Firs School News

The team that set off from Bangor, from the left, Gareth Griffiths, Ralph Page, Glyn Jones, James Cox, Peter Linfield, David Irwin, Nick Cranston, Charlie Humphreys, Kevin Emm, Adam Linfield, Tim Longman

A big thank you to parents and friends after the Snowdon challenge bike ride this weekend. 12 of us set off on Saturday morning, 7 raising money for Claire House and 5 for the light project. Arriva trains were very kind to donate return tickets to Bangor, a big thank you to Karen at Chester station, but insisted that only 2 bikes could be carried per train….. so much for the governments campaign to get us onto bikes (as long as you stay local). Anyway thankfully Kevin Emm was kind enough to offer his van, trailer and services to get our bikes over to Bangor.

Bike loading at Chester

Once at Bangor we soon got split up with Glyn and David missing a turning and ending up at Tescos a mile down the road…… 30mins later we had used up all our contingency time and set off again to meet Alan King at Llanberis for 11am. After a quick cream tea (refreshments being all important on this trip) we split into two groups with the touring group consisting of Glyn, Kevin, Peter and Adam rounding snowdon via the Llanberis pass and the mountain group heading up the hill, joined by Alan King, niece and her friend.

The all important refreshments at Llanberis

Again we hadn’t gone 15 mins when Tim rode over a rock which flipped up and bent his derailer. Fearing a trip back to Llanberis for a repair Alan the mechanic stepped in with his screwdriver and got it going again. It soon became apparant that the Snowdon path is not meant for bikes. The road quickly gave way to steps, steps and more steps and where there weren’t steps the national park are putting more in.

We were soon carrying the bikes all the way and mutiny was brewing in the ranks due to perceived lack of research by the leader (me!). At this point we discovered that the trains are still not going to the top of the mountain so we got on the tracks and pushed the bikes on the cog path in the middle. A nice even gradient for the final 1/3, thankfully I was off the spot!

Dave gratefully shows the way to do it.

A final effort and we were there and we have the video to prove it!

Very crowded up here. Does anyone go anywhere else in the Welsh mountains?

Alan takes his bike to the very top.

The Claire House fundraisers who remembered their t-shirts.

The way down was a different way with far less steps, but unlike Alan’s niece and friend, we knew how fragile our bones are and took a lot longer coming down…. That evening after discovering the YHA has a strict rule about no alcohol being brought in (since when did that happen?) we had a great bolognaise courtesy of Glyn before a few rounds of Poker then bed. The morning dawned and 4 of us decided the lake opposite the YHA had to be dipped.

Come on in the water's lovely....

After that it was a relaxing ride back to Bangor via the cycle way that goes all the way from Porthmadog to Bangor via Canaerfon.

An armchair road side bank for a relaxing ride back

Ralph and Nick reach the end of the pier in Bangor

A big thank you to everyone who sponsored us. So far the Claire House appeal has raised £1800 with the Light Project not far behind. In particular a big thank you to RBS Sempra, Charlie’s Dad’s company who donated £500. See you next year?

One of our parents, Mrs Fisher, is running in the London marathon this weekend in aid of Save the Family. If you’d like to sponsor her please go to Just Giving.

Click on the image for a larger size.

Congratulations to our pupils and staff who have managed to raise in excess of £880 for this years Comic Relief appeal. This was done by a combination of selling red noses and a sponsored spell for all classes. The children really got into the spirit of the day with all sorts of comic outfits with a red theme and Mrs Cook baked a special rednose cake.

Do something funny for money....

The Firs children got into the spirit!

Mrs Cook's cake (Practising for the Bakathon?)

Ever thought about biking up Snowdon? We are putting together a men’s event to raise money for charity and have some fun. The weekend will be the 25-26 April 2009. The full weekend itinerary is firming up and will comprise of taking the train from Chester to Bangor 1st thing Saturday. We will then form 2 groups. The 1st will make their way to the Snowdon Ranger YHA via the back roads and cycle paths of Snowdonia. The 2nd will make their way to the foot of Snowdon, cycle up the Railway bridle path and then down to the Snowdon Ranger YHA. We will then overnight at the YHA and after a full english breakfast in the morning all return to Bangor on the Sunday in a circular route via the Lon Eifion Cycleway. Total route is something like 45miles but comprises of a fair few ups and downs! Most of the area is covered in the map here.

The charities to be supported is Claire House Hospice or the Light Project. Both are local charities doing great work for young people. Places are limited at the YHA so if you want to join us please contact Tim Longman via the school email or call in the office. There is also a group which intends to cycle up Snowdon but then return via the same route and back to Chester.

Some of the route for the weekend - as you can see it's almost flat at the top!

Well done to all the school for a great christmas service last Wednesday. Each year group performed a song and the School choir and Chamber choir performed. I especially liked the “Heaven invites you to a party” with the voices calling out from around All Saints church.

The collection over the two services raised just over £900. Thank you very much to the parents and friends who contributed. The money will be split equally and go to Shelter and Chester Aid to the Homeless.

Videos of performances will be posted here. For more photos please request to join the Firs School Photo group by sending an e-mail to admin@firsschool.net

The top infant nativity scene

The angels proclaim the good news!

Dear Parents

Our Harvest service will take place on Thursday 23rd October at 2.15 p.m. at St. Columba’s church, Newton, and you are warmly invited to join us.

Harvest gifts of dried and tinned foods will be donated to Save the Family. Save the Family is a local charity which supports homeless families. The Firs School supports a cottage at Plas Bellin, a community which receives homeless families and offers training and support. If you would like further information about Save the Family please look on their website, www.savethefamily.uk.com.

Gifts may be brought to school on the morning of the service and should be left in the pottery room.

Children will not need their school bags on Thursday 23rd October and if they usually bring a packed lunch please send this in disposable containers.

As the service marks the end of this half term we would ask that children are collected from church at the end of the service approximately 3.15 p.m.

The only children that we can bring back to school are those who usually go to after school care. After school care will finish at the usual time.

Margaret Denton

Last years donations!