When
the St Madoc Centre started to offer activities and catering to schools in 2009
our school season consisted of one full week. This year’s school season was
somewhat longer, with 26 schools and classes enjoying our food, accommodation
and activities. That’s over a thousand pupils, from infants to college age -
not forgetting their hard-working teachers! To think we’ve had an impact in
that many children’s lives is absolutely amazing, and all of the staff at the
St Madoc Centre are looking forward to 2014, which already promises to be
busier still!
This
year we were especially pleased to have been donated some money by Warburton’s
and the Four Winds Trust which meant we were able to keep offering massively
reduced prices to children requiring free school meals. This means we were able
to continue giving a fantastic experience to children who may otherwise never
have had an opportunity to have a holiday and enjoy themselves like they do
with us.
‘For many of our children it will be their first 'holiday' and
time away from their home. In fact very few of our children have ever
experienced a sleep over!’ ... ‘That is the impact of your work, it can change
a life, change an attitude, develop a dream, inspire a community.’
Primary School Headmaster
This
year we’ve also spent a lot of time working on a science programme, aimed at
year 4 and 5 pupils. This programme contains a lot of different activities,
like pond-dipping, rock-pooling and strand-line surveys. These activities were
tested out by a very helpful local primary school over a four day stay and
despite a few Autumn showers their stay went very well, with everyone enjoying
themselves immensely.
Sadly,
this Autumn saw the departure of two of our longest serving members of staff,
Rob and Chris. Both worked incredibly hard during their time at the St Madoc
Centre to make us what we are today. They both were a major part of the success
of our school’s work, as well as maintaining our facilities and keeping them at
the high standard they are in now.
Thanks for all your hard work, guys!
This
Summer and Autumn we have held various different events. In August we held a
Bat Discovery Evening, for the second time. Once again it was well attended,
and using various electronic bat detectors we found a variety of different
bats. Our second annual Apple Day was held in October, a celebration of all
things appley, with pies, cakes and games. Hayley Watts’s delicious apple pie
took home the first place prize in the Pie Competition, and over twenty people
attempted the William Tell Archery Challenge, with two people actually managing
to hit the apple! The Volunteer Day in October went well, with plenty of work
getting done; the pig pen is being prepared for new pigs, and our ever-growing
orchard was prepared for the winter. Many thanks to all our volunteers!
Autumn
has also been an interesting time of year for wildlife discoveries, with two
species new to the St Madoc Centre being discovered. The Four-spotted Chaser
Dragonfly is common across the UK, but was seen flying above our wildlife pond
for the first time. The second, slightly more exciting, sight was a flock of
six Choughs seen feeding on Craneflies near the headland. Choughs are rare
across Britain, so to see six on our land was brilliant. We also held our
second reptile and amphibian conservation course, which was again very well
attended, firmly putting the St Madoc Centre ‘on the map as a good site for
reptiles’, according to our Conservation Ranger, Sarah.
Events at the St Madoc Centre
ECO-TRIBE
Every
second and fourth Sunday
3-5pm
Call Mark on 07455677711 for details
Outdoor
environmental activities for children & parents/carers.
SATURDAY 23RD NOVEMBER
AN EVENING OF SONGS, TUNES & TALL TALES
AN EVENING OF SONGS, TUNES & TALL TALES
8pm
at Llanrhidian Church, Gower
Mike
O'Connor & Barbara Griggs are great fun. They make music of breathtaking
beauty on fiddle, concertina, viol and harp. They have a unique repertoire,
both original and from historic Cornish manuscripts.
Call
01792 386291 or email sarah@stmadoc.co.uk for tickets in advance, tickets also
available at the door.
Tickets
cost £8, or £4 for under 16s, with glass of wine or juice.
Raising
funds for St Madoc Centre
SUNDAY 1ST DECEMBER
SONGS FOR ADVENT
Doors
open 6:30pm, singing starts at 7pm
With
the Cantorion Llanmadog presenting an evening of light music.
Tickets
cost £12, including a meal, bar available. Get in contact with us to book your
ticket.
SATURDAY 7TH DECEMBER
CAROLS AND CRAFTS
10am-3pm
Our
annual Carols and Crafts event. Live music, hot food and free mince pies. Free
entry.
Volunteer at the St Madoc Centre:
We
are always very happy to work with volunteers, no matter their age, skill or
ability levels. If you are interested in volunteering at the St Madoc Centre,
or would like more information about any of the events listed in this
newsletter please contact us using the details found below.
Phone: 01792 386 291 Email: info@stmadoc.co.uk Website: stmadoc.co.uk