We Feel Like a Team Now!
30th November 2007
Lyneham Primary School
Preston Lane, Lyneham
"We feel like a team now!" the words echoed among the youngsters of the newly tailored Lyneham Primary School Football Team. Under the inspiration of Chris Holden, who is employed with our local taxi firm Bradies Taxis, he was influenced into changing the look of the school football team, to give them a form of unity.

He recalls when he first started coaching the past soccer stars at Lyneham, that they did have a full set of football kit provided, but with generations of children moving on, over time, the original outfit has either been misplaced or worn out and he felt that the youngsters did not look the part in sporting events. They were attired in various colours of polo tops, T-shirts and odds and sods.

When Chris visited the Primary School at a recent football tournament, he thought that the children were being left behind, especially when all the other school teams participating were fully kitted and looked as if they were a team.

After a short consultation with Mike and Vera Druett from Bradies Taxis, they decided between them to help the school by purchasing and supplying a new full strip and accessories, so they can start looking the part with future games. Bradies Taxies who have served the local community for nearly two decades came up trumps and the new kit was presented this afternoon at Lyneham Primary School.

Opening the celebration and formal presentation, Mrs Julie Carr, head teacher of the school, firstly introduced and expressed her thanks to the local dignitaries who visited the school in Preston Lane this afternoon. Among the guests of honour were Mr James Gray, MP for North Wiltshire, Mrs Audrey Wannell Mayoress of Wootton Bassett and her husband Cllr Chris Wannell, Cllr Mr Malcom Petch Chairperson for Lyneham and Bradenstoke Parish Council, Mrs Vera Druett Proprietor of Bradies Taxies and Mr Chris Holden employee at Bradies Taxies.

Mrs Carr spoke to the children about her delight and appreciation that so many community members were supporting Lyneham Primary School especially in providing such lovely kit for the football team. She recalled her educational days were not just participating in English, Art and Science lessons but also in sport and an unanimous show of hands from the assembly, decided sport was fun, important and really good for us all.

To continue with the proceedings, Lyneham Primary School Chair of the Young Council, Thomas, assisted Mrs Vera Druett and Mr Chris Holden and donated the brand new footballs individually to the team. The 15 sets of kit, which the team had donned prior to the presentation, consists of a long sleeved shirts with horizontal emerald green and white strips , which symbolise the colours from the Wiltshire County flag, the sleeves were solid emerald green. Blazened across the chest, neatly embroidered, the logo of Bradies Taxis and above the sponsors are Lyneham Primary School badge and Patrick Shirt design logo. The shorts and socks supplied are emerald green.

Mrs Julie Carr, who arrived at Lyneham Primary School in September, was enthusiastic to see the rapport the local community, parents and businesses offer the youngsters. "Its exciting to see our footballers, looking absolutely splendid and a shinning example now to the rest of the teams, it brings a sense unity and will carry along way teaching the children to bond together and interact with the local community."

Mr Holden was proud to see the youngsters finally wearing the new apparel and we spoke to the children and they politely passed their thanks to the sponsors for the lovely garments and they echoed "we all feel a team now, not just a group turning up for football". Nick, team goalkeeper proudly spoke about this new start "will help us all stay as a team and we will look really good now, it will be up to us to work hard together and start winning."

Mr and Mrs Wannell were delighted to be invited to the school presentation this afternoon, and passed their sincere backing behind all the community support that local businesses provide.

Bradies Taxis has been a pivotal part in the local community for over 18 years, assisting residents to provide transport needs for all generations to places were the normal rural transport providers, find it difficult to reach, especially in the isolated villages. Bradies Taxies have consistently provided a friendly service to customers, their interaction with the community is enterprising and hopefully other local businesses will follow suit. There is a growing requirement for activities in the area to benefit from local support.

Mrs Kate McFarlane, Lyneham Primary School Business Manager, expressed her huge appreciation on behalf of the school and thanked all those concerned who have helped the children of our village school with their support and generosity. This external support will hopefully inspire the children to realise that we can all help each other and improve our ways of life, reciprocating with each other.

The pictures were taken with the kind permission of the parents, we have published them on the Lyneham Village Online website.