Eden's Eisteddfod tie

EDEN LATTER was the only pupil from Herm primary school to enter this year's Guernsey Eisteddfod.

Despite it being her first attempt and her first time on stage, she did very well. She tied third in the Year 3 individual poem class out of 37 girls with 87 points. Her group work and character study both scored 85 points.

Since November, eight-year-old Eden (pictured) has been a student at the Avril Earl Dance and Theatre Arts Centre, where she studies modern dance, tap and musical theatre. She also performed last weekend in the centre's showcase The Show, a three-day event at Beau Sejour.

Although there are many benefits to living on a small island, when children get to a certain age, it is important that they have hobbies and a wider circle of friends.

There are many activities in Guernsey open to our children, but getting them there isn't always easy. In the winter, if the boats don't go, the children don't go. And if anything is scheduled before 9.30am or after 4pm, it means spending the night in Guernsey. What takes most parents an hour out of their day for us involves spending the entire day in Guernsey. This takes a lot of planning, especially for working parents.

Lesley Bailey has brought up three children on the island - Jonathan, Kathryn and Richard - and realises the importance of extra-curricular activities.

'At one point Jonathan was the only boy in Herm school with four girls - and one of those was his sister - so it was very important for him to have some male company.'

Jonathan played football and later took up running with the GIAAC, while sister Kathryn had riding lessons at La Carriere Stables, and then the Schools Music Service at the Grammar School when she started playing the violin.

Richard played football for Rangers for several years and now uses Beau Sejour gym as often as possible.

Herm youngsters Charlie Knight, Elliot Knight and Ryan Jones have all played football at St Martin's AC, and Will Knight has done drama at ACTS (Amherst School).

Josh Watson takes part in cadets and the Duke of Edinburgh scheme and plays cricket, while brother Taigh plays hockey.

Taigh and Maya George also took part in the Eisteddfod in choirs with Beechwood and Blanchelande respectively.

Most of these activities involve trailing all over Guernsey, which means those of us who don't have cars know the bus timetable off by heart.

It is difficult to keep these things up, as it is a big commitment, and you have to be very organised and determined.

While it is lovely to have such a small school and a free, Famous Five-like childhood, there are only seven children in the school - all of differing ages.

Once you see how the children benefit from a wider social circle and being with their peers, it is good for them to have something that is their own.

'We always made every effort to make sure the children didn't miss out on things because of where we lived,' said Lesley. 'It was hard work at times, but worth it.'