". . . the centre

Where we dance, where we play,

Where life is still asleep"

R. S. Thomas

This week we received good news at the Planning Committee in Hereford. Our application for the landscape development plan has been approved and this means that we have permission to change the use of the land from agricultural use to educational use. The permission has been a long time in the making and it's thanks to members of our team - in particular our architect, John Renshaw - who showed resilience, patience and optimism in achieving this positive step forward. In practical terms, what this means is that we can add the following elements to our developing school-site:

• class gardens and landscaping, including tree-planting
• a drainage system based natural filtration
• a multi-use games area (MUGA)
• a footpath and cycle path
• a lay-by at the bus-stop
• improvements to the lane
• a car-park in the South Field

By developing these measures we can enhance the natural and human environments, while relieving pressure on traffic circulation, both at the school and in the village. More importantly we can provide a greater degree of safety for our children and we can achieve a precious and long-held aim - to offer, in the words of the Welsh poet, RS Thomas, a place where children can dance and play; a meadow and a garden, where life is still asleep. In the years ahead, we look forward to being able to share these amenities with our neighbours in the village.

Trevor Mepham