Baker’s Beacon Blog – Week 12

Dear Parents,

I have come across lots of remarkable things at The Beacon this term but none more so than the truly remarkable production of ‘A Christmas Carol’ last week.  The four night run, full of excellent acting, choreography, music and production values was seriously impressive and as my wife Brigid said as we left, “Wow, that was amazing!”  As we walked into the Spinney, I spotted the smoke machines, creating a wonderfully atmospheric Dickensian scene, and asked Bex Livermore where we hired them from.  “We don’t hire them, we own them”  came the reply.  Of course we do, it’s clearly all part of The Beacon production experience!

And then today, the Early Years and Year 1 Nativity performances, majestically orchestrated by Jane Voneshen, charmed all of us in attendance.  Getting all those boys to perform and sing together, in time and so enthusiastically was a sight to behold and will stay long in the memory. There is something very nostalgic and festive about the sound of young children performing…and we haven’t finished yet, with the Year 2 performance on Monday and our mysterious ‘School Council Christmas Presents’ Assembly…still lots to look forward to as The Beacon’s Christmas extravaganza continues unabated towards the end of term…

At Baker Towers, the tree is up and the decorations are out. Last weekend must have been the peak buying weekend for a Christmas tree as it seemed like the whole of Hertfordshire was at Christmas Tree Farm in Berkhamsted. What should have been a simple operation and buying experience was clearly too much for many, as lots of customers clearly considered themselves ‘Christmas tree experts’ all of a sudden and felt the need to go through dozens of options…that all looked exactly the same. I had Joseph with me after football training and he was cold and not keen to hang around; I told him to hold up the first one we came across and collectively said “that’ll do.”

As much as we are looking forward to the return of football at Watford FC this Sunday, there is the small matter of a World Cup Quarter Final tomorrow evening.  I was bullish two weeks ago in this column by saying England were the strongest team at the time and though since then, others have raised their game, I still fancy the Three Lions to do a professional job against France tomorrow and squeak a narrow 2-1 victory.  If that happens, Christmas really has begun!

Have a good weekend,

Nick Baker

Please follow this link to a letter from the Department of Health containing information regarding Streptococcus A and Scarlett Fever. We have no confirmed cases at The Beacon but it is prudent for us all to be aware of the latest guidance, paying particular attention to good hand hygiene and use of tissues and ventilation.