This summer, Tunnicliffe Education ran a holiday club at Cutteslowe Community Centre as part of Oxfordshire’s Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme. The club gave local children the opportunity to enjoy a varied programme of creative activities, sport, learning and healthy food during the school holidays.
A particular focus of the club was making use of the fantastic activities and organisations available within the Cutteslowe community. Volunteer coaches from Oxford Beach Volleyball Club introduced the children to volleyball, while Cutteslowe Greenhouse welcomed the children for three hands-on sessions. They explored the vegetable plants growing there, planted seeds, hunted for common garden insects and created habitats for them. Back at the club, the children built their own 3D allotments and learnt to match familiar fruits and vegetables with the plants on which they grow.
The children also learnt more about the Cutteslowe Park Miniature Railway. Dennis, Chairman of the City of Oxford Society of Model Engineers, gave a talk about the group and used a real cross-section of a steam engine to explain how steam power works. Activities exploring the history and geography of Britain’s railways helped prepare the children before they had the opportunity to ride on the miniature railway themselves.
There was plenty of time for creativity too. The children learnt and practised sewing while making their own puppets, designed colourful hats using beads and other decorations, and enjoyed a round of mini golf at Courtside Cutteslowe.
Food and healthy eating also formed an important part of the programme. Children were encouraged to taste and compare different varieties of peaches, melons, apples and tortellini, with several discovering new foods they enjoyed. They also prepared their own pizzas, choosing and adding vegetables themselves.
Tunnicliffe Education is extremely grateful to Cutteslowe Community Centre and to the local organisations and volunteers who contributed to the programme. The club provided a wonderful opportunity for children to learn new skills, try new experiences and discover more of what the Cutteslowe community has to offer.
