Hello and welcome to the June 2000 newsletter!

Summer is here!!
Well, officially anyway, even if the weather doesn’t seem to have changed much, in fact it was apparently the wettest April on record! Let’s all hope that the good weather will come when the children are at home for the long summer holidays. Regardless of the weather, don’t forget the playscheme starts on Monday the 31st of July, providing childcare for working parents and summer holiday activities. But, come rain or shine, here is the Playbus news; have a good summer.

First of all here are few dates to note as there are several changes to the normal timetable in the next few weeks.

Cancellations - sorry no bus on these dates:
Thursday 29th June p.m. (Dennington)
Thursday 6th July (Stonham Aspel & Dennington)
Friday 7th July (Tostock and Felsham)
Tuesday 25th July (Thorndon and Wortham)
Thursday 27th July p.m. (Pakenham)
More details inside of where the bus will be.

Fundraising
Well done to Palgrave and Stoke Ash, both have put on a fundraiser since the last newsletter and raised nearly £700 between them. Thank you very much to all those whose effort is much appreciated, also thanks to everyone who supported the events.

Wortham are holding jumble sale in July and Bardwell are planning their BBQ again which is always a good day out.

Worlingworth are having a children's disco in October and if you’re handy with darts why not join Pakenham in their 12 hour marathon darts match.

Has your stop started to think about a fundraising event? If not please do as they are vital to our income, if you need some help don’t hesitate to contact me on 01379 650746.

Big Bus Bash
You may remember I mentioned this in the last newsletter, it’s all booked now and Gill, Angela and I are off to Bristol next month which is why there is no Playbus on 6th and 7th July. Sorry to those who will miss the bus but you should be able to catch an extra stop at the end of June instead. Look out for us on the news as the Big Bus Bash organisers are hoping to get T.V. coverage.

Outdoor play area
Don’t forget that now we have the outside space. When the weather is good children are easily tempted to explore what’s beyond the fenced area and extra care needs to be taken with keeping them secured. Please keep an eye on the children outside and make sure the fences are always kept closed and the children are inside them.

Summer Holiday
The bus will be on the road until Friday 28th July with the Bardwell BBQ all day on Thursday 27th, the BBQ is all day so no Pakenham visit that day. We will return to the usual timetable on Wednesday 6th September, there will however be a route review in the Autumn term but any changes will be posted well ahead of being implemented. And as for the summer......

August Playscheme
If any of you haven’t heard about the summer Playscheme where have you been?? The bus is covered with posters and so to are your cars/ play-groups/village notice boards etc. I hope. Bookings are now starting to flood in as the deadline for the 10% discount is getting closer. If there are particular days/time you would like to come please fill out the booking planner and send a form in soon. All Playscheme places for children 3 and over will get a 10% discount if you book and pay before 30th June, sorry but this only applies to left children and not the play sessions where parents/carers stay.

The Playscheme runs from Monday 31st July until Friday 25th August. If you can display a poster or circulate leaflets please ask Gill for some. The Playbus will be at Asda in Stowmarket on Thursday 29th June to promote the Playscheme (hence no visit to Dennington that day). The committee is determined to make this years playscheme a roaring success which is why we are going all out to publicise it. Unfortunately last year it was not fully subscribed and lost money so if we can’t cover the costs involved this year we won’t be running it next summer. So, ‘use it or lose it’ as the saying goes and please let as many people know about it as possible. We have even got booking forms on the website.

A.G.M.
The Pyramids Playbus Annual General Meeting is being held on Wednesday 28th June at 7.30 p.m in the Art Room at Kerrisons Training Centre, Thorndon. Everyone is welcome and if you expressed an interest in joining the committee in the evaluation survey please come along. There is no obligation to become a committee member but all are welcome to witness the voting and stay for refreshments afterwards.

Happy Birthday!
Can you believe the Playbus is now nearly three years old!! It has got it’s first ever M.O.T. test this summer, that’s why there’s no visit to Thorndon and Wortham on Tuesday 25th July.

Dates for your Diary
June 17th
Bus at ‘Fair on the Green’ Fair Green, Diss 1-5 p.m
June 18th
Bus at Occold Family Day, Occold Village Hall, all day.
June 29th
Bus at Asda in Stowmarket in the afternoon.
July 6th-9th
Big Bus Bash, Hengrove Park, Bristol.
July 16th
Needham Lake, all day
July 27th
Bardwell BBQ, The Dun Cow p.h., Bardwell.
July 28th
Last day of term.
July 31st - August 25th
Summer Playscheme, Thornham Field Centre, near Eye
Wednesday September 6th
Playbus back on the road.
November 30th
Christmas Party, yes I’ve already booked it!