The Sports Hall was buzzing with hundreds of visitors looking to get their Christmas shopping started early at the College's first Christmas Fair in two years last Saturday - and it felt good to throw open our doors to the Shiplake Community once again!
With around 40 stalls from local businesses, there really was something for everyone. From jewellery to art, cushions to sweets and everything in between. The Shiplake College catering team from Thomas Franks were kept extremely busy all day serving up delicious turkey and stuffing baguettes and the smell of our Charity Committee's waffles and gingerbread decorating stall was simply delicious.
Thank you to Year 13 students Tom Stuart, James Braun and Ben Allan who took charge of this stall with proceeds going to two of the College's chosen charities this year, the Children's Centre in Henley and Aylesbury Women's Aid. They raised a brilliant £152.
With two sets of Christmas songs from The Shiplake Community Choir, run by Mrs Rapple Moore it really felt that the Christmas season had started.
And we cannot leave out Father Christmas who, along with children eager to meet him, had a long line of furry friends 'barking mad' to see him along with their owners. The grotto raised an incredible £488 for Garbo's Dog Rescue.
Events and Alumni Officer, Mrs Catherine Brazil who organised the Fair with the help of the Parents' Association commented: "It was wonderful to be back after not being able to go ahead with the fair last year. It's always a great way to kick off the festive season and lots of people use the event as a way to get ahead with their Christmas shopping. There is a real community vibe and what I like most is to be able to promote lots of local businesses and facilitate people to shop local. Thank you to the parents' association, staff and pupils who helped make the day such a success."
