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.

Plenty of Provision

We are grateful for the provision of plenty of schools requiring a visit from Home Front Bus over the last couple of months and for extra help to cover for those who had colds.

We are now looking forward to an equally busy 2013, so please contact us soon to book a date for your school.  In the meantime the bus is due some tlc to refresh its appearance and to keep it going into next year.

Our last school of the month was St Saviour's in Westgate-on-Sea who left the following comment in our Visitor Book:

"The children and staff have thoroughly enjoyed the day and have learnt so much from the experience."

St Saviour's School, Westgate-on-Sea

Two Firsts

Home Front Bus continues to be in the midst of a very busy period with recent visits to Christ Church School, Folkestone, Swalecliffe Primary and Blean Primary.

We have also celebrated two first time events:

Our first ever visit to an Infant School went so well that they immediately booked again for next year. Many thanks to Madginford Park Infant School, Bearsted and apologies for leaking diesel on your playground.

We also welcomed Alison Short onto our team who looked magnificent.  Alison is a highly gifted and experienced Infant School teacher and proved to be a great asset to the team.  

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