The Big Day - Which School Next?
Yesterday was 'the big day' for local year six children to find out by which secondary school they had been accepted. A tough day for kids - amongst the jubilation of many, there were bound to be tears from those who hadn't got the place they wanted.

It doesn't affect my family yet but my heart went out to others. There was the crazy logic of a child living a stone's throw from a school not being accepted, but another child living many miles away from the same school, getting accepted even though it was second choice. So both children will have to travel miles each day to school, whereas one would have been able to walk.

I don't want to sound too old but.... in my day it was much simpler and there was less heart ache and stress for the children because most kids went to the nearest school. Easy peasy - hopefully a good mix of children, who lived in the local area.

Going to the nearest school meant we could almost all walk to school, there was minimal traffic congestion and lower costs of travel, eg bus. Okay, so there are some benefits to having a 'choice' but the disadvantages of the current scheme are massive in terms of increased pollution and congestion for society and are detrimental to the health and well-being of our children.

On the Stage at Stratford Upon Avon

Well it wasn't actually Shakespeare... but on Saturday my kids and I took to the stage at the annual Consumer Co-operative Conference in Stratford this weekend.

We were there to convince lots of lovely people who are involved in co-operative retail businesses across the UK that there is an important role for businesses to play in supporting schools and helping get more kids walking safely to school.

It started with a fashion-show - Dan, Matthew and Julia all kitted out in their high vis BrightKidz waistcoats and fleece, carrying bags and umbrella proudly walked on to the stage to a grand applause.... well that is a bit different from Powerpoint isn't it (which I'm not all that good at)?

I told them about Park & Stride (getting parents to park well away from school - possibly in a supermarket car-park - see the connection with the Co-op!).

Finally I introduced many of them to the Walking Bus concept (some already knew, as The Co-operative Group has already started to provide many UK schools with Walking Bus resources - details about that are on our e-newsletter so contact us if you want to subscribe).

There's nothing like a live demonstration, so my three kids took the role of the adult 'conductors' and led 10 volunteer 'children' from the audience around the conference hall in a Walking Bus. I told my kids to award stickers to all the grown ups who walked nicely.... which caused a great deal of amusement. I think my kids felt like the von Trapp children after that experience!

Anyway, I must use my blog for a quick plug of Co-operative and Community Finance (lenders for social purpose) as they are the nice people who lend us money when we need it (they support 'non-profit distributing', community enterprises like ours). They had invited us to speak to show the Co-op community an example of an organisation they invest in.... and we are a very visual example!

Top Local Hairdresser Pledges to Take the Bus
I've just had my hair cut this afternoon (thought I'd better make an effort as I've got a conference tomorrow) and couldn't miss an opportunity to be promoting sustainable transport.

I quite often get the bus home from Kettering to our village and enjoy the ride on this reliable, direct service. Most of the other people on the bus tend to be teenagers or OAPs. The service is subsidised by the council and we've even lost one mid afternoon run due to low usage.

So why don't more people take the bus? I think habit is the main reason, not being aware when and where it goes etc; and a very strong car culture.

Anyway, I was extolling the virtues of our great bus service to Nigel the hairdresser and he agreed that taking the bus would actually be convenient for him once a week... so he has pledged to take the bus to work, much to the amusement(!) of his staff. And now it's in print (on this blog).... so no backing down Nigel! Once he's sorted I'll start work on the other villagers!

The Woman who Stops Traffic - New Channel 4 Series
I've just heard there will be a new series starting on Channel 4 TV tomorrow night (Tuesday 26 Feb) which is a must-watch for anyone interested in getting more kids to walk to school (and getting people to leave the car at home generally).

Thanks to Andrew at Living Streets for passing the tip on. Here's the blurb about it from the Radio Times:

The Woman Who Stops Traffic

Tuesday 26 February
9:00pm - 10:00pm
Channel 4

Kris Murrin wants British drivers to cut down on their car journeys. It's a bold suggestion, but then "professional problem-solver" Murrin is a bold woman. She needs to be. When she fetches up, in the first of a three-part series, in the chic town of Marlow in Buckinghamshire, suggesting a leave-your-car-at-home day, she's abused and patronised. But you've got to hand it to her, she's indefatigable, even in the face of being addressed as "my dear" in weary patrician tones by one of the town's elders. The hostility towards her idea seems insuperable, but gradually Murrin starts to capture imaginations. It's the schoolchildren who are most receptive to walking or cycling to school, and their overprotective mums (who cause most of Marlow's rush-hour problems during the school run) who are the most resistant. It's highly entertaining and instructive to watch Murrin chivy, cajole and arm-twist. But will it be enough?

