Coffee with Bring & Buy
3rd October - Come for a coffee and chat at in Church Crookham on 3rd October
Chris Booth :: Monday 11th September 2017 :: This Story
OCEAN STARS TRUST
COFFEE, CAKE AND BRING AND BUY DAY
WHEN: TUESDAY 3rd OCTOBER 2017
WHERE: 2, NETHERHOUSE MOOR, CHURCH CROOKHAM, FLEET, HAMPSHIRE, GU51 5TY
TIME: 10.00- 1.00 PM
Please come along and bring a friend.
What is Volunteering Like?
Find out what Katie and Erinn thought of their time volunteering in Sri Lanka
Naomi Booth :: Sunday 3rd September 2017 :: This Story
I thoroughly enjoyed my time visiting Sri Lanka in July this year. I loved being able to finally see for myself the work and support that Ocean Stars is continuing to provide to so many families in various communities after my mum visiting a number of times with OST. I was able to meet the girl that my family have been sponsoring for so many years which was amazing and I loved seeing all of the happy smiling children in the schools who are excited to learn! The Sri Lanka team of Diana, Pooja and Chitra are lovely women who enjoy what they do and love being able to make a difference to so many children's lives!
Erinn and I thoroughly enjoyed our trip and Sri Lanka is such a beautiful country! I am so glad that I finally have now visited for myself!
Katie Holroyd
Volunteer Feedback
June 2017
Over our time spent with Ocean Stars we were able to visit many different pre schools. All of the schools were filled with children who were eager to learn and the most incredible and motivated teachers. It was clear to us that the opportunities provided by these preschools are invaluable to not only the children but to the mothers who get some valuable time to work on things while childcare is organised. We had an amazing time singing songs, playing games and getting to know the children, it was so lovely to see their smiling faces and giggles (especially when there were bubbles and balloons!!).
Thank you so much
Erinn Prentice
Erinn Prentice
Volunteer Feedback
June 2017
New OST intern 2017!
Welcom to Hannah who will join us in September
Chris Booth :: Wednesday 9th August 2017 :: This Story
Ocean Stars Trust has just appointed HANNAH SHAUGHNESSY as their intern who will start work with the charity from September 2017
"Hi I'm Hannah, and I am looking forward to joining the Ocean Stars trust as an intern in September.
I have recently graduated from University with a degree in International Development, with a key interest in education, and having first heard about Ocean Stars at school,
I thought I would get in touch to learn more about their work. I've previously volunteered for charities for periods of time in Sub-Saharan Africa, I hope I can adapt the knowledge and experiences gained during these trips to help Ocean Stars further there support for communities in Sri Lanka."
Lovely Afternoon Tea
There was a delicious array of sandwiches, scrumptious scones and cream and jam and a mouth watering selection of cakes.
Chris Booth :: Saturday 5th August 2017 :: This Story
24 people attended the Ocean Stars Afternoon Tea at Stockton House Fleet. There was a delicious array of sandwiches, scrumptious scones and cream and jam and a mouth watering selection of cakes. This was followed by games of boules and croquet in the garden. A wonderful afternoon was had by all.
Keith & Chris are preparing to return to Sri Lanka...
This is an opportunity to hear their story and support Ocean Stars Trust Free Admission. Donations to Ocean Stars Trust
Naomi Booth :: Tuesday 1st August 2017 :: This Story
Early in May 2005 five people met at Terminal 1, Heathrow
Airport.
They were bound for Sri Lanka. Most had never met before, but Keith, Angela, Keith and Christine all had links with the team leader David, Sri Lankan-born Methodist minister who lost 11 members of his family in the tsunami that struck the east coast of Sri Lanka on Boxing Day 2004.
The purpose of their journey was to encourage those involved
in the rehabilitation process, give immediate support to those
people and projects where it was appropriate, gather information to promote further support and share with David in his own personal pilgrimage of bereavement.
It was to be a journey in which they would share both in the
sorrow and smiles of Sri Lanka.
Now Keith & Chris are returning to Sri Lanka with Ocean Stars
Trust, a charity set up in the aftermath of the tsunami to help
rebuild shattered lives, to work with their partners on the ground
in their sponsored projects in nurseries and schools.
This is an opportunity to hear their story and support Ocean Stars Trust
Saturday 9th September, 7pm
Broad Street Methodist Church, Spalding
Free Admission.
Donations to Ocean Stars Trust
For more information: www.oceanstars.org.uk
Further information about the event contact Keith & Chris
on 01945 700927 or email: revrowbottom@gmail.com
Dan's Walk
Fund raising walk from Windsor Castle to Buckingham Palace
Chris Booth :: Monday 24th July 2017 :: This Story
This October I am going to Sri Lanka as part of the Ocean Stars volunteer team and as a fundraiser I decided to do a walk...
