What an eventful couple of weeks in The Warren! The nights are drawing in (and yes, that is a macramé Christmas Tree that Matron Sara is working away on!) and this morning, following a touch of frost, it was cheering to feel the radiators burst into life at wake-up. The boarders are busy with matches, much discussion following the events as to where the best match teas are provided (of course apart from Packwood), play rehearsals for Oliver have commenced with great enthusiasm and excitement from the cast of would be urchins, and we are now well into the hustle and bustle of the Autumn term, with Harvest Festival just around the corner. Lots of harvest donations (many thanks!) have been appearing in the surgery and the houseparents’ office, at least we think that’s why a huge marrow has appeared on the landing.
Many congratulations to those boarders who represented Packwood so well at the recent NSEA event. We are in complete awe at what they managed to accomplish with their trusty steeds!
Every week in The Warren a ‘moment of the week’ is recognised. Now, these moments are nominated by the boarders, in good spirit, recognising an unusual, or shall we say interesting event in a boarder’s life. This week we had not one, but three winners. This is completely unheard of! Often, while not exactly scrabbling around, we are having to scratch our heads rather harder than we needed to this week. There was Esmé who spent an entire day with her hairbrush tucked into the waistband of her skirt; Terry who managed to lock himself into a stationery cupboard during a major Nerf gun battle in the Link Corridor (queue much hilarity from sister Molly) and, of course, last, and certainly not in any way least, there was the Grand Mud Event of 2025. Let’s just say that if you were in any way involved, you will certainly never forget the evening that will go down in Packwood folklore for evermore. Nothing that a good shower couldn’t fix and the sort of hilarity and character building experience that Packwood is all about. Much thanks to Mrs Pembleton, rescuer in chief, and Matron Sara and her washing machines.
Weekends have been great fun with Circus skills and Bingo a huge hit last weekend, and next up our would be kangaroos are looking forward to some serious bouncing at Bounce Below: a cavern of vast trampolines and mega-slides.
We have been extremely heartened by the enthusiasm of all of our boarders, full and flexi, and would urge parents to book flexi nights in with as much advance notice as possible as some evenings are filling up fast. We look forward to more fun in The Warren as we canter along towards half term.