RT reviewer - Alison Graham

VIDEO Plus+: 1539

Walking for Health by the Seaside
Well it's been a good half term..... but also good to get back into the swing of things today. Claire got back from a weekend in Eastbourne and was excitedly telling us about the Walking for Health campaign they have down there along the sea front. Apparently there are are signs to say how far you have walked and lots of motivational messages so there must be a real push going on there.

The signs had the same logo on as we printed on some high vis rucksacks recently for another customer so it must be quite a big campaign.

Be Bright Roadshow - What the Parents Say
As part of our 'Be Bright' project work I got to meet lots of parents at Highfield Community Centre in Rushden (not far from here). Here are some of the Highfield children modelling our BrightKidz high vis.

When parents see our displays and reflectors the sort of thing they typically say is 'we had those when we were kids so we could be seen'. It is always good to see parents understand why high vis is important for children. Parents want their children to be safe (but not wrapped in cotton wool) and the kids like fun high vis colours and reflectors so it is good to know our high vis products are appreciated all round.

Clever Camping
Have you ever been camping and struggled to find the tent zip in the dark? Well, a clever Akela (or cub leader for those of you not in scouting), has realised our fluorescent, reflective zip clips are just the thing to solve the problem... good idea Steven. And I promise we didn't put any pink ones in the pack we are sending for your cubs!

Bright Display for Parents Evening

If you are trying to get the 'be safe be seen' message into your school culture it needs to reach the parents as well as the children.

Put up a display for parents evening so they can see what being safe and seen is all about (not just yellow jackets!). It's an especially good chance to show off any high vis with your school logo on which you want to sell to parents.

Half Term - Get the Bikes Out
With such a mild, sunny February (so far) this year we want to get out as much as we can this half term. It's a good chance to give the bikes a bit of TLC with a check and go for a few rides with the kids on the days I'm not working.

As we move towards Spring the nights are getting lighter which is good for those cycling home from work. However, with the low sun it can get really dazzling with long shadows in late afternoon and so being kitted out in high vis is still really important (not just something to think about in November!!).

Wishing a safe, active, happy half term to all (unless you had yours last week)!

Park & Stride - Keep Cars Away from School Gates

Park and Stride schemes are a quick and easy way to reduce car congestion by the school gates.... and get the kids walking at least SOME of the way to and from school. Parents who have to drive (for whatever reasons) are asked to park well away from the school and walk the last bit. It may be on a quiet side street, in a pub/supermarket car park, with the agreement of the owner. It's all common sense I know... but something that probably won't happen unless you suggest it and promote it to parents.

To help you we developed our Park & Stride packs (reflectors, stickers, self-cling car window stickers and information sheet). We've just updated them so the car window sticker has a special writable panel. The car window stickers can be used solely to promote the scheme or can have an issue number/car registration written on and be used as a special 'Park & Stride' pass.

Happy Valentines Day
I hope you all get cards (it counts even if it they're from your kids!). And it has to be a red heart reflector for our photo today...

What is High Vis Friday?

The local school held a 'High Vis Friday' this week. All the children were encouraged to wear or carry something fluorescent and reflective to school and bring it to a special road safety assembly. Many of them already have their own high vis waistcoat, cap, sash or bag (depending on personal preference) as it is sold through the parents association. Some waistcoats are even offered free on loan by the school so it is available to every child.

Every so often the Eco committee or Junior Road Safety Officers stand by the school gates and award stickers to all the children who are wearing or carrying something fluorescent. It's one thing for children to have their own high vis, but another thing for them to remember to put it on so the sticker scheme helps by reminding them.

I Love Printing

Today I've been busy printing teeshirts, even though it's a Saturday.

Claire and Kim are our experts when it comes to garment printing here but when we're busy I give them a hand. It's one of my favourite jobs.... it's so rewarding to get a logo and transform it into a print on our high vis waistcoats, hats, bags

Schools like having their school logo printed onto our high vis jackets as it looks smarter and people can see where the children are from... good for the school's image too as it shows they take safety seriously (ticks several boxes for OFSTED/Every Child Matters). And printed logos can look really striking against our fluorescent waistcoat and bag colours.

Oh yes, and the bit about the teeshirts.... watch out, they're coming soon.