A quick rundown…

What is happening?  Christmas meal, entertainment and party games:  all free.

When?  noon – 3pm on Monday 19th and Tuesday 20th December (please book to attend one day only)

Where? Heron School Jubilee Hall, Heron Way, Abbeydale, GL4 4BN

For?  Children of any age accompanied by their parent(s).   Free (whether or not your children are eligible for Free School Meals) – but you must book in advance.

Run by Neighbourhood Chaplains of Abbey Church CIO.

More details

Timing

We hope that you will stay for the whole time so you won’t miss any of it, especially since we are planning to escort everyone into the main hall to serve the meal to at around 12.30pm and we will be welcoming Paul Wilmot, an experienced professional puppeteer and storyteller, to entertain and help us think about Christmas ,  but if you are able to come for just some of the time, please let us know.

Crafts and games

We are planning to make party hats and badges in the school’s Jubilee Hall before lunch suitable and after the entertainment, there will be a variety of party games to enjoy.

There will be a quiet room available for mothers who need to sit and feed babies or to take children who may need a few moments’ peace.

Lunch

We have a small team cooking a Christmas meal, with alternatives for vegetarians or those with allergies.  It is essential to let us know when you sign up if you have any special dietary requirements so that we ensure everyone enjoys the meal and stays safe.

Entertainment

If you came to our Winter HAF last year, you will remember how much fun we had watching and listening to Paul with his tricks and his puppets.  As well as entertaining, he will be giving us a brief chance to think about the Christmas story

Questions…

Is it really for the whole family?

Yes!

• Although we have several experienced volunteers organising crafts and games (and we know that some parents may have their hands full with babies), we would have to limit the numbers of children and age range too restrictively if we invite unaccompanied children.    We hope that at least some parents will want to join in making crafts and playing games!
• We aim for a families to sit down together for a relaxed lunch

How do I get to Heron School Jubilee Hall?

 There are safe walking and cycling routes to Heron (and bike/scooter racks), the number (2?) bus runs along Heron Way, or there is car parking inside Heron gates (please follow the signposted one-way system, turning into the gates furthest from Morrisons).

The Jubilee Hall entrance door will be signposted

What about access?

The building is accessible to those with mobility problems  – there are no steps – and there are disabled-access toilets by the Jubilee Hall.

We aim to welcome children with SEND, so please contact us if you have any concerns.

Do I need to sign up everyone in the family who is coming, or just my child?

We really need to know exactly who is coming e.g school children, younger siblings, one or both parents/carers,  and their dietary requirements, so that we can ensure that there is enough food, seating and craft materials.  If you have any problems with signing up or you feel we need information that does not fit in the sign up process, please contact us on the details below.

My family does not celebrate Christmas in any religious tradition: can we still come?

Yes,  we aim to welcome and respect families from all backgrounds.

If you have any queries regarding the location, activities or food, please do not hesitate to contact Abby on 07788 110602 / Office@abbeychurch.net.

booking via the Gloucestershire County Council website:

Winter 2022 HAF Christmas Meal and Entertainment | Abbey Church CIO (coordinate.cloud)  (if your children ARE eligible for income-related Free School Meals)

Winter 2022 HAP Christmas Meal and Entertainment | Abbey Church CIO (coordinate.cloud) (if your children are not eligible for income-related Free School Meals)