If ever there was an example of teamwork being the route to success, then the Sherington Pre-School Easter Fair was just that.
The committee have been overwhelmed with the support, fantastic ideas and infectious enthusiasm from you all! Parents and carers were extremely generous with donating prizes, cakes to sell and their time manning the busy stalls. Marie Graham’s stunning pots of daffodils and balloons cheered up the Hall, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere (as described by a Japanese visitor). The Pre-School children had decorated the walls with butterflies and leaves. Our fabulous banners were designed and made by the very artistic John Kitchen.
Pam and Alan Sims of Virginia Stores once again loyally supported our Pre-School with a special Easter egg prize for the Treasure Hunt competition. They also raised a fantastic £100 in raffle ticket sales! (A list of the winning numbers can be viewed in the store).
Sue Herbert hosted the Mayor and Mayoress of Milton Keynes who honoured our event with an opening speech, written by Sue (which can be viewed on our website www.sherington.org.uk courtesy of Ian Collinge). When the Thames Valley Police came to deliver 4 bollards to mark out the Mayor’s car parking bay prior to the Fair day, the Pre-School children were delighted to be able to climb inside the police van and listen to the sirens!
Sue showed the Mayor and Mayoress our new outside play surface, made possible from a grant from the Milton Keynes Community Foundation Local Network Fund.
The Mayor judged the Easter bunny colouring competition which was won by Asha Nicolson of the Pre-School, and from Sherington C of E School, Alice Charles in Reception, Alexandra Bruce from Year 1 and joint winners were Grace King and Mason Dowd from Year 2. Well done to you all and to Claire Lawrence for providing the colouring sheets.
The Salvation Army band, led by Kevin Dare, braved the bitter weather to play us most enjoyable, uplifting music. Also braving the weather were Jackie Rogers and Barbara Smith, shivering in the foyer to welcome our visitors. Jackie was responsible for managing our raffle this year – no mean feat!
Our thanks must go to Kerry Kitchen and Charlotte Jackson who were looking after the ‘Treasure Hunt’, ‘Guess how many eggs in the jar’ and ‘Guess the bunny’s name’ (a cute little chap, donated by Denise Baldwin, later named ‘Thumper’ as chosen by the Mayor) and to Amy Kitchen for making 100 Easter cards from her sick bed. Becky Tough, Jo Kitchen, Mimi Stanley, Beth Morton and Jessica Hargreaves for responsibly running ‘Craftland’ with such patience and care with the young children, as commented on by many guests.
Wendy Austyn ran our tombola this year and Una Garwood sold our delicious range of homemade cakes and sweets – we are so grateful to everyone who donated these to us (and to Karen Turnball for her advice on fudge making – we’ll get that thermometer for next year!). We were very lucky to be given lots of bric-a-brac, and Hayley Marlow, Angela Phillips and Helen Vale ran this stall. Chris and Hayley put up signs around the village, and bashed advertising stakes into verges despite both feeling poorly. A huge thank you to Kay Turrell who was by our side unstintingly supporting every aspect of the Fair. Rory Nicolson braved the heights to put up our bunting, kindly located by Jo Tough. Adrian Lusted was out there in the rain to pull it down again!
Jo Cowley spared her precious time to make plaster moulds for the craft area. Keith Rogers returned our much –loved plastic ducks to their former glory for Paris and Nicola to look after! Lara Bruce equipped our ever-popular Lucky Dip box. Catia Farr and Miranda Koss looked quite the part in their pinnies, serving our refreshments (thank you to the Thursday Club for lending us their table cloths). Victor Koss kindly called the raffle numbers, with his daughter Eleanor’s assistance. The Sherington Charity Stitchers with their beautifully crafted items, supported both us and the Macmillan Cancer Unit at Milton Keynes Hospital. Thank you to Caroline Leslie for coming up trumps at the eleventh hour to paint some gorgeous faces and to Emily Megeary for rushing to the Fair to take over from Caroline as soon as she could!
The committee would like to thank Aston Martin Limited for donating the remote controlled car and the Kelly, Danny and Tyla Paige Poulter for their very generous golf and computer game prizes. Thanks for our raffle prizes go to Market Hill Greengrocers, Pregos, The White Hart, Mead Open Farm, Therapy of Olney, The Hair Spa by Anya, Tesco, Marie Graham, Barbara Smith, Sue Herbert, Miranda Koss, Kay Turrell, and finally the external stall holders, Usborne Books, Posh Bags, Tiny Togs, Pots of Interest and Sarah Wilson-Smyth for supporting and sharing our marvellous day.
And then came the clearing up – a special mention for young Harry Odell who was a
dab-hand with the broom!
What amazing dedication from so many wonderful people - thank you to everyone. What a way to celebrate our 35th Year!
Together we raised almost £1000, which is much needed for the running costs of the charity business of Sherington Pre-School.
