Elham Pre-School Playgroup

In the Village Hall

• For children from aged 2 years
• Monday to Friday 9am – 12 noon
• Lunches on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday 12 - 1pm
• Professionally supervised
• Affiliated to the Pre-School Learning Alliance
• OFSTED approved
• Competitive rates compared to other local Playgroups

We aim to provide a safe, caring and stimulating environment in which children have the freedom to play, learn and socialise. We closely follow the Early Learning Goals set out by the Government and the children’s progress is carefully monitored with formalised planning and assessment records.

Our two most recent OFSTED reports were rated as good, the best result available which is only awarded to the approximately the top 15% of playgroups. If you are interested, these reports can be viewed at: February 2004 report - September 2004 report.

Come and see what we do, we will be pleased to answer any questions. Or call us on 01303 840128 between 9am-12 noon in term time.

Short Mat Bowls Club

Members of all ages from in and around Elham meet at the Village Hall to play this popular version of indoor bowls twice a week in the Summer*, and three times a week in the Winter**.

The bowls, used on the special mats laid out for the games, are the same as those used for outdoor lawn bowls, and the fairly simple playing rules are basically the same as for the outdoor game. The only uniform required for the weekly club sessions are a pair of ordinary flat shoes (to ensure that the special mats are not damaged).

The weekly bowling sessions are treated as a ‘none too serious’, social get together with many lasting friendships sealed over the tea and biscuits offered halfway through each session.

Potential members (16 years and up) are invited to come along to any of the sessions to watch the game being played, and to see if they would like to become more involved in this gentle exercise sport.

Note that the owning of Bowls is not a requirement for any introductory sessions, nor an initial requirement when joining the club.

Further information can be obtained from any club member, or by contacting Tony Greenslade (Club Secretary) on 01303 840077.

Club members annual subscription is £5, with a weekly club green fee of £1- 50 per session.

Elham Dog Training Club

With over 20 years experience of running this club, Mrs Lyn Fagg and her club members meet every Tuesday evening in the main hall of the Village Hall at 6pm.

Amanda Smith, an APDT Trainer runs a 6 week puppy course, which includes the Kennel Club Foundation test on completion.

General dog training courses using only kindness and positive reinforcement are then run throughout the rest of the evening. Training is individual for each dog and handler, and much depends upon the learning ability of the dog, and the capability of its Handler.

To enquire about joining the Dog Training Club, please come along to one of our Tuesday
evening meetings, or contact Lyn Fagg 01303 862820

Yoga and Meditation Classes

The classes are run by Christine Yorke who has been practising Yoga for 18 years and teaching for the last 5 years. Christine completed her 2 year teacher training with the Heart Yoga School and then went on to do another 2 years training to gain her accreditation with the British Wheel of Yoga.

The Yoga and meditation classes run on Wednesday mornings at 9.30 and on Thursday evenings at 6.15 and 8.00. Classes are friendly and relaxed and open to all ages and abilities from the beginner to the more experienced. All you need to bring is a mat and wear warm comfortable clothes.

The classes run on a termly basis and are payable either termly or half-termly in advance. The cost is £6.00 per session or £5.00 if you are a pensioner or a full-time student.

Tel: 01303 863196 for enquires or to book a place
Email chris@yoga4freedom.co.uk

The Nature Club

In 1999, Mary Elgar opened and ran a Conservation Club dedicated to the promotion and study of nature, and of conservation in all of its different guises around the wonderful Elham Valley.
An adult conservation group took on a number of projects and activities in and around our village and a children’s club met weekly in the Village Hall. Following Mary’s retirement last year both clubs were suspended awaiting volunteers to run them.

Since September 2007 the children’s club – now called Nature Club – has been re-launched with the support of four enthusiastic volunteers.

The club meets in the Village Hall Conservation Room every Saturday morning during term time from 10.00 to 12.00 and is for children aged 6+ years.

All events and activities are biased towards children learning to discover, investigate and appreciate nature all around them by looking, listening, investigating and learning. They accumulate knowledge of local flora and fauna and develop an understanding of our local environment and the variety of habitats that it provides.

They enjoy quizzes, nature observation games, painting collage and sculpture as well as making practical object using materials provided by nature. The aim is to be involved in outdoor activities each session as much as possible and there are many local people who have volunteered their time to share their knowledge, expertise and enthusiasm with the children.

For further information

• To become a volunteer with the Club
• To provide input at future sessions
• To enrol your child(ren) in the Club
• To find out more about resuming the Adult Nature Conservation Group

then please contact Sue Winter on 01303 840879