Bellboating

Fladbury is extremely lucky to have its own canoe and kayak club in the village, founded by Olympic Coach David Train and now run by Olympic medallist Andy Train.  Andy is a frequent visitor at school and runs bellboating activities for the school and encourages children to take part in competitions and regattas.  Bellboating is more than just paddling up and down the river!  The children learn team building skills, develop self confidence, overcome fears, test themselves and also learn about climate change and global warming.  The schools have annual competitions in Pershore and the Parish games also attract teams from all the local villages and Fladbury is always keen to take part.

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David is an avid climate change campaigner and is regularly in school working alongside the children.  Every Friday morning during Celebration Assembly we raise and strike 2 flags to highlight the important issue of Global Warming.  The flags are sea signalling flags with the first flag "W" meaning urgent medical attention is needed and the second flag "E" meaning a vessel needs to change course.  These flags epitomise the current climate emergency the world is facing and every Friday when we raise and strike them, we remember exactly that.  We say the words of this poem at the same time:

WE have an emergency - WE are changing course
We need "Our Charlie" with us

We raise and strike on Fridays two flags which say it all, 
How our blue planet's in danger and WE must change our course.
We need our Charlie with us on board and paddling hard,
If we're to kill the virus and save all life from harm.

We raise and strike on Fridays two flags which say it all, 
How our blue planet's in danger and WE must change our course.
We need our Charlie with us on board and paddling hard,
If we're to change the climate and save all life from harm.

We raise and strike on Fridays so leaders of our lands, 
Will listen to the children and clap them with their hands
So now on one and all days until our planet's safe
WE raise and strike, WE raise and strike
Two flags which say it all.

David has become part of our unique Fladbury Curriculum and Elm Class learn about his life experiences, opportunities and passion for making a difference.  He also joins us in the summer term for our weekly Bellboating sessions where we paddle up and down the river talking about nature, the world and how the children are a big part in making a difference.