For those looking for gift ideas, Wellington School’s Christmas Craft and Produce Fair at the weekend may have provided a few answers. The fair drew hundreds of shoppers to the Princess Royal Sports’ Hall and with more than 80 stalls selling goods from cup cakes to crafts, from plants to pottery, there was lots to buy, and activities for children too – including ‘Guess the Weight of the Pony’. Alongside independent stall-holders – all of them local businesses – pupils from the school were on hand to sing carols and Christmas songs and sell their own produce.
Now in its thirteenth year the fair has grown from a small event with only a handful of stalls to become an established event that attracted over 1100 visitors last year. Organised by Linda Wyeth and Friends of Wellington School, the money raised goes to a variety of charities and to support the work of the school. Linda said, “Last year we raised more that £5,000 and we hope to match that sum again at least. Proceeds come from stallholders’ renting their spaces and from the café and BBQ run by volunteer parents and friends of the school. The pupils’ own stalls – each one organised by a school house – selling cakes, sweets and second-hand books also add to our revenue.”
From the evidence of the very busy sports’ hall and a full car park, the organisers can feel confident of reaching their target.