June 2004 newsletter:

Summer Playscheme

Summer 2004 is just around the corner and for the seventh year running the Playbus will be based at Thornham Field Centre for the summer Playscheme. There will be Playbus with secure outdoor play areas, large indoor activity centre and supervised walks, outdoor picnics and recreation in the 2,000 acres of parkland weather permitting.

If your child is 3, 4, 5 or 6 they can stay at the Playscheme in the care of our experienced staff where you know they will be happy, well cared for and have lots of fun in a safe, welcoming environment. On offer will be lots of activities including woodwork, mod roc, tie dying, mini garden making and water activities (weather permitting) to name but a few. There is also a fun soft play area aboard the Playbus, music, games, stories, and toys galore. Sand, water and play dough, dressing up clothes and ride on toys will add to their fun. There will also be 2 hour Play Sessions so you and your children to enjoy the Playbus in the holidays. Why not combine a visit to the Playbus with a walk and picnic in the park and an ice cream in the teashop?

Playscheme times are 10 am – 3 pm and the cost per session is £12.50 booked before 30th June, £15.00 booked on or after 1st July and children will need to bring a packed lunch. Optional Extra Hours are available on Tuesday and Thursday only 9 –10am at £3.00 per hour

Play Sessions are on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings 10am – 12noon and the costs are;

Under 12 months £1.00

12 months – under 3 years £2.75

3 years + £4.25

Maximum daily Play Session fee per family £9.00

No early booking discount on holiday play sessions

Route Review

Following a route review meeting on June 7th there are going to be some changes to the timetable. The main ones being that we will no longer visit Worlingworth, sorry to you all in that area, we will be gong to Dennington every week though we are also going to visit Wyverstone weekly. Thwaite will see the bus fortnightly instead of weekly and on the alternate Wednesday we are going to go Palgrave. The biggest changes are to Palgrave with the their day changing to Wednesday morning and just fortnightly hopefully this might attract a few new faces who find Monday doesn’t suit them. Do let Sara or Sue know how these changes affect you, better or worse and also if you have any suggestions for how the Playbus operates. The new timetable comes into effect in September

No Smoking

Just a reminder that the Playbus and the areas for outdoor play are strictly non smoking

AGM

Pyramids AGM was on Monday 21st June, and we were pleased to welcome 6 new committee members, the next committee meeting is on Monday 5th July at the Four Horseshoes pub in Thornham Magna.

Fees

From September there will be some increase in the fess, they haven't gone up for over a year and we are re-structuring the way the family rate work:

Baby (under 1) £1.00

Child (over 1) £2.75

Additional sibling £1.50 each

Child left with Playleader £4.50

These increases do not reflect the true costs of running the Playbus but we hope you find that the Playbus still offers you as mum/carer valuable support as well as good value for money for the provision for your children.

Fundraising

Special thanks go to everyone who has been involved in organising or has supported fundraising for the Playbus, in particular Palgrave for the smartie tubes, Dennington for their matchboxes, Tostock for the Polish wedding and Stonham's quiz night. Coming up on June 30th is a Pampered Chef evening at Thorndon, if you would like tickets they are available on the night or from the Playbus for £2 each.

Dates for your diary

Thursday 22nd July;

Last day of term

Mon 26th Jul—Fri 20th Aug;

Summer Playscheme

Monday 6th September;

Playbus back on the road

Newsletter MARCH 2004 - Registered Charity No. 283401 - www.pyramidsplaybus.org.uk