Pirate action returns to Chillfest
We celebrated the return of Chillfest to Snapdragons for another year of piratey fun this weekend, as families from across the area joined us to fundraise for the Teenage Cancer Trust - the chosen charity of Abbie Dougherty.
Abbie was Head of Babies at Snapdragons Weston and passed away on June 12th, after a battle with cancer. In the weeks before, she showed a desire to raise money for the ward that had supported her so admirably during her care and we wanted to show our respect for her, by supporting them too.
Kerrie Charlton gets sponged for charity.
James Woodman completes his run from Brislington to Bath for the Teenage Cancer Trust.
Chillfest was full of fun, excitement, prizes, a Father's Day Tug of War and great food and it didn't disappoint. A rare dry day amongst so many wet ones, we welcomed dozens of families, all out for a worthwhile cause and helping us raise over £2000 on the day.
The Father's Day Tug of War is a hit!
Jamma de Samba appear again, entertaining us all with their incredible music.
Thank you to everyone who joined us and offered their support, especially in the minute's 'noise' for Abbie at the end. Your support is what makes us such a strong community and we thank you again for it.
For now, enjoy the video of the day and we can't wait to see you again next time!
About Abbie
It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Abbie Dougherty on the morning of June 12th 2016. She will not be forgotten.
Abbie was Head of Babies at our nursery in Weston for the past two years, earning her way through the ranks, after joining initially as an apprentice. Through hard work, a kind heart and an approach that was admired by all, she was a figurehead for her team, encouraging them to be the best they could be.
A popular character with the babies, her bubbly nature and positive outlook kept them learning in fun and exciting ways, allowing them to revel in their time at nursery, creating an atmosphere that inspired learning and enthusiasm.
Outside of nursery, she was a keen rugby enthusiast, supporting her local team in Chew Valley and spending time as a volunteer paramedic, once again showing her caring and supportive nature.
Abbie's fight with cancer was a long one, as so many of them always are and she returned to work happily, having been given the all-clear at the end of 2015. She rejoined her team with the same passion and happy spirit that she had always shown, stepping back in as if she had never been away. Unfortunately, it was less than a year after her return that she was told that her cancer had returned and Abbie had to step away from her babies for the last time.
“Abbie was excellent when she looked after my child.”
During her final weeks, Abbie chose to fundraise for the ward that had cared for her so admirably during her treatment. She wanted the money that was raised to be donated to the Teenage Cancer Trust, so that they could continue to help other young girls in her situation and that her fighting spirit would live on through them.
Abbie was loved by many and admired by all at Snapdragons Weston and her absence will be felt at the deepest parts of our hearts. Too young and too kind to leave us all so soon, she will forever be remembered from our youngest babies to our oldest employees.
Sleep tight Abbie. You'll never be gone from our minds.
'Farmyard Fritter' recipe
We recently spent an afternoon at Warleigh Lodge Farm with Tim, foraging for wild garlic, nettles and other foresty treats that might go well in a fritter for tea. The highly successful results can be seen below in our video, but we've also included the recipe in case you'd like to try some yourself, whilst out and about one sunny day.
Farmyard Fritters by Tim Graham
Ingredients
- 5 medium eggs
- 3 spoons of white flour
- A handful of freshly washed foraged leaves (you can also use spinach from the shop)
- A pinch of salt
- Olive oil for frying
Method
- Mix the eggs, flour, leaves and salt in a big bowl until they are covered
- Warm the oil in a frying pan and test its temperature by dropping a small amount of the batter in and seeing if it bubbles. Put a spoonful of the mixture into the pan and allow it to cook for a couple of minutes on each side.
- Lift the fritters out of the pan and set them on a plate to cool for a few minutes before serving.
Join @snap_forest at @WarleighLodgeFa with @snapweston & @snapgrosvenor for some proper farmyard fritters! #foraging pic.twitter.com/oNiORCAkEh
— Snapdragons Videos (@snaps_videos) May 6, 2016
Chillfest returns for 2016
It’s nearly June so it must be time for Chillfest our ever-popular festival for children, families and friends! This year it’s the return of the pirate theme, so rummage in your treasure chests and dust down your pirate finery, ready to join us at Snapdragons Weston on Saturday 18th June, 1.00-4.00pm.
Coming up at this year's event, we've got live music with the wonderful Jamma de Samba, a bouncy castle, raffle, tombolas, shack building with Tim Graham, delicious piratey food on our barbecue, plank walking, pirate treasure hunts and... the big one... the return of the Father's Day 'Tug of War’! We want as many dads as possible, so please come along and join in!
Chillfest is a fundraising event and this year’s charity is Teenage Cancer Trust in honour of Abbie Dougherty, Head of Babies at Snapdragons Weston. As many of you will know, Abbie has recently been given the devastating news that her cancer has returned and treatment is not possible. Abbie joined us as an apprentice nearly four years and has been a wonderful, passionate and popular member of our team, loved by colleagues, babies and parents alike. Please help us to make this year’s Chillfest the busiest ever so that we can honour Abbie’s wishes and help other young people with cancer through the work of the Teenage Cancer Trust.
If you would like to donate to Abbie’s JustGiving page please follow this link https://www.justgiving.com/AbbieDougherty
Meet our Inclusion Manager
Hi, my name is Alison Shires and I am the Inclusion Manager for Snapdragons.
I have worked in the early years sector for over thirty years. I have been the Manager at our Atworth nursery for the past five years, after leaving my role of 22 years as Senior Early Years Inclusion Adviser for Wiltshire Council.
As early years providers, we want each child in our care to have the best possible start to their nursery education. Snapdragons welcomes all children and, for some of the children in our care, this will mean additional support, training or resources are required to ensure they can develop in all areas learning and development covered by the Government’s document “Early Years Foundation Stage, Development Matters”.
In each of the nurseries we have a named Special Educational Need and Disability Co-ordinators, known as SENDcos. SENDcos have attended specialist training provided by the local authority in your area. They will be able to support you and your child to access the appropriate professionals to help. In nursery they will support you and your child’s key person to implement appropriate support. We will monitor and evaluate their progress and share this with you at regular meetings, that you will be invited to attend.
My role in Snapdragons as Inclusion Manager is to support the nursery SENDco in their role, in addition to the support they receive from their Local Authority.
I am here to support you the parents / carers. Please contact me you should you need to discuss any concerns, worries and successes of your child at alison@snapdragonsnursery.com