Braithwaite Trust makes another community grant

Viewing platform and seats

At the recent meeting of the Braithwaite Trust the Trustees decided to make a grant to the First Friends Pre School in Great Waldingfield.  Over the past year a wildlife area has been created outside the facility, and additional funds are needed to buy equipment to enable the children to make the most of the space.  I understand that purchases will include a wicker wigwam or den and magnifying glasses to view bug life.

I visited the Pre School earlier this week to take some photos of the progress to date.  The wildlife area really is lovely.  It is generally used for 'quiet sessions' while more energetic activities, such as the Olympic Games that were in progress during my visit, take place on the other side of the building.  The area has a viewing platform so that the pond, which currently looks like something from the Amazon forest, can be safely seen, and a bank of wildflowers which are currently looking stunning.

The Amazon comes to Great Waldingfield

 The Pre School as a whole is thriving, and, judging from the activities that I saw and the clearly contented and confident children, it certainly deserves to.  I understand that there are currently some places available for new recruits in September, as the older members move on to their first school.

The bank of wildflowers

 The Braithwaite Trust was set up by the Braithwaite family after the First World War. Its primary purpose is to manage the allotments, and some other land, that was give to the vllage in memory of members of the family who were killed in the conflict.  From time to time the Trust has surplus funds which, under its trust deed, it is able to make available for projects that benefit Great Waldingfield.  Applicants must be village organisations rather than individuals.   Enquiries should be made to the Rector, Caroline Hallett, who is the Chairman of the Trust.