This morning was my granddaughter’s first nativity play in the church of the small village where she goes to school.  She has just turned five, and her reception year group of ten children sang the first verse of Away in a Manger entirely on their own and with no piano. The rest of the school joined in at verse 2.  There wasn’t a dry eye in church.

I can only speak for our own little one when I say that she has been transformed by this amazing school and its staff in just a few short weeks since leaving nursery.  They are an incredibly dedicated team of people.  And I am so very proud of this wonderful child.

I did of course take some photos, and video too for our own memory bank, on the strict understanding as advised by the headteacher that no-one would post up photographs or video to any social media sites or online at all.  These precious children must be kept safe and away from greedy, prying eyes. And I agree wholeheartedly with that.  Let’s draw the line.

So here’s a photo of another recent morning taken at my favourite time of day, when the sun is just rising, and the world is crisp and fresh and brave and new.