Copper Valley Blossoms

By Rafe, Immy and Flo, Copper Valley Primary School

You may have visited Cotehele House in East Cornwall before, but have you visited in spring to see the lovely blossom orchards? What you may not know is that blossom symbolises new life and in Japan, people explore how it can make their dreams come true. Read on to find out more….

On Friday, 25th April, a creative class from Copper Valley Junior School caught the train to Calstock with international poet, Sally Crabtree and Rebecca Catterill from GWR. The children then walked to Cothele following the pretty River Tamar which sparkles in the spring sunshine at this time of year.

The class spent the day working with Sally Crabtree, writing poems and a song. This was all being filmed by GWR for a special celebration. The children then wrote up their work for the ‘poet-trees’, which will go on display at Cothele for the general public to see.

You also might be interested to know that some people in Japan believe that the robin is the protector of the blossom tree. By coincidence and amazingly, during the trip, several children had a robin land on their hands and one of them said, “It felt a bit weird and tickly, but I enjoyed it and it made me feel happy.”

The class were also curious to find out more about the role of Rebecca Catterill, Community Partnership Manager for GWR and ask her why she works regularly with Bridge Schools. She explained that, “I connect people with the train stations and enjoy working with Bridge Schools because their teachers are so enthusiastic and their pupils are so polite.”

She also explained more about how the blossom project links with trains and told Bridge Stories, “In Japan they have festivals for the blossom and the trees are worshipped for giving strong emotions in a person’s mind. The trees in Japan hang over the railway lines, so that in the spring most Japanese people go on train ride to watch the blossom float in the breeze”.

Watch this space to see the link to the Copper Valley / GWR film coming soon.

  Curious: Blisland Primary Academy Bring Science to Life!

By Roxanne and Megan, Blisland Primary School

Blisland School pupils were very curious when they visited Discovering42 on the 26th March. In case you haven’t heard of it, it’s Cornwall’s award-winning Art, Sustainability and Science Museum in Bodmin.

The children took part in many hands-on experiences: the venue has used artists to recreate inventions and innovations through recycling old items that might have gone into the bin. It can teach children about links between art and science. It can also show you how engineering can help the environment.

Some pupils took part in a trumpet-blowing activity that created bubbles, followed by creating their own pieces to show how the earth spins on its axis.

One pupil told us that, “I really liked looking at all the science parts”, whilst another child explained that, “You couldn’t get bored there – the whole class enjoyed it…it was an educational science wonderland!”

Bridge Stories also asked staff at the school for their comments – the Headteacher (Mr Smith) said, “The pictures show you everything – the amazed looks on the children’s faces.” A teaching assistant, who went on the trip, said, ‘I thought it was an incredible example of mixing learning about science with recycling.”

Learning how to look after the world also helps Bridge Schools children at Blisland Primary Academy to be responsible, which is another of the values.

If you would like to visit, head to Priory Park in Bodmin. You can book and find more information on their website:

Discovering 42 – Science, Art and Sustainability Centre

As they say, ‘our society needs critical thinkers’ and a trip to Discovering42 inspires young people to realise that everything can be re-used. Doing something small like this can help with something much bigger – children really can learn how to change the world!

  Responsible: Duloe Determined and Responsible.

By Cece, Stan and Emily, Duloe Primary School

  Enthusiastic: Well, Well, Well - All ‘Dressed Up’

By Kira and Scarlett, St Cleer Primary School

On Friday, 16th May, children from St Cleer Primary Academy took part in a special well-dressing ceremony, only a few minutes away from the school.

Bridge Stories journalists (the young ‘Storyseekers’) have previously featured an article about the village, but in this issue, they bring one aspect of it to life, with a little help from St Cleer Primary Academy and Cornwall Heritage Trust.

THE HISTORY OF WELL-DRESSING:

The history of well-dressing is believed to date back to the late 15th or early 16th century and is unique. It has included the children from St Cleer Primary Academy for a number of years. Well-dressing is a tradition only found in some areas of rural England – wells and other water sources are adorned with decorations; it is thought to have its origins in pagan ceremonies, where they would give thanks to their gods.

What makes St Cleer well even more special is not only that it is Grade 1 listed, but also that it is the only well house with an open layout in Cornwall and its sculpted carvings and patterns are very unusual and worth a visit.

Above: St Cleer - Well Dressing 2025

 

Above: Well Flowering

 

THE BIG DAY IN MAY:

On Friday, 16th May, the children at St Cleer laid flowers on and around the well and then danced around it. The flowers were kindly gifted by people in the community. They were placed on the wall (which was built to stop local animals drinking from it in the old days which would have made the water dirty).

Interestingly, Cornwall Heritage Trust have taken over helping with the ceremony from the Liskeard Old Cornwall Society - team member Hollie Ferris, Countryside Ranger (who has previously helped run Young Rangers Clubs with Bridge Schools) was spotted recently weeding around the well, to make sure it looked presentable for the big day!

