16140/3CHILDREN at Holy Trinity Primary School in Great Cheverell celebrated the ancient festival of Pentecost by releasing red balloons at the school last week.

Class teacher Mercedes Henning said the balloon release was symbolic of the work of the disciples.

"Pentecost takes place 50 days after Easter and marks the time when the disciples went out into the world to spread the word of the gospels," she said. "We wanted to release 50 balloons, but in the end I think about 30 went up.

"We spent the week building up to the release learning about the Holy Spirit and the nature of the Holy Trinity, which the school is named after.

"We were surprised just how much the children enjoyed the ritual, especially the singing, lighting candles and releasing the balloons. There is a strong link between the school and the church and our vicar, the Rev Harold Stephens, is a popular figure around the school. He took the assembly, which is perhaps one reason the children were so absorbed in it."