This week I’ve loved spending some fun time together as a family.
Over the last year, the Newbury Racecourse has been undergoing some major refurbishment and improvements, which have excitingly included the development of an entirely new nursery and this afternoon, we were invited along to watch as Holly and her class buried a time capsule in the new grounds to mark the occasion.
I’m not entirely sure whether other classes have done something similar to this previously, as a kind of tradition on leaving to go to big school, or whether this year was special to mark the end of the nursery we’ve grown to know and love.
But nevertheless, it was lovely as her mummy to have been invited along to this too, it was rather a special and momentous occasion and a mixture of happiness and blues as it rather ceremoniously marked the end of an era if you like.
Mikey and I often go to the races with our friends – it’s quite a lot of fun to dress up a bit, and sit in the sun together chatting with a few cheeky glasses of Pimms!
I suppose the reason we go quite as frequently as we do is because it’s basically on our doorstep and therefore so easily and readily available to us as something fun to do. Plus there are a couple of race events through the racing calendar where it’s really geared toward families, with pony rides, fairground stalls and rides etc, so we try to take the girls along too to enjoy the races with us. To be honest though – they are not exactly new to the whole affair.
As I mentioned before, our girls’ nursery/pre-school is owned by and housed in the grounds of Newbury Racecourse, so they often walk the course or go on nature trails or picnics on non-racedays, and on the race days themselves, they are taken to go and see the horses in the parade ring. They absolutely love it too!
Once the capsule had been placed into the ground, (with a helping hand from a man in a horse costume which didn’t go down that well with some of the children! Our own included!) we were all then invited to continue the celebrations just over the little walkway and in the racecourse itself, to enjoy a spot of evening races from the warmth and comfort of one of the boxes, with a rather nice spread of food and drinks laid on to boot!
Throughout the evening, tours took place to take the parents back over to the nursery for a proper tour of the new facilities which are due to open at the end of this year.
The facilities were wonderful, rather a stark contrast to the old building they are currently been based in, with all the glistening new rooms, facilities and apparatus and a really well equipped new sensory room too.
One of the main attractions though was a race track in the new garden, which went down extremely well with all the children, who spent the entire time running around in circles.
The girls had a fabulous time.
It was a social event for us all. We chatted to other parents about the recent school admissions, where their children were off to and were they ready etc, whilse the little ones, could all run around safely housed with the four walls of the box! Which they did! A lot!
Obviously though, we didn’t spend our entire time in there. We took the girls for a walk around to go and see the horses, and to watch them as they ran past the winning post.
I think the plan is for the new nursery to open in September, so Holly will not get the chance to try it out for herself, but little Ella will be there with bells on!
It was a lovely occasion for them both. After all – this was a day marking the end of an era for Holly, but the start of a bright new one for Ella in the new nursery.
A complete mixture of emotions, but a lovely time had by all.
Looks like you had a lovely day. How exciting to have a nursary at a race course!! #sundaystars
Lovely that they chose to mark the day with a special event. It must be so much fun for the children being at nursery on a race course, seeing the horses and have such a large space to runaround in. 🙂 x
What a lovely post. It sounds like a fabulous evening and a wonderful way to celebrate the end of an era and to have a look around the new nursery. I would have been a mix of emotions too. Especially when Holly’s class buried the time capsule. Thanks for being my fellow host on #SundaysStars. Hugs Mrs H xxxx
I love that you were able to see the time capsule be buried! That is an amazing opportunity for you to share with your girls. Thank you for sharing it with us!