Miss Appleby, who is a teacher at the school, told Bridge Stories that; “It was wonderful to be part of a traditional celebration, embracing our local culture and history”.

The celebration ended with a fire being lit on the beacon to mark the 40th anniversary of Cornwall Heritage Trust.

  Excellent: In Orwell's Footsteps

By Imogen and Isaac, Polperro Primary School

Famous Author’s Family Returns to Polperro

In the spring and summer of 2025, Polperro Primary Academy have collaborated with the Orwell Society to produce some unique work ready for a fascinating exhibition coming to Polperro in October.

The project demonstrated the children’s creativity and curiosity, and produced some excellent work – part of the Bridge Schools values.

If you are reading this and have studied Orwell at secondary school or have heard of books like ‘Animal Farm’ and ‘1984’, then you will know how famous George Orwell is ……

What you might not know is that George Orwell spent his childhood holidays in Polperro and discovered his enthusiasm for animals and flowers in the rich and fascinating natural environment.

The children in Years 4, 5, and 6 had a visitor from Bodmin Airfield and used their learning about its wildlife status and its rare orchids to explore and study a dazzling amount of wildflowers that carpet its acres of grassland. Experts on nature preservation from the National Trust and the Cornwall Wildlife Trust came in to tell the children about the incredible natural places just a few miles from their school. You might now know that there is a temperate rainforest only a few miles from Polperro - Cornwall used to have many and they contain lots of exotic wildlife, including Floury Dog Lichen. The children didn’t just hear about these places. They have enjoyed walks out into Cornwall’s countryside and coastline to see it, travelling in Orwell’s footsteps.

All of the children have been working with local artist Sean Hewitt, on an outstanding and creative project to produce an art book full of nature notes and drawings of the insects, flowers and animals that can be seen all along the south Cornish cliffs and in the local temperate rainforest. But this is not any old art book. The concept of the final part of the project is that it is a sketch and notebook made by Orwell on his cliff rambles long ago and which has now been “found” by the children. The children’s drawings and writing will be collected together into this “abandoned” book which will be made to look older, by a combination of tea bags and digital software, to make it look like it had been produced many years ago.

Artist Sean Hewitt commented; “It’s always a real pleasure to work with the children on art projects at Polperro. This particular project presented itself with very specific aims and challenges and the pupils met that challenge with their usual enthusiasm and skills. Imagining themselves as artists accompanying George Orwell on the coastal paths around Polperro, the pupils produced stunning, creative work.”

The children worked incredibly hard to create the different sections of the sketchbook.

Bridge Stories will report further on the special event at Polperro Primary Academy in October, where Richard Blair (George Orwell’s son) will be attending.

  Determined: A Community Rallies As Post Office Closes

By Annabelle, Archie and Imogen, Harrowbarrow Primary School

In this article, the Bridge Storyseekers (young journalists) report on a matter that affects both children and adults in the small community of Harrowbarrow and therefore felt newsworthy for the pupils at Harrowbarrow Primary Academy. The children, who uphold the Bridge Schools value of being responsible, are also showing real enthusiasm to help their local community.

On the 26th of July, Harrowbarrow Post Office and shop will be closing. Due to retirement, the owner – Adrian Parkes, will be closing the doors for good.

Without this beloved place, local residents feel that Harrowbarrow will never be the same.

Community shops are important, after all, because there are crucial social interactions happening every day there that stop some members of the community from feeling lonely. Local shops can help people stay independent and when people can purchase items without using their cars, they burn less fossil fuels, which helps the environment and reduces the speed of global warming.

Jimmy Daniel, (a local resident and builder, age 57) stated, “The post office has proven its ability to provide many memories for civilians like myself. Its contribution will be deeply missed. Harrowbarrow is in great gratitude for the time the shopkeeper has spent selling products to us and we wish him a happy retirement.”

You might not know that Harrowbarrow Post Office was established in 1904 and has therefore been serving the community for one hundred and twenty one years. Adrian has been working there for over 25 years.

A local pupil, who attends Harrowbarrow School, stated, “I didn’t know the post office was closing till last week! Such a shame as the pink fingers and cereal was such a low price and yet so good.” Another local resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, commented ,“ I’m also going to miss the pink fingers.”

Currently, Harrowbarrow village, which houses approximately 6000 residents, is raising money to open a community shop and hopefully, it will be established by the end of this month.

Adrian commented, “ I love this village, lots of unforgettable memories were made here. My first day on the job, everyone greeted me, welcoming me – it was lovely. My job wasn’t very hard I’ve always been working with tills ( you know hotels and that). I’m gonna miss working here at the post office, y’know.”

The residents are keeping their fingers crossed that the new community shop will be situated beside the park, meaning that everybody – young and old , will be able to use it easily and conveniently.