Back to School?
“But they have not finished this term yet” you cry.
OK, so it’s still July and I’m already talking about September. Am I crazy? Nope! Just getting ready for the rush (I hope) of orders from Mums that had forgotten to get pens and pencils ready for next year. You know it’s going to happen, Sunday September 3rd 2023, around about 8pm, kids all over the country are going to be saying…
“Mum, I haven’t got any pencils, and Mrs Bloggs the head teacher said we should bring our own in this term”
Well, fear not, cos I make stuff (it says so up the top of the page) and I’ve got your back when it comes to pencils.
I can hear them now… “Mum, I’ve got no pencils!”
“Go to bed” you’ll laugh “Mr B made you some while we were in Alicante”
Take a look at the photos below, decide what you need, then get in touch.
Prices depend on how much you want obviously, but to give you a guide, 12 coloured pencils, 4 x HB pencils, a rule, sharpener, and eraser will set you back £15.00 and I’ll even throw in the case for free.
I’ll say that again, as you do not hear that word very often… The pencil case is free when you purchase all the engraved pencils. FREE - NO CHARGE - ON ME - GRATIS
Maybe I am crazy!
Boltonites Radstockensis
It all begins with an idea, and some old wood.
Boltonites radstockensis Bolton 1914 (griffinfly)
Insecta-Meganisoptera-Meganeuridae
Full reference: H. Bolton. 1914. On the occurrence of a giant dragonfly in the Radstock Coal Measures. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society
Type specimen: Its type locality is Radstock Colliery, Tyning waste-heap, which is in a Westphalian D delta plain horizon in the Radstock Formation of the United Kingdom
Ecology: Average measurements (in mm): forewing 190.0 x 40.0
Age range: 311.45 to 306.95 Ma
Distribution: Carboniferous of the United Kingdom
OK, what, you might well ask, am I on about? Why is a wood wizard spewing facts about a big, extinct insect? Good questions, well presented, deserve answers. So here goes.
My “other job” as a medic, I look after the sick and broken, sometimes when they’re far from home, although these days I seem to spend more time teaching others to do the same. This job includes an unhealthy fascination with the things that could bite and sting you, or otherwise ruin your day. You know, snakes, spiders, jellyfish and insects, that sort of thing. I’ve studied how they developed their venoms, and how they deliver them to the unsuspecting passer-by. I’ve even gone so far as to get an ‘ology in old rocks and fossils to try and better understand how these wee beasties have evolved. So, when I saw that my latest workplace was covered in dragonflies, big insect beasts, I had to find out why, even if they’re not venomous.
Radstock Primary School, or the day job, has a dragonfly as its logo. It’s on the children’s uniform, school sign, website and I even wipe my feet on one when I go in the front door. There are dragonflies on plates in the trophy cabinet, wire ones on the walls, and even a pair of china wellington boots with dragonflies on. As you may begin to realise, dragonflies are a ‘thing’ here in Radstock.
BIG is the word for this particular ‘thing’ as the fossil of a dragonfly found in Radstock Colliery back in 1912 would indicate a wingspan of 450mm to 500mm or almost 20 inches in old money. That makes Radstock’s major contribution to geological science, the largest insect to ever fly. Quite a sight if you were around 300 million years ago, and not something you’d want soaring around your bedroom at night.
The fossil was sent to Dr Herbert Bolton a leading authority on fossil insects and at the time the director of the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery. At the time Bolton recognised it as being an unknown species, and the largest insect fossil, flying or otherwise, to be found in the British Isles. He named it Meganeura Radstockensis. However, when Anton Handlirsch, a German palaeontologist (fossil freak) later examined it, he revealed that it was different to Meganeura in certain respects. He renamed it Boltonites Radstockensis in honour of Dr Bolton. These giant dragonflies probably lived on smaller insects, probably caught in the swampy forests that were wide spread during carboniferous period.
The fossil was found just outside Radstock, in Writhlington in North-East Somerset, which is the home of The Dragonfly Education Trust, a Multi Academy Trust. The aim of the trust is to ensure that all young people, irrespective of backgrounds or challenges, reach their full potential.
“We believe that with the right support, guidance, provision and challenge all children are capable of achieving greatness in whatever field they choose”
In common with the Dragonfly Education Trust, I believe a child’s experience at school determines their future, and it is down to all school staff, not just teachers, to ensure that they get the best possible opportunity through inspired choices. Even down to the way they get exercise and experience the outdoors, with ‘grown-ups’ setting good examples.
Radstock Primary School says… “we work as a team to promote a love of learning in a happy and secure environment, where every child is inspired, challenged and supported to achieve their full potential” Sound familiar? So, as the Radstock in Reading has similar aims for the children, it’s only right that Boltonites Radstockensis aka a blooming great dragonfly, is the school’s logo.
And, living in Radstock Lane, surrounded by dragonflies, and by now, fascinated by these hardcore dudes, it only seemed right that I also had one as my logo for my woodworking. Can’t have a pet without giving it a name right? Dragonflies are insects of the order Odonata, and I’m a tad into Marvel and Vikings… Odin, you know, Thor’s Dad, seemed perfect. Odin the Odonate was born. You can find him on my invoices, engraved on woodwork, even on t-shirts and drinks coasters. Yes, you’ll be able to purchase these soon! <<< Shameless Plug
Meanwhile, go and check out The British Dragonfly Society. I did, and I’m a member now so ner!
Did I mention I also do laser engraving?