Ollie the Otter the Cascades mascot
It was a bright and sunny afternoon and all was well down on the river bank where a family of otters were enjoying the sunshine.
Mummy and daddy otter were busy in the garden while Ollie the otter played on the bank of the river. Ollie had been born only a month earlier and as with all otter families, Ollie was having fun playing on the riverbank in front of their home. After a short time Ollie noticed some older otters playing and having lots of fun in the water. They were playing hide and seek and tag with each other, chasing the fish and really enjoying themselves.
One of the older otters, named Freddie, called over and invited him to come and join their fun, but while hurrying to join in with these new friends, Ollie suddenly remembered that mummy and daddy had always said that the river was a dangerous place.
"Come and play, what are you waiting for?" shouted Freddie.
"I really want to come and play but I can't, I haven't learnt to swim yet" replied Ollie.
"It's ok, I'm a good swimmer, I'll teach you" said Freddie.
"No" said Ollie, "my mummy and daddy have always told me that the river is a dangerous place"
"Yes", agreed Sammie, another of the older otters, "you should ask your mummy and daddy to take you to Cascades for swimming lessons. I went there and its great fun, they've even got a water slide.
Ollie ran back home to tell mummy and daddy all about this exciting place called Cascades and to ask to go for swimming lessons.
Mummy and daddy took Ollie to Cascades where they all had a great time
If you keep an eye open, you might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse, as Ollie can sometimes be seen around Cascades, and might even be spotted in other parts of Tewkesbury. Ollie will also be visiting local schools telling everyone about the importance of being safe in and around water.