St Aidan’s Summer Fair 2009 – All you need is love, love..

The sun blazed, the art work was hoisted, the singing rang out loud and clear! And so began the St Aidan’s Summer Fair for 2009. The procession followed its traditional route around the neighbourhood with a ‘bollywood meets gypsy caravan’’ giant spinning record on wheels at the fore. The children carried bright and colourful artwork they had made in class and sang the Beatles track ‘All you need is love’ with gusto. Eddie cycled high above the musicians playing brass and wind instruments, who accompanied the children as they laid on another spectacle for the residents of N4.

Back at the school the onions sizzled, the bungee run was stretched and the tombola was given a few test spins in anticipation of the ‘return’. For the next few hours we all ate, drank, played and hopefully won a few prizes (with luck not the ones we had donated). The BBQ team yet again excelled themselves with delicious food and rapid service and the two bars did a steady trade. We bought a few cakes, books, some chutney, the odd Italian Parsley or Geranium plant and handed over yet another 50p to our children for the lucky dip or toy stall. The competition on the slow bike ride was fierce and the ‘I have to play ‘til I win’ contingent ensured the tombolas sold out early on. The treasure was found on pirate island and the amphibians well and truly hooked.

We were rocked by ‘The Shades’ – a band of ex-St Aidan’s students who were even better than last year and then it was time for the auction. Clive masterfully added fuel to the bidding war and the auction alone raised over £2000.00 for the school. Finally to the raffle with the first prize of a Samsung NC10 Netbook. The planets were clearly back in alignment after their temporary glitch last year and Nick B won yet another 2 prizes (again). We had one last go on the bungee run, cursed the interloper who snatched the ‘slow bike ride king’ title at the last minute and gathered our children and purchases to head home, sun kissed and tired but happy.

The aim of the event was to raise £7000.00 to help the school buy NC10 Netbooks for each child to use in class. The great news is that not only was a really wonderful day had by all but also that we did it! £7,375 to be precise. The event takes a committed team of parents and staff to pull off – a big thank you to everyone for all that they did, no matter how small.

Karin Hogan on behalf of the Summer Fair team