Swimbridge Pre-school celebrates a happy 40th birthday

Swimbridge Pre-school has celebrated its 40th birthday and four decades of being a vital part of village life.

Children, parents, volunteers, staff and former staff gathered at the pre-school on Friday to hold a birthday party.

Still a traditional village pre-school, run mostly by volunteers and relying on fundraising, it is based in the Old School Room next to the parish church and is now welcoming the children of its very first pupils. 

Retired manager Sarah Smith has been involved with the pre-school almost from the beginning, said the idea for it came from a local mum, Gillian Farrell, who enlisted the support of the then vicar and started a play group for mums and children.

Sarah said: “We have always been lucky with the use of the room and the church vicars letting us use the room in all that time and helping us to improve it too.

“It’s a really important part of our community and we find that parents who get involved in joining us at pre-school level now get involved at the village school too. 

“There is a great feeling for it within the community and when there was thought that we might close lots of people were really quite proactive in saying we need a pre-school in our village.”

Candida Salmon, who is the current manager, added: “It’s great that we're still going after 40 years providing for the community and although we do a small number of sessions, we are hoping to increase those to be open all day in the future, especially with some new funding coming in.

“It's made possible with the parents’ support, because we are voluntary committee, so the parents help to run it voluntarily and we have committee meetings on a regular basis to fund raise.”

Tonia Isley, committee secretary and parent, said: “It's one of the most friendly, welcoming pre-schools that I've ever visited. We looked at a lot when we were choosing where to send our kids and it just gives you a really comforting feel that you know that your children are safe.

“They also cater to lots of different abilities or learning disabilities, they're quite open to helping people with going through those processes.”