Kristen
Family Race Days sound like so much fun! Sounds like you’ve made some great memories. Thanks for sharing #sundaystars
Do you know. I’ve never been to the races! Which is strange because I love horses, dressing up and Pimms. I’m disappointed in myself! Your blog has inspired a nudge to the other half. As for your girls being able to soak the atmosphere up on a daily basis, what a blessing! A childhood memory that I am sure they will look back on with glee for years to come. Fab post! Thanks for hosting xx
Aaah what an amazing day!! And how cool is that time capsule?!!! I didn’t realise they were actual things that you could buy! I thought folk just buried a box of things — I didn’t realise you could actually buy them with the date on! Brilliant 🙂 #SundayStars
Caro | http://www.thetwinklediaries.co.uk
What a lovely way to remember her time there! I love the races – how great that the nursery is there too. #sundaystars
It’s such a shame when somewhere you have fond memories of closes its doors, but as you say it’s also a new beginning. I’m glad you enjoyed your day 🙂 Thanks for hosting #SundayStars
Debbie
http://www.myrandommusings.blogspot.com
Ahhh what a lovely time you had. It’s nice to get involved in nursery and school things. I missed Zach’s nursery open day a few weeks back and felt bad about not going as its a chance to get involved. Sounds fab to live near the races though! We’d be skint! Thanks for hosting #sundaystars
Looks a lovely day. I love that they buried a time capsule, how lovely #sundaystars xx
I can really relate to this post hon. I was made redundant last week, and my two little ones finished up at the nursery my three have been going to for five years now. My 3½ yo will go to the pre-school attached to my eldest’s school from September. The end of an era, but a very good one and I have a feeling the new beginning is going to be just what we all need 🙂 #sundaystars
Ah sounds lovely! Im sure Ella will love it, the nursery looks and sounds adorable. May bump into you at the racecourse sometime, I live just around the corner too. Nice post xx #SundayStars
Gosh I love the time capsule idea, When I was 10 we buried a time capsule at our primary school. I can’t remember now when it was being dug up! and what beautiful pics of the races. I adore the one of Mikey holding your girls xx
What a lovely day! I love the idea of a time capsule, it’s brilliant. It’s so lovely that they got to watch the horses and they’re so lucky to have gone to nursery in such a beautiful place. x
What a brilliant thing for the nursery to do. Such a cute idea, I also love the sound of being so close to the races. You always seem to have such a fab time there. #sundaystars
Looks like you have some good memories of the day. The idea to put a race track in the nursery is a really good idea. I used to love going to the Races. Bit of an excuse to dress up, drink champagne and dabble on the horses. Hope your little one enjoys it there x #SundayStars
The end or eras are very poignant when we have children. they mark the fact that they are growing up fast. What a great place to have a nursery. #sundaystars
It’s great to have places like this on your doorstep. It sounds like you had a good day and I love the idea of the time capsule. I’m sure the nursery will be lovely and that your girls will enjoy it. #SundayStars
What a perfect day out! Were you in tears about the time capsule/end of nursery moment? I would have been. I wonder when they will open it. Last year our Year 7s all wrote something for a time capsule to be placed under the new bus station in Castleford in West Yorkshire. Not quite as picturesque as Newbury Races! I think they are a good idea. #sundaystars
It’s great to mark the occasion with something special, rather than than something just being over!! I love the idea of a time capsule as well as will be really interesting in years to come when someone finds it. Making me think of that Peppa Pig episode xx #sundaystars
What a great place to have a children’s nursery and a lovely idea for keeping memories in the capsule. Sure Holly will have a great time there come September!
How exciting, to be a part of history. I’d love to do a time capsule. When I was 14 I wrote a letter to myself to open when I was 18. It was hilarious to look back on.
ahh lovely photos and how lovely for the girls to see all that, we had maisya last day at nursery this week too it was such an odd feeling! #thisweekiveloved
What a great idea doing a time capsule! I’ve only been to the races once – sounds like you had a great day! #ThisWeekIveLoved
What a great idea. Also what a wonderful way to celebrate the end of an era, love going racing! Thanks for hosting #ThisWeekIveLoved
I love the idea of time capsules. The thought of someone very far into the future long after we’re gone finding our treasure and trying to make sense of it. I like to think of it as being a bit like ariel in the little mermaid when she brushes her hair with the fork. I wonder if there will be similar mistakes made with our time capsules! #Thisweekiveloved