09/04/2025
This morning we went out on a trip.. brace yourself this is a long feedback..
We planned a trip to explore our local community and to feed the ducks (we had planned the museum too but didn’t get to that point as there was so much to do!!)
So once everyone had arrived we talked about safety and then we set off in our group together on our little adventure of Wantage.
Our route to our first stop we looked at different vehicles and numbers/sizes of wheels which lead nicely into our first stop the Wantage motor garage, we stopped to see a machanic change a type and we looked at their tools, we even learnt about the ramp so cars can go up and mechanics can work under them, we talked about when our parents cars may need fixing that they go to the car garage- they’re like a doctor for us and make them all better 🚘 😁
We then saw a camper can and a mini so could compare different sizes and complete contrasts of vehicles. Of course the children did remind us that peppa has a campervan.
Once we were done we thanked them for their time and for letting us see what they do and we walked a little further into Wantage, looked for number on doors and colours of cars along the way.
Our next stop was wonderful, a little gem in Wantage - Snob and lock the locksmiths!
They were so welcoming, showed the children how they repair shoes and we watched a lovely older lady come in with a shoe that needed repairing, she showed the children and they all got to learn what happens. This was followed on by us seeing the keys, one of the children said their dad came there to get a key! So she walked us over and the owner showed us many different types of keys some very very old ones too and we got to hold and feel the different types. We learnt how the older ones were much heavier and bigger. 🔑 👞
We then moved on to the panini shop to look at what they did, the children got to see different types of sandwiches, wraps, baguette and even some cakes- we had a lovely chat with an orderly couple who asked the children how their day was going too!
Moving on we went down past some shops where the children pointed out what they think they sold- we saw a shop that sold houses, pictures (and we got to see the different frames) and a jewellery shop all before our next stop..
Stop No.3 the ‘big’ church. They couldn’t have been more welcoming. We looked at the outside then all went inside to meet Lucy out steward. She showed the children round and explained what some parts are for the alter, pews and we even saw a tomb! We also met Barbra who plays the organ and we compared to a piano but got to he at the difference and see where the sounds came from as she played for us.. just beautiful 🎵 ⛪️
Next ut was time to feed and see the ducks at Betjeman 🦆lots of the children heard the ducks speaking to us so enjoyed talking to them and to the many people who were walking their dogs and stopped to say hello to us too.. we met Uno, Bella and Luna..we forgot to ask the names of the others but it was lovely to talk to all the lovely people and say good morning.
We walked back up to the museum to have a snack and stop for the toilet for anyone who needed to go.
Almost time for home just the last couple of stops on our way back..
We walked to our next stop and stopped in at Going Green, they showed us how to measure ingredients and as one of our old neighbours was in there she showed us her shopping list and what she was buying, she explained she was making a traditional Easter cake called Simnel and we got to see and smell some of the ingredients she was buying 🧑🍳
We then stopped to see in the barbers shop and see shine children getting their hair cut, the barbers waved at us and we waved back 💇
We then headed to See Lesley Ford at her shop and got to see the cheese counter and the different cheeses 🧀
We moved from here to see the scaffolding outside Costa being put up and we learnt all about how they could climb up to help fix the building we watched for a little while from the bus stop area and then crossed over to go to the market.
The fishmongers was our fist stop at the market, they were excellent at letting us see the different fish they had on the stall, some lovely people who were shopping there showed us the kippers they were buying and the stall holders showed us some crabs, haddock, salmon, prawns and even lobsters!!
We then saw the bakery and the flowers stalls and even spoke to the eggs lady who showed us lots of different eggs from quail eggs to duck eggs so we could hold and compare.
Almost our last stop we stopped at the market to see the fruit and veg and then sat by the Alfred statue and ate some lovely strawberries from thw market together strawberries 🍓 lots of lovely people said hello and smiled.
Our last stop was the opticians we stopped to look into specsavers and saw the different types of glasses from sunglasses to regular glasses and learnt how they help people see.
We then took a walk back to cheeky chops singing some of our favourite songs along our way.
What a lovely little town we have and what wonderful children we got to share it with today, lots of smiles and engagement from all xx
So proud of our little ones today 🥰
