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Highfield School and Wind in the Willows 

(30 April 2001)

David Ricardo, who lives in Cookham Village, visited Highfield School on 31 April as they are running a special exhibition featuring the Wind in the Willows. David is related to Colonel Ricardo who lived in Cookham in the early part of the twentieth century and Kenneth Grahame was said to have based the character of Toad on him.

The Wind in the Willows Theme

Highfield School have made their Summer Term Library display a celebration of the book 'Wind in the Willows'.

 

It is full of the 'flavour' of summer with larger than life butterfiles and dragonflies hovering over a dank, grassy river bank. A nonchalant Mr Toad contemplates life and the fish in the river!

A version of the story of Mr Toad
Various versions of the book are on display, along with copies of recent press coverage featuring Cookham and the fight to preserve Marsh Meadow.

The children have been interested to know how local places and personalities formed the basis of the book.

Press coverage of the Fight to Save Marsh Meadow that took place in 2000
The School was thrilled at the visit of David Ricardo, who gave a copy of a letter from Elspeth Grahame to his grandmother, on the death of Kenneth in 1932.

www.highfield.berks.sch.uk

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