Cycle for Schools: 20th May, at Toward School

2oth May 2011: Toward School had promised to pick Somerset up at Rothesay and bring him and his bike across to Toward in the Cowal peninsula by water. They delivered on the promise.

the Actual Reality Outdoor Education Centre based at Castle Toward offerd to help and sent a fast RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) with two doughty crewmen and Carolyne Young, a parent from Toward School, to pick up Somerset from Rothesay pontoons.

The weather was ‘brisk’ but dry. The return journey was a little slower to prevent losing our intrepid cyclist overboard, arriving at Toward Sailing School at around 5.00 pm.

A large turnout from Toward Primary school consisting of pupils and their bikes plus parents, grannies, friends and big sisters cheered and hummed the A-Team theme, waving banners as the RIB pulled into Toward Jetty.

After reassembling his bike, Somerset set off with a large contingent of pupils for the short ride to Toward Primary School.

A very impressive convoy of bikers with parents following behind in cars made their way along the road to  the school.

The parents felt it was a shame the council couldn’t see this display of a community and their school as one – particularly since Education Spokesperson Councillor Ellen Morton, had spent only half an hour at the schoool before consigning it to ‘her’ closure list.

At Toward School,  Somerset admired the spectacular view the pupils enjoy all year round  – of the Cumbrae islands and Bute – from their classroom windows.

Photos complete with banners and the exchange of posters, cards and photo album for the pupils of Luss School were take to record the ceremonial event.

Eventually Somerset headed towards Dunoon for a well deserved rest and a meal, courtesy of Chair of the Parent Council, Alan Stewart.

Tomorrow he heads off to the ferries for the final and probably very wet and windy leg of his journey to Luss school, on the bonnie bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.

Toward Primary School is anxious to thank the Lads from Actual Reality at Castle Toward -  and of course Somerset Charrington who carries their message to Luss tomorrow.