Hello and welcome to the December 2002 newsletter,

Hello and Happy Christmas! Early I know but we have already got Christmas cards on sale on the bus again. There are also Bedingfield Recipe books, Playbus T-shirts and sweatshirts and shopping bags, and a limited supply of the final print of Crafty Ideas if you looking for inspiration for Christmas presents. All these items will be on sale on the bus which will be on the road until Wednesday18th December for the Thwaite and Redgrave sessions.

We will be back on the road starting again on Tuesday 7th January 2003 at Thorndon and Wortham.

We will be saying goodbye to Playbus users at Eye at the end of term and setting up a new stop in Gislingham on alternate Friday mornings in January. Thank you to all those who supported the bus at Eye but it was felt that Gislingham has greater need for the Playbus at present. Full details for next terms timetable is printed on the back page. Read on for all the other news.

Fundraising
Special thanks go to Playbus users at Mickfield for their very successful Car Boot Sale once again this year. Special appreciation also goes to everyone involved and all who helped with the Bonfire Party at Hinderclay.

Some of the money raised at these events has been spent on re-finishing the wooden surfaces on the bus. We have also received a grant to buy a new drivers seat with an integral seatbelt for the comfort and safety of drivers and another grant has been applied for to buy some more toys for the toy library.

We will let you know the total raised by the 'collecting buses' which the children have been making when it has been returned and counted, thank you for taking one home, please return them to the bus by 17th January 2003.

Toy Library
The toy hire library has now had an overhaul thanks to Sara and there are several new items we are still planning to buy more. From now until Easter all the large ride-on toys cost just £1 per month to hire; other toys will all be less than £1 each, to book speak to Sara or Gill.

Part Time Vacancy
We are currently looking for part-time staff on a sessional basis to cover private hire functions and other occasional Playbus events/sessions. If you know anyone who might be interested, or think you might like to earn some money by working on the Playbus please speak to Gill, Sara or myself. You don't have to learn to drive the bus but if you are interested driver training can be arranged.

Nursery Grants
If your child was born on or before 31st August 1999 they are entitled to five free sessions of nursery education per week. These can be divided between a number of providers as long as each is registered to accept this funding. The Playbus is one such provider and by bringing your grant to us we will guarantee a place for your child at the session/s of your choice during term-time. Your child will also get an extra half an hour of activities linked to the Early Learning Goals and we have made some special arrangements for siblings who also wish to attend the same Playbus session as children using their grant.

Please speak to Gill or Sara if you would like your child to have their free ses sion/s on the Playbus and they will give you a form to complete.

Lost Property
There are several items in the lost property box on the Playbus Please have a look if you have lost anything recently on the Playbus or at any Playbus event or the Playscheme. The box will be at the Christmas party and then any unclaimed items will be sent to a Charity shop during the Christmas holiday.

Dates for your Diary

Wednesday 18th December
Last day of term

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

Monday 17th-Fri 21st Febuary
Half term holiday

Friday 11th April
Last day of Spring term

Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and Prosperous New Year
from all at Pyramids

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

Gill Telephone 07836 745050 - Sue Telephone 01379 650746