PUPILS at Bowerhill Primary School recently had a visit from Olympic bronze medallist Karina Bryant, in association with charity Team Superschools.
All children from years one to six had a photo taken with Karina and her bronze Olympic medal, as well as taking part in a five-minute circuit training session with a Team Superschools trainer, and receiving an assembly talk.
Karina Bryant is a professional judo fighter who won a bronze medal at the London 2012 Olympics. She fought in the heavyweight division and missed out on a place in the final after being defeated by Japanese fighter Mika Sugimoto. Karina has also won a number of medals in international competitions, including four golds in the European Championships.
She now works in schools with Team Superschools to try and motivate children to be active. Karina said, “I remember when I was at school we had an athlete visit and I was so inspired by them, it made me really want to get into sport. Now that I’ve been successful in my career as a sportswoman, this is my time to give something back and help inspire the next generation.
“It’s not a case of me trying to get them into judo, but encouraging the children to be active in general. To take part in and enjoy sport, to exercise, and to eat healthily. I really enjoy the Team Superschools programme, and it’s funny to see the children’s reactions when they see the medal. The programme also helps to raise money for the school. The charity only take part of the fundraising, and the rest can be put back into the school for new sports equipment.”
Karina officially retired from judo in 2013, but said in future she might fight out of Australia, where she has dual nationality and where her family live. The children took part in a short circuit training workout, in which they performed a set of four exercises – such as star jumps, leg drives, or press ups – each for a minute non-stop. Karina’s speech in the whole-school assembly focused on the importance of perseverance, and the rewards of fighting through tough challenges.
Staff member Hannah Mounty said, “This is my first time running the event, and the kids loved it! They’ve really enjoyed both the activities on the day and the fundraising elements. Those who raised the most sponsorship were given a medal, but all the children will have a photo with Karina and a souvenir watch.”
Bowerhill Primary School has used the Team Superschools scheme in previous years and had visits from athletes Kate Howey, Julian Golley, and Jamie Baulch.
Over 300 pupils took part on the day, for which they raised individual sponsorship money. Some of the money will go to funding the charity’s visit, and the rest to the school’s sports scheme. The children have two PE lessons per week, and the school has recently invested in new sports equipment through the Sainsbury’s Active Kids scheme.
Pictured: Karina with Holly, Molly, Katy, Jack, Ashley, and Reece
![Melksham Times Past
A column about days gone by in Melksham by local historian Lisa Ellis
The Independent Chapel and Women’s Rights in the 1840s
A document I recently transcribed lists the baptisms performed at the Independent Chapel. This record is especially helpful in that, along with baptisms, a lot of them include birth dates - one of the ways I discover which day someone was born.
The following is taken from a Wiltshire Times article published on 9th November 1878 which reports a speech given during the 100-year services and to celebrate their renovations (what we now know to be the Rachel Fowler Centre).
One speaker, Rev. T. Mann, minister in Trowbridge, talked about the Chapel’s origins when he related how Rev. Honywill came to Melksham and how he’d gone on to remain as the minister for the Independent Chapel for almost 60 years. [Honywill and his family lived on King Street in what we now call “Legion House”.]
Read more on our website, the link is in our bio.](https://scontent-lhr6-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.75761-15/505444438_18038424887647822_3264519508333556874_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=18de74&_nc_ohc=aLBu4qWxSc8Q7kNvwHaVKlW&_nc_oc=AdlPbhxQewT_cSiTru31F-5KIjiDsVWMpCZRRI9rD6F5r9thoch559YVoStjbAgUtcg&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-lhr6-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=LXEyVdf4JnNeYoQ52WXzVA&oh=00_AfNKFktSzThG--xszpxiOTO4LXiH0FfuQLjmBatZSq5t_A&oe=68586A4A "Melksham Times Past
A column about days gone by in Melksham by local historian Lisa Ellis
The Independent Chapel and Women’s Rights in the 1840s
A document I recently transcribed lists the baptisms performed at the Independent Chapel. This record is especially helpful in that, along with baptisms, a lot of them include birth dates - one of the ways I discover which day someone was born.
The following is taken from a Wiltshire Times article published on 9th November 1878 which reports a speech given during the 100-year services and to celebrate their renovations (what we now know to be the Rachel Fowler Centre).
One speaker, Rev. T. Mann, minister in Trowbridge, talked about the Chapel’s origins when he related how Rev. Honywill came to Melksham and how he’d gone on to remain as the minister for the Independent Chapel for almost 60 years. [Honywill and his family lived on King Street in what we now call “Legion House”.]
Read more on our website, the link is in our bio.")