On Saturday 22nd July I set off from Windsor Castle on a walk along the river Thames towards central London with my final destination being Buckingham Palace.
The first half of the day was very enjoyable as I walked 22 miles passing through picturesque regions of old Windsor and runneymede reaching Hampton Court Palace at 1pm.
Unfortunately in the afternoon the heavens opened and my waterproof jacket was put to good use. I found the 12 mile stretch between Teddington and Putney particularly difficult as the paths were littered with puddles as the rained poured and poured!
Nonetheless I reached Putney where I was greeted by my sister Amali who brought along water, sugary snacks and some much needed encouragement to keep me going.
Thankfully I found some much needed energy and strength and ploughed onto Battersea bridge where I was greeted by the rest of my family and OST trustee Jen.
Just 2 miles to go!
As we neared the finish the clouds cleared and the sun broke through. Passing through Chelsea and Victoria station, Buckingham palace still seemed ages away.
And then 14 hours 32 minutes 6 seconds and 42.64 miles later we arrived at Buckingham Palace where I touched the famous front gates to officially end the walk. What relief!
It was a truly gruelling experience but ultimately worth the effort. Having volunteered in Sri Lanka before for OST, I know how important their work is for granting access to education for young people in Sri Lanka.
I would like to thank everyone who donated and encouraged me along way. To my friend Jonny, fellow volunteers James, Jen, Chris and Aidan for walking with me en route and to my family for their support in the final stage.
October will come along very soon and I can't wait to go back to Sri Lanka and work with fellow volunteers on OST's various educational projects.
You can still donate via: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/danwalksroyal
Donate
Stockton House Fleet
Come to Afternoon Tea in Aid of Ocean Stars
Chris Booth :: Wednesday 19th July 2017 :: This Story
Why not treat yourself and a friend to a scrumptious
Afternoon Tea
at this lovely venue.
WHEN: Thursday 3rd August 2017
WHERE: Stockton House, Fleet, GU51 4NS
WHAT TIME: 3.30-6.30 pm
WHAT'S ON OFFER: Sandwiches, scones, cakes COST: £20.00 per person
This includes a glass of sparkling wine or non alcoholic drink on arrival.
Car boot fundraiser
Tamzin Nicholas from Calthorpe Park School raises £61.30 for Ocean Stars
Chris Booth :: Monday 10th July 2017 :: This Story
...by doing a car boot sale on a very hot July Sunday. Well done Tamzin.
July 2017 Newsletter
Find out how our sponsored children and pre-school children are getting on in Sri Lanka
Chris Booth :: Saturday 1st July 2017 :: This Story
Page 1: Amali Bunter, co-opted Trustee, reflects on our work and our impact.
Page 2: Our work with preschools in Sri Lanka. Jennie Dunbar, Trustee, talks about her experience with OST.
Page 3: Our sponsorship programme and impact.
Page 4: Richard Oliver, Calthorpe Park School volunteer, writes about his experience.
Glasgow University students head for Sri Lanka
They will be undertaking a marine expedition in Sri Lanka for the first time and helping Ocean Stars too...
Chris Booth :: Tuesday 27th June 2017 :: This Story
They plan to work with our Ocean Stars Projects in Vellaimanal, Trincomalee
This year 8 students from the university, half of which have previously taken part in the Egypt expedition, will be undertaking a marine expedition to the understudied island of Sri Lanka for the first time. The expedition will be based in the harbour town of Trincomalee. Efforts will be concentrated on the coral reefs and their associated fish, invertebrate and planktonic assemblages fringing the area of Trincomalee and Pigeon Island, a marine protected area.
The expedition will be based 2km north of Trincomalee town, in the small coastal village of Uppuveli. Along the coast line of Trincomalee there are coral reefs and sea grass meadows (Dharmaretnam, 2004). The area is known for its naturally deep water port that is accompanied by a coastal multiple canyon system (Young, 2014). The presence of large marine mammals in the area should also be noted and there is a large tourism industry as a result of their presence.
There are regular sightings of Balaenoptera musculus (Blue whales) and Stenella longirostris (spinner dolphins) (Alling, 1991). However, this has also raised issues of ship strikes around the Sri Lankan coastline (Priyadarshana, 2015; de Vos, 3013). Pigeon Island and its associated entry fee generate a considerable amount of revenue for the local wildlife and conservation authorities.
When not working with the expedition the students will be visiting Ocean Stars preschools and nurseries and sharing their love of science by teaching through fun and interactive learning. They will also talk to older students about studying science at University and encouraging them to pursue further studies in science.
