Hello and welcome to the September 2002 newsletter,

Hello everyone, I hope you all had a good summer and are settling into the routine of the new term. If you have children aged 3 or 4 and would like them to use their Nursery Grant on the bus please fill in a form available from the Playbus and return to Gill or Sara by 2nd October.

If you came along to see Brum at the Car Boot Sale at Mickfield you'll be pleased to hear that a total of over £400 was raised, that's more than last year so thankyou to everyone who supported the event. There are several events over the coming weeks so read on and find out all the news.

Summer Prize Raffle
The Raffle was drawn at the BBQ at Bardwell and raised a total of £312

August Playscheme
The August Playscheme was a great success once again this year and ran for 4 weeks from Monday 29th July until Friday 23rd August. Please complete an evaluation form on the Playbus if your children attended but you didn't get one at the Playscheme.

Future Fundraising Events
The Bonfire party will be on Sunday November 3rd, 3.30 -5.30 pm and be similar to last year with a bonfire and some hot dogs, cake stall etc. and a quiet firework display. Adult tickets are £3 each (children free) and will be on sale on the bus soon. This year it will be in Hinderclay and there will be a map on the back of each ticket.

Co-op ‘divi’ cards and Amazon.com are both very valuable ways for the Playbus to earn commission on your purchases so pick a card on the bus to remind you of how they work, and support the Playbus while you shop.

Fundraising catalogues are already on the bus, 25% of the value of all orders placed will go directly to Playbus funds so please take home a copy and place your order early.

The Christmas Party will be on Tuesday December 3rd with 2 parties as in the past. Father Christmas will bring a present for each child, 'The Fun Force Experience' will provide the entertainment and children's lunches will be the included in the ticket price. Teas/coffees and mince pies will be on sale and toy/book stalls, raffle etc.

Playbus Collecting Boxes
The children will be making Playbus collecting boxes on the bus over the next few weeks. Please take yours home and place any loose spare small change in it and ask visitors to your house to do the same to donate to the Playbus. When they've all been returned we'll let you know the total raised.

Committee
Following the AGM in June we thanked 2 committee members who have now left and welcomed Christina and Kate. There are still a couple of vacancies so please consider coming along to a meeting and see what goes on. The next committee meeting is on 16th October at 8 pm at Thornham Four Horseshoes pub in Thornham Magna. The meetings last about an hour and a half and are open to everyone so if you'd like to come along you'll be made most welcome, but there is no obligation to join.

Nursery Grants
All children who will be 4 by March 31st 2003 are entitled to 5 free sessions per week during term time which can be divided between a number of pre-school providers registered to accept such funding. The Playbus is a registered provider and by bringing your grant to us we will guarantee a place for your child at the session/s of your choice. Your child will also get an extra half an hour of activities linked to the Desirable Learning Outcomes and we have made some special arrangements for the siblings of children using their grant.

If your child/ren are eligible and you would like to use your grant on the bus please let Gill or Sara know. The Nursery Grant is especially valuable as the Playbus is a Registered Charity so please consider using yours, this term or next year, for free Playbus sessions. If you are using your grant on the bus but won't be able to attend a session please ring the mobile number, even if it is only just as the session is starting, so that another child may use the space, we can all sympathise with what it’s like having to go home a screaming child because there are no more spaces on the Playbus.

Half Term Play Sessions
There will be Play Sessions on Tuesday 22nd October on the bus at Thorndon from 10-12. Places will need to be pre-booked and paid for in advance and parents/carers must stay with all children. Please book with Gill or Sara on the bus.

Dates for your Diary

Tuesday 16th October
Committee meeting

Friday 18th October
Last day on road

Tuesday 22nd October
Play sessions at Thorndon

Monday 28th October
Back on the road

Sunday 3rd November
Bonfire party

Tuesday 3rd December
Christmas party

Wednesday 18th December
Last day on the road.

Tuesday 7th January 2002
Playbus back on the road for the start of the Spring term.

Newsletter SEPTEMBER 2002 - Registered Charity No. 283401 - www.pyramidsplaybus.org.uk

Gill Telephone 07836 745050 - Sue Telephone 01379 650746