this it returned to the War & Peace Revival at its new home of Folkestone Racecourse where it worked for five days alongside another bus from our depot, the HOPE Bus.

Next the bus returned to Maidstone Museum for a successful 2 day visit in early August.  In the autumn we found a new home from home for the bus in West Kingsdown, near Brands Hatch.  This allowed us to visit a whole host of schools in North Kent and Greater London more cost effectively.  There the bus suffered a rare breakdown.  The water pump failed and as replacements for such an old bus don't sit on the shelf it had to be removed and reconditioned.  Fortunately this didn't interfere with any school bookings.

Fifteen schools were visited during the autumn and when all was done a map was created to show the location of the schools and events visited over the last three years.  Many of them have been visited two or three times.

Looking forward to a busy 2014.  Have a great holiday.

Creative Learning

Home Front Bus has always been about Creative Learning. Come and see us at the #CreativeLearning Showcase at Detling Hill Showground on 6 June.

Two East Kent Schools

This week we were pleased to host two local schools.  Firstly 11 pupils from Highview School, Folkestone visited the bus at Dover Transport Museum and had a great time.  Home Front Bus struggles with some forms of modernity and this includes cars.  When my newer Euro Box car proved unreliable I was able to dig out my reliable 1972 Volvo to get to Dover, which also proved popular with some of the pupils.

The staff of Highview kindly left the following comment in our Visitor Book:

"Super visit - brought our classroom learning to life.  Sensory effects brilliant."

Our second visit was to St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Deal.  They opted for our Church Rations package for just one class of very enthusiastic and well informed Year 5 Students.  Their teacher kindly wrote the following in our Visitor Book:

"We had an absolutely fantastic time.  It really brought it to life for the children - and adults!  Thank you so much."

Maidstone Museum

The excellent and creative Maidstone Museum invited Home Front Bus for a Half Term visit.  Despite the extreme cold and wintry showers the crowds turned out and kept us all very busy.  I drew the short straw and stood outside whilst Paul remained warm in the Bombed Out Street.  A team of enthusiastic Learning Assistants manned the lower deck and quickly felt at home.

Making Movies

The Home Front Bus was employed today as a set for a film promoting the work of Kent Children's University http://www.childrensuniversity.co.uk/ .  The film was made by The Pauline Quirke Academy http://www.pqacademy.com/ and once finished we will provide a link so everyone can enjoy the film.

The film centred on Riley, a young lad who dreams of some of the exciting things children can see and do in Kent, including the Home Front Bus.  Riley survived the dangers of the Bombed Out Street, but only just.  His make up was provided by Kate Griffiths http://www.theatricalmakeupartist.com/ .

TOWIE for HFB

The Home Front Bus had a rare and enjoyable day out in Essex this week.  We were hosted by Grange Primary School, Wickford where 90 Years 3 & 4 pupils experienced the bus.  Also rare was a fine February afternoon, which enabled the pupils to spend time sketching outside the bus and to visit our Gift Stand.

We also welcomed Neil Newman to our team who gave an excellent and enthusiastic debut in the Air Raid Shelter. 

Many thanks to staff from Grange Primary School for their hospitality and comments in our Visitor Book.

"Thank you so very much for a wonderful, nostalgic day which I'm sure the children will remember.  True Living History!"

Jackie Carr, Grange Primary School

"A truly magical and moving experience.  The children will remember forever."

Natasha Warnes, Grange Primary School

Home Front Bus Returns to The War & Peace Show

We are pleased to announce that Home Front Bus will be returning to The War & Peace Show in 2013 at its new home of Folkestone Race Course.  The first day will be a special Schools Day where we will be offering Free Taster Sessions for visiting schools.  A teacher + 6 pupils from each school can visit the bus free of charge to get a flavour of a full day visit from Home Front Bus.

2013 Gets Under Way!

The bus has been serviced by Crosskeys Coaches and has carried out its first school booking of 2013.  This was a return to Reculver Primary School for their second January visit.  Outside it was bitterly cold with some snow showers, but inside the buses on board heaters kept everyone warm.  The pupils entered into the occasion and helped make for a highly successful and enjoyable start to 2013.

There are 33 school dates still available this year, so please press 'like' or better still 'share' and help us to fill up our 2013 diary ASAP.