New Schools & Old

We have enjoyed five great school visits over the last eight school days, three of which were repeat visits.  This has left our multi-genertaional team both encouraged and exhausted.  We also welcomed two new workers to the team who both enjoyed themselves and did an excellent job. Well done to Alison Short and Aidan Fudge.

The Schools visited were:

• Harbour School - Dover
• Boughton under Blean & Dunkirk Primary School
• Roding Primary School - Woodford
• Hayes Primary School
• Staplehurst Primary School

The comments below were written in our famous Visitor Book by one new school and one we were visiting for the second time:

"Absolutely wonderful.  A very authentic feel (especially the realistic smells!)  We loved the first (hand) accounts from Ed & Jenny and Norman's scary ARP Warden.  Very enjoyable. Thank you"

Staplehurst School

"Second year running at Hayes and still just as fantastic.  The children were so excited and were not disappointed.  Such a great way for the children to become fully involved in WW2 and learn so much in such an original and interactive way!  Thank you so much".

Hayes Primary

We are now looking forward to seven more school visits in November.

Rochester Airport Family Fun

A great day enjoying excellnet weather at Rochester Airport at an event superbly hosted by South East Coachworks.

The Home Front Bus was parked alongside the ex Malta bus, which recently toured the UK with the Olympic Torch.

The Burnett family were out in force and several took the opportunity of a flight around the airfield.  Amy took a great, if a bit blurry photo of the event from the sky.

Jenny looked great once again in her 1940's kit with Angela in contemporary mode.

Back to School in Egerton

An excellent and encouraging first day back in schools. Many thanks to Egerton Primary School for the writing the following in our visitor book:

"What an inspiring way to start a new year! Children and adults were fascinated, interested and have now become historians! Your enthusiasm and knowledge were infectious and have left us ready to learn even more. Thank you!"

Church Choice for Chilham

Chilham St Mary's COE Primary School was the first school to opt for the Home Front Bus accompanied by a team from South Kent Community Church www.skcc.info .  The venue was the magnificent Chilham Village Hall as the school was too well tucked away in the ancient village to be reached by a big double decker bus. 

The whole school paid a visit and at the end the day gifted us with the biggest thank you card we have ever received, superbly modelled by the beautiful Jenny.

Many thanks to Chilham School for being such fantastic hosts and for writing the following comment in our Visitor Book:

"The children thoroughly enjoyed their 'hands on' history experience.  We particularly enjoyed the fact that all senses were involved in the experience.  All of our children, ranging from 4-11 years old came back to class full of enthusiasm and questions.  A fantastic resource.  Thank you very much."

Mrs J. Willis, Chhilham St Mary's CEP School

Folkestone School for Girls

An excellent morning with a select band of Year 8 pupils from Folkestone School for Girls.  All the pupils and staff entered in and a great time was had by all.  Check out this weeks Folkestone Herald for pictures.

"A brilliant session.  Very informative and the girls learnt a massive amount.  It was a great opportunity for students to witness the experiences and see items first hand."

Mr Weller, Folkestone School for Girls 

Flying Legends and a Legandary Bus

Fantastic weekend at Flying Legends, Duxford.  Home Front Bus fitted right in at the vintage Village and even appeared on TV.  Follow the link to see a tour of the bus on ITV News, Anglia Tonight http://vimeo.com/44949384 .

Lots of planes and lots of people who left a record 35 positive comments in our Visitor Book.  Thanks also to Winston (aka Allan) for dropping in!

Keeping Busy

Home Front Bus has been keeping very busy over the last week.  First we visited the tiny but excellent Petham School near Canterbury.  Actually we couldn't quite get there due to low overhanging trees, but parked instead in the local village hall just 200 yards down the road.  We are running out of reasons to say 'no' to schools that want a visit from Home Front Bus and are discovering that we can always find a way and a price option to make a visit possible.

Next we made a return visit to Eridge at the southern end of the Spa Valley Railway.  We enjoyed better weather and more attractions then at the same event last year and consequently there were more visitors to enjoy a trip back in time.  Ed, Jenny and I enjoyed a fish & chip supper whilst riding on the line on Saturday night.  Thanks to Terry and his team for being such great hosts once again.

Whilst there the bus suffered from quite a severe fuel leak, which was cured with the help of the owners of the splendid old fire engine pictured above.  Thanks also to Richard of Brookline Coaches who allowed us to park the bus in thier yard whilst in the mid Kent area.

After a day off the bus went back to Manor Oak School in St Mary's Cray.  It has been a year since our last visit and Ed and I were delighted and greatly encouraged by how much information pupils had remembered from our last visit.