On 16th May, the first French school group will arrive into West Bridgford since February 2020, 27 months since the Covid-19 pandemic put a stop to overseas school travel.
The children and teachers will be here on a 5 day education and culture visit that forms part of their school curriculum.
They have a packed itinerary which includes a historic tour of Nottingham, the space centre and planitarium in Leicester, archery in Sherwood Forest with time in the park to see the major oak which according to local folklore, was Robin Hood’s shelter and where he and his merry men slept.
They will also spend a day going back in time to learn about and experience the Industrial revolution when they visit a coal mine and victorian school museum.
On their final day, they travel to London for a day to explore our capital city and for the first time for most of them, taste English fish and chips before catching the overnight ferry back home to France.
Whilst they are here, the school group will be hosted by local families arranged by Nottingham Host Families, having the opportunity to experience authentic English family life and have a chance to practice their English language with the families.
Asda West Bridgford’s support for the community extends to these school groups by providing parking for the school coach which can be sizeable, often seating 70+ passengers.
On the evening before the group set off back home via London, the children and teachers love to go into the store to buy goodies to take back home with them. Favourites include confectionery (of course!) teas, jams, lemon curd, clothes (mostly the girls) and alcohol (for the teachers)
It must be quite daunting for the Asda staff faced with 70+ school children rushing into the store excitedly altogether!