Martinmas

Martinmas is one of my favourite festivals. There's the play about the selfless saint, conscientious objector and idealist - who was also pragmatic. A philosopher who was also a man of action. There's the singing and then the lantern walk around the dark woods. The children love it - i think that's what does it for me most of all.

Here are pictures from this year...

Class gets ready for the play

Mummy helps with the finishing touches

Clowning around...of course.

Backstage instructions

Martin stops to speak to the beggar and give him half his cloak

He then dreams of Christ who comes as the beggar that night

Martin tells the roman general that he won't fight in the army.

Jago is the Roman general

Class Three take their bows

And the younger ones then took over the stage. It was so sweet watching them so naturally wanting to take part in the action.

I've tried to capture the spirit of the walk, which was mostly pitch black only lit by the tiny lanterns as we ventured into the 'forbidden' singing out songs.

Here they are going up the hill, back to the Kindergarten.

We now gather at the doors of the Kindergarten. 

Anticipation at the end of the walk of the coming feast...

Wee gnomeys lined up in a row...made by Marcella on open day.

Pumpkin arrangement outside the kindergarten and playgroup class

After the walk, some spiced apple cider and biscuits for all!

Waiting patiently for their turn...the older ones.

Elf or child, you decide...