Bonnet parade for start of spring

Nineteen children, aged from two to four, made the seasonal headgear at home with their parents before showing them off in a contest at the nursery in Even Swindon Community Centre, Jennings Street.

The winner, chosen by Adver photographer Dave Cox, was Chyele Johnson, aged two-and-a-half, whose hat featured bunnies, eggs and little chicks.

Pre-school supervisor Michelle Watkins said: “We believe in Easter and it was a fun way to celebrate Jesus.

“We have children from many different cultures and backgrounds, and therefore we celebrate and embrace all multi-cultural festivals, so this is just part of what we do throughout the year.

“And to promote parent partnership, we got the children to make their fabulous Easter bonnets at home because it encourages parents to talk to children about the true meaning of Easter.”

All 30-odd children who attend the pre-school were invited to go head-to-head in a competition to make the very best easter bonnet about four weeks ago.

Yesterday, the staff organised an Easter egg hunt where the toddlers tried to find chocolate eggs hidden on the site in bushes, toys and other locations.

There was an Easter bonnet parade in the nursery garden, before they went inside for prizes. Chyele won a giant chocolate Easter egg and the other children took away some small Easter eggs.

Michelle said: “The children enjoyed making them so much. They have been bringing in photographs to show us what they’ve been doing and the parents have been telling us all their ideas, so it’s been fantastic actually.

“It went fantastically. I feel like all the children really enjoyed themselves. Myself and nursery nurses Joanne Venton and Wendy Collis thoroughly enjoyed the day and joining in with all the fun.

“And I think a lot of the children got a lot more out of it, as rather than just talking about Easter they actually got involved in making their hats and joining in with all the Easter fun.”