St Edmund evening – a child’s view.
One of the nicest bits of being a community pub is involving the whole community.
David has already posted about the pub’s view of our very successful celebration of St Edmund – but when we took the shields down, which the school had made to decorate the pub, we got the children’s view 🙂
Every child in Bentley Primary had painted a shield. We got a very funny description of the lesson that Tony (a.k.a. Sir Cumference) had given them – “He barged into the classroom in a night shirt [well, a mediaeval smock – ed] and yelled out that he needed ladies to dress him…”; and every child we’ve talked to had a wonderful time, exploring his knight’s dress, armour, and weapons. But it turns out that Tony had successfully taught them about much more than the hardware.
What we discovered when we took the shields down was that many of the children had written on the back why they’d chosen the colours and devices they’d painted. Some of the littlest children’s answers were just plain cute – but the older ones had clearly picked up on chivalry and honour, pride and courage. Here are some of our favourites…
“I put stars on because I love night time.  I chose yellow and blue because they make a good stripe” (Winner, reception class)
“Lion = courage and bravery
Blue = truth and loyalty” (Winner, Year 4)
” I put on a Daddy Lion, a Mummy Lion, a baby Lion, an elephant and a dog. Â They are all strong animals” (year 1)
“Oranges, ice creams, chocolate, broccolli and strawberries are on my shield. Â They are my favourite food and the colours of the rainbow” (year 1)
“The bear represents strength. Â The red on my shield is from the blood from all the battles” (year 2)
“I like red crosses and I like the legend. Â I like scary things like dragons and I Â thought Edmund would too” (year 1)
“Stag = one who will not fight unless provoked, peace and harmony, strength and fortitude.Â
Gold = Generosity and elevation of the mind
Red = Warrior or martyr, military strength and magnanimity.
Blue = truth and loyalty” (year 6)
“My shield has a dragon, it is big and fat. Â I painted it red because I like red” (reception)
“I’ve got a dragon with fire and a crown with jewels. Â I chose red and green and yellow because it is bright” (reception)
“Tiger = fierceness and valour.
Green = hope, joy and loyalty in love.
Blue = truth and loyalty.
Yellow = elevation of the mind” (year 3)
Thank you, youngsters – I think those are pretty good things to think about. Let’s do it again next year!