Styal Mill, now a museum of the cotton industry.

The mill is one of the best preserved textile mills of the Industrial Revolution and is now a museum of the cotton industry. It is a Grade II* listed building.

The mill was founded by Samuel Greg in 1784  in the village of Styal on the River Bollin. Its original iron water wheel was designed by Thomas Hewes and built between 1816 and 1820.

The Hewes wheel finally broke in 1904. After that the River Bollin continued to power the mill, through two water turbines. Today the Mill is home to the most powerful working waterwheel in Europe, an ironwater wheel which was originally at Glasshouses Mill at Patley Bridge. This wheel was designed by Sir William Fairbairn, the Scottish engineer who had been an apprentice of Thomas Hewes.

Visit the National Trust website for further information.

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The Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) is a firm favorite with the children of Budeez.  Located  in Manchester, it is a large museum devoted to the development of science, technology, and industry.  There is always something to do.

The museum offers extensive displays on the theme of transport, railway locomotives, rolling stock, aircraft, and even space vehicles.  In addition there are power engines (water, electricity, steam and gas), Manchester’s sewerage and sanitation is represented as well as textiles, printing, communications and computing.  The museum also offers steam train rides at weekends and on bank holidays.

Our children are asked to design electricity pylons

Our children enjoy the experimental areas, they even have a section for the under 5′s.  As well as the usual displays the Museum is always keen to provide arts and craft facilities to make the children’s visit a “hands on” experience.

On one recent visit the children watched a fifteen minute sketch where they were shown how a steam engine worked.

For further information visit the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry website.

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From 8.30 am onwards, we transport the children to their schools in accordance with our Arrivals and Departures policy, to ensure all arrive promptly. Pre-school, Reception and Year 1 children are escorted directly to their classrooms to ensure safe arrival. Year 2 and older children at watched across the playground.

Children attending Egerton School walk while others from Bexton are taken to the Club on our minibus. The safety of the children during their transfer is regarded as being of the utmost importance. Those walking to the club are closely supervised and children walking at the front and back of the group are provided with luminous jackets during the dark mornings and nights. Our minibus is well maintained, regularly serviced and kept in a safe, road-worthy condition. Booster or safety seats are provided for those children who may need them. In the event of there being too many children to transport in the minibus, we will either make two trips or make use of a people carrier and other authorised cars to provide the extra seats. All our vehicles are insured and are only ever driven by a responsible senior member of staff who holds a full, clean driving licence. For more detailed information regarding our transport procedure please read the Arrivals and Departures document in your Budeez policies.

When the children arrive at the club a second register is taken. The children are then asked to wash their hands and are offered a choice of light snack before participating in any of the various activities on offer. Regular pastimes include computers, arts and crafts, sports, board games, drama, sewing, baking, music and dance. A quiet area is provided for those children who wish to make a start on their homework or relax and read a book. Age appropriate toys such as construction kits, train sets, dolls and a dolls house, dressing up etc. are provided for free play at every session. Children also have available to them a selection of DVDs and various computer games for use on the PC, Playstation or Wii. To encourage freedom of choice and ensure a stimulating environment, as much of our equipment as possible is placed at the children’s height in clear boxes to maximise accessibility. The children are encouraged to help themselves and we aim to meet as many requests for toys and activities as we can in each session.

We endeavour to give children every opportunity to be active. As well as our many spacious community rooms, we are fortunate to have the use of the large hall on our premises and make the most of this space as often as possible for physical activity such as ball games, parachute games and active free play. We take the children to the local parks at every opportunity. We do ask therefore that any parent or guardian collecting their child from club early should either inform the staff on the day or ring the club mobile number so that we can ensure your child is at the club when you arrive. We now also provide collection and drop off services to After School Activities in Knutsford for all children attending the After School Club. All our activities are flexible and priority is given to each individual’s needs. Children are able to choose how they spend their time in a structured environment and whatever they decide; the emphasis is always on FUN!

October holiday club 2011

For your hard copy click on either the  image or text link above.

The challenge was in aid of Camp Project Wales, a charitable organisation that aims to provide an annual holiday for young persons who have not attained the age of 16 years and in order that their conditions of life may be improved. Such persons having need of such holidays by reason of infirmity, disablement, poverty or social and economic circumstances.

Twenty six year old Simon has been actively involved with the charity since his school days at St Nicholas Catholic High School in Hartford. He has been involved in some real crazy stunts over years but this must go down as one of his most enduring to date.

Well done to you both. If anyone would like to sponsor Simon and Kat please email them at admin@budeez.co.uk.

The children from Budeez have just had a wonderful day at Knowsley Safari Park.

Where has the Summer gone

Back to school next Wednesday (7th September 2011).

Budeez A5 Information Leaflet (September 2011)

Our information leaflet has recently been updated and may be downloaded by clicking on the image above. Parent’s both old and new should find this A5 booklet a useful source of reference.