End of Term Party (2012-12-17)

We started with a game of Octopus, which anyone can join as they arrive. Accompanied on the piano with Jingle Bells by Iona.

When everyone had arrived we had Circle News: Connie, Jo's dad, Jago and Tegan had all hurt themselves. Tim has a job to go to in January (thanks for the round of applause!). Debbie is going to the theatre for her birthday, Millie had her birthday, Iona will have her birthday on Thursday. Molly is going to be in the paper as she was in the school nativity. Xanthe brought in a picture of the thrush she had and took to St Tiggywinkles. Magnus and Millie went to the live manger. Dylan went to Dick Whittington. Izzy was in a ballet show.

We played Parachute Games.

Then we ate party food: lots and lots of goodies washed down with Strawberry and Banana smoothies.

Leaders: Tegan, Debbie, Tim
Helpers: Richard, Ellen
Elfs: 14
Woodchips: 2

Merrymoot (2012-12-10)

Quite a few people who could not make it due to illness. I forgot to take any photos.

We told our news around the circle: Iona has hurt her foot; Millie-Maye has a sprained elbow; Lisbeth has a new Stove; Izzy has a school disco; Xanthe has been to see two plays, one of which her cousins have performed in. Magnus went to the Deep Dark Woods and spread Don's ashes in Shotover; Dylan has been to see Dick Wittington; Arran made mince pies; Jago is going to his old school fete. Ivo spent break running away from his worst friend. Whilst Jo and his family were picking up his Christmas tree his mummy left the boot shelf out, and reversed over it, but it didn't break. Connie has a neighbour who has a blow up santa in the shape of Homer Simpson; Flora was slapped by a classmate.

At the end of the circle Xanthe showed her jazzy Rudolph.

We then made a list of all the turns that people wanted to perform.

We decided to play Dead Ants whilst those who needed to rehearse did so.

We sat in a circle around the piano, and had a biscuit waiting for the show.

Merrymoot 2012
Flora	Showed an acrylic of an elephant
Connie	Showed her reindeer
Jago	Performed MnaMna
Arran	Did a coin trick and sang a song.
All	Sang Puff the Magic Dragon
Ivo	Sang A recipe for Disaster
Flora	Played Jingle Bells on the clarinet
Xanthe	Played Scarborough Fair and Saint Paul's Steeple on the piano
Magnus	Invited a number of volunteers to an arm wrestling tournament
Iona	Played Jingle Bells on the piano
Magnus and Jago	Demonstration pecking fight
Jago	Another, improved, performance of MnaMna
Xanthe	Played Two Themes on the piano
All	Sang Little Donkey, led by Molly

After a quick vote, and another half biscuit, we decided to play Four Corners with first Millie-May and then Jago in the blindfold.

We had lost track of time: we ended with the Circle Song.

Leaders: Tim, Lisbeth
Helpers: Jude
Elfs: 11
Woodchips: 0

Walk in the Dark (2012-12-03)

Everyone arrived on time and already wrapped up, so we did not have a circle, instead going straight out.

Tegan brought in the bags that had been held back from the Green Winter Fair. (There are still a few left, they cost £1.50).

Before we went out everyone was given a number around the circle, we practiced shouting out in order, a trick that had worked well in the dark at Shotover.

We walked around Aston's Eyot, stopping by Don's Wake for a biscuit, given out in number order.

We walked on, identifying trees by outline and scaring each other.

When we had crossed the bridge to the Kidneys we again ate biscuits by numbers, a great way to check no one is lost.

We had a small difficulty getting back into the school, as I did not have the door combination, but Brian saved the day.

Now we had time for News: Iona had brought in her purchases from the SSMJ Winter Fair. Millie-Maye had had her face painted at Xanthe's house. Jo had learnt how to spell phelgm. Jago demonstrated the Gangnam Style dance craze.

We had a discussion about how to fill the last few minutes, Wink Murder winning the vote.

We ended with the Circle Song.

Leaders: Debbie, Tegan, Tim
Helpers: Oliver, Richard, Cathy
Elfs: 13
Woodchips: 